Chapter 174: Persuading the Blue Silver King
Following the map, the group traveled west for several days, arriving first in Suotuo City. The search for the Blue Silver Forest, however, took much longer. This forest was small and didn't appear on any maps, so it took them over ten days to locate a denser patch of Blue Silver Grass.
The area seemed unremarkable at first glance; there was no sign of any powerful spirit beasts. However, the Blue Silver Grass here was especially lush, exuding an unusual vitality. Upon entering the forest, the group felt as though they were stepping into a sea of life, a sensation that invigorated them.
Dugu Bo couldn't help but marvel, "I never imagined such a place existed! The life energy here is incredible. If I'd found this earlier, perhaps I wouldn't have suffered so much from the poison of my spirit."
Yang Potian shook his head. "Grandpa Dugu, this world is full of mysteries and wonders. If you'd been able to stay in the heart of the Star Dou Forest, where life force is even richer, it might have helped suppress the venom of your spirit power."
Dugu Bo scoffed. "Of course I know that the Lake of Life is powerful, but it's a human no-go zone! I'd likely lose my life if I lingered there too long."
The group shared a laugh before continuing their exploration. As they ventured deeper into the forest, they started sensing powerful spirit energy nearby. However, even after extensive searching, they couldn't pinpoint the spirit beast's exact location. Surprisingly, they found several Blue Silver Grass plants over ten thousand years old, a rare sight even in the Star Dou Forest. While Blue Silver Grass had remarkable vitality, it generally lacked defenses, making it easy prey for other spirit beasts.
Just then, a voice echoed through the forest: "Who are you, and why do you trespass in my Blue Silver Forest? Leave at once!"
An elderly figure emerged amidst the dense Blue Silver Grass, his expression solemn as he observed the powerful presence of the intruders.
Without hesitation, the four summoned their spirits and spirit rings, launching an assault on the Blue Silver King. In response, the Blue Silver King called forth countless Blue Silver Grass vines, filling the air as they advanced on the group from every direction.
With three Titled Douluo among them, the group was hardly intimidated by the Blue Silver Grass. Dugu Bo's spirit released a cloud of poisonous green gas, causing the Blue Silver Grass to wither instantly, while the others' Broken Soul Spears sliced through the vines.
Although the Blue Silver King was at the strength of an eighty-five-thousand-year spirit beast, it was ultimately a plant-type creature with limited offensive capability, and the group made short work of it. Many vines lay in pieces, and the forest floor was littered with the remains of the Blue Silver Grass.
The Blue Silver King's voice rang out, furious: "Who are you, and why do you destroy my Blue Silver Forest?"
Yang Potian gestured for his companions to regroup, then addressed the elder figure. "Elder, would you reveal yourself? We have matters to discuss."
The Blue Silver King's voice was cold. "After injuring my people and wrecking my forest, what could you possibly have to discuss?"
Yang Potian replied with a steely tone, "Elder, you've witnessed our strength. Are you prepared for us to raze this entire forest? I also have information that concerns your Blue Silver Emperor."
At this, the Blue Silver King hesitated, then materialized as a translucent figure before them.
The Blue Silver King's projection spoke, "You know of my Emperor? Where is she now?"
Yang Potian shook his head. "Your Blue Silver Emperor fell fifteen years ago. She is neither fully alive nor truly dead. Tell me, haven't you been unable to sense her presence since then?"
Yang Wushuang and the others looked at Yang Potian in confusion, wondering when he had learned about this Blue Silver Emperor.
A look of sorrow washed over the Blue Silver King's face. "If you truly know about her, tell me how she fell."
Yang Potian explained, "Your Blue Silver Emperor chose to undergo human transformation and became a woman. She fell in love with a man, and in a moment of crisis, she sacrificed herself to become his spirit ring. That man deceived her, even fathering a child with her. That child should be nearly fifteen by now."
The Blue Silver King's rage was palpable. "Who was this man? Why did he betray my Emperor?"
Yang Potian smirked. "You've met him before. He came here with the Blue Silver Emperor—his name is Tang Hao."
Yang Wushuang interjected, "Potian, how do you know all this? So, Tang Hao's tenth spirit ring was actually from a hundred-thousand-year sacrifice?"
Yang Potian chuckled. "Second Grandfather, Father, you've seen her before. Tang Hao's wife, Ah Yin, was the Blue Silver Emperor. Fifteen years ago, Qian Xunji discovered her identity and pursued her, forcing her to sacrifice herself to become Tang Hao's ninth spirit ring. Qian Xunji fell to Tang Hao, and that incident sparked the devastating conflict with the Clear Sky Clan."
