CHAPTER 2070: CHAPTER 2068: TRIAL AND ENLIGHTENMENT

In the blink of an eye, three days passed. Early in the morning, Bai Ruozhu did makeup for her and her second brother, making both look like they had dark circles under their eyes and appeared listless.

"Is this really necessary?" Bai Zepei was very unaccustomed to "putting on makeup," something women typically do, and he looked quite awkward.

"If you’re going to act, you have to go all the way. Unless you want him to pull some stunt again?" Bai Ruozhu finished the last stroke and finally let her second brother go.

Bai Zepei took a look in the Western mirror, and indeed appeared worn out.

"Later, the rest of the family won’t go, the second elder will mostly assume everyone is too weary." Bai Ruozhu said as she got up to inform the third elder and the others.

The others nodded but were still worried about the pair, repeatedly reminding them to stay safe.

"Grandpa, will the Enlightenment Tablet be dangerous?" Bai Ruozhu asked, still unclear about what the Enlightenment Tablet does. She had once entered the Illusory Realm, which counts as undergoing a trial, so she had some understanding of trials, but the Enlightenment Tablet was different. Few knew about it, and even the third elder wasn’t well-informed.

"It shouldn’t be dangerous, but be careful not to get lost in your obsessions." The third elder sighed, "It’s said that the higher a person’s wisdom, the easily they become obsessive, even giving rise to inner demons. Zepei, you must be cautious."

His mood was somewhat downcast, seemingly reminded of something.

Bai Ruozhu wanted to ask more questions, but time was running short, so she had to leave home with her second brother and head to the altar.

Every year, the Jiuli Clan conducts trials for young people of age, but one can only enter once in a lifetime. The Trial Ground opens yearly, but the Enlightenment Tablet doesn’t necessarily do so. Reportedly, it hadn’t opened for the past six years.

Before the trial, there’s a ceremony to worship heaven. Although the trial had already taken place this year, waiting another year would be too long. Therefore, under Elder Su’s strong recommendation, the Jiuli Clan held a separate ceremony for them and then allowed them to go through the trial and the Enlightenment Tablet.

When Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei reached the altar, many were already there watching.

She quietly glanced at her brother’s calm face, thinking how all those eager eyes were fixed on him, yet he didn’t look the least uncomfortable. He really has an exceptional mindset.

In any case, in her past life at this age, she wouldn’t have been able to do it; no wonder her brother could go to the Enlightenment Tablet.

"Is that Bai Zepei? No one has gone to the Enlightenment Tablet for six years; he must be really smart!" Someone whispered to a companion.

"He indeed looks handsome, but why does he seem unwell? Is he sick? Will it affect his performance?" A miss said regretfully.

"Even if he’s sick, nothing can be done. They already made an exception by holding a separate ceremony for them; they can’t choose another day."

Elder Su noticed the two seemed unwell and quickly called them over, asking, "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

"Nothing, just haven’t slept well these days," Bai Ruozhu replied.

Someone nearby sneered, "Young people, probably too nervous."

Bai Ruozhu knew this person, the sixth elder, who was close with the second elder.

She didn’t explain, as this was the effect she wanted.

Elder Su showed a puzzled expression; knowing the siblings well, they are very composed. How could a mere trial make them so nervous that they couldn’t sleep well? Could someone have tampered with them?

He considered having a physician check them but remembered Bai Ruozhu’s medical skills surpassed the clan’s physicians. Since she said it’s fine, what could they find?

"Alright, the auspicious hour has arrived, stop dawdling," the second elder spoke irritably.

Elder Su could only set aside his suspicions and, with a few other elders, proceeded with the ceremony to worship heaven. Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei followed the steps to complete the procedure. The two were somewhat unsteady, causing the second elder to watch with increased happiness, a hint of a sinister smile on his face.

"This..." Elder Su took it all in, wanting to discuss with the third elder, only to find he hadn’t attended.

In the past, the third elder was engrossed in martial arts and never participated in the annual worship ceremony, nor did he handle its steps, so his absence was not a problem. But given his care for the Bai Family children, he should have come to watch.

Elder Su grew more concerned, but suddenly saw Bai Ruozhu wink at him, her spirits high, far from the previous weariness. Elder Su immediately understood; the second elder’s attempt to scheme against Bai Ruozhu and her brother was not going to be easy. He would wait and see the show.

Naturally, he still maintained a worried facade, since if you’re acting, there’s a need to play along.

The second elder was triumphant, eager to see the siblings climb high only to come crashing down. Clearly, the clan members knew they offended him, yet they came early to watch the drama; it was because Bai Zepei was the only one in six years who could go to the Enlightenment Tablet, wasn’t it? He couldn’t wait until Bai Zepei failed the Enlightenment Tablet, fell from grace, and saw changing faces.

Then to challenge Elder Su who supported Bai Zepei; he was determined to question Elder Su’s judgment, accuse him of bias, and have him removed from the Elder Hall.

The second elder, having wielded power for many years, managed to keep his cool even as he was about to burst into laughter, maintaining a composed facade.

Bai Ruozhu cast him a sidelong glance, chuckling inwardly, let’s see if he can stay calm later.

In recent days, she took Red Fruit and calming medicines, and the nightmares didn’t return, ensuring no impact during the trial.

Finally, the ceremony concluded, the Trial Gate opened, and Elder Su proclaimed loudly, "Jiuli disciple Bai Ruozhu enters the Trial Ground!"

Bai Ruozhu nodded to her brother, "Brother, get ready, I’m going first."

Then she strode in without hesitation; in an instant, the sky seemed to spin, she wasn’t sure where she ended up, as if she was teleported far away.

And in that moment, she felt like someone was watching her, and what Elder Su shouted didn’t sound like notifying her to enter, more like notifying someone inside that someone was undergoing the trial.

Is there a powerful elder residing inside, observing the trial participants’ every move?

Yet Wei Yu wasn’t discovered in years past; was it because there were too many participants and the other party overlooked?

In any case, being cautious never fails; she thought it best not to enter Space easily, lest she get detected and face trouble.

...

Back at the altar, the black disc on the other side slowly opened, Elder Su again loudly declared, "Jiuli disciple Bai Zepei enters the Enlightenment Tablet."

Bai Zepei stepped boldly inside, as the door slowly closed behind, blocking the audience’s excited and curious gazes. He walked in neither hurriedly nor slowly, appearing in a spacious Main Hall, with a rosewood structure at its center, bearing spiritual tablets though none had any writing!