The forbidden love between a ghost and a villain

"This is just the first level, and so many people have been eliminated. The Changshou Sect is really strict." Shen Meng couldn't help but sigh.

Those who were submerged in the Immortal River will soon appear in the square.

Everyone was gasping for breath, thinking they were going to die.

Qing Yunzi pointed at the disciples and said, "You are already outer disciples. Follow your brothers to report to the outer sect."

Afterwards, a handsome senior brother led the disciples who had not yet recovered and reluctantly headed towards the outer gate.

With his tenacious perseverance, Li Chengze finally successfully crossed the Xian River and reached the other side.

However, when he saw the scene on the other side, he couldn't help but gasp.

On the other side of the river stood a towering ladder reaching into the clouds. It had nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.

Each step emits a dazzling golden light, as if it were made of gold.

"The second level is climbing the ladder to heaven! Only those who successfully climb the ladder can become inner disciples of my Changshou Sect!"

Elder Qingyunzi's voice sounded again,

"As you ascend the ladder to heaven, you will encounter various tests. Only those with a strong will and extraordinary character can ultimately succeed!"

Li Chengze looked up and saw clouds and mist swirling above the ladder.

It was hard to see clearly, only the dazzling golden light seemed to be guiding the direction forward.

He took a deep breath and stepped onto the first step.

As he stepped onto the ladder, an invisible pressure descended from the sky.

It pressed down on his body, as if to crush him.

Li Chengze gritted his teeth and climbed up step by step with difficulty.

On the ladder to heaven, every time you climb a step,

The pressure will increase, testing the climber's will and perseverance.

Some disciples could not bear the pressure and were crushed to the point of spitting blood and falling from the clouds;

Some disciples were frightened and gave up halfway, and could only become outer disciples.

As time went on, fewer and fewer people were able to persevere, and in the end only 33 people successfully reached the summit.

Among the thirty-two people other than Li Chengze, there were the twelve sons of destiny that Shen Meng had noticed in the crowd before.

Shen Meng looked at the scene in front of her and couldn't help but take a breath.

"This... this is a scene that could be written into a script. It's too incredible."

Shen Meng looked sad, "Li Chengze, what are you going to do?"

Li Chengze struggled to sit up from the ground, feeling sore all over.

Every muscle was trembling, his face was pale, and he looked like a sick child.

He greedily breathed the air at the top of the ladder, even though it was not rarefied.

But for him it was as precious as a new life.

He saw that most of the people around him were like him, slumped on the ground.

He was breathing heavily, obviously exhausted by the ladder.

Elder Qingyunzi's voice sounded again, with a hint of relief in his resonant voice.

"From today on, you are all inner disciples of my Changshou Sect!

Next, we will conduct the final test—the spiritual root test!"

After hearing these words, Li Chengze finally took time to observe the surrounding environment.

He saw his third brother, Li Chengqian, leaning against a rock with his eyes closed.

There was a hint of fatigue on his handsome face, but it could not hide his nobleness.

The fifth brother Li Chengyou was talking excitedly on the side, with a beaming look on his face, not showing any signs of fatigue.

And his sister, the always lively Princess Li Xinran,

At this moment, she showed a rare look of weakness. It was obvious that the test of the ladder was not easy for her.

Li Chengze glanced at the crowd but did not find the figure of the fifteenth imperial sister Li Xinyi.

"It seems that the fifteenth sister was sent to the outer gate." He sighed in his heart, but he did not feel too sad.

The fifteenth princess has been spoiled since childhood, so it is understandable that she cannot bear this hardship.

Although the outer sect is not as rich in resources as the inner sect, it is still a place to settle down, which may be a good thing for her.

Just as I was thinking about it, I heard a clear female voice ringing in my ears.

"Are you OK!"

The girl's voice was as clear and sweet as an oriole, with a hint of worry.

Li Chengze looked up and saw a girl in a light blue dress standing in front of him, looking at him with concern.

The girl has a pretty face and a pair of bright eyes that seem to be able to speak.

There is a pure and lively temperament in her glance.

Her skin was fair and delicate, and her long, black, shiny hair fell softly on her shoulders.

It makes her look even more elegant and refined, like a solitary orchid in a valley.

Lin Xiaoxi smiled slightly and gently handed over the handkerchief, with a faint warmth between her white fingers.

Li Chengze was in a trance and felt the intimacy from her.

It seemed that in this difficult time, only her presence made him feel at ease.

He reached out involuntarily, intending to take the handkerchief, hoping to find some comfort in her warmth.

However, just as he was about to hold the handkerchief, Shen Meng's ghost face suddenly appeared in front of him.

The strange and pale appearance made him shudder all over and his heart beat like thunder.

In fear, Li Chengze subconsciously retracted his hand, with surprise and panic mixed on his face.

He had no time to react and could only stare blankly ahead, looking as if he had seen a ghost.

Lin Xiaoxi handed the handkerchief to Li Chengze, but he suddenly retracted his hand.

His face was full of fear and his eyes were wandering, as if he was avoiding something terrible.

"You...what's wrong with you?" Lin Xiaoxi was startled and asked worriedly, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Li Chengze finally came to his senses and realized that he had overreacted. He smiled awkwardly.

"No...it's okay, I'm fine."

He didn't know how to explain it. He couldn't just say that he saw Shen Meng's grimace, right?

"Are you really okay?" Lin Xiaoxi was a little worried. "You don't look well."

"I'm really fine. I might just be too tired from climbing the ladder." Li Chengze forced a smile. "Thank you for your concern."

Hearing him say this, Lin Xiaoxi didn't ask any further questions and just silently took back the handkerchief.

"What's your name?" Lin Xiaoxi asked. "My name is Lin Xiaoxi."

"Li Chengze." Li Chengze answered simply.

Lin Xiaoxi had no ill intentions, she just looked at Li Chengze's thin body.

I felt a pang of compassion and wanted to show some concern for this person who might become my senior or junior brother in the future.

"Xiaoxi, what are you doing?"

A slightly displeased male voice came from behind Lin Xiaoxi, with a hint of doubt and dissatisfaction in the tone.

Lin Xiaoxi heard the sound and looked back.

She saw a sturdy boy standing not far away, looking at her with a frown.

The man had handsome features, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, but at this moment there was a look of impatience on his face.

"Oh, it's okay, I'll be right over."

Lin Xiaoxi responded quickly, with a hint of apology in her tone.

She nodded slightly to Li Chengze, indicating that she would be there soon, then turned and walked towards the man.

Before leaving, she looked back at Li Chengze worriedly.

I noticed that the look of fear on his face had not subsided, and I couldn't help but feel worried.

The man who had been staring at Lin Xiaoxi saw this scene, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

He glared at Li Chengze fiercely, as if warning him not to have such wishful thinking.

The man's name is Lin Xiaoshu. He is Lin Xiaoxi's childhood sweetheart and also a man of luck.