Yang Wushuang's expression shifted in understanding. "So that legendary battle was all over a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast. No wonder it was so fierce, even costing Qian Xunji his life."
The Blue Silver King, still simmering with anger, demanded, "Why have you come to the Blue Silver Forest? Do you seek my spirit ring?"
Yang Potian shook his head. "Not exactly. I propose a trade."
"A trade? I do not trust humans."
Yang Potian replied calmly, "I am a man of my word. If you agree to this, both you and your kin will be well cared for. As for you, I can help you become a true Blue Silver Emperor."
The Blue Silver King's eyes narrowed. "What is it that you want, then? I don't believe you would act purely out of kindness."
"It's simple. I seek a hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor spirit ring. In return, I'll take you to a paradise where plant-type spirit beasts can grow tenfold or even a hundredfold in strength."
The Blue Silver King scoffed, "Even if I sacrificed myself, my spirit ring would only be eighty-five thousand years. And even if I died, I couldn't become a Blue Silver Emperor."
Yang Potian smiled knowingly, understanding that the Blue Silver King didn't yet realize the full potential of his plan.
Yang Potian shook his head. "I know that when a Blue Silver Emperor sacrifices itself, it produces a seed. This seed can grow anew. If I transplant it into a special land, you'll quickly become a new Blue Silver Emperor. But if you refuse, we'll have no choice but to destroy this entire forest to obtain an eighty-five-thousand-year spirit ring."
The Blue Silver King remained skeptical. "Is there really such a place where plant spirit beasts can grow so quickly? Besides, I'm only eighty-five thousand years old—I'm not capable of becoming an Emperor."
Yang Potian smiled and took out a jade box from his storage ring. When he opened it, a powerful life energy radiated outward. It was none other than the Qiluo Tulip, a celestial herb of unparalleled vitality.
"This is the Qiluo Tulip, the king of immortal plants, found in a land blessed for extraordinary growth. It can identify all spiritual properties and even commands other plant-type spirit beasts. You should sense its power."
Then Yang Potian took out a scarlet Firestone. "I have brought one thousand Firestones with me. If you refuse to cooperate, I'll set fire to this entire forest, burning it—and your Blue Silver Clan—to the ground."
Yang Wushuang and Dugu Bo stared in shock at the Qiluo Tulip. Yang Wushuang, especially, looked astonished; he hadn't realized his grandson had such a rare treasure in his possession.
The Blue Silver King, meanwhile, sensed the tremendous life force emanating from the Qiluo Tulip. He also felt an instinctive fear of the Firestone in Yang Potian's hand, which radiated intense flame energy—a true nemesis to his nature.
The Blue Silver King looked at Yang Potian, then at the three Titled Douluo behind him. He seemed to waver, finally asking, "What exactly do you want from me?"
Yang Potian grinned and took out a Soulburst Pill. "Good. Now, use the life force of the Blue Silver Grass around you to enhance your spirit power to over ninety-five thousand years, and then take this Soulburst Pill. It will help you break through the final barrier and become a hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor."
"Once you achieve this, you'll perform the sacrifice, and I'll plant the seed that's left behind in a fertile land. I'll also move the Blue Silver Clan there, allowing you to grow anew and reclaim your title as Blue Silver Emperor."
"This pill might harm your foundation and limit your potential, but if you're already the Blue Silver Emperor, what need have you for further potential? As a seed, you'll restore your foundation as you grow in this special land."
The Blue Silver King looked uncertain. "Why are you doing this? And how can I trust you'll keep your end of the deal?"
Yang Potian replied, "If I were to kill you now, I'd only get an eighty-five-thousand-year spirit ring. But if we work together, I'll gain a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone. That's a significant difference."
"As for our deal, I'm willing to swear on my spirit. Will that satisfy you?"
The Blue Silver King hesitated, weighing his options. He realized that opposing them would likely lead to his death—and the destruction of the Blue Silver Forest. He would be remembered as the one who doomed his people. On the other hand, he was already eighty-five thousand years old, with the unique opportunity to ascend to the rank of Blue Silver Emperor. The choice felt momentous.
Yang Wushuang and the others exchanged glances, marveling at Potian's tactics. It seemed he was close to obtaining both a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone without a single fight. They couldn't help but admire his cunning: he'd even managed to deceive a spirit beast.
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