Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 715 - 172: The Gift of a Ring

"You two!" Zong Shaoqing was caught in the middle, the pair exchanging words back and forth, completely disregarding his presence.

Within the Divine Court, Zong Shaoqing was second to none, never having faced such indifference, especially noticing Yue Jinghua’s reaction, utterly ignoring his existence, which was quite a bitter pill for him to swallow.

This woman, her dismissiveness had to have limits.

"Let’s be calm, we can seek peaceful means to settle this dispute," Zong Shaoqing was compelled to intervene and stop Fa Xiaoyi.

To solve disputes with peaceful methods, could it be that the Canglong Continent also holds the Olympic Games?

Yue Jinghua and Fa Xiaoyi were both startled, the argument ceased, but then they both muttered in their hearts, wondering if the Canglong Continent really had something like the Olympic Games.

After all, the original purpose of the Olympic Games was to address the needs of the excessively energetic warriors by establishing a "battlefield without smoke."

In the era of war, nations resolved disputes on the blood-soaked battlefield.

Yet in the civilized era, the method to resolve disputes or, in other words, engage in competition is through modern sports.

"The Xuyang Trial, both of you are among the cream of the continent’s younger generation. If you cannot put aside personal grudges, yet must consider the welfare of the people and the nation, then the only way is to participate in the Xuyang Trial. The top ten victors of the Xuyang Competition will not only gain fame across the continent and abroad, but also have the chance to learn martial arts from the Ten Strongest or even become their valued disciples," Zong Shaoqing enumerated, instantly painting the Xuyang Trial as the continent’s premiere event.

With an assembly of masters and numerous spectators, an opportunity to gain both fame and admiration from the strong, it truly was a crowning occasion not to be missed by the ambitious youth of the continent.

After speaking at length, to see Fa Xiaoyi still clueless, Zong Shaoqing cleared his throat, preparing to clarify further when Yue Jinghua cast a disdainful glance and said, "Dumb one, what he means is that it’s a continental-level contest where fighting gets you paid, death goes uncompensated, and fame is guaranteed."

Yue Jinghua’s frank words made Zong Shaoqing twitch his mouth, but they struck a chord with Fa Xiaoyi, instantly enlightening him as if his governor and conception vessels were unblocked.

"Fine, this Prince will participate in the Xuyang Trial, Yue Jinghua. I’ll wait for you there," said Fa Xiaoyi, sweeping his sleeve and gathering up what remained of his Asura Fire Rose. Then, with a flourish, he departed.

"That’s crazy, did I say I would participate? Being low-key is key, earning fame is less profitable than completing more missions or refining more Elixir Pills," Yue Jinghua had always been indifferent to contests, being a top spy in her former life, she was given the title by others, and indeed, Liao was notoriously competitive. Fa Xiaoyi’s reaction just now was indeed similar to Liao’s, "Besides, not everyone is eligible for the Xuyang Trial; if I recall, only Dark Practitioners under 20 can participate. How old are you, Fa Xiaoyi? Surely, you must be an over-aged old man by now."

A victory well in hand yet it slipped away, leaving Yue Jinghua quite annoyed, her attitude towards Zong Shaoqing naturally wasn’t going to be any better.

But when Golden-haired Gore saw Zong Shaoqing, he offered a friendly smile.

When Dusa Queen smiled, it could topple cities, yet Zong Shaoqing remained impassive, cheerfully addressing Yue Jinghua, "This time, I truly appreciate Miss Yue’s cooperation. As a token of gratitude, I’ve prepared a special gift for you."

The man was quite the generous one, presenting a grand gift every time they met.

Yue Jinghua clearly remembered that last time he had purified Snake-haired Little Gore and presented it to her.

One does not slap a smiling face. Continuing the thought that a gift from the Divine Son would surely not disappoint, Yue Jinghua’s demeanor changed immediately.

Yet Zong Shaoqing deliberately played coy, urging Yue Jinghua to close her eyes.

For the sake of the gift, Yue Jinghua reluctantly closed her eyes.

A rustling sound reached her ears, possibly the whisper of Zong Shaoqing’s garments as he approached.

Yue Jinghua felt her hand being held in reverse, and just as she was about to resist, she noticed a warm finger lingering on hers for a moment.

An ice-cold and somewhat rough object slid between her fingers.

"You can open your eyes now," Zong Shaoqing’s breath fell like a ticklish feather from above.

When Yue Jinghua opened her eyes, she saw that she was wearing a ring on her hand.

The ring was square-shaped with an old-fashioned cut, and the dark, unknown Crystal Stone carried a mysterious and heavy power.

"Gravity Ring?!" Yue Jinghua recognized the item on her fingertip. It was the Divine Artifact Treasure Ring that had been worn on Lady Qing Yan’s hand when they were in Five Saints Town.

At Sky Dragon Palace, Lady Qing Yan used this ring to suppress everyone’s strength, including that of the Holy Beasts.

Under the effect of this ring, the true power of the Holy Beasts was significantly diminished. When Lady Qing Yan died, she fell into the Dragon Transformation Pond, and the Gravity Ring vanished with her.

Yue Jinghua had initially thought that the Gravity Ring was dissolved by the bloody waters of the Dragon Transformation Pond, but it had ended up in Zong Shaoqing’s hands.

The ring seemed to have originally been made for a man to wear.

Yet somehow, Zong Shaoqing managed to fit it onto Yue Jinghua’s finger perfectly, as if it had been custom-made for her.

Zong Shaoqing?!

Yue Jinghua remembered that at Sky Dragon Palace, the only one that didn’t gain anything was Divine Court.

But now it seemed she was mistaken.

Although she had gained a Divine Artifact out of the blue, Yue Jinghua felt no joy whatsoever.

Including tonight, Zong Shaoqing’s frequent sudden appearances made Yue Jinghua feel like she was being manipulated by him all the time.

She did not like this feeling.

The Zong Shaoqing before her was as warm as a spring breeze, a touch of warmth from the sun, but for some reason, Yue Jinghua always felt he was an exceedingly dangerous man.

"The price, what do I have to pay for this ring?" The world Yue Jinghua lived in taught her nothing was obtained without reason, except from close kin.

As good as a Divine Artifact may be, it also has to be something she can afford.

"No price is needed. When a man gives a small gift to the woman he likes, no price is needed," Zong Shaoqing laughed aloud, his expression filled with a brilliance like the stars, "If you really want to thank me, you might as well participate in the Xuyang Trial this time."

"Thank you, but I’m not interested in the Xuyang Trial, apologies. I have military duties, and if there’s a chance another day, I will repay Divine Son for the gift of this ring," Yue Jinghua, feeling like staying any longer with this man might lead to being calculated against, called for Gore and left Mist Canyon without looking back, heading off to meet up with Little Jinuo and the others.

Zong Shaoqing saw her haste, leaving without a backward glance; a flicker passed through his eyes, but it carried a hint of reluctance, "This woman, when will she lower her guard. I wanted to tell you that I will also participate in the upcoming Xuyang Trial. Perhaps... because of it, we may become..."