"This is no ordinary thing. What a rare find."
Li Ling sighed with feeling. The Heavenly Court had shown considerable sincerity this time, offering a treasure of this caliber in exchange.
Nie Yingzhi still did not quite understand and hurriedly asked, "Master, what is tribulation ash? What makes it so precious?"
Li Ling said, "Simply put, it is the embers left after a tribulation-things that even a tribulation of lightning and fire cannot destroy.
"It is a broad category containing both impurities and essences, so their value cannot all be judged alike.
"But anything that survives a tribulation must have something unique about it. Most contain immortal nature and the Dao connotation of creation."
Nie Yingzhi said, "I see. I believe I heard of it before, but I never had a chance to see any."
Li Ling said, "Very well. Let us take this opportunity to broaden your horizons."
He immediately had someone summon the Heavenly Court envoys and instructed them to present what they had brought.
Nie Yingzhi got his wish and saw the treasure known as tribulation ash.
It was a granular substance resembling sugar, though much more crystalline and translucent. Sure enough, it held an extraordinary aura.
"To my mind, calling it tribulation sand would be more fitting."
He could not help voicing the thought.
True Lord Guangde, the leader of the envoys, said with a smile, "Sect Master Nie, this portion of tribulation ash was painstakingly selected by the Heavenly Court. Naturally, it looks like grains of sand."
"Oh?" Nie Yingzhi said. "There is such a distinction? Then I have indeed been poorly informed."
Li Ling said, "The three Heavenly Venerables have been most thoughtful."
He knew that mobilizing something so precious must have required the approval of all three Heavenly Venerables.
True Lord Guangde said,