Fog gasped when he heard this. A fortune worth of an entire epoch? Who could be lucky enough to encounter one? Perhaps only Han Li had the ability to do so. But even for him, it was too difficult. Not to mention, the price he had to pay if ever it existed.
Jin Rou could read Fog's mind and chuckled, "Of course, I can do it. And just as you have expected, the price is heavy to pay. But if I'm willing, there's no stopping me. Not even Foel."
Han Li had numerous treasures he had kept. Although it was said that he already exhausted his resources during the 8th Challenge, it only applied to heaven defying one in his possession.
"Will you do it for someone, then?" Fog asked curiosly.
Jin Rou shook his head and smiled, "There is no one worthy of me paying that much price."
The Nine Heavens was just a stopping point for Jin Rou. Although Han Li had a few fateful connections with other lineages here, it didn't mean that he had to go all the way out for them. He wasn't particularly a person of this world and he didn't belong here. One day when he defeated the heavens, he would return to whence he came and never come back.
Fog understood this point. Even he, if ever he was capable, wouldn't pay a price just for someone else.
"Sis!" Ryan ran over to Riyan with a worried expression, "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay. What are you doing here?" Riyan asked. Ryan should be studying his whatever topic he wanted and must have no time to come here.
"Young Master wants to meet you so I guided him here." Ryan answered without hesitation, "He's going to help you."
Riyan could get the gist of the situation and immediately bowed in front of Jin Rou, "Thank you for saving me a while ago."
Jin Rou observed the other party and dismissed her, "That's nothing. We're here because your brother says you are the best candidate."
"Candidate for?" Riyan was asking cautiously. The person was surrounded by powerful experts especially this person with foggy aura.
"For the monarchy, Miss Riyan." Instead of Jin Rou answering, Raina did it in his stead, "Our Young Master is a bit interested in you and see if you're qualified for the contest for monarchy."
Riyan was flabbergasted, "You mean grabbing the Nine Heavens Will? That's impossible for me. Too many brilliant geniuses will participate. I'll just bring shame if I ever joined the fray."
It's not like she wasn't confident in herself. As a matter of fact, her talents were tremendous that she could assume it was almost unmatchable. However, it was different when it came to contest for the monarchy. Remember, many powerful lineages would participate and if she participated, she'd just serve as a stepping stone for them.
"If that's the case, then it can't be helped." Jin Rou shrugged his shoulder. He wasn't the type to force people to do his bidding except for special circumstances. Even if Riyan didn't want to, Jin Rou could just grab someone from the streets and let him take the will and no one would dare utter a single sound.
"Sis, you have think this through!" Ryan urged, "Young Master is the best of the best. Weathers have to abide his will and the sea needs to calm down if he needs it to be. This is one in a lifetime chance, you cannot waste it!"
Fog chuckled after hearing this. This lad had a knack for bootlicking bigshots. It would be helpful for the setbacks he'd encounter in the future. After all, it's not wrong to be on the good terms with a powerful person. At the very least, that's some insurance for himself.
Jin Rou didn't say anything, but it was obvious that he's enjoying the praise.
Riyan was speechless. It was the first time that Ryan had pushed her to do something. She could see that he wasn't lying but it was still too difficult for her, "Ryan, you know my situation. I am exiled from the clan. Let's say I successfully grabbed the will. Do you think that, with the current decline of our clan, those supreme lineages won't seek for payments?"
She had a point. The competitors were geniuses from supreme lineages. Although she was abandoned, there's a chance that the clan might be implicated if she steal the will.
Could she afford to risk it? No. The clan was in a dire situation and she couldn't take it if they would be affected by this endeavor.
Jin Rou had no plan in saying anything. If she would pass up this opportunity, then it's okay. It's not like it was his loss, right?
But since this situation was a little interesting, Fog didn't mind saying something, "Little girl, you're worrying such trivial things. In the grand scheme of things, your clan is no more than a pebble in the vast sea. Same with your emotional ties with them. Rise and fall is part of nature. It's natural, and you cannot do something about it if it's meant to be."
He paused for a while and said, "You can decline this. However, even I can tell this will be your greatest regret if ever. You just have to choose, and you must be certain of your choice. Your dao or your clan?"
Riyan paled. Both are very important to her. But if it really came down to push to shove, she would choose her dao.
"I guess you already have your choice." Fog chuckled, "If you choose your clan, you will be chained down by them, unable to soar to the high sky. However, if you choose your dao, with your ridiculous talent, you will be a phoenix piercing the heavens. Not to mention, you'll be aided by an existence that even 12-palace Dao Monarchs would be scared of."
"You're talking too much. Should I zip that mouth of yours?" Jin Rou spoke with coldness.
"Ah, my bad. I can't help it." Fog smiled wryly. He was a bit carried away when speaking.. Anyway, he was satisfied with this result.