Chapter 210: Ice Profound Sea Mud

Chapter 210: Ice Mystic Sea Mud

Zhao Changhe felt that this fellow was merely going with the flow, picking up a good turn of fate for nothing...

Cui Yuanyang was persuaded to turn back without a fuss, not forced to fulfill the prize promise, because Wang Zhaoling had said "the matter can be discussed further." That meant it was no longer a prize but would be negotiated with the Cui family. If he turned around and pretended it was nothing, even a rabbit would bite.

Xia Chichi also understood, so she didn't insist on continuing. Otherwise, with no injuries, it would be too easy for her to keep racking up wins.

Whether by the promised number of wins or the pressure from the Cui family, this thing should have been brought out anyway.

Of course, if the Wang family wanted to renege, no one could do anything about it; it wasn't a sure thing. Wang Zhaoling's willingness to offer it directly did show his magnanimity, and it could indeed be considered a good turn of fate.

In fact, even telling him that they were about to become enemies was a freebie of goodwill.

Zhao Changhe had clearly stated he didn't support the Wang family's actions, even refusing to participate in the martial contest, preferring to rely on others. With his sensitive identity, he basically fell into the category of "if not for me, then eliminate." Dying openly in the Wang family wouldn't be appropriate, but if he were assassinated later for no reason, even a fool could guess it was the Wang family's doing, so there was no need for him to say it...

That was also why Wang Zhaoling spoke directly—because saying it or not made no difference. But being willing to say it did count as a good turn of fate, at least warning him to be careful on the road.

One could only call it emotional intelligence... Clearly declaring enmity, yet not making people dislike him, instead feeling like making a friend.

If every member of the Wang family was like this, it felt more troublesome than the Maitreya Sect... Compared to them, the Maitreya Sect was far too low...

Regardless, with the treasure for expanding meridians before him, Zhao Changhe naturally wouldn't engage in false politeness. This thing was extremely important to him; Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang were both not really suited to participate in the martial contest, yet they jumped out for this very reason. The Wang family was forced to give it up because of their antics—how could he let it go to waste?

Wang Zhaoling said the thing wasn't a pill but a location, which wasn't a lie. It was in the Wang family's secret grounds, stored in an ice cavern during the summer.

Entering the ice cavern, they saw a large mass of ice-blue mud-like substance, about a zhang in size, resembling ice but not ice, snow but not snow, not cold, but with a moist feel.

Zhao Changhe felt it was like a combination of Play-Doh and ice cream... But the mysterious aura emanating from it reminded him that this was no ice cream; it was a treasure.

It was also the most fantastical thing he had seen in this world, aside from the Heavenly Book, the least like something from a martial world.

"What kind of treasure is this?"

Wang Zhaoling said, "It has no name, and ancient records don't mention it. My ancestors casually named it Ice Mystic Sea Mud. This thing must be preserved in an ice cavern, or its energy will gradually dissipate."

"...Sounds like there's a lot of it?"

"Not really... It lies deep at the bottom of the sea, extremely hard to find. My family has guarded the East Sea for a hundred years and only found about a dozen clumps. It feels like... originally there was a mountain of this stuff, which shattered during the cataclysm of an era, scattering across the sea, buried in clumps at the bottom. But the sea is so vast, even a mountain scattered is like looking for a needle..."

Zhao Changhe nodded, curiously examining it.

An ice cream mountain, huh... How did it form?

Wang Zhaoling added, "I won't hide it from you, Brother Zhao. Although this thing is a treasure, it's somewhat useless to us."

Zhao Changhe asked in surprise, "What do you mean? Even if the effect is slight, isn't it better than nothing? As far as I know, every family has some members with congenital deficiencies who need to improve their bone structure—surely it's useful?"

Wang Zhaoling sighed, "Because once used, its effect is absorbed completely. It's not some divine object; the effect is minor, so you need a large quantity to make it valuable, allowing a group of people to improve their growth. What's the use of finding one clump in ten years? Making a useless person slightly less useless? The Wang family isn't at the point of grasping at straws."

That was true... For the Wang family, it was indeed rather useless, but for an individual in need, it was like rain in a drought.

Wang Zhaoling continued, "Why do people strive to climb? Why aren't we content being local lords in Langya, but have ambitions to dominate the land? Because no matter how vast one's power across prefectures and commanderies, it can't compare to possessing the whole realm. Your father... oh, you don't acknowledge him, never mind. What I mean is, if he wanted to find such treasures for improving meridians, it would be easy. The fact that there's none in his treasury now is only because he hasn't bothered to look for it for you. Otherwise, with a single command, wouldn't my Wang family have to offer this up?"

Zhao Changhe said, "That's true. But why are you telling me this?"

