Chapter Nine: The Promise

  Although Zhao Ji extolled the infinite benefits of Heaven, he couldn't pull Ding Dian out of his sorrow and heartbreak. All he heard was a mournful laugh saying: "Heaven may have all sorts of good things, but without Frost Flower by my side, what's the point?"

  People are different, and the things they value also vary greatly. Some people enjoy competing for power and profit, indulging in the thrill of having everything under their control; some people remain aloof from fame and wealth, drifting along in the world outside the imperial court; while others love beauty but not power, thus staging the historical tragedies of Daji's downfall and the beacon fires that deceived the feudal lords.

  There is no doubt that Dian Dian is also a sentimental person, with deep feelings for Ling Xianghua. Otherwise, he would not have been willing to stay in prison for years, until he realized that something unexpected had happened to Ling Xianghua, and then escaped from prison.

  "You want to be with Ling Shuanghua, actually, it's not impossible."

  Zhao Ji calmed down for a moment and then said to Ding Dian.

  In an instant, Ding Tian's nearly fallen heart was hooked up again, and he hastily asked: "What did you say? You said I still have a day to reunite with Shuang Hua, but I clearly saw her spirit tablet before, could it be that it was fake?"

  Later on, Ding Dian's heart rekindled a glimmer of hope, his eyes yearningly gazing at Zhao Ji, awaiting the answer in his heart.

  "No, what you saw is true, Ling Shuanghua really died."

  Zhao Ji shook his head, and a few words shattered Ding Dian's last thread of hope.

  Ding Dian's eyes widened, a hint of anger rising to his face, and he looked at Zhao Ji with an unpleasant expression. In a low voice, he said: "What do you mean? Are you deliberately teasing me? Although you are a celestial messenger from the Upper Realm, your status is noble, but I, Ding Dian, am not someone who can be bullied by anyone. If you don't give me an explanation, even if I'm no match for you, I'll never let this matter drop."

  From hope to despair, even a sense of desperation, it's absolutely unbearable, and it's no wonder Ding Dian is furious, with a desperate determination.

  "Second Brother Ding, don't be angry for now. Although Ling Shuanghua is dead at this moment, the Ling Shuanghua from a month ago was still alive, wasn't she?"

  A faint smile played on his lips as Zhao Ji spoke.

  "What do you mean?"

  Ding Dian furrowed his brow, somewhat at a loss.

  "I just told you, if someone wants to ascend to the heavenly realm, apart from having strong abilities and reaching the pinnacle of their own world, those with great luck or great merit can also ascend."

  Looking at Ding Dian, Zhao Ji said slowly while paying attention to his expression: "However, as a flying ascension envoy, I will have some special privileges, that is, I can specify a certain person in a certain world at a certain moment to fly up to the heavenly realm."

  To sum it up, Ding Dian's expression changed from initial confusion and unclearness to sudden enlightenment and then to extreme joy, all within an instant.

  Taking a step forward, he grasped Zhao Ji's arms tightly with both hands. Ding Dian was overjoyed and excited to the extreme, his voice slightly trembling as he said: "Immortal Envoy, is this really true? Can you really bring back Xue Hua, who lived in the past, to ascend to the Heavenly Realm?"

  His eyes were filled with threads of red, which were streaks of blood. The ups and downs of his emotions, as well as the excitement at this moment, made his spirit somewhat manic, causing him to enter a state of mild frenzy.

  Ding Dian's cultivation was not weak, and the strength in his hands was extremely powerful. This one grip made Zhao Ji feel a severe pain in his arm, as if it was about to break off.

  Luckily, Zhao Ji's willpower was quite tenacious, and he endured the pain without making a sound, but his eyebrows were tightly furrowed, forming a knot.

  "Brother Ding, I know you're excited and can't bear it, but can we please just talk calmly without resorting to violence?"

  Enduring intense pain, Zhao spoke extremely slowly and calmly.

  As soon as he caught sight of it, Ding Dian realized his own movement and hastily withdrew his hands. The speed was so fast that it was like avoiding a snake's skin. He apologized repeatedly: "Immortal Envoy, I'm really sorry. Just now I was too excited and lost my manners. I hope the Immortal Envoy won't mind."

  Ding Dian apologized repeatedly, with a very humble attitude, fearing that Zhao would be extremely angry with him. However, he had some hope and was no longer as desperate as before.

  "No harm done, I can understand; on the contrary, I rather admire Brother Ding's sense of justice and righteousness."

  With a wave of his hand, Zhao Ji said with feigned grandeur.

  "That's good, that's good, I don't know, was what just happened really true?"

  Ding Dian's face was filled with gratitude, and after a moment of hesitation, he asked again.

  What Zhao Ji said was too mysterious and unbelievable, and although Ding Dian did not want to give up any hope, he also had some doubts in his heart.

  "What's in it for me if I deceive you? Nature is true."

  Zhao Ji smiled faintly and asked back.

  Ding Dian thought for a moment and indeed it was so, then hastily and eagerly asked: "Immortal Envoy, please quickly display your divine powers and bring Frost Flower up here, can you?"

  Knowing that he might really be able to meet Ling Xuehua again, Ding Dian's heart was filled with a burning fire, and he truly felt somewhat impatient.

  "Let me take action, it's not impossible, but this privilege, I can use it only a few times, and each time I use it, the price to pay is not small. I'd like to ask, why should I help you?"

  Adjusting his collar, Zhao asked with a tone of leisure.

  This question made Ding Dian stunned, and he couldn't come back to his senses for a long time. After a while, he muttered in a daze: "Yes, why should you help me? What do I have that's worth your help?"

  As she spoke, two lines of clear tears flowed down her cheeks, and a melancholy mood spread over.

  Ding Dian's miserable appearance made Zhao Ji feel a pang in his heart, and under the unbearable feeling, he opened his mouth to say: "Brother Ding, it's not that I'm intentionally making things difficult for you, but my special privilege is not something that can be used at will. However, I can promise you that within half a year, I'll let you see Ling Shuanghua, how about that?"

  In The Investiture of the Gods, Zhao Ji's favorite character is none other than Ding Jian. Every time he reads about his tragic ending, he can't help but sigh and lament.

  Zhao Ji holds the Flying Ascension Hall, currently only able to guide post-heavenly martial artists to ascend, and only one person can be guided per month. The first time, he allowed Ding Dian to ascend, not only because the Divine Illumination Scripture is an unparalleled inner skill that resonates with his heart's intention, but also due to his sympathy for Ding Dian.

  "Well, I wonder what the heavenly messenger needs me to do."

  Ding Dian solemnly asked.

  Although Ding Dian was willing to pay any price to see Ling Xuehua again, he thought it would be better to ask clearly first.

  "I don't have any particular requests, but if you really feel apologetic, then you can give me some pointers on my cultivation. As it happens, I've been studying the Divine Illumination Sutra recently, and in terms of internal energy and mental techniques, you should have a unique understanding."

  Zhao Jiuzai thought for a moment as if it was difficult, then said casually.

  Although Zhao Ji had already grasped the Divine Illumination Scripture through Shi Mo's notes, and some of Ding Tian's insights and understanding were also clear in his mind, if he had his personal guidance, it would likely be even more effective.