Chapter 3523 — Coming to Ask for Help
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"I hear the trial-takers have all performed rather well, and the inheritors too. But one trial-taker provoked someone of his own accord and got himself crippled—I hereby issue a criticism! And one inheritor failed to advance to Great Perfection—also a criticism!" Ancestor Xuanchen said mildly. "Zhang Naipao, if you cannot restore your true qi and your strength by the time of the Heaven-Rank Assembly, then the Mingri Fumingri Sect will have its qualification for this trial revoked, and Wang Xinyan will take your place!"
"What?!" Zhong Yongliang was instantly aghast. "Ancestor Xuanchen, what is the meaning of this? Our Mingri Fumingri Sect is one of the founding sects of the Cloud-Rank Island plan. You kick us out—what are you trying to do?"
"I never said I was kicking you out. It is simply that if you cannot recover, there is nothing I can do. Recover, and everything can still be discussed," Ancestor Xuanchen said.
Zhong Yongliang drew a deep breath. Though he was thoroughly aggrieved, Ancestor Xuanchen's reasoning was sound and well-founded—who had told Zhang Naipao to get himself crippled?
"Tang Zhi, if you cannot break through to the Heaven-Rank Great Perfection realm by the time of the Heaven-Rank Assembly, then the Snow Valley will have its qualification to attend the assembly and set foot on Cloud-Rank Island revoked!" Ancestor Xuanchen continued. "Tang Zhi's place will be taken by Bing Tang of the Ice Palace. Both share the water-element support attribute; they are not entirely identical, but still interchangeable. At the very least, a Great Perfection cultivator will be somewhat stronger than one who is not!"
Xueli's expression was not pleasant either. She too had come this time bearing dreams and aspirations. If the Snow Valley could not take part, she would have no choice but to return home dejected.
Still, Tang Zhi yet had hope—after all, the trial was not yet over; the Heaven-Rank Assembly had still to come!
Having said all this, Ancestor Xuanchen spoke slowly once more: "Apart from those I have named, everyone has obtained the qualification to attend the Heaven-Rank Assembly. But before that, I will give you all a holiday! Whatever business you have, see to it as quickly as you can, and then I will issue the ancient proclamation summoning you back for the Heaven-Rank Assembly! Zhang Naipao, Tang Zhi—this is your last chance. I hope you can seize it and not disappoint me!"
"Very well, everyone disperse," Kang Jingming came over and said to the crowd. "But those with no pressing business may remain at the Five Elements Inn and await word of the Heaven-Rank Assembly!"
The crowd dispersed one after another. Wei Zhao glanced in the direction of the inheritors; he was somewhat worried about Tang Zhi. Before, when he could not remember Tang Zhi, that was one thing—but now that he remembered, Wei Zhao would absolutely not look the other way. Tang Zhi had not broken through to Great Perfection, and Wei Zhao would have to think of some way to help her.
Yet before Wei Zhao could walk over, Xueli blocked his path. "Young Hero Lin, what are you doing? Please conduct yourself with propriety. What you promised me, you must honor—do not change your word at will. Tang Zhi has not yet broken through to Heaven-Rank Great Perfection, so you still cannot acknowledge her!"
"You misunderstand." Wei Zhao shook his head. "I am not going to acknowledge her or anything of the sort. I only want to see whether there is anything I can do to help. You know as well as I that I am an expert of Heaven-Rank Great Perfection, and so are those around me. I do have some experience in breaking through to Great Perfection. So we can put our heads together and see whether Tang Zhi's problem can be solved."