Lu Zhi felt uneasy and conflicted during the meal. He picked up his teacup as a disguise, secretly glancing at Li Mei and Chu Shiling. They appeared normal, as if anything he discussed with Lu Chengxuan wouldn't affect them. Even Lan Guoguo, who had always been hostile towards him, merely grunted habitually.
He had thought that knowing the future plot of the book would give him all the advantages and control. However, Lu Chengxuan's words were like a thunderclap, awakening him.
He was no longer an observer outside the game, but a participant within it. He couldn't view the people on the pages from a reader's perspective anymore; they weren't characters, but flesh-and-blood individuals just like him.
*Dong dong dong—*
The sudden, deafening toll of an ancient bell pulled Lu Zhi from his thoughts back to reality. He instinctively asked, "What's happening?"
Li Mei's expression turned serious as she stood up and opened the window of the private room.
Lu Zhi, positioned directly facing the window, clearly saw the starless and moonless night sky. A massive golden staff was suspended in mid-air, its emitted golden light illuminating the entire night as if it were day.
The resonant tolling of the ancient bell emanated from within the intricately carved golden staff. Each strike seemed to penetrate and shake the very depths of the soul, evoking feelings of awe, fear, trepidation, and yearning…
As he listened to the bell tolls, Lu Zhi felt an overwhelming discomfort. Especially the diamond in his chest, near his heart, felt scorching hot, as if it were melting into molten lava, flowing into his body and burning him from the inside out…
"I didn't expect it to be so early this time," Chu Shiling said, crossing her arms and frowning. "In recent years, the Cage Niche has opened almost every three months, but this time it's half a month ahead of schedule."
Lu Chengxuan's brow furrowed. He turned to look at the bewildered Lu Zhi and said quickly, "The new Cage Niche is coming. Those chosen by divine oracle will be forcibly teleported to another dimension for a trial set by the gods…"
Before Lu Chengxuan could finish, the staff emitted a blinding golden light, sending countless beams outwards. One beam shot towards Lu Zhi's private room, passing through the seemingly insubstantial wall. Before anyone could react, it struck Lu Zhi.
"I…" Lu Zhi hadn't expected the Cage Niche's selection of apostles to be so sudden. The moment the golden light entered his body, his vision blurred, and darkness enveloped him. He only managed to hear Lu Chengxuan's last words, "Don't believe what the gods say," as his body felt like it was plummeting into the sea, sinking continuously.
When Lu Zhi opened his eyes again, he found himself underwater. The instinct for survival, driven by the lack of air, made him desperately paddle upwards. However, the currents beneath his feet transformed into countless arms, dragging him down to the seabed.
Just as Lu Zhi was about to lose consciousness from suffocation, his vision blurred, and a hand colder than the seawater gripped him tightly.
With a splash.
Lu Zhi broke through the surface of the water, coughing violently and gasping for breath. The fear of death made his body tremble uncontrollably. Immediately after, he heard chaotic and urgent cries for help from all around.
"Quick, quick, someone fell in the water."
"Little brother, are you alright?"
"Come help, pull them up."
Lu Zhi was pulled ashore, and his senses fully returned. He looked at the unfamiliar surroundings, the villagers who had saved him, and the seemingly endless sea before him. The sea breeze blowing against him sent a shiver down his spine.
Was this the Cage Niche? A trial ground for ordinary people to become demon hunters or divine apostles?
"Damn it, what the hell? I fell into the sea right away and almost drowned." The angry voice of a man attracted Lu Zhi's attention.
Beside the man, a woman equally drenched, wearing a white dress, had a pale complexion. "W-what should we do? Why were we chosen?"
"I-I don't want to be tested, I want to go home…" sobbed a female student in a school uniform.
Lu Zhi subtly counted. There were twelve people who had fallen into the water. Some of them looked normal, as if they had been prepared, while others appeared terrified, as if they hadn't expected to be chosen by the Cage Niche. Among them were the elderly, female students, middle-aged women, and young people…
"The village chief is here."
A voice interrupted Lu Zhi's observation. The villagers who had rescued them parted to make way for an elderly man, over a hundred years old with white hair, holding a walking stick. He approached them and said kindly, "You are all lost travelers from outside, aren't you?"
Lost travelers from outside?
Lu Zhi calmly observed the villagers' attire and the surrounding environment. This seemed to be an isolated island; looking into the distance, there was only the endless sea. The most conspicuous sight was a large white yacht not far from them, its exterior rusted, suggesting it had been stranded here for a considerable time.
Suddenly, a mischievous electronic voice chimed in his mind.
【Congratulations on obtaining the qualification for the Divine Apostle trial~】
【Trial Ground: Sea God Island.】
【Mercy from the Sea God: The sea monsters full of sin dared to attack my most loyal followers. The sea monsters punished by the Sea God have fled. You may reside on the island with peace of mind; the Sea God will protect you.】
【Warning from the Sea God: Do not approach the sea. The hateful sea monsters will not give up easily on drowning you.】
【Rules: Please heed the Sea God's admonishment.】
【Gentle Reminder: Be careful not to be deceived by sea monsters disguised as accomplices. If you die, the Sea God will be saddened.】
Lu Zhi noticed that everyone except the villagers had a change in their eyes. They should have also received the trial task prompts from the gods, but these prompts seemed to have little practical use.
They were only told that they were attacked by sea monsters and were saved by the Sea God to reach Sea God Island, but they were not informed of how to pass the trial.
"It must be that the Sea God's benevolence saved them."
The villagers chattered amongst themselves, with nine out of ten sentences expressing admiration for the Sea God's kindness, their faces filled with reverence for the Sea God.
"Since that is the case, let them stay on the island," the village chief decreed, instructing a young girl named Qi Mei to lead the group to their lodgings.
Everyone followed Qi Mei into the island. Lu Zhi deliberately lagged behind, secretly noting the route they took into the island as the beach behind them grew increasingly distant.
Tall, sturdy trees surrounded them. The path underfoot was paved with gravel, winding and twisting its way upwards.
Qi Mei, walking ahead, raised her hand to sweep away obstructing branches. She suddenly said, "Beyond the nearshore forest is where our villagers live. We must hurry; it becomes unsafe in the forest after sunset."
The group, already tense, only then realized with a start that the light was dimming. The surroundings were eerily quiet, with only the faint rustling of grass as they brushed past it.
"H-how much further?" someone couldn't help but ask.
Qi Mei replied, "Soon, we're almost there."
The path ahead grew darker, seemingly approaching pitch blackness. The unfamiliar and dark environment bred fear within their hearts. Suddenly, a scream pierced the deathly silence of the group.
"Ah—save me, save me—"
In the darkness, Lu Zhi, who had unknowingly moved to the middle of the group, was suddenly grabbed by the hand.