Zhao Changhe felt that this guy was just taking advantage of the situation...

Cui Yuanyang was persuaded not to fight back, and she wasn't forced to fulfill the promise of the reward because Wang Zhaoling said "we'll discuss it later." That meant it was no longer considered a reward, but something that would be negotiated with the Cui family. If they just ignored it, the rabbit would bite.

Xia Chichi also understood, so she didn't insist on continuing. Otherwise, it would be too easy for her to continue winning without any injuries.

Regardless of whether it was counted as the promised number of victories or the pressure from the Cui family, this thing should have been brought out in the first place.

Of course, there was no way to deal with the Wang family if they played dirty, but it wasn't a sure thing either. Wang Zhaoling was willing to give it directly, which could be considered his generosity. It could be called a fortuitous encounter.

In fact, even telling him that they would soon become enemies was considered a fortuitous encounter.

Zhao Changhe clearly stated that he did not support the actions of the Wang family, and he even refused to participate in the martial arts competition, preferring to live off others. With his sensitive identity, he belonged to the type of person who would "eliminate those who don't use me." It wouldn't be appropriate to die openly in the Wang family. If he were to be assassinated for no reason afterwards, even a fool could guess that it was the work of the Wang family. There was no need for him to say it...

This was also the reason why Wang Zhaoling would directly say it, because whether he said it or not, it would be the same. But by saying it, it could indeed be considered a fortuitous encounter, at least reminding him to be cautious on his journey.

It could only be said that this was emotional intelligence... Clearly saying that they would become enemies, but not making people dislike him, instead making it seem like they had made a friend.

If everyone in the Wang family was like this, it would be much more troublesome than the Maitreya Sect... Compared to the Maitreya Sect, they were much lower...

In any case, with the treasure of expanding the meridians in front of him, Zhao Changhe naturally wouldn't be polite. This thing was extremely important to him. Xia Chichi and Cui Yuanyang shouldn't have participated in the martial arts competition in the first place. They all came out for this treasure. The Wang family was only forced to give it to them by their actions. How could he disappoint them?

Wang Zhaoling said that it wasn't a pill, but a place. It wasn't a lie. The place was in the secret area of the Wang family, stored in an ice cave.

Upon entering the ice cave, there was a large mass of ice-blue mud-like substance, about ten meters in diameter. It looked like ice but not ice, like snow but not snow, and it didn't feel cold, but rather a bit moist.

Zhao Changhe felt like it was a combination of clay and ice cream... But the mysterious feeling emanating from it reminded him that it wasn't ice cream, but a treasure.

It was also the most fantastical and least martial arts-like thing he had seen in this world, apart from the heavenly books.

"What is this treasure called?"

Wang Zhaoling said, "It has no name, and there is no record of it in ancient texts. My ancestors named it Ice Profound Sea Mud. This thing must be stored in the ice cave, otherwise its energy will gradually dissipate."

"...Why does it sound like there's a lot of it?"

"It's not a lot... It is hidden in the deep sea, extremely difficult to find. My family has ruled over the Eastern Sea for a hundred years and has only found a dozen or so. It feels a bit like... when a mountain collapses and explodes during the destruction of an era, scattering and burying itself in the sea. But the sea is so vast that even if a mountain is scattered, it's no different from finding a needle in a haystack..."

Zhao Changhe nodded, looking very curious.

A mountain of ice cream... How was it formed?

Wang Zhaoling sighed, "I won't hide it from you, although this thing is considered a treasure, it's a bit of a letdown for us."

Zhao Changhe asked in surprise, "Why? Even if the effect is minimal, isn't it better than nothing? As far as I know, every family has some people with innate deficiencies who need to improve their aptitude. It's always useful, right?"

Wang Zhaoling sighed, "Because once it's used, the effect is absorbed and gone. It's not a divine object, and the effect is minimal, so it must be used in large quantities to be valuable and to allow a group of people to improve and grow. What's the use of finding one of these every ten years? To make a useless person slightly less useless? The Wang family hasn't reached the point where we need a life-saving straw."

That's true... It was indeed a bit disappointing for the Wang family, but for individuals in need, it was like a long-awaited rain after a drought.

Wang Zhaoling continued, "Why do people climb higher? Why isn't it enough for us to be the emperor of Langya and have influence throughout the world? Because no matter how powerful a force is, it can't compare to being rich and having the resources of the entire world. Your father... Oh, you don't recognize him, it's fine. What I mean is, if he wants to find this kind of treasure to transform his meridians, it would be very easy for him. Right now, we don't have it in our treasury, but it's just that he didn't go to find it for you. Otherwise, with a single command, my Wang family would also have to present it to you."

Zhao Changhe said, "That's true. But why are you telling me this?"

