"I want to know, were the things I experienced in the illusion real or fake? Were they... just illusions you created?"
Lu Zhaozhao remained silent for a long time before finally asking.
"I suppose it's true. At least my memories from that time are from a thousand years ago."
"Then...why choose me? There are so many cultivators in the cultivation world, and I am just one of the most insignificant ones. There must be some reason."
When it was Cheng Sangji's turn to be silent, he paused for a long time, as if he was thinking about how to answer.
After a long pause, he said, “No one expected that Wei Zhanjie was still alive. When he returned to the Western Region, everyone was shocked. So much has happened in the past thousand years, and most of my old friends and relatives are no longer here. Therefore, when he appeared before me, he only asked me to help him. He said that he had glimpsed the secrets of heaven, that there is an existence in this world that is separate from the way of heaven. That existence is you.”
His gaze was deep, filled with doubt and inquiry as he scrutinized Lu Zhaozhao. He continued, "I agreed to his request and entered that illusion. But something went wrong somewhere, and my memories of the past thousand years have vanished. But it's alright, at least..."
He didn't continue, and Lu Zhaozhao pressed, "At least what?"
"It's nothing," Cheng Sangji said with a light laugh, shaking his head.
Lu Zhaozhao bit her lower lip. She roughly understood: Wei Zhanjie was strangled by the Heavenly Dao a thousand years ago, but he survived like a gecko with its tail severed, and had been waiting for an opportunity for the past thousand years. And now, that opportunity had arrived.
She, Lu Zhaozhao, transmigrated from a book and did not belong to this world, so she was not within the cycle of reincarnation. It could be said that she was a completely independent existence from this world, yet she somehow became connected to it.
She didn't know the meaning behind Wei Zhanjie creating such an illusion for her, but she thought that Wei Zhanjie had chosen the wrong person.
She was just an ordinary person, without the power to turn the world upside down or the ambition to stir up trouble. She just wanted to complete the mission step by step and go home as soon as possible.
What brings you here today?
Lu Zhaozhao asked one last question. Judging from Cheng Sangji's description, his relationship with Wei Zhanjie should be quite good, and he also holds a high position in the Demon Clan. What exactly made him lower himself to play the role of an ordinary cultivator to attend the Golden Palace Banquet?
But he did not answer that question.
"This issue has nothing to do with illusions. However, if you want to hear it, I can tell you, but you have to promise me one thing."
"What?"
"After we ascend the Golden Terrace the day after tomorrow, come back to the Western Frontier with me."
Lu Zhaozhao was dumbfounded. The topic had jumped too quickly. She looked at Cheng Sangji with doubt and said uncertainly, "I am a human, not a demon."
Cheng Sangji smiled and said, "So what? Who can say for sure what will become of humans and demons in the future?"
"What do you mean by that?" Lu Zhaozhao keenly noticed something strange. She took a step back to create some distance, her eyes flashing with wariness.
"You're not planning to do something during this Golden Palace Banquet, are you?"
Cheng Sangji took a step closer, squeezing the empty space, and Lu Zhaozhao sensed danger from his expression.
He bent down and whispered in your ear, "You probably don't know, but the contract signed during the war between humans and demons expired last year. The humans destroyed all the records of what happened back then, so you younger generations know nothing about it. They drew a circle, built a fence, and put the cubs in a greenhouse, but unfortunately, the wolf came."
Lu Zhaozhao looked up and met Cheng Sangji's eyes.
In the darkness, his eyes gleamed with the eerie light unique to demons, making him seem like a wolf hunting for food in the snowy night.
"Good has never prevailed over evil. We were able to suppress you a thousand years ago and force you to retreat to the Western Frontier. We can still do that a thousand years later. Aren't you afraid that after this, you won't even have this land of the Western Frontier anymore?"
Lu Zhaozhao said sternly, her voice trembling with emotion at the end.
"Over the past thousand years, the things that the human race has done can hardly be called just, you just don't know it." Cheng Sangji stood up straight with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent.
“You may not be able to accept it now, but I just want to tell you that these peaceful days will soon be over. Come back to the West with me, and at least I can keep you safe.”
Lu Zhaozhao shook her head, staring at him and said, "If you tell me everything tonight, aren't you afraid I'll immediately tell the sect master and have them bring you to justice?"
