Chapter 918: Chapter 166: The Reward
"Damn, he’s really insane!" Chu Mi blinked his eyes, somewhat at a loss for words.
Initially, he thought this man was just a clueless rich target lagging behind, but later, he felt he was a noble scion with an unfathomably deep background.
After hearing about Jiang Wang battling nine opponents alone, he even suspected that this man might be a hidden descendant of the Qi Royal Family.
It was said that to preserve their lineage, each generation of the Royal Family would have members who hide their identities, known as the hidden lineage—though, of course, there was no evidence for this, but such rumors were never-ending.
At least to Chu Mi now, it seemed to be true!
How many cultivators could confidently declare they would surely achieve God Arrives? And how many would dare to scorn the White Elephant King, let alone the Blood King?
This was no ordinary prodigy!
Facing the arrogance of a low-rank human race cultivator, the White Elephant King didn’t burst into rage, he just looked deeply at Jiang Wang through the protective light screen of the island, "This king hopes you will live to see that time."
He didn’t deny Jiang Wang’s boastful claims about achieving God Arrives and what it would surely entail... He even rather hoped Jiang Wang would be more arrogant, thus confirming Jiang Wang’s extraordinary nature. It made it easier for him to boast about his own achievements.
And Ding Jingshan simply said, "We, the human race cultivators, stand tall and firm, and must bear the consequences of our actions. Jiang Wang, you dared to kill the son of the Blood King, drawing the Sea Clan’s grand army...
His tone suddenly changed: "Magnificent courage!"
"Reward him!"
With a flick of his finger, a wine cup spun out and hovered in front of Jiang Wang.
"This Soul Jade Spirit Liquid, seen once in a century, is awarded to you! As a reward for your great achievements!"
Soul Jade Spirit Liquid! This was a treasure for nurturing the spirit, beneficial even to a Godly cultivator, and Chu Mi’s eyes lit up with excitement.
Jiang Wang reached out and caught the wine cup, and just by smelling the fragrance of the liquid, he felt his severely damaged spirit seemed to have been soothed.
In his ear, he heard Ding Jingshan’s transmitted message: "Ten taels of Lost Crystals, or an equivalent amount of Prime Stones. Later, have your elders deliver them to Yang Valley. A single fraction less, and you’ll be in trouble!"
That’s expensive!
Jiang Wang’s heart shivered, but his hands did not tremble. It was too expensive to risk any spill...
Biting his teeth, without another word, he lifted the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
After all, he was already in debt to more than one or two groups; when you have a lot of lice, you stop worrying about them!
Ding Jingshan clearly used this incident to show his unwavering stance and to enhance the cohesion among the cultivators of Ding Island. But this Soul Jade Spirit Liquid wasn’t really a reward, it was more like selling while giving away. In Ding Jingshan’s eyes, Jiang Wang was definitely someone who was not short on money. His storage box was likely even more abundant than his, accustomed as he was to bargaining in the Lost World; he had no intention of playing the magnanimous fool.
Nevertheless, Jiang Wang had to accept this favor. Ding Jingshan had realized his spirit was damaged and had thus prescribed the perfect remedy with the Soul Jade Spirit Liquid.
Although it felt difficult to repay such a heavy debt, at this critical juncture with a great battle looming, he needed to return to his peak condition.
So he drank it heartily.
It felt like there was an invisible hand—though he was reluctant to make such a comparison, it really felt like a mother’s gentle touch on the forehead, offering the gentlest and firmest beacon of hope when one was feverishly dizzy with illness.
Jiang Wang could no longer remember what his mother looked like. She had passed away when he was very young, and it seemed that only his father’s figure lingered in his memory. But that warm feeling persisted vaguely.
He couldn’t remember when it had happened, but he remembered that it had existed.
His spirit, nourished, quickly recovered. The Soul Stealth Snakes, one by one, slithered out, gradually returning to the count of three thousand. And some even deeper changes were taking place.
Jiang Wang’s eyes, too, became radiant, flashing briefly before dimming.
"Return the Warm Jade Cup to me," Ding Jingshan transmitted his voice again.
Jiang Wang was speechless for a moment. I spent ten Lost Crystals and a thousand Prime Stones, isn’t even a cup included? This Ding is really stingy!
Clearly preoccupied with his complaints, he hadn’t realized that he was only on credit so far, yet he considered himself a VIP...
Casually pushing the Warm Jade Cup back, he said, "Thank you for the General’s generosity!"
Ding Jingshan looked deeply at him and said, "Go and recuperate. When it’s your turn to battle, someone will call you."
Jiang Wang wanted to say that he had already recovered and could join the battle at any time, that there was no need for further recuperation. But the look in Ding Jingshan’s eyes made him keep silent.
Thus, he bowed respectfully, "I am ready to serve at any moment."
He turned and withdrew.
Behind him was Ding Jingshan, who was confronting the White Elephant King, the Floating Island monks who were busy setting up defenses with their Dao Techniques, the neatly formed rows of troops, and the Cultivators of the Human Race, united in their purpose.
Jiang Wang, going against the stream of people, walked alone towards the direction of the inn.
The vast majority of cultivators on the Floating Island looked at him with respect for his impressive military exploits, for his confidence and boldness facing the White Elephant King.
The cultivators who fought daily against the Sea Clan knew best the power of the Sea Clan and also recognized the prowess of Jiang Wang.
At least for now, few wanted to hand him over.
Bravery is a beautiful quality that can be transmitted.
Ding Jingshan had undoubtedly taken the lead in transmitting this quality.
Avoiding the chaotic outside environment, he had just stepped into his room when a figure separated from his shadow. It was Fu Yanqing, whom he had met once before.
Jiang Wang wasn’t surprised and directly asked, "What does the Island Master Ding wish me to do?"
Fu Yanqing was surprised for a moment, then got right to the point, "If the White Elephant King uses his full force this time, Ding Floating Island is very likely to fall. You now have two choices. First, join the battle. This war started because of you, and Ding Floating Island is fighting this battle to death in order to protect you. All the monks of Ding Floating Island are fighting desperately for the Human Race, but after all, you are the cause of this war. Therefore, you must stand on the front line, and when the island is breached, you must be the first to die."
Jiang Wang nodded, "That’s only right. I am willing to fight on the front line."
"Won’t you ask what the second option is?" Fu Yanqing asked.
"Please tell me," he responded.
"Break through," said Fu Yanqing. "The White Elephant King doesn’t really want to conquer Ding Floating Island, this island that we have operated for years can at least cost him a few teeth and cause heavy casualties to his direct troop. Keeping the status quo is, for him, the best situation. But because of the Blood King’s son, he must capture you to give an account. For us, maintaining influence in the Ding region with a small part of our power is also the most cost-effective choice; we also do not wish to start a fight to the death."
"So if you are no longer on the Floating Island, there is still room for negotiation in this war, and the White Elephant King will not be too committed."
While speaking, Fu Yanqing watched Jiang Wang’s expressions but saw no trace of resentment on the young man’s face.
Of course, Jiang Wang would not think that Ding Jingshan wanted to hand him over. If he had wanted to do that, he would have done so long ago. There was no need to go through such a roundabout process.
Thus, he simply asked, "How can I break through?"
He did have treasures like Hidden Clothes, but Hidden Clothes could not deceive the king-ranked White Elephant King. And at the moment, with the Sea Clan’s army surrounding them, it was difficult to even say whether there would be a gap to flee through.
"The Island Master will create an opportunity for you," Fu Yanqing said. "I will help you as well."
At that moment, he suddenly turned around. "Who’s there?"