"My father opening the three major secret storages is not the end of cultivation. If we want to explore the power of the ancient era, whether it's information or resources, they can't be provided by just one region. Take this mud from the sea, what if it's not only scattered in the sea, but also on land? Or maybe the core is on land? We would be dreaming if we wanted to find the source! The same goes for His Majesty. Why do you think he wanted to unify the world back then?"

Zhao Changhe could only think of what the blind man had said: What Xia Longyuan sought was not the mountains and rivers of the mortal world.

He had already become the number one in the world during the process of unifying the world. Sweeping away the six realms could only be for the purpose of concentrating resources, not to become a wise and virtuous ruler.

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Zhao Changhe sighed, "He became the emperor but didn't make any progress. Instead, he made mistakes. Why are you following in his footsteps?"

Wang Zhaoling said, "Just because he can't do it doesn't mean others can't. Why occupy it if you can't handle it?"

Zhao Changhe shook his head. Everyone had their own aspirations, and there was nothing to say. It was better to talk about the treasure, "How do you use this?"

"You wrap your whole body in it, and it will breathe."

"..."

Wang Zhaoling found his expression a bit funny and said, "Let Cui Yuanyang stand by your side. You should feel more at ease, right?"

"...Do I have to take off my clothes?""No need." Wang Zhaoling paused, then suddenly said, "Brother Zhao, your understanding and comprehension of martial arts are unparalleled. After trying this item, I hope you can share your insights with me. Perhaps, we can discover perspectives we've never found before from this stone of other mountains."

Zhao Changhe nodded, "Alright."

It was a strange experience, laughing and chatting with someone who was destined to be an enemy, using his treasure, and even promising to exchange insights. What was even stranger was that despite having what he had always dreamed of right in front of him, Zhao Changhe didn't show any eagerness to try it out from beginning to end, not even the impulse to touch it.

Was it because his mind was calm, or because he knew the effect was mediocre and his expectations were low?

…………

Cui Yuanyang squatted in front of the sea mud, blinking at Zhao Changhe who was wrapped in the mud.

Zhao Changhe's face was still uncovered, he was talking to Cui Yuanyang, which made the little rabbit very happy, "Brother Zhao, you are so cute."

Zhao Changhe was speechless, "Is this word used to describe me?"

Cui Yuanyang stretched out her finger and poked Zhao Changhe's face twice, laughing, "Is there any more mud? I want to wrap myself in it too."

"Do you really think this is mud? Where would there be so much?" Wang Zhaoling's face darkened a bit, "Alright, alright, you guys play here, I'm leaving."

Cui Yuanyang waved, "Take care, Brother Wang, remember to close the door."

Wang Zhaoling left with a wry smile.

As soon as the door closed, the ice cave darkened. Cui Yuanyang, who seemed a bit cold, squatted beside, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Zhao Changhe's face, "You seem to get along well with him, and you trust him so much. You're not afraid of anything happening while you're wrapped in this unknown mud in this dark room?"

Zhao Changhe clicked his tongue, "You were just acting cute... Now look at you, you're all black inside."

"Humph." Cui Yuanyang poked his face again, "I don't believe you don't have any ideas, tell me."

"I really don't have any ideas, because it's easier to communicate with smart people. If he was a fool, it would be unsafe." Zhao Changhe smiled, "You being here is my amulet, I'm as secure as Mount Tai."

Cui Yuanyang continued to poke, "So now I'm protecting you, right?"

"Right."

Cui Yuanyang was very happy, "Is there anything else you need Yangyang to do?"

"The best help you can give me is to stop poking me..." Zhao Changhe's voice began to tremble, "This thing... is starting to take effect, protect me, I need to meditate."

Not far from the ice cave, Wang Zhaoling slowed down his pace, stood still for a moment, then suddenly said, "Miss Xia, your lover is safe, there's no need to hide and watch, why not show yourself?"

A white figure flashed, Xia Chichi appeared in front of him, somewhat surprised, "You really have us in awe."

"Us? Who else, Rosefinch?" Wang Zhaoling smiled, "Actually, it's easy to guess. Given the current situation, my Wang family and your Four Elephant Sect actually have room for cooperation. Miss, you've been watching the whole process, I don't believe you haven't thought about exploring the possibility of an alliance."

Xia Chichi laughed, "So you organized this martial arts discussion, not only to probe and declare, not only to win over Zhao Changhe... Negotiating with our Four Elephant Sect is also one of your goals?"

"Correct. We are arrogant and domineering, the world weighs us, others' eyes will only focus on such matters, as for inviting the demon sect, it's a minor matter, as if it's a matter of course..." Wang Zhaoling sighed, "When you do something in a high-profile manner, it always needs to have more value."

Xia Chichi thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Actually... just for a birthday, it's also quite good..."

Wang Zhaoling remained silent.

"As long as what you gave Changhe is useful, we'll form this alliance."