Chapter 372: Do you have a lover?

Soon, they arrived at the platform in the center of the lake.

The platform is entirely pale gold, about twenty meters in diameter, with thirteen one-meter-diameter circles evenly spaced around its edge.

Looking upward, golden sun and silver moon light shine down, while the surroundings are a haze of light and shadow; nothing else can be seen besides this platform.

At this moment, the thirteen positions on the platform were all filled with people—him and his Shrek companions.

Just then, the golden platform beneath their feet exhaled a misty glow; a narrow beam of gold shot out from the center of the platform, swiftly rotating around it, its tip pointing at each of the thirteen small circles around it.

"Heaven and Earth Love Inquiry, the sincere adventure begins."

A voice, sounding utterly peaceful yet indistinguishable as male or female, rang in all thirteen of their ears almost simultaneously; everyone immediately fell silent, for they were astonished to find that before them had become a curtain of gold and silver light, hiding their former companions.

Immediately afterward, the beam at the platform's center began to spin rapidly, sweeping past each person's bubble; at the instant it passed, their bubble would glow, then return to normal.

Suddenly, the golden light halted, the beam stopping exactly on one of the small platforms—standing there was none other than Wu Feng.

Wu Feng, struck by the golden light, blinked in surprise as her entire bubble lit up; then the bubbles on her body vanished, and a column of gold rose from the platform beneath her feet, enveloping her.

Within the golden light, her body rose slowly, stopping when she was three feet above the ground.

Wu Feng felt the changes to her body with astonishment; she felt no discomfort, only that she could not move.

Just then, the previously emotionless voice sounded again, but this time only she could hear it.

"Do you have a lover?"

Wu Feng's heart jolted as she recalled Tang Wulin's warning before entering the valley.

"I..."

She opened her mouth and gave an answer.

However, no one else besides her could hear her voice.

Across the platform, Tang Wulin gazed solemnly at the scene, wondering in his heart: "Yutong, can you hear me?"

"Yes."

Sure enough.

This isolation of their power must come from the gods; if Tang San's information is correct, then this is the divine power of the Love God.

Therefore, his and Huo Yutong's communication can proceed smoothly, for their telepathic essence stems from their completely identical divine sense and power.

Unfortunately, this privilege is theirs alone; they cannot contact anyone else, which would otherwise make things easier.

Just then, Huo Yutong's heavy voice came through.

"Wulin, I have bad news: I can no longer reach Old Ilex."

Tang Wulin's heart also sank.

Ilex has lost contact; this is probably the most aggravating development so far.

Without him, they have no means to counter this secret realm.

Just then, a bolt of light suddenly descended from the sky, lashing Wu Feng violently and startling everyone.

"What's going on?"

"Probably she provoked the valley's divine sense with her sharp tongue."

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong both knew Wu Feng's personality well, and quickly reached a conclusion.

Yet their hearts also began to tighten with anxiety.

From Wu Feng's expression, the lash's damage was surely not minor; it definitely hurt.

This must be the most basic punishment.

Immediately, their pupils contracted slightly.

In their sight, golden short blades appeared before Wu Feng and Ning Tian, and they each seized a blade and thrust it toward their own throats.

Although the golden light ultimately stopped them from succeeding in suicide, the sight still shocked Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong greatly.

Just the first gate, and they're already playing this big...

After Wu Feng, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Zhang Lexuan were successively chosen.

Tang Wulin still couldn't hear what they were saying, but from their reactions it seemed they weren't saying anything pleasant.

Next came Xu San Shi, Jiang Nannan, and others; after answering the question, their expressions weren't any better.

Then it was Wang Dong's turn.

"Do you have a lover?"

Wang Dong slipped her hands into her pockets and shook her head.

"No."

Then she received a lash. After crying out "Ah!" in pain, Wang Dong roared, "Why are you whipping me?!"

"Because you lied."

That voice said lightly:

"If you lie again, I'll give you ten lashes."

"But I really didn't!"

Immediately, light truly descended from the sky, striking her ten times.

Wang Dong went berserk.

"I see now—you're deliberately trying to force me to talk, right? Then why don't you say whose name you want me to say?"

"Defiling this valley, another ten lashes."

Another round of punishment; after it ended, that voice lightly asked again: "Do you have a lover?"

"Do you have a lover?"

…

If you stay silent, you die.

…Then kill me.

Wang Dong lay on the ground, lifted their face, weak yet defiant, and said:

There is none; your pressing like this will yield no result.

…

This time it was the voice's turn to fall silent.

After a moment, the voice sounded again.

Not knowing your true heart, but seeing your answer is somewhat sincere, I'll let you pass.

Hearing this, Wang Dong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The whipping just now was truly painful to the point of unbearable; she almost fainted.

While sighing relief, she inwardly cursed the voice's owner, wishing him a bad death.

The next person questioned was Di Yun'er, and her answer was similar to Wang Dong's.

Perhaps Wang Dong's behavior caused the voice to change strategy; it no longer made things difficult for Di Yun'er, letting her pass easily.

Then finally it was Huo Yutong's turn.

Do you have a beloved?

Yes.

Who is it?

Tang Wulin.

Is he the one you love most?

Yes.

If you and he must have one die, who do you choose to die?

I will die.

…

Perhaps because the previous respondents answered hesitantly, facing Huo Yutong who answered without hesitation, the mysterious voice suddenly stalled, as if forgetting its lines.

It, somewhat unwilling to give up, asked: "You aren't the slightest bit afraid?"

Huo Yutong nodded calmly.

Afraid, I certainly am; I fear that after I die he will be sad.

What exactly about him makes you like him so much?

Huo Yutong's eyes lit up.

You want to know?

…Or never mind.

Seeing Huo Yutong's eager desire to share, the mysterious voice chose to give up; for some reason, Tang Wulin heard a hint of embarrassment in its voice.

(End of chapter)