The training ground was now crowded with people, including the disciples and elders of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion who had been assigned duties, as well as those who had just passed through the Heart-Questioning Ladder.
"Congratulations on passing the first test, the 'Asking the Heart Ladder'. Next is the martial arts test. Please come forward and draw lots if you are number 1 to 250."
It seems that only 500 places were allocated for the first round of testing.
Chu Hongluan looked at the number in her hand: 499.
That was close, we almost crashed.
The first 250 people lined up to draw lots in order. Chu Hongluan's face was still a little pale, her sweat-dampened hair clung loosely to her temples, and her lips, which she had bitten hard, were so red they looked like they were about to bleed. She leaned against a pillar and looked up at the high platform, where she saw Liu Jinghong sitting next to the Pavilion Master's wife, staring straight at her with eyes full of worry.
Chu Hongluan smiled at him, raised her hand to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, and silently said, "Don't worry."
"Hey, this young lady is quite beautiful. I wonder what her license plate number is?"
Chu Hongluan turned her head and saw a man in his early twenties standing in front of her. His black robe was covered with intricate patterns, and gold and silver threads adorned the edges. His shoes were also inlaid with large gemstones. He held a folding fan in his hand and slowly waved it against his chest.
He was fair-skinned, but had dark circles under his eyes, and his brows were full of frivolity. Yet he was still smiling at Chu Hongluan, thinking himself dashing and debonair.
Tsk. A poor imitation.
All Chu Hongluan saw were the deep, ravine-like laugh lines under his eyes when he smiled, and the crooked corners of his mouth, like a grotesque dragon king.
"What's it to you?" Chu Hongluan coldly uttered four words.
The man was rebuffed, and a shadow of gloom flashed across his eyes, but he still forced a smile and pretended to be gentle and kind: "Why is the young lady so cold? I am the third son of the Song family. Who knows, we might become fellow disciples in the future."
"Get out of my way!"
These words were not spoken by Chu Hongluan.
A young girl in green stood with her sword drawn in front of Song San, resolutely blocking his disgusting gaze with her slender body.
Chu Hongluan was slightly taken aback, "Chunxiao?"
“My benefactor.” Gu Chunxiao turned to look at Chu Hongluan, seemingly wanting to offer a smile, but the corners of her mouth stiffly turned upwards, ultimately to no avail. She had no choice but to give up, turning her head back and looking at Song San with increasingly cold eyes.
What kind of filthy thing is worthy to stand before our benefactor?
Song San had the illusion of being targeted by poisonous insects. He tried to ignore the strange feeling in his heart, and his face darkened completely. "I came here to talk to you personally to give you face. Since you are so ungrateful, then let's meet on the stage! When you are eliminated and come down the mountain, if you are willing to kneel down and kiss my shoes, I might take pity on you and take you two as concubines."
Gu Chunxiao drew her sword and thrust it at Song San, her killing intent undisguised! Song San's expression changed drastically, and he retreated hastily. At the critical moment, a talisman flew through the air and accurately stuck to Gu Chunxiao's sword, preventing the blade from advancing even an inch further.
"Private duels are forbidden on the nameless immortal mountain!"
"Senior brother, I was merely trying to be friendly by greeting them, but this shrew tried to kill me! Please, senior brother, do me justice!"
"Shut up! Who's your senior brother! You haven't even passed the assessment, and you think you're a disciple of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion? Don't think I'm blind! If I see you harassing the women on the field again, I'll expel you from the mountain!"
Song San choked and dared not speak anymore, only staring fiercely at Chu Hongluan and Gu Chunxiao with resentful eyes.
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