Currently, Ding Li’s impression of Xiao Wenjing was rather complicated.
On one hand, she felt that the two of them did not need to harbor so much hatred toward each other. It was no good for anyone. Perhaps someone should take the first step to ease the tension between them.
Xiao Wenjing would never be that person, so the first step had to come from her.
Ding Li thought that if she tried to appease Xiao Wenjing, then maybe, when he wanted to harm her, he might consider the method, or perhaps, seeing that they belonged to the same sect, he would just let her go.
Of course, this ideal sounded a lot like a daydream.
On the other hand, she could not help but fear Xiao Wenjing. The thought that he could eventually harm her so cruelly lingered in her mind. Whenever she saw him, her scalp tingled, and all she wanted was to escape, not waste effort on fruitless appeasement.
So Ding Li pondered what attitude to take toward him: should she shamelessly try to please him, or simply give up entirely and let him do as he pleased?
Xiao Wenjing furrowed his brows, wearing an expression that seemed hard to describe. “Are you crazy?”
Before he finished speaking, Ding Li smiled brightly. “Hi, Senior Brother Xiao Wenjing! Long time no see. What have you been busy with lately?”
His expression immediately returned to calm, as if seeing something dirty and choosing to ignore it. He did not respond.
Fine. He chose to ignore her after despising her.
Ding Li rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking, this is like flashing a flirtatious smile at a blind person. Stupid male second lead, not worth smiling at.
Lin Ziyuan quickly retreated from his pointless busywork and returned to the lineup.
Seeing him about to stand behind Ding Li, she immediately stepped back and pulled him to the front.
This way, she did not have to face Xiao Wenjing directly.
Perfect.
Lin Ziyuan seemed a bit intimidated by Xiao Wenjing as well, greeting him while stepping back.
Ding Li, enjoying the spectacle, said, “Move a little forward! I’m about to be pushed out!”
Lin Ziyuan glared at her angrily.
Ding Li didn’t care and smiled.
Soon the proceedings began. The host on stage explained the rules of the disciple trial fluently, clearly well-rehearsed and confident, not worried about going off-script.
The participants were, of course, the outstanding disciples of each sect.
Each sect sent about six to eight disciples, forming their own team.
The trial was set in the Misty Forest. During the trial, participants would encounter monsters. These monsters served as the test: encountering one meant immediate combat, called “answering the question.” Each participant’s final score depended on the number and difficulty of monsters they defeated.
Rankings were based on performance. Top disciples would be invited to exchange with other sects, though participation was optional.
A disciple could also choose to stay in their own sect. For example, a top-ranking Cangshan Sect disciple would likely remain in Cangshan Sect.
As the main sect where the protagonist resided, Cangshan Sect was the foremost prestigious sect. Why would a disciple want to go to a smaller sect?
For disciples of smaller sects, the triannual trial was an important opportunity to enter a major sect like Cangshan, and they had to seize it.
Ding Li, however, thought that with Xiao Wenjing present, their chances of taking the top spot were slim.
Although Lu Qianchuan was the male lead in the original story, Xiao Wenjing was still the unshakable second male lead.
The second male lead might not have the male lead’s gentleness and virtue, the shining light of justice, but his combat ability and charisma could be summed up in one word: strong.
Otherwise, how could he remain the second male lead? How could he win the readers’ affection while secretly admiring the female lead, even under the male lead’s overwhelming buff?
The other handsome and beautiful disciples, although strong, had truly formidable competition.
Ding Li could not understand. Could Xiao Wenjing really participate in such a meaningless contest just because Chu Zilan asked?
Was he really that obedient?
He had already defeated the Soul-Devouring Demon Vine. These trial monsters were, for him, nothing more than easy prey.
It was basically walking in to reap the harvest.
Was this the infinite obedience and love of the second male lead toward the female lead, doing everything for her, meaningful or not?
Impressive buff.
Ding Li pondered quietly as Lin Ziyuan discreetly poked her and held something out.
She took it and examined it. “What is this?”
It was a silver bracelet, adorned with several sparkling gems. Quite beautiful.
Lin Ziyuan whispered, “Senior Sister asked me to give it to you. She said to protect yourself.”
Ding Li paused for two seconds, looked at it for a while longer, and sighed. Chu Zilan truly loved her, slipping a magical item to her even for this minor trial.
Indeed, items from Chu Zilan were special, her maternal care always fearing Ding Li might be harmed.
Honestly, every encounter with Chu Zilan now filled Ding Li with inexplicable melancholy, guilt, and sadness, a very complex mix of emotions.
She quietly sighed and placed the bracelet in her inner pocket.
The entire procedure lasted about one and a half hours. Then, at the sound of a crisp gong, the trial began, and everyone set off toward the Misty Forest.
Ding Li was scared of Xiao Wenjing but understood clearly that, in the pace of the story, Xiao Wenjing would inevitably die after her.
Therefore, no matter what danger appeared early on, following Xiao Wenjing was like having half a golden pointer, and mistakes were unlikely.
From the back mountain, Ding Li stuck closely to Xiao Wenjing.
Their team included six disciples, three male and three female, perfectly balanced.
Aside from Ding Li and Lin Ziyuan, the other three had never met Xiao Wenjing, only heard of him, and admired this prodigious talent. They followed his lead unquestioningly.
For instance, now standing atop a cliff, Xiao Wenjing said the Misty Forest lay below and that they should ride their swords to reach it.
He glanced at Ding Li.
Hah.
Who’s underestimating whom?
Without hesitation, Ding Li drew her sword, led the charge, and leapt forward.