Chapter 3567 — Not Even Cave Dwelling Number Fourteen Would I Give You
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Meng Zhou's words made the gathered newcomers turn thoughtful eyes on Wei Zhao. His little speech had salvaged a good deal of face for Meng Zhou: judging by the man's earlier overbearing display, it really did seem quite natural that a momentary lapse had kept him from using his full strength.
After all, if it were truly the case that at the same cultivation realm the native experts of Cloud-Tier Island came off worse than a bumpkin from the mortal realm, that would be too absurd for words—it would turn common sense on its head.
"So that's how it was! I was wondering how I managed to cripple you so easily!" Wei Zhao nodded as if a great truth had just dawned on him, then said, "I said as much, didn't I—putting you down was a breeze and a pleasure. But since it was only a momentary lapse, then by all means, hold nothing back, and let us have another go. That way it will be fair and square."
As he spoke, Wei Zhao watched Meng Zhou with a half-smile. The man could not even muster a full breath to speak with, and yet he still found excuses to wriggle out of it—truly a dead duck with a stiff beak, one who would not shed a tear until he saw the coffin.
"Er…" Meng Zhou choked on his words, and with every eye upon him he could only keep bluffing, "Hmph! You're a spiteful one, aren't you? You sneaked a palm strike in on me just now and I'm already gravely wounded, yet you still want me to fight you—you're plainly out to finish me off! Fine, then you just wait. At the ranking tournament a month from now, I'll show you what a true Heaven-Tier Great Perfection expert really is! No… what a true Foundation Establishment expert really is! By then I'll make you cry in perfect rhythm!"
"A month from now? Very well. I'll put in some solid training—perhaps by then I can beat you even without sneaking in a strike." Wei Zhao answered noncommittally, in a cool, offhand tone.
Since Meng Zhou's beak remained so stiff, Wei Zhao could not be bothered to press him further. The aim of establishing his authority had already been achieved; to keep badgering the man would only offend the senior figures of the Welcome Pavilion, which would be counterproductive. He turned at once to Meng Jueming and said, "Senior Brother Meng, the rules you laid down a moment ago—do they still stand?"
As for Meng Jueming, Wei Zhao no longer cared whether he offended him or not. Today's actions had already offended him thoroughly; there could be no reconciliation between the two of them now.
"Hmph, of course they stand." Meng Jueming shot Meng Zhou a glance, his face the color of iron, and did not deny it. After all, he had laid down those rules publicly; at a moment like this he could hardly slap his own face by flatly denying them.
"Good, then I thank you, Senior Brother Meng." Wei Zhao smiled faintly. Everyone present expected him to demand Cave Dwelling Number One from Meng Zhou without delay—but instead he turned to Qiao Hongcai. "Brother Qiao, I'd like to trade my Cave Dwelling Number Fourteen at the foot of the mountain for your Cave Dwelling Number Fifteen. Would that be all right?"
"Ah?" Qiao Hongcai was stunned, staring at Wei Zhao in disbelief. He had already resigned himself to his lot—and now, unexpectedly, Wei Zhao wanted to trade cave dwellings with him!
Cave Dwelling Number Fourteen at the foot of the mountain was indeed ranked last among all the cave dwellings, but it was still far better than Number Fifteen—the worst cave dwelling in history, one that had been abandoned halfway through. If Number Fifteen could drive a person to despair, then with Number Fourteen, so long as one worked hard in ordinary times, there was still hope of overtaking the others!
One drove men to despair; the other still held out hope. Between the two lay a gulf as vast as heaven and earth!
"This… is that really all right?" Once it sank in, Qiao Hongcai was beside himself with joy.