Chapter 4965 — Preparing to Leave

"A big shot like Wei Zhao would never stoop to a worn-out woman like that, surely?" Chen Qiang said with a frown. The gulf between Wei Zhao and Qin Chan was as vast as heaven from earth, and Wei Zhao had no shortage of women around him anyway—Wang Xinyan, Huang Xiaotao, and even Huo Yudie of the Chenjiao Academy. Every one of them was better than Qin Chan. How could those two possibly end up together?

"I don't think it's come to that either, but you saw it yourself—he just called that shameless hussy into his room. Who knows if he's taken a sudden fancy to sample something new?" Qi Dong spread his hands helplessly.

"That..." Chen Qiang immediately lost his nerve as well. If Qin Chan really did latch onto a towering backer like Wei Zhao—even if it were only this once—they absolutely could not provoke her again. Otherwise, if they truly incurred Wei Zhao's displeasure, they would not even know how they died.

But the two of them had dallied with Qin Chan for so long that letting go now left them utterly unwilling. To be honest, they were still quite infatuated with her. After all, in terms of looks Qin Chan ranked among the very best; even if she could not match Wang Xinyan, she was not far behind, and in the whole of the Chenxing Academy one could hardly find a beauty to compare with her.

"Let's wait and see. I reckon Wei Zhao won't stay at our academy for long. Once he's gone and the tea's gone cold, Qin Chan still won't escape our grasp!" Qi Dong said in a low voice.

"Mm, for now that's all we can do." Chen Qiang nodded in agreement.

Naturally no one knew of this conversation the two held tucked away in a corner. In fact, even if Wei Zhao had heard it, he would not have paid it any mind. With Qing Xuanzi shielding her and outside support like Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao, if Qin Chan still could not shake those two off, it would only prove that she herself was too weak. Even Wei Zhao could not attend to every detail and help her forever; from then on it would be up to her alone.

Early the next morning, the treasure ship of the Chenxing Academy was a scene of bustling activity. Li Ren was directing the assembled Chenxing disciples as they packed everything up, preparing to set sail at once.

Although Wei Zhao had earlier had him spread word of an early return to the Chenxing Academy merely to lure out the enemy, such a thing could not be taken back once said. Since the word had gone out, it had to be carried out in earnest. Besides, last night's scheme had failed to do Chang Minghui in, so returning to the Chenxing Academy a few days early was a good thing for Wei Zhao as well—it saved him from staying here with his heart in his throat.

A treasure ship could not simply set sail at a shout; the various preparations required were exceedingly complicated. In particular, the protective formation had only just been hastily repaired and needed a bit more time to be tested. Otherwise, if they recklessly put out to sea only to find the protective formation had failed, the fun would truly begin.

Wei Zhao took Wang Xinyan and the other women to chat idly on the deck while watching everyone make the final preparations. Just then Zhuang Yifan once again came aboard in person and cupped his hands, saying, "Master Lin, the Earth-Steadfast Pill you refined is truly miraculous. Zhuang is endlessly grateful."

"Oh?" Wei Zhao looked him up and down anew and found that Zhuang Yifan's complexion was much fuller than before, with none of that former sense of hidden depletion of blood and vitality. It seemed that after taking the Earth-Steadfast Pill last night, his injuries had healed completely.

Not only that, but Zhuang Yifan's aura now carried a certain restless stirring—a sign of ample foundation and that he was not far from a breakthrough.

Had he not possessed such a foundation, Zhuang Yifan would not have forcibly attempted to charge the peak of the late Earth-Opening stage last time. Now the Earth-Steadfast Pill had smoothed over the old injuries within his body and at the same time greatly stabilized his cultivation realm. It might not be long before he advanced another step.

"Heh heh, then I really must offer President Zhuang my congratulations—may you climb yet another rung. A cause for celebration indeed," Wei Zhao said with a smile, cupping his hands.

"It is all thanks to Master Lin. If not for you, how could Zhuang have rid himself of such a great thorn in his heart? Master Lin is truly the noble benefactor fate destined for me," Zhuang Yifan said with a laugh.

"President Zhuang flatters me," Wei Zhao said mildly.

"Not at all. In fact, Zhuang is thoroughly ashamed—Master Lin has done me such a great favor, yet I can offer nothing in return worthy of the name. The very thought makes me break out in a sweat," Zhuang Yifan said with a bitter smile.

In the Xuan-rank seas, having any Xuan-rank first-grade alchemist refine pills for you exacted a tremendous price—a price that could not be measured in spirit jade. Often it could only be settled by barter, or by performing services for the other party in repayment. Yet he had obtained Wei Zhao's Earth-Steadfast Pill without giving any corresponding treasure, nor had he done anything specifically for Wei Zhao; strictly speaking, this broke the rules.

"Not at all, not at all. Compared with pill refining, President Zhuang has helped me far more. I have noted each and every one in my heart and dare not forget them," Wei Zhao said solemnly.

This was no mere courtesy. Zhuang Yifan had not only suppressed the charge of causing trouble on the Alliance's territory for him, but had also blocked the ill-intentioned Chang Minghui at yesterday's banquet. On top of that, he had agreed to broker a match between the Chenxing and Chenjiao academies. All these things together were already enough to offset the price of a single Earth-Steadfast Pill.

"A few trifling matters are hardly worth mentioning—how can they be compared with a great affair like pill refining? Master Lin, please don't make Zhuang blush," Zhuang Yifan said, feigning shame, though in truth he was secretly delighted.

Although these were all small things in his eyes, done in passing, each and every one counted as a favor, and together they carried no small weight. To have Wei Zhao remember his kindness was a gain in itself.

"Heh heh, these matters may be small in President Zhuang's eyes, but to me they are matters of life and death. President Zhuang should not be so modest," Wei Zhao said with a smile.

"It is not Zhuang being modest, but Master Lin being too courteous," Zhuang Yifan replied. He was now utterly determined to cultivate a good relationship with Wei Zhao and had set his posture exceedingly low, his sincerity beyond question. After all, this was no ordinary Xuan-rank first-grade alchemist, but one with a chance of charging toward Xuan-rank second grade—he would have much to rely on him for in the future.

"Enough, let us not stand on such ceremony any longer—it makes us too distant. I feel as though I have known President Zhuang at first sight, so I make bold to propose we treat each other as peers and henceforth be friends. What does President Zhuang think?" Wei Zhao suggested.

"Good, good. Master Lin's words are exactly what I wish. To have a friend like Master Lin is Zhuang's great fortune," Zhuang Yifan said, overjoyed at hearing this.

"Now that is where President Zhuang is wrong. I have only just proposed we be friends, and here you are standing on ceremony again." Wei Zhao shook his head with a laugh, then put on a mock anger: "Between friends one should speak plainly. If President Zhuang keeps on like this, I fear I shall not be worthy of such a friend."

"Ah, the fault is all mine. Master Lin, please do not take it to heart—I shall reform, won't that do?" Zhuang Yifan hastily made amends with a placating smile. (~^~)