Chapter 2359 — Borrowing a Knife to Kill
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"True enough—but why is that?" Zhao Guangyin nodded, asking in some puzzlement.
"Heh. I'd say it's because, inside the trial, one's own strength can more or less be disregarded. The dangers they face aren't decided by whether one is strong or weak. For instance, before a legendary cultivator of the Heavenly Dao, those of the Mystic, Earth, or even Heaven ranks all look the same to them—no different from ants!" Old Master Zhao explained by analogy. "So I feel that within the trial, once you run into danger, no matter how strong you are, there's no escaping it. And those who do escape by luck don't escape because they're powerful, but because they're fortunate! That is my deduction!"
"That makes sense!" Zhao Guangyin nodded. "No wonder they previously restricted it to Mystic rank and above but below Earth rank. I'm afraid it's because trialists of even higher strength are of little use. And the lifting of the restriction this year is probably because the Xuandan Sect desperately needs this substance, so they had no choice but to increase the number of trial participants!"
"Right. So Wei Zhao and Zhao Qilei will quite likely perish together," Old Master Zhao said. "But one must guard against the worst. What if they come back? If Zhao Qilei obtains the third-grade elixir, I've promised he may become an elder of the family—that would threaten Qibing's standing. As long as I live, I can keep him in check, but I can't rule out that after my time, or that with Wei Zhao's help Zhao Qilei's strength might advance by leaps and bounds—and then Qibing would be in danger!"
"Then... then what are we to do?" Zhao Qibing's expression changed at once. He thought of how, if Zhao Qilei truly returned, his standing in the Zhao family would soar straight to the clouds, and his own position would surely be threatened.
"So, before that happens, we must take some action," Old Master Zhao said. "If we can slay Wei Zhao before the trial, then Zhao Qilei is certain to die."
"Before the trial? Slay Wei Zhao? How could that be? If our Zhao family had such strength, we'd have acted long ago—why wait until now?" Zhao Guangyin asked, rather perplexed.
"Could it be that Grandfather means to act himself?" Zhao Qibing was also taken aback.
"Heh, naturally I won't be the one to act," Old Master Zhao said, shaking his head.
"Then the hidden Yu family? Yes—is the hidden Yu family about to make its move?" Zhao Guangyin pondered briefly and hit upon the possibility.
"I did call Old Master Yu, but his attitude was ambiguous, neither yes nor no. I can't tell what he means, and counting on him to act—I'd say that's doubtful." Old Master Zhao waved a hand. "I mean someone else—and it, too, is a case of borrowing a knife to kill! In fact, this also comes from Qibing's inspiration. I'd received word of this matter earlier, but I hadn't thought deeply about it. Now, though, I've hit upon a fine plan."
"Oh? Who is so formidable as to be able to slay Wei Zhao?" Zhao Guangyin was startled; he hadn't expected such a powerful person to exist.
"The King of Gamblers of Southeast Asia—Pu Huotai!" Old Master Zhao said.
"The King of Gamblers of Southeast Asia? What connection does he have with Wei Zhao?" Zhao Guangyin did not see what use this man could be.
"Pu Huotai has been invited to Donghai City's largest casino to hold the fort against the King of Gamblers from Gangcheng, Zhu Qishou. Of course, though he is the King of Gamblers of Southeast Asia, he is also a person of strange gifts, with a very high combat index. Just how strong he is, no one knows—but what I do know is that at his side is a close guard at the peak of the late Earth rank, accomplished in both inner and outer cultivation. The two of them together ought to be able to defeat Wei Zhao!" A gleam of keen light flashed in Old Master Zhao's eyes as he spoke.
"Uh... but he and Wei Zhao have no dealings at all..." Zhao Guangyin said, still puzzled.