Chapter 5177 — A Crude Little Trick
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Xin Yi'an frowned at this, eyeing Xue Jianming with some puzzlement. What was the fellow playing at, dragging things this way and that for no reason at all?
Given Bing Wushuang's temperament, he would never have joined in such a pointless exercise, but he recalled that Dr. Glasses had instructed him beforehand that, in all matters concerning the Trial Grand Tournament from here on, Xue Jianming was to take the lead. So even he could not afford to be too unaccommodating, or he would invite suspicion.
"Elder Xin, I know very little about this, and I daresay everyone else is the same. Why not satisfy our curiosity?" Bing Wushuang had no choice but to play along, steeling himself to speak.
"Exactly. Since the Trial Grand Tournament is meant as preparation for the Ancient Trials, it stands to reason that we should be told in advance what makes these particular Ancient Trials so unusual. At the very least it would set everyone's minds at ease. You are the leading elder of this expedition, Uncle-Master Xin, so it falls within your duties as well, does it not?" Xue Jianming pressed his advantage without pause, choosing his words once more to corner him.
"That's right, Uncle-Master Xin, do tell us," the rest of the group chimed in, all now stirred to eagerness.
Matters having come this far, Xin Yi'an had no choice but to speak. Besides, it was no secret, and there was no harm in indulging everyone's curiosity.
"Very well. But this trial ground is a once-in-a-millennium occurrence, and I myself know only the broad outlines, not the particulars. Take it as a reference, nothing more." Xin Yi'an pondered a moment, then continued: "Any place chosen as a trial ground is bound to be rich in rare natural treasures, and this one more so than most, in greater abundance rather than less. That said, the guardian spirit-beasts and the various dangers will likewise multiply severalfold. That is something you must all be prepared for."
Everyone nodded repeatedly and pressed him eagerly: "Just what special benefits does this trial ground hold, Uncle-Master Xin? Do be specific."
"From what I know, the most conspicuous feature of this trial ground is a river called the River of Divine Consciousness. As the name suggests, to be within it is to temper one's divine consciousness. I trust I need not elaborate on what a boon that is," Xin Yi'an said.
"The River of Divine Consciousness!" Everyone's eyes lit up at once. The Ancient Alliance had always placed immense value on the cultivation of divine consciousness, and places capable of tempering it were few and far between across the whole of the Ancient Little Jianghu—and every one of them was held in the grip of the four great sects and families. Apart from their core disciples, no outsider could even dream of getting near. To think that this trial ground should contain a River of Divine Consciousness—truly worthy of being called a once-in-a-millennium event!
It was not only the crowd; even Wei Zhao felt his spirits lift at the words. He had never thought much of cultivating divine consciousness before, but his attitude was now entirely different—not merely because he was presently a spirit-yuan body, but above all because he had come to realize more and more keenly just how vital such cultivation was.
If one's physical strength was the hardware, then one's spirit-yuan cultivation was the software; the two complemented each other, neither dispensable. At low realms it hardly mattered, but at his present level, with a charge upon the Giant Realm already in sight, if his spirit-yuan cultivation were to remain this feeble and wanting, it would be like trying to walk on one leg—how could he?