At those words, Xu Taiping briefly sorted through his thoughts, then frowned and asked:
"Could you two explain in more detail what you mean by failing to get what you wanted?"
Heavenly Lord Xuanbei and Daoist Fengzhu exchanged a glance.
Daoist Fengzhu nodded.
Heavenly Lord Xuanbei then said gravely:
"Over the years, we selected forty or fifty Heaven Shocking Realm cultivators to go there, but in the end, not one managed to bring that thing out."
Daoist Fengzhu added:
"Not many even came out alive."
Hearing this, Xu Taiping gave a bitter laugh and said:
"As I thought."
In truth, he had already vaguely guessed this outcome.
At that moment, seemingly worried that Xu Taiping would refuse, Heavenly Lord Xuanbei said gravely:
"But judging from today's contest, your combat strength far exceeds that of the dozens of cultivators we approached before."
Daoist Fengzhu added:
"By a great deal!"
Xu Taiping did not answer either of them. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Ninth Madam.
Ninth Madam immediately said gravely:
"Xu Taiping, judging from that contest just now, you truly are the best choice to enter those forbidden grounds."
Xu Taiping nodded, then turned to Heavenly Lord Xuanbei and Daoist Fengzhu.
"Of the cultivators you two sent into those forbidden grounds, how many came out alive?"
Heavenly Lord Xuanbei thought carefully before answering:
"Three."
Xu Taiping's heart lurched, and he thought:
Fifty went in, and only three came out alive.
For a time, he lost much of his interest in going to those forbidden grounds.
However great a fortuitous opportunity might be, one still needed to be alive to seize it.
So Xu Taiping refused outright:
"Seniors, I'm afraid I cannot help you with this."
Heavenly Lord Xuanbei and Daoist Fengzhu showed no change in expression, as though they had long