Chapter 5171 — Xue Jianming's Scheme
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
"Precisely. It's a tradition of the Ancient Alliance—before every Ancient Trial, a Trial Tournament is held as a matter of course, and only disciples whose strength passes muster may take part in the Ancient Trial. Otherwise they'd only be going to their deaths. This Ancient Trial is rather special, but barring any mishap, this tradition certainly won't be abandoned," Xue Jianming explained.
"And what of it? Even if there is a Trial Tournament, that's the Ancient Alliance's business alone. What does it have to do with Wei Zhao and his people?" The Spectacled Doctor was still baffled.
"That's the easy part. Since they're all squatting here in the Transit Isles, it won't be difficult to maneuver them into entering the Trial Tournament," Xue Jianming said with the confidence of one who held all the cards. It would be just like last time, when they had maneuvered Wei Zhao and his companions into having to join the undersea mining. The same trick would serve again for this Trial Tournament. What was more, any disciple who wished to take part in the Ancient Trial had to first pass the test of the Trial Tournament—so if Wei Zhao and the others harbored any hopes regarding the Ancient Trial, they would have even less means of avoiding it.
"But even if they do enter the Trial Tournament, what does that have to do with what we were just discussing?" the Spectacled Doctor asked, puzzled.
"Everything. Think about it, sir. The reason we're at a loss right now is that Wei Zhao and those around him are holed up on the Cangwu Sect's territory on North Island and won't budge. But if we apply a little extra force in the Trial Tournament and kill one or two of them, Wei Zhao is bound to come after me in a fury. And then, whether I lure him out or he takes some other countermeasure, we're bound to find an opening. Wouldn't you say?" Xue Jianming said, looking exceedingly pleased with himself.
The Spectacled Doctor pondered this for a moment, then finally nodded. "That is indeed a method. As long as we can provoke him, flaws will naturally surface, and whatever follow-up measures we take afterward will be far more convenient."
"Exactly. And doing it this way won't violate the orders from above—first, we're not moving directly against Wei Zhao; second, this is the Ancient Alliance's Trial Tournament, and even if someone is accidentally killed by a misjudged blow, that's only reasonable. No one can blame anyone else," Xue Jianming said with a chuckle.
"Good. Then it's settled. I'll leave this matter entirely in your hands. Once it's done, I imagine your key-cultivation quota will have come through as well. Don't disappoint me," the Spectacled Doctor said, granting his approval on the spot.
"Yes, sir. Then I ask you to wait and see," Xue Jianming said, overjoyed. He could not move against Wei Zhao directly for now, but dealing with Qiu Lingshan and the others around him would at least vent some of the hatred in his heart—and it would also please the Spectacled Doctor and hasten his bid for key cultivation. Two birds with one stone.
Half a month slipped by in a flash, and for Wei Zhao and his companions it was a half month of one pleasant surprise after another. Beginning with Qiu Lingshan, they had erupted almost like a geyser, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage one after another in quick succession. Even Ying Ziyu and the others, who had started with the weakest foundations and the least accumulated depth, had all become capable Foundation Establishment cultivators without a single one left behind. It was, when you came to tell of it, nothing short of an unbelievable miracle.
Watching the others gather excitedly around a bonfire party, Lin Dongfang smiled with a knowing, playful air. "You really don't plan to tell them?"