Douluo Continent: We agreed on a simulation, but they've come to life?

She hesitated for a moment, then stared coldly at Lu Cheng before carefully sitting down not far from him.

"If you have any last words, say them..."

“Moun, it was indeed me who killed them, and I orchestrated it all. Over the years, I have only had one wish: to kill them, to kill everyone who was there that night.”

Seeing that the girl was still wary, Lu Cheng smiled, leaned back completely against the rock, looked at the sky, and slowly spoke.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhang Lexuan frowned, her eyes somewhat blank.

"He is not the real killer of your whole family."

A crimson figure emerged from Lu Cheng's body, glanced at the weakened Lu Cheng with her beautiful eyes, then at the bewildered Zhang Lexuan, and spoke.

"On the contrary, Moon is..."

Jiaojiao snorted coldly, looking at Lu Cheng who seemed hesitant to speak: "Since you are unwilling to say, then I will say it."

"The incident back then was a scheme devised by Mu En in collusion with the Holy Spirit Cult, a joint effort between your Lu and Zhang families. The aim was to coerce you and Lu Cheng into going to Shrek Academy, becoming two helpless pawns, and completely submitting to Shrek."

"Speaking of which, it's all about you and him. Back then, Moon only chose him, and you were on the list of those to be killed."

“Moun wanted him to be free of all ties so he could better serve Shrek Academy. If he hadn’t noticed something was wrong back then and risked his own fall into the Holy Spirit Cult to save your life, heh heh…”

"..."

Zhang Lexuan's pupils trembled.

Her eyes scrutinized Lu Cheng, her expression turning somewhat cold.

"Is this your true purpose? Lu Cheng, still stubborn even on your deathbed, your manipulative tactics are as strong as ever, ha..."

"If you don't believe me, think back to that night." Jiao Jiao sneered.

“If it weren’t for his full protection, you would probably have died at the hands of those two evil soul masters long ago. The reason they didn’t kill you is because Lu Cheng is Mu En’s target, and the reason they kept chasing you is because Mu En wants you dead.”

"Wake up, silly girl. Do you really think Mu En is some kind senior? He is a close friend of Long Xiaoyao and an old lover of Ye Xishui. They still keep in touch."

P.S.: Still writing, finishing tonight's climax. There are more chapters to come.

Chapter 40 A Fated Couple (First Simulation, End)

"Impossible, this is impossible..."

Zhang Lexuan's red lips parted slightly, her eyes were blank and helpless, and she kept shaking her head, but the memories in her mind matched what the girl in red had said.

That night, those two powerful evil spirit masters from the Holy Spirit Cult clearly intended to kill him. If he hadn't risked his life to protect them, he probably would have already...

"Back then, in order to save you, he was willing to expose Moon's conspiracy, putting himself in the trap, and finding a way out of the desperate situation... And when you fainted, he held you in his arms the whole time, protecting you tightly."

"That night he fell into the Holy Spirit Cult and exposed his identity. In fact, there were too many loopholes. With his talent, think about it now. If he really wanted to leave, who could stop him?"

Jiaojiao stared at Zhang Lexuan and said, word by word, "Because that scene was staged for you! And before that, Mu En had urged her several times!"

“Moun knew that he had killed you and Lu Cheng’s entire family, but spared his life. Naturally, he regarded him as a major threat and wished he could kick him out of Shrek Academy as soon as possible.”

Zhang Lexuan's delicate body trembled violently.

Even though these words seem absurd now, in her heart they seem to be answering her questions one by one, and everything makes sense.

No wonder Lu Cheng is so outstanding, but Old Master Mu always treats him with indifference, and sometimes even blocks his access to resources. But towards her, he is always kind and gentle.

No wonder that when she was in the Star Dou Great Forest and was driven to the brink of despair by a 100,000-year-old soul beast, that figure appeared in a strange and timely manner, and later even shot out one of Xuanzi's eyes.

I was confused at the time, but I never understood why.

It turns out... he was seeking justice for her from Shrek Academy. It's even said that a giant sun later fell over the Sea God Pavilion, almost burning the entire pavilion to ashes. At the time, she only thought he was cruel and violent.

But at this moment...

"He was so outstanding and talented. If nothing unexpected happened, he would surely stand at the top of the continent in the future. But he abandoned everything for you, willingly falling into the ranks of evil soul masters, being despised and cursed by the world, without the slightest complaint."