A hint of contempt flashed in Cheng Sangji's eyes. He said, "If you report this, you'll only get yourself imprisoned. As far as I know, there's constant infighting among the human sects. If you really speak up, people will inevitably suspect that you have ties to the Western Regions. Otherwise, how would they know these things? Rumors spread like wildfire. Under such pressure, do you really think your biased master will protect you?"
It must be admitted that Cheng Sangjie's words were sharp and harsh, but they were all true.
When she first recognized him, Lu Zhaozhao could have reported him, but she didn't. The main reason was that she didn't know how to explain her ability to recognize demons.
Even if she were to recount her past experiences in detail, it would likely arouse suspicion, and she wouldn't be confident that she could remain unscathed.
With a soft sigh, Lu Zhaozhao closed her eyes.
Cheng Sangji saw her dilemma and didn't press her, only saying, "I'll wait for your answer in three days."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Lu Zhaozhao stood there, pondering for a long time, feeling her mind was a complete mess and she couldn't find a way out.
The days of rest came to an end quickly.
The trial at the Golden Terrace is a matter of utmost importance.
Before dawn, the area outside the trial grounds was already crowded with people. Disciples of Wenyuan Academy patrolled and inspected the area in an orderly manner to ensure that no mistakes were made.
Facing the rising sun, the five finalists stood at the foot of the Heavenly Ladder to the Golden Terrace.
After thinking all day, Lu Zhaozhao's mind was still in turmoil. She looked at Cheng Sangji, who had changed back to Sangpan's face, and wondered: How exactly do demons hide their aura?
After confirming that everything was correct, Qing Songzi stood in front of them with a kind expression on his face, even though one of them was his junior brother.
Bai Yuanshi was somewhat helpless. He nodded to his senior brother and noticed out of the corner of his eye that Lu Zhaozhao was staring at him. Following her gaze, he saw that she was looking at Sang Pan beside him.
The atmosphere between the two seemed a little strange, and Bai Yuanshi's gaze moved between them.
Lu Zhaozhao noticed this, immediately looked away, and pretended to listen attentively again.
Qing Songzi spoke eloquently, and after a series of inspiring words, Lu Zhaozhao let them go in one ear and out the other until Yao Tong patted her, at which point she realized they were about to climb the steps.
The Heavenly Ladder is thousands of feet high. It is said that countless people who climbed it would inexplicably come down, and only one person could reach the end. Therefore, this path is regarded as the trial of the Golden Platform.
Only the one who makes it to the very end is qualified to ascend the Golden Terrace.
Lu Zhaozhao and her group took the first step.
As usual, Lu Zhaozhao did not feel anything unusual. The only strange thing was that the higher she went, the thicker the fog became, and the less she could see around her.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Lu Zhaozhao stopped. She suddenly realized that she was all alone.
But even though the five of them walked together, she didn't even notice the others leaving.
Has the trial begun?
A thick fog rolled in, so thick that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
Those watching from below the mountain could only see five people stop in their tracks, standing motionless as if possessed.
Only those who have climbed the ladder to heaven understand that their trials have only just begun.
As the smoke curled upwards, Lu Zhaozhao's vision became increasingly blurry.
It felt so familiar; she must be about to enter a dream again.
Practice makes perfect.
When she opened her eyes again, she quickly got into the zone.
She was in a small, exquisitely decorated house that looked like the home of a wealthy family's daughter.
Lu Zhaozhao walked around the room a few times, but apart from the exquisite jewelry and beautiful clothes, she didn't see anything else.
There was a book on the table.
"My Beloved Junior Sister: The Cultivation World is Madly in Love with Me"
The name sounded familiar. Lu Zhaozhao picked it up. The cover was covered in colorful illustrations and didn't look like something from here.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed into my mind.
"Frog Fun!"
Lu Zhaozhao shouted and immediately threw the book in her hand away like a piece of burning coal.
Isn't this the book she transmigrated into?! How come I can see it here?!
Lu Zhaozhao immediately took a step back, moving away from it.
This scene forced her to rethink the purpose of this trial.
The Golden Terrace was able to see that she wasn't from this world, and even set up an illusion specifically for her.
This is really difficult.
Lu Zhaozhao reluctantly moved closer to the book, her face full of reluctance. She picked it up with two fingers and threw it on the table as if it were something dirty.
However, this thing was considered dirty to Lu Zhaozhao, since she had come all this way for no reason because of it.
Taking two deep breaths, Lu Zhaozhao made up her mind and opened the book.
Just one sentence made her eyes widen in disbelief.
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