Chapter 2862 — Returning to the Savage Wasteland of the Five Balefuls
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
In truth, even without Kang Jingming's report, Tianchan was already somewhat anxious. His failure to report meant no new trial participant had stepped out of the array—plainly, Wei Zhao had not emerged—and this left Tianchan uneasy.
Why she should care so much about a single person, Tianchan herself could not say; yet she could not shake the feeling that she would not be happy until she saw Wei Zhao come out safe.
Naturally, at this moment, Patriarch Xuanchen and Patriarch Xuanzhen were anxious as well. Twenty days had passed with no word of Zhang Naipao's safe emergence, and the two of them had come once more to Tian Canbian's detached palace.
"Tianchan greets Master, and Uncle-Master!" Though Tianchan's heart was heavy, she could not neglect propriety.
"Still no word of Zhang Naipao?" Patriarch Xuanchen waved a hand to dispense with the courtesies and came straight to the point.
"In answer to Uncle-Master, no word yet." Tianchan shook her head. Her glum air drew no particular notice from Patriarch Xuanchen, who assumed she too was worried about Zhang Naipao.
"What's going on? Plenty of people far weaker than he have come out—why is he still in there?" Patriarch Xuanchen knew very well that Tianchan would never conceal news of Zhang Naipao if she had any, yet he had come to ask in person all the same—and the answer was no surprise: Zhang Naipao had not emerged.
"Could he be trapped in one of the safe zones? The spirit beasts have been running wild these past two days; it's quite possible Zhang Naipao doesn't dare move…" Patriarch Xuanzhen mused, analyzing the situation.
"Hmm, that is possible!" Patriarch Xuanchen's expression eased somewhat at this. He pondered a moment, then turned to Tianchan: "This way, then, Tianchan—make another trip into the Savage Wasteland of the Five Balefuls and search for Zhang Naipao. If he truly is inside, bring him out."
"Me? Go back to the Savage Wasteland of the Five Balefuls?" Tianchan pointed at herself and stared at Patriarch Xuanchen in astonishment! At this moment her heart pounded violently; she had nearly agreed on the spot in her joy. But reason told her she must not.
"Just so!" Patriarch Xuanchen nodded. "Go and search for Zhang Naipao. At present, you are the only one immune to the qi of the Five Balefuls."
"Isn't that rather dangerous?" Patriarch Xuanzhen objected. "Tianchan may be immune to the qi of the Five Balefuls, but the spirit beasts are in turmoil right now. If she goes, she'll likely run into danger as well, won't she?"
"Danger there will certainly be—but what if something has happened to Zhang Naipao?" Patriarch Xuanchen waved a hand and spoke bluntly. "Second Brother, this is no time for womanly softness. I know Tianchan is your disciple, but she is also my martial niece. Though you have kept this from me all along, I have always treated her as such!"
"This…" Patriarch Xuanzhen's old face flushed. He knew Xuanchen had said this deliberately, to make him understand that a disciple of the Five Luminaries Sect giving herself for the sect's plans was simply a matter of course!