"My father unlocking the three great secret treasures is not the end of cultivation. To glimpse the higher powers of the ancient era, both information and resources cannot be supplied by a single commandery. Take this sea mud—if it's not only scattered in the sea but also on land, or even the core is on land, wouldn't it be a dream for us to trace its origins? The same goes for His Majesty. Do you think his unification of the world back then was for what?"

Zhao Changhe only recalled Blind Woman's words: What Xia Longyuan sought was not the mortal realm.

During his campaign to unify the world, he had long been the strongest under heaven. Sweeping the six directions could only be for gathering resources more centrally, not to become a wise ruler.

Zhao Changhe sighed, "He became emperor but made no progress; instead, he ran into trouble. Why follow in his footsteps?"

Wang Zhaoling said, "His failure doesn't mean others can't succeed. Why should he hog the position?"

Zhao Changhe shook his head. Different people have different aspirations; there was nothing to say. Better to talk about the treasure: "How do I use this?"

"Wrap yourself in it entirely. It's breathable."

"..."

Seeing his expression, Wang Zhaoling found it amusing: "Let Cui Yuanyang guard you nearby; that should put you at ease, right?"

"...Do I need to take off my clothes?"

"No." Wang Zhaoling paused, then suddenly said, "Brother Zhao, your martial understanding and insight are second to none. After trying this, if you have any insights or realizations, I hope you'll share them with me. Perhaps a different perspective might reveal angles we've missed before."

Zhao Changhe nodded: "Alright."

It was a strange experience—chatting and laughing with someone destined to be an enemy, using his treasure, and agreeing to exchange insights. Even stranger, despite having this thing he had dreamed of right in front of him, Zhao Changhe never felt an urge to try it immediately, not even a desire to touch it.

Was it because his heart was calm, or because he knew the effect was very minor and had low expectations?

...

Cui Yuanyang crouched beside the sea mud, blinking as she watched Zhao Changhe wrapped in it.

His face wasn't covered yet, so he stuck his head out to talk to her, which amused the little rabbit: "Brother Zhao, you look so cute."

Zhao Changhe was speechless: "Is that word meant for me?"

Cui Yuanyang reached out a finger, poked his cheek twice with a "boop," and laughed heartily: "Is there more of this mud? I want to wrap myself in a clump too."

"Do you really think this is just mud? Where would there be so much?" Wang Zhaoling's face darkened nearby: "Alright, alright, you two play here. I'm leaving."

Cui Yuanyang waved: "Take care, Brother Wang. Remember to close the door."

Wang Zhaoling shook his head with a wry smile and swept away.

As the door closed, the ice cavern went dark. Cui Yuanyang, looking a bit cold, hugged her arms and crouched beside him, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Zhao Changhe's face: "How come you seem so chummy with him? And you trust him enough to wrap yourself in this unknown mud in a dark room—aren't you afraid something might happen?"

Zhao Changhe clicked his tongue: "Just now you were acting cute... Now look at you, cut open and you're all black inside."

"Hmph." Cui Yuanyang poked his cheek again: "I don't believe you have no thoughts. Spill it."

"Actually, I don't have much to say. Communicating with smart people is more harmonious. If he were a fool, it would be more dangerous." Zhao Changhe smiled: "You being here is my talisman; I'm as safe as Mount Tai."

Cui Yuanyang kept poking: "So now I'm protecting you, right?"

"Right."

Cui Yuanyang was very pleased: "Is there anything else Yangyang can do for you?"

"Stop poking me—that would be the best help..." Zhao Changhe's voice began to tremble: "This thing... it's starting to take effect. Guard me; I need to go into inner vision and meditate."

Wang Zhaoling left the ice cavern, walked a short way along a corridor, then slowly slowed his steps. He stood still for a moment and suddenly said, "Miss Xia, your lover is safe. No need to lurk and observe. Why not show yourself?"

A white shadow flashed, and Xia Chichi appeared before him, somewhat astonished: "You really make us see you in a new light."

"'Us'? Who else, the Vermilion Bird Venerable?" Wang Zhaoling smiled: "Actually, it's easy to guess. In the current situation, my Wang family and your sect actually have room for cooperation. You've watched the whole process; I don't believe you haven't considered testing the waters for an alliance."

Xia Chichi laughed: "So organizing this martial debate wasn't just about testing and declaring intentions, nor just about winning over Zhao Changhe... Discussing matters with my Four Symbols Sect was also one of your goals?"

"Exactly. We act arrogantly, and the world weighs us. People's attention will focus on that, while inviting a demonic sect becomes a minor matter, as if it's only natural..." Wang Zhaoling sighed: "When you make a big show of doing something, you always want to get more value out of it."

Xia Chichi thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Actually... just celebrating a birthday is pretty good too..."

Wang Zhaoling fell silent.

"As long as what you gave Changhe is truly useful, this alliance is sealed."