Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan left the mysterious wasteland. The surrounding scene grew clearer, the sky gradually turning a deep blue, and the sun shone brightly and warmly on the earth. Having emerged from that spiritual trial, the two men's eyes met, their hearts filled with unspoken understanding.

"Are you okay?" Lu Lingyuan finally spoke, his tone filled with a hint of concern and slight fatigue.

Zhao Shufang nodded, a clear and determined look in her eyes. "It's much better now than before. That trial was really... too difficult."

"Yes, it almost tore our hearts apart." Lu Lingyuan smiled, "But seeing how calm you are now, I admire you a little."

Zhao Shufang lowered her head, a slight smile on her lips: "You are also very strong. If you hadn't supported me behind the scenes, I might have been lost at that moment."

Neither of them said anything more, because they knew that words no longer mattered. At this moment, the real test had just begun.

Not long after they started walking, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared ahead. The figure, dressed in white and tall, stood before them. Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan couldn't help but stop and stare at the figure.

The man raised his hand slightly, signaling them to stop: "You are finally here."

"Who are you?" Zhao Shufang asked, frowning. She had a feeling the person before her was no ordinary person.

"You can call me 'the guide.'" The man smiled gently, a hint of mystery in his eyes. "I will show you the way and help you move towards the future."

Lu Lingyuan looked at him in confusion: "Guide the way? We've already gone through quite a few trials, are there any new ones?"

"Yes." The guide nodded, his tone without the slightest hesitation. "Your fate is far from over. This road is not so simple. Each of you faces choices for the future, and every decision may change the trajectory of your destiny."

Zhao Shufang took a deep breath, feeling an inexplicable pressure rising in her heart. She realized that this "guide" seemed to know more than they did themselves, and even knew their future perfectly.

"What do you mean?" Zhao Shufang looked at the guide, her eyes becoming calm and sharp. "Could it be that what we've been through isn't the end?"

The guide smiled faintly, seemingly unsurprised. "It's not the end. Your spiritual trials are only temporary, and the trials of this world have just begun. Every choice you make now will have far-reaching consequences in the future."

"The future..." Zhao Shufang whispered. She began to understand that the road she was on was not limited to the immediate difficulties and challenges. Even greater tests might be waiting for her.

Lu Lingyuan seemed to notice Zhao Shufang's deep thoughts. He patted her shoulder gently and said, "Don't worry. We will face it together, no matter what it is."

"Yeah." Zhao Shufang nodded slightly. Feeling Lu Lingyuan's support, she felt warm in her heart.

Seeing this, the guide nodded gently. "Your intentions have already determined the direction. Next, you will face an extremely important decision. Only by making the right choice can you continue to move forward."

"We're ready." Zhao Shufang looked at the guide and said firmly, "Tell us what to do next."

The guide smiled faintly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "There is a mountain ahead. At the summit of that mountain lies the key to your destiny. You must climb it, but remember, every climb to the top comes with a heavy price."

"The price?" Lu Lingyuan frowned. "You mean, climbing that mountain will involve sacrifices?"

"The price doesn't necessarily have to be the sacrifice of your life." The guide sighed, as if thinking about how to explain it. "Sometimes, the price is what you have to give up, or the difficult decision you have to make."

Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complex emotions. They understood that "price" wasn't a simple concept; it could be the belief they once held, the most precious thing in their hearts, or the most painful decision they had to make.

"Are you ready?" The guide looked at them with a scrutinizing look in his eyes.

"I'm ready." Zhao Shufang took a deep breath, a determined light flashing in her eyes. "No matter what the future holds, I will not back down."

Lu Lingyuan also nodded: "We have come this far and will not give up easily."

"Very good." The guide smiled with satisfaction. "Then, go ahead."

As he finished speaking, the scene before them shifted again. The earth began to shake, the sky darkened, and a thick fog filled the air. Before them, a towering mountain range gradually emerged, its summit obscured by the mist and cloud, making it impossible to see clearly.

"This is the mountain you must conquer," the guide whispered. "Remember, at its summit lies the answer to your future."

Zhao Shufang and Lu Lingyuan stopped talking and walked towards the mountain in a tacit understanding. Each step was heavy, as if it was carrying countless resolutions and an unknown fate.

They knew this road wouldn't be easy, but they had made their choice, and no matter what the cost, they would continue on this journey together.

——The wind at the foot of the mountain still blew mercilessly on their faces, but their hearts were no longer shaken.