Lu Ping? Who Are You?
Hua Yunzhen's move was indeed ruthless.
However, if you poison yourself to the point of "fainting" just to put on a show, it's tantamount to automatically forfeiting your right to the competition.
Whether she was genuinely dizzy or faking it, she was the one who relinquished control.
If there were no third person present, things would probably proceed according to Hua Yunzhen's script.
However, Lu Ping was lurking in the shadows.
Well, I'm sorry, this card table is now his.
Next, it was his turn to perform.
Lu Ping chose B.
[You chose B.]
[You have removed the cloak of the Formless Myriad-Breath Cloak.]
[You step out from the dark clouds, causing ripples to spread across the Void.]
[Jiang Mutian was incredibly perceptive; his gaze swept over them instantly, and his Sword Intent surged forth.]
You stopped several dozen feet away, and did not go any further.
[You looked at that figure in pristine white, your voice calm.]
"Junior Lu Ping greets Senior."
[Friend of Women, in effect.]
[Work from Home, effective.]
[Workwear Thugs, in effect.]
[Jiang Mutian's gaze is on you.]
[A young cultivator, surprisingly, possessed a handsome and refined appearance.]
[This is the summit of the Main Peak of the Desire Sea Pavilion, heavily Restriction.]
[Her relationship with Hua Yunzhen was virtually unknown.]
[And you, a cultivator in the Early Spirit Transformation Stage, appeared here silently and called out to her.]
What she found even more absurd was the way you looked at her.
It was a familiarity born from years of acquaintance, and even more so, a strange kind of trust.
[That cold, aloof killing murderous intent, for a fleeting, eerie pause, the instant it met your gaze.]
[ To Jiang Mutian's left is his trusted confidant of many years, who has fallen unconscious.]
[To her right stood a young prodigy who suddenly broke through the darkness of the night.]
[Jiang Mutian looked at you and said with certainty,]
"You know me."
[Options pop up.]
[A: Directly state the cause Past-Life Wisdom, and bring up the old almanac about saving her in the valley to give the code.]
[B: Let's not explain our identities yet, but directly expose the Heavenly Secrets and tricks of this place, and throw the blame back at Hua Yunzhen.]
[C: Kneeling on one knee, he pulls out his household registration booklet: "Senior! Have you forgotten? In the cave by Daming Lake, we swore brotherhood and signed a yin-yang contract! Today I'm here to clean house for you, and incidentally, pack up this green tea on the recliner and send her to mine coal!"]
Lu Ping looked at Little A and remained silent.
Little A is indeed the readily available standard answer.
However, the current situation is very different from the previous simulations.
Previously in the valley, there were only him and Jiang Mutian, and Jiang Mutian was already at his last gasp.
That "Past-Life Wisdom" explanation relied on a great deal of luck to convince Jiang Mutian to believe it.
Or rather, in that desperate situation, he just happened to be on the friendly side as Jiang Mutian intuitively judged him to be, becoming her lifeline, which is why she didn't mind taking a gamble.
But Jiang Mutian is currently at full strength and in top condition.
If you try to talk nonsense to her again, this big shot might just say, "I am skilled in killing," and kill them all with a single sword strike, thus eliminating any future trouble.
After all, Lu Ping was just a mere Spirit Transformation cultivator; what difference would it make if he were killed?
As for that trusted confidant of the Void Refining who was feigning death, since he's now a suspect, what's wrong with killing him too?
Instead of resorting to trickery, it's better to strike at the heart of the matter.
Lu Ping chose B.
[You chose B.]
[You didn't answer her question, but instead turned your head, your gaze sweeping over the slumped Hua Yunzhen in the pavilion before returning to Jiang Mutian.]
[Jiang Mutian has already locked onto your aura.]
[If your next answer is even slightly off, the terrifying Sword Intent of a Body Integration Realm will instantly annihilate you.]
[You met her gaze and asked her a question in return.]
"Senior, at your level, you naturally have a sense of the secrets of Heavenly Secrets."
[Your tone was calm.]
The saying goes, "The cicada senses the coming autumn wind before it even stirs."
"Today, having reached the summit of this Main Peak and witnessed this scene, not even a spur-of-the-moment warning was issued."
[You met her scrutinizing gaze and slowly uttered the second half of your sentence.]
"Senior, do you believe this place is truly safe, or is there some hidden force orchestrating this, deliberately obscuring the Heavenly Secrets?"
Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Jiang Mutian's eyes, and his calm expression subtly changed.
Your words hit the nail on the head.
[Her gaze shifted from you, lingered on Hua Yunzhen for a moment, then returned to you.]
[The situation is actually quite clear; you and Hua Yunzhen are obviously not on the same side.]
[Either you are a pawn thrown out by the mastermind behind the scenes, or Hua Yunzhen has already betrayed us.]
[But regardless of which one it is, it cannot erase one fact.]
[When she reached the Main Peak of the Desire Sea Pavilion, she saw Hua Yunzhen collapse. Even after you emerged, her State of Mind remained calm and undisturbed.]
[Without a sudden impulse, without the slightest warning.]
[The fact that the perception of Integrated Body Great Talent was forcibly severed is itself the most ominous sign.]
A chill settled in Jiang Mutian's eyes.
Seeing the change in Jiang Mutian's expression, you sneered inwardly.
[Hua Yunzhen, oh Hua Yunzhen, no matter how clever she is, she's ruthless towards herself.]
But she chose to play dead.
[As long as she closes her eyes and pretends to be unconscious, the power on this mountaintop will be completely yours.]
[If she dares to open her eyes and wake up now to defend herself, it would confirm that she deceived and schemed against her own Sect Leader.]
[But if she continues to grit her teeth and play dead, this ruthless and calculating boss Jiang will completely tip the scales in your favor.]
[Jiang Mutian spoke again,]
"Lu Ping? Who are you?"
[Options pop up.]
[A: I'm just a pathetic Alchemist.]
[B: I am your future...]
[C: He immediately ripped open his collar, revealing a hickey, and tearfully pulled out a paternity test: "Senior sister! Have you forgotten? That night by Daming Lake, you forced yourself on me, took advantage of me, and ran away with your sword! I am your unborn son-in-law, the little darling you abandoned! Today, I have traveled thousands of miles to find my wife, only to demand the child support that has been owed for a hundred years..."]