Jiaojiao sighed with admiration.

"Who told me to follow such a master? In the end, I'll have to die with him."

"elder brother……"

With a slight tremor in her voice, Zhang Lexuan slowly looked at Lu Cheng, her eyes gradually welling up with tears: "Is what she said true?"

Those long-buried memories resurfaced in my mind.

What is a whetstone?

It's just an excuse.

Even though she was ferocious and cruel, and had "tortured" herself half to death, when she walked out of that forest, her physical body was once again honed to be extremely tough. Her combat power increased dramatically in a short period of time, and she quickly adapted to the damage to her physical body caused by the eighth 100,000-year soul ring.

Does he really need a whetstone?

Even if it's necessary... it shouldn't be her.

Lu Cheng was right. She was too weak and didn't even qualify to be his whetstone. It was all just a pretense to deceive her, using the so-called whetstone to gradually increase her strength.

Now, she has entered the game herself, using her life as a bargaining chip, to take away all the powerful individuals who pose a threat to her.

Everything was done so that she could continue to live peacefully.

"..."

A bitter look appeared in Lu Cheng's eyes.

"I will eventually leave, and it would be best if I could leave you something behind."

"Come closer..."

Lu Cheng looked Zhang Lexuan up and down, a gentle look flashing in his eyes, before suddenly coughing violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his face growing even paler.

"elder brother!!!"

Tears welled up in Zhang Lexuan's eyes and streamed down her cheeks. Finally, she couldn't hold back any longer and threw herself into Lu Cheng's arms.

Just like the girl who used to depend on Lu Cheng, she would often snuggle in his arms, seeking comfort with teary eyes.

But at the moment.

Lu Cheng's eyes softened as he gently stroked the girl's cheek with his blood-stained hand.

Do you hate me?

"..."

Zhang Lexuan sobbed softly, but shook her head desperately.

Her delicate hands gripped Lu Cheng's clothes tightly, her eyes returning to their former state, like that little puppy afraid of being abandoned.

But this time...

He was truly about to be abandoned.

At this moment, the drama came to an end, and Lu Cheng no longer needed to tease her.

Lu Cheng gently stroked the beauty's hair, as if a very long time had passed, and all the past joys had vanished like bubbles.

"Lift your head up, let me see your face again..."

Lu Cheng said softly.

"..."

Zhang Lexuan sobbed uncontrollably, her beautiful face, so pitiful that it seemed to evoke pity, appeared in Lu Cheng's eyes, and the flower on her fair forehead was missing.

"This is the last thing I can give you."

Lu Cheng murmured.

Having said that, he put two fingers together and gently touched the beauty's fair forehead. In the next instant, a crimson, eerie eye quietly appeared.

"This is……"

Zhang Lexuan was suddenly startled.

"My martial spirit, I have nurtured it with my own body, purifying away all its malevolent energy. Please accept it..."

A slight smile played on Lu Cheng's lips.

He gently tapped the beauty's fair forehead with two fingers.

Zhang Lexuan stood there, stunned.

Her martial spirit was such a perfect match for her...

Without the slightest sense of abruptness, my blood and body instantly accepted it.

"Take my eyes and see the beauty of this world."

Lu Cheng's voice grew increasingly weak.

His arm gradually drooped down.

His body collapsed into Zhang Lexuan's arms, completely losing all life.

"Ugh……"

As Jiaojiao watched this scene, her eyes filled with emotion. Her illusory figure, like Lu Cheng's, grew dimmer and dimmer until it was completely annihilated, transforming into a blazing fire that merged into Lu Cheng's body.

Zhang Lexuan knelt there blankly, only the cold corpse in her arms, her eyes empty.

Until a group of Shrek Academy elders arrived.

Old Master Song was overjoyed to see this, as were Xian Lin'er and the others. Ruo Mu stepped forward and, seeing her empty eyes, assumed that she was still not over it, and prepared to help Zhang Lexuan up.

But then she suddenly spoke in a low voice.

"Brother, even if you calculate everything perfectly, you didn't anticipate this one thing."

Zhang Lexuan spoke softly, gently stroking Lu Cheng's cold cheek with her hand. Her light blue eyes held a hint of love, as if he were the only person in the world.

Her world was originally vibrant and colorful.

But until now... it has completely turned into a gray-black color.

"If you die, how can I live on alone?"

"..."

"Le Xuan, don't do anything foolish!"