Chapter 180 - 147: Green Sky White Jade Pill (2)

As soon as he said this, the crowd exchanged bewildered glances. They couldn’t figure out what Zhan Tianxia was up to. If there was no discussion of the Dao, what was the point of them being here today?

Dai Zichen and Old Ghost Bai exchanged a look. "And what might this good suggestion be, City Lord Zhan?" Dai Zichen asked.

A grin split Zhan Tianxia’s stern face. For some unknown reason, the sight of that smile sent a bad feeling creeping into Song Changsheng’s heart.

The bear-like Zhan Tianxia stood up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "No matter how much theory you hear, it’s meaningless if you can’t fully grasp it and make it your own. It’s just a waste of time.

"Therefore, I have decided to hold a trial today. Participation is voluntary. For the one who can endure to the very end, I will offer a Green Sky White Jade Pill as a reward."

GASP—

A collective gasp echoed through the grand hall.

No one present was an ordinary cultivator. They all knew just how precious the Green Sky White Jade Pill was.

In this world, be it Human Race Cultivators, Demon Beasts, or even the mysterious Sea Demons, all possess Origin Power. This is the most fundamental power of a living being. The consequences of it being damaged are unthinkable.

In the Cultivation Realm, where might makes right, conflict and slaughter are inevitable. Conflict leads to injury, and injuries can damage one’s Origin Power. Minor cases result in a shortened lifespan or a permanent halt to one’s cultivation, while severe cases can be life-threatening.

Moreover, injuries to one’s Origin Power are exceedingly difficult to heal. Most who suffer such a wound can only leave their fate to the heavens.

And the Green Sky White Jade Pill was a pill capable of healing injuries to one’s Origin Power. Although it was only Tier Three Low-Grade, its value far surpassed that of other pills of the same tier.

Most importantly, it was simply impossible to find on the open market.

And now, Zhan Tianxia was actually offering such a precious pill as a reward for a mere trial. Forget the younger generation—even Dai Zichen and Old Ghost Bai felt their eyes burn with envy.

Though they came from Golden Core Sects, their standing within them was relatively low. A rare treasure like the Green Sky White Jade Pill would simply never be allocated to them.

Who could guarantee that they wouldn’t need it one day?

At a critical moment, a pill like that could save one’s life!

Thus, the two of them began issuing strict orders to the juniors they had brought along: they had to obtain that Green Sky White Jade Pill, no matter the cost!

Down below, the younger cultivators were eagerly rubbing their hands together, ready to prove their mettle in the trial.

"Elder Zhan, may we know what form this trial will take?" a bolder cultivator asked, rising to his feet.

Hearing this, Zhan Tianxia said nonchalantly, "The trial itself is very simple, but not without its dangers. While your life won’t be at risk, it’s quite normal to end up bedridden for a few days."

His words immediately dampened some of the crowd’s enthusiasm. The Great City Lord’s birthday banquet was just around the corner, and another grand event awaited them after that. If they got injured here and missed it, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

Instantly, some began to have second thoughts.

Others, however, believed that risk and opportunity went hand in hand. To obtain a treasure like the Green Sky White Jade Pill, one naturally had to pay a price. After all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Zhan Tianxia’s tiger-like eyes scanned the room, finally landing on Song Changsheng. His voice boomed like a great bell. "The Green Sky White Jade Pill not only repairs injuries to one’s Origin Power, but it also strengthens a cultivator’s origin, slightly increasing a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Cultivator’s chances of breaking through to the Purple Mansion Stage! Choose now: participate or withdraw!"

Staring into those eyes, Song Changsheng was certain. Zhan Tianxia was targeting him.

The Green Sky White Jade Pill... the reward was too specific. It was common knowledge that Song Xianming’s Origin Power was damaged and he needed a treasure that could repair it.

And now, such a treasure was right in front of him, practically within arm’s reach. All he had to do was participate in a trial to get it. The thought of refusing didn’t even cross his mind.

