Chapter 1488 — Trial Rules, Part One
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Apart from Zhang Naipao and Feng Nitian, many of the disciples from the hidden families and sects present were thrown into an uproar by Xiaoqing's words. Was the Ice Palace really that full of itself? It gave not the slightest face to the Tomorrow-After-Tomorrow Sect or the ancient Feng family!
But Zhang Naipao and Feng Nitian knew in their hearts that among the ancient sects, the Ice Palace was something like a colossus. Back when the great orthodox sects had encircled and suppressed the Tomorrow-After-Tomorrow Sect, the Ice Palace had not taken part; had it joined in, the Tomorrow-After-Tomorrow Sect would not be enjoying such comfortable days now.
The Ice Palace was a relatively neutral power, drifting somewhere between the orthodox and the unorthodox. Its people seldom involved themselves in such conflicts, devoting their minds instead to cultivation — which was why the Ice Palace held so many Heaven-rank experts within it.
"Rest assured, Elder Qing. Since my brother Feng and I stand on the Ice Palace's soil, we will of course abide by the Ice Palace's rules," Zhang Naipao said, rising and cupping his hands.
"Yes, Brother Naipao is right. We have come to take part in the trial, and we must follow the rules as everyone else does," Feng Nitian said likewise.
"Very good." Xiaoqing nodded. "Now I will explain the trial rules briefly. Anyone who does not accept them may leave of his own accord. If you have no objection, then pay the deposit, and tomorrow morning the trial begins in earnest. Xiao Li, read out the trial rules."
"Yes, Elder Qing." The innkeeper nodded hurriedly and read the rules aloud in a ringing voice: "This trial lasts three days. The trial ground is the Ice-Snow Spirit Mountain on the outskirts of the Ice Palace. During the trial, you must gather all manner of medicinal herbs under all manner of peril. For every herb you obtain, you will receive a corresponding number of points; the points are assessed automatically according to the quality of the herb. Of course, you may also seize points from one another. But remember one thing: you may injure a person, but you must never put a person in a place of certain death. Anyone who violates this rule will suffer severe punishment from the Ice Palace."
This rule had not existed in previous trials. In the past, life and death had each been a matter of fate, and the Ice Palace did not interfere. This time was different: because disciples of the ancient families and ancient sects had joined the trial, the Ice Palace had added this provision — and out of caution as well.
First, for fear that the disciples of the ancient families and ancient sects would run wild and cut down the disciples of the hidden families and ordinary sects; second, for fear that the disciples of the hidden families and sects would band together to slay the disciples of the ancient sects and ancient families, which would only deepen the conflict — and the Ice Palace would thereby incur the enmity of both the hidden families and the ancient families.
Thereafter it would not only be unable to keep holding trials and making money, but would also, for no reason at all, incur the enmity of the Tomorrow-After-Tomorrow Sect and the ancient Feng family.
But so long as these people did not die, there was no problem. A trial is a trial — injuries are commonplace; they merely show that your strength falls short. The Ice Palace guaranteed your safety; whether you could recover after being injured was a matter for your own family to find a way to handle, and had nothing to do with the Ice Palace.