Chapter 1471 — Yu Bing's Invitation
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"That remarkable?" Wei Zhao said, somewhat taken aback by Yu Bing's words. Still, for an ancient sect, possessing such a wondrous jade was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Precisely!" Yu Bing nodded. "So if you truly want the Fire Spirit Holy Fruit, there are only two paths: either prevail in the trial and earn the right to trade heavenly materials and earthly treasures, or slip away during the trial. But neither path is absolute. With the first, even if you win the trading rights, the Ice Palace might not have the Fire Spirit Holy Fruit at all - or they might have it but refuse to trade with you, and there would be nothing you could do. The second path is simpler in principle, but the worry is that you might not find it, or find it and be unable to carry it away. Even if we joined forces, we would be no match for those people of the Ice Palace!"
Yu Bing had, quite naturally, come to see himself as one of Wei Zhao's own, analyzing the problem from Wei Zhao's perspective. This moved Wei Zhao deeply.
Their acquaintance, too, had come about because of Yu Ning. Yu Bing had wanted to test whether the man who had won his sister's heart truly had any ability, and so the two of them had fought their way to mutual respect. Back then, both had been Yellow Rank experts; now, they were both Profound Rank experts!
"The second path is a sound one," Wei Zhao said with a smile. "And you needn't worry about being unable to carry it away - during the trial, I'll have my friend consume it on the spot. Once it's gone, the people of the Ice Palace will have no proof and won't discover a thing. The only concern is finding it..."
"Eat it directly?" Yu Bing's eyes flew wide in astonishment. Everyone knew that heavenly materials and earthly treasures were precious things, but even precious things could not simply be eaten raw. They had to be prepared by the family's alchemists and boiled into decoctions or pills before taking. Consumed directly, some would not only fail to serve their purpose, but might send one's true qi surging and plunge one into qi deviation!
He had never heard of anyone daring to consume a heavenly material or earthly treasure raw. Even when taken, they were eaten a sliver at a time - otherwise, one risked having one's body blown apart.
"My friend's case is different from an ordinary person's," Wei Zhao said. "This isn't being taken as a cultivation resource - it's to save a life." He spoke with confidence, because Zhang Lifeng had once mentioned that the Fire Spirit Holy Fruit was meant to be taken directly. True, the aftereffects were numerous - a frail constitution, frequent illness, a shortened lifespan, inability to cultivate, and so on. But the present reality was that Feng Xiaoxiao's life was nearly gone. Being alive at all would be miracle enough; how could anyone worry about frailty or a short lifespan?
"And... where is your friend?" Yu Bing asked, with some curiosity.
"In the car downstairs, frozen in an ice coffin. When the trial begins, I'll bring her along," Wei Zhao said. "The only question is whether I'm qualified to participate. You all have an invitation - but I don't..."
"An invitation is merely a form of notice - it isn't strictly required." Yu Bing shook his head. "As long as one is qualified, independent cultivators who hear of the matter can register for the trial as well; I've heard of no special requirements. The Ice Palace's trial serves two main purposes: first, to amass wealth; second, to replenish its outer sect disciples."
"Amass wealth?" Wei Zhao asked.