Although Song Xianming had obtained the Wood Essence Jade Marrow, which could also repair Origin Power injuries, its quality was low. It would take at least ten to twenty years to fully heal him.

He was already over two hundred years old. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s lifespan was only about two hundred and fifty years, and for various reasons, very few actually lived that long.

With his Origin Power damaged for so many years, Song Xianming’s lifespan had inevitably been shortened. At most, he had thirty years left—and that was an optimistic estimate. In reality, it was likely even less.

In other words, even if his Origin Power injury healed, he would have very little time left to break through to the Purple Mansion Stage. If that were the case, what would be the point of healing at all?

Song Changsheng had originally planned to find a treasure to extend Song Xianming’s lifespan, but he’d had no luck over the years. Whether he would ever find one was uncertain.

But now, he had an opportunity to solve this problem: the Green Sky White Jade Pill.

It could shorten the healing time to just a few years, further strengthen his Origin Power, and increase his chances of breaking through to the Purple Mansion Stage. Even if it was just a sliver of a chance, it was better than none.

If Song Xianming obtained it, it would buy him the time he needed to break through to the Purple Mansion Stage.

He knew Zhan Tianxia wouldn’t let him obtain it easily—and might even make him pay a heavy price—but he had no choice. If he gave up today, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

And so, he was the first to rise to his feet. "I am willing to participate."

All eyes fell upon him, some filled with admiration, others with contempt. He paid them no mind, his gaze locked on the lightning-filled eyes before him, his expression resolute.

Zhan Tianxia seemed unsurprised by his choice. He simply gave a flat nod and pointed to the spot before him. "Very well. Come here and wait."

"Yes."

Under Zhuang Yuechan’s worried gaze, Song Changsheng walked straight toward Zhan Tianxia.

Zhuang Yuechan knew perfectly well that this trial was a trap Zhan Tianxia had set to make things difficult for Song Changsheng. But she had no grounds to stop him from walking right into it.

So she, too, stood up. "Second Martial Uncle, Yuechan would also like to participate."

’Second Martial Uncle has doted on me since I was a child. If I’m with Fellow Daoist Song, surely he won’t be too cruel, right?’ Zhuang Yuechan thought to herself.

But to her surprise, Zhan Tianxia’s tiger-like eyes glared at her, and he spoke in a tone that allowed no argument. "You are a disciple of Luoxia City. This is no place for you to be causing a scene. Stand down, now."

Zhuang Yuechan’s face instantly paled. She knew now that Zhan Tianxia was dead set on making things difficult for Song Changsheng.

’This won’t do,’ Zhuang Yuechan thought, ’I have to find my Master to intervene.’ Knowing she couldn’t change Zhan Tianxia’s mind, she decided to find someone who could.

Seeing Zhuang Yuechan walk out, Zhan Tianxia frowned and thought, ’A grown girl really can’t be kept. She’s already siding with an outsider.’

But he paid it no mind. Since he had made this decision today, he had, of course, planned for everything. No one could disrupt his scheme!

As Song Changsheng watched Zhuang Yuechan leave, a warmth spread through his chest. He knew she was trying to help him.

When he reached the spot Zhan Tianxia had indicated, he was less than three zhang away from the man. An aura as immense as a mountain pressed down on him, making his chest feel tight.

’He’s definitely doing this on purpose,’ Song Changsheng thought, looking up at the imposing figure of Zhan Tianxia.

Zhan Tianxia glanced at him, inwardly surprised. He was already exerting ten percent of his power, yet this kid was still composed. ’He’s quite a bit better than I thought.’

’Let’s see if you can maintain this composure later,’ Zhan Tianxia sneered inwardly. He wasn’t here to hand out benefits.

"Anyone else?" Zhan Tianxia asked, his gaze sweeping the room.

"I’m willing to try."

The cool, clear voice made Song Changsheng start. It was the icy woman who had come with Dai Zichen.

As he watched her walk in his direction, Song Changsheng couldn’t help but feel surprised. ’Her status in the Golden Crow Sect must be quite high. Why is she getting involved in this mess?’

...