Chapter 35 - Before the Battle
Upon her return to the school, Wen Shanmei made a beeline for the training room, where she found Lu Lixing deeply immersed in his training.
She observed Lu Lixing in silent meditation, his body occasionally illuminated by a fleeting spark of lightning. Regret and helplessness filled Wen Shanmei's gaze.
Given Lu Lixing's innate talent, he was destined to be a formidable cultivator, provided his progression was uninterrupted. Yet, fate had other plans, dealing him a cruel hand that shattered his future with a heartless twist of irony.
Lu Lixing, roused from his meditation by Wen Shanmei's presence, slowly opened his eyes to meet hers. A brief moment of surprise passed before he offered a warm smile. “You actually came back.”
He had assumed the commotion surrounding the Hidden Dragon Platform had drawn Wen Shanmei's attention, never imagining she would traverse such distances for him.
Noting the ease on Lu Lixing's face, Wen Shanmei bit her lip and shared, “On the way here, my father mentioned you might surprise us all. I was skeptical at first, but seeing your serene confidence, I'm starting to believe it.”
Despite the seeming improbability, Wen Shanmei held onto the belief that Lu Lixing was capable of delivering those very surprises.
Still, even with her astonishment, Wen Shanmei harbored doubts about Lu Lixing's chances of surviving the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform. Victory was his only lifeline, demanding he vanquish a hundred adversaries—a feat that seemed insurmountable to anyone.
“Surprises are in store, though I can't guarantee my survival,” Lu Lixing admitted with a candid smile. For him, life and death had lost their weight; his focus was solely on victory. With no alternative paths available, there was no room for panic.
Reflecting on their past encounter at Cloud Dragon Mountain, Wen Shanmei remarked, “You've always been decisive. Where others facing that massive black bear would first think to flee, and only fight if escape proved impossible, you chose to confront it head-on. Your quick thinking and strategic strike to its vital eye were pivotal. Without that, you surely would have perished at the bear's claws.”
Upon hearing those words, Lu Lixing flashed a grin and said, “I won't die. After all, you told me I could ask for your help.”
“Yet, despite your exhaustion, you never once reached out for help. You'd prefer death over yielding to me, wouldn't you?” Wen Shanmei observed Lu Lixing with a complex gaze. Had Lu Lixing been willing to compromise, he would have opted for the second qualification test by now.
“I really owe you thanks. Without you taking me to Cloud Dragon Mountain for that training opportunity, I wouldn't possess the confidence I have now to confront the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform.”
Brief as that training stint was, it held immeasurable value for Lu Lixing.
He felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Wen Shanmei. Among those he knew, aside from Sha Zhenghao, she was likely the only one who hadn't played him. Even Wen Shi, who appeared quite friendly, had his own ulterior motives. His kindness towards Lu Lixing was never pure from the start.
“Let's put an end to the small talk. From here on out, I'll be by your side to aid in your cultivation. Should you run into any issues, feel free to consult me at any time.”
Wen Shanmei ceased any further delay of Lu Lixing's training, settling herself quietly to one side. She resolved to be there for Lu Lixing through this final chapter of his life.
The arrival of the Six Great Academies in Skyhaven was now common knowledge. Simultaneously, the schedule for the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform had been set—two o'clock in the afternoon, two days hence!
Per the regulations, in addition to the challengers, a hundred of the school's most elite students were to partake in the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform. The school promised these students substantial rewards. While it was possible to decline participation in the battle, doing so meant forfeiting the lucrative prize. Only those who sought no part in worldly affairs would pass up such an opportunity.
To everyone, the reward seemed easily attainable. No one believed Lu Lixing stood a chance against them, nor did anyone entertain the thought of perishing on the Hidden Dragon Platform.
Moreover, in addition to the substantial rewards offered by the school, the Zhang family had discreetly put forth a significant amount of cultivation resources as an incentive. Anyone who agreed to take part in the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform would have these resources promptly delivered to their door. Faced with such an astonishingly valuable lure, there were hardly any who could resist.
As a result, nearly every student ranked in the top hundred at the school had consented to join the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform. A few declined, but their spots were quickly filled by those just outside the top hundred, so the overall effect was minimal.
Sha Xiufen, a prodigy second only to Zhang Tu at the school, had turned down the chance to fight in the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform. Regardless of the current state of her relationship with Lu Lixing, she couldn't ignore the fact that he had been a significant presence in her life for over a decade. With Lu Lixing now in dire straits, the thought of oppressing him in such a time was something she simply couldn't do.
“I'm sorry,” Sha Xiufen said to Zhang Tu, her eyes filled with regret. “I've declined your grandfather's generous offer.”
Zhang Tu heard her and simply smiled, unfazed. He reached out to caress Sha Xiufen's cheek, but she evaded his touch. Her avoidance caused a brief pause in his smile, but he quickly recovered, saying, “No worries. I understand your kind heart, and that you still cherish the past with Lu Lixing. I won't push you, because whether or not you step onto that stage, Lu Lixing's fate is sealed.”
Sha Xiufen's expression dimmed upon hearing Zhang Tu's words. True to his statement, her participation wouldn't change the inevitable outcome. Lu Lixing's fate was sealed.
“We had an agreement,” Zhang Tu reminded her, his eyes sweeping over her appreciatively. “Once we enter university, you'll be mine.” He couldn't help but acknowledge that in Skyhaven, it was rare to find someone as stunning as Sha Xiufen among their peers. Her upbringing in the slums did nothing to detract from her allure. With her striking figure and the innocent yet seductive charm that played across her features, she was bound to captivate any man's heart.
As Zhang Tu's intense gaze bore into her, Sha Xiufen's face took on a complex expression. In a soft voice, she asked, “Will you marry me?”
“Of course.”
Zhang Tu's response was immediate and unwavering. His assurance would remain steadfast, especially before claiming Sha Xiufen's heart.
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