Chapter 4654 — The Trial of West Island
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
"Mm-hm. Grandfather says it's a very, very dangerous place, but that it truly holds countless rare treasures! With luck, one might even obtain the legacy of an ancient expert—it's not impossible! Basically, any disciple who survives the trial to the end comes out transformed, which is why the West Island Trial has such a name. Actually, North Island has a similar trial too, only the rank requirements are higher!" Shangguan Lan'er said.
"I see. So there's a chance to inherit an ancient expert's legacy? It does sound like a remarkable trial." Wei Zhao nodded thoughtfully.
"This ancient battlefield relic is a strategic-level asset for all of West Island. In the past, each time it opened, it was basically only open to West Island's own core disciples—outsiders rarely got a chance to take part. But from what Auntie Ning just said, this time things will likely be different..." Shangguan Lan'er said.
"Mm, no wonder everyone's so excited." Wei Zhao swept his gaze across the hall, taking in the thrilled, eager expressions on every face. Such a critical resource as the ancient battlefield relic—and now, for Ning Xuefei's sake, Ning Shanghe was prepared to open it to outsiders for the first time in history.
She was worthy of being an island master. When others held a martial contest to choose a son-in-law, the best they could manage was a dueling platform; when it came to Ning Shanghe, she opened with an ancient battlefield relic. Such boldness and such scale were truly extraordinary.
Still, if she meant to select the younger generation with the greatest potential and strength, as she had said, then such an incomparable battleground was exactly what was needed. A mere dueling platform at best revealed present strength, never future potential—and whoever was chosen that way would hardly be worthy of a princess of West Island.
Wei Zhao's gaze finally came to rest on Ning Xuefei. This girl, always so innocent and optimistic, now wore a strange pallor on her face.
Ever since he had first met Ning Xuefei on the Far North Island, this was the first time Wei Zhao had seen such an expression on her face—helpless, lost, pitiful beyond words, enough to break one's heart.
The so-called West Island Trial was, for Ning Xuefei, unquestionably a martial contest to choose a husband. Most any girl would be unwilling to accept such a thing. Ning Xuefei wanted to resist, but she had no say in the matter.
She was the princess of West Island, born to supreme status and power—and at the same time, she had to pay the corresponding price. Marriage was merely the least conspicuous item among them, and even on West Island, where women's rights prevailed, this was no exception.
Wei Zhao suddenly recalled the welcome banquet a few days ago, when that woman had burst in to frame him—and Ning Xuefei had, without avoiding the topic at all, said those words before everyone. At the time he had only found them puzzling, but thinking back now, it must have been a hint—no, it had been practically a declaration: Why don't you choose me, Wei Zhao?
And just now, when Ning Shanghe had brought her over to offer a toast, Ning Xuefei's eyes had clearly conveyed the very same meaning. At that thought Wei Zhao's heart stirred, and he felt a certain chord within him plucked ever so gently. R1152