Chapter 1530 — Giving You a Chance
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
The Ice Palace Master's heart had softened a little. Precious as the Fire Spirit Sacred Fruit was, since Aunt Qing had spoken so, she could hardly refuse her outright. After all, it was Aunt Qing who had raised her from childhood, and though they were not mother and daughter, their bond was deeper than blood.
The Ice Palace Master knew that Aunt Qing consulted her only to show her respect. With Aunt Qing's standing in the Council of Elders, even if she took the Fire Spirit Sacred Fruit outright and gave it away, the Grand Elder would be displeased but would never dare to stop her.
And since Aunt Qing had acted so, how could the Ice Palace Master disregard her feelings?
Yet she did not know Ling Yi, and toward a stranger the Ice Palace Master instinctively chose distrust. Moreover, Ling Yi's strength was, in her eyes, far too weak, far too insignificant, scarcely stronger than a mortal. His promise she therefore took only as a joke.
A wandering cultivator who could find an alchemist? Had alchemists become so cheap a profession? Had he claimed to come from an ancient sect, that he could find an alchemist might still be believed.
"Of that I am not certain, but by all appearances it should be so. Throughout the whole trial he carried his girlfriend on his back. Such devotion alone is enough to make me believe that what he says is true," Xiaoqing said.
"Since he is so loyal and true, then tell him this from me. Let him stand at the gate. If he can stand half a month without food or drink or sleep, then I will believe him," the Ice Palace Master said. "If not, then ask him to leave."
"Half a month..." A wry smile crossed Xiaoqing's face at once. "Palace Master, for a Profound-rank master to go three days without food or sleep is no great matter, but half a month is surely asking too much? Though the spiritual energy of heaven and earth upon Ice Snow Spirit Mountain is rich, even if he cultivates without pause, the true qi gained from cultivation cannot cover what his body burns each day..."
"Aunt Qing, I am only testing him. If every passerby claimed he must save his sweetheart, and you took pity on them all, our whole Ice Palace would not have enough to give away," the Ice Palace Master said, rarely cracking a joke before Xiaoqing. "When he can hold out no longer and faints, you can go and wake him."
"This... very well," Xiaoqing hesitated a moment, then nodded.
At the sight of Elder Qing's figure appearing before him, Wei Zhao's heart eased at last. It seemed the Ice Palace could not, in the end, look the other way.
"Ling Yi, why have you still not left?" Xiaoqing drifted lightly forward, and seeing Ling Yi, asked coolly.
"Elder Qing has not granted my request, so I can only wait here. The Fire Spirit Sacred Fruit means everything to my girlfriend. I do not wish to lose this chance," Wei Zhao said with utmost deference.
"Very well. Since you treat this as a chance, I will grant your wish," Xiaoqing nodded and said gravely.
"Please speak, Senior," Wei Zhao said. He had thought Elder Qing would, as before, say a few words in passing and leave, never expecting her to relent. Overjoyed, he changed his form of address to Senior.
Indeed, whether by strength or by age, it was no presumption for Wei Zhao to call her Senior.
"You say you want the Fire Spirit Sacred Fruit to cure your girlfriend, and that so long as it is given to you, you will pay any price. Is that so?" Xiaoqing asked.
"Yes, Senior," Wei Zhao answered without hesitation.
"Good. Then stand here without moving. I will return in fifteen days. If you are still here, that will be proof enough of your sincerity, and I will give you a chance to persuade the Ice Palace Master," Xiaoqing said. Before Wei Zhao she could show nothing, and all her words were cold and formal.
"I accept," Wei Zhao nodded in agreement.
"Remember, you are to stand here all the while, without rest," Xiaoqing said. "If you cannot do it, then go down the mountain."