Chapter 4969 — Return to Morning Star

"What kind of talk is that, Brother Lin? Given the bond between us, would I stand by and do nothing?" Zhuang Yifan waved a hand in feigned displeasure, then sighed. "A pity I can't deal with Chang Minghui for you today. Chang Tianwen is, after all, a late Earth-Splitting expert. Even if I could beat him, I wouldn't dare truly go for the kill—if he were to fight to the bitter end and drag us all down with him, every one of you would suffer for it. That's a risk I can't afford to take."

"It's fine. I'm already deeply grateful that you could help me weather this crisis today, Brother Zhuang," Wei Zhao said with a smile and a shake of his head, while inwardly resolving to leave the Eastern Continent as soon as possible. If Chang Minghui were ever to drag Chang Tianwen back for another attempt, none of the experts he knew could stand against them except Zhuang Yifan—even the Three Giants of Morning Star would be useless. Only by leaving the Eastern Continent could he escape disaster.

"Indeed. But you needn't worry too much. I've already sent word to Chang Tianwen: if he dares lay a hand on you, I'll go to the Profound-Tier Sea Region myself and fight him another three hundred rounds. I doubt he'll act rashly in the near future. Chang Minghui, though, is another matter—the man is arrogant and unyielding, and having suffered such a heavy loss at your hands, he likely won't let it rest. You'd best be careful from now on," Zhuang Yifan warned.

"Thank you, Brother Zhuang." Wei Zhao nodded. Just then Li Ren came to report that everything was ready and they could set sail for the return at any time, so Wei Zhao took his leave of Zhuang Yifan.

Zhuang Yifan had initially wanted to keep Wei Zhao for a few more days, but the circumstances were exceptional—every extra day Wei Zhao stayed here meant an added risk on the journey home—so he did not press him to stay.

Beyond that, Wei Zhao had one other matter to attend to: bidding farewell to Liu Ziqi and Huo Yudie. Though Zhuang Yifan's guarantee had settled the reconciliation between the Morning Star and Morning Pride academies, the two women could hardly follow Wei Zhao to Morning Star Academy just like that—and Liu Ziqi, as the leader of Morning Pride Academy's delegation, had to wait until all its disciples had assembled before they could set sail.

In Wei Zhao's plan, however, after returning to Morning Star Academy to tie up some loose ends, he would soon make his way to Soaring Cloud Academy and Morning Pride Academy before finally leaving the Eastern Continent—so they would meet again before long. Parting from Huo Yudie now was therefore not so unbearable.

Everything was in readiness. Amid the low, melodious blast of horns, the Morning Star Treasure Ship slowly set sail under the watchful eyes of Zhuang Yifan and the others.

Meanwhile, on the back of the Ghost-Eye Golden Eagle speeding away through the clouds, Chang Minghui finally mustered his courage and asked cautiously, "Clan-brother, did you come to blows with Zhuang Yifan?"

Chang Tianwen gave a cold snort; the mere mention of it stoked his anger. Pointing at Chang Minghui's nose, he barked, "What did you tell me before? You said Zhuang Yifan was injured—so badly injured he had to use an Earth-Firming Pill to stabilize his cultivation. But when I crossed hands with him just now, I found him at the very peak of his condition, even a shade sharper than last time. How do you explain that?"

The most important precondition for his agreeing to take on Zhuang Yifan this time had been that Zhuang Yifan was injured; otherwise he knew full well he was no match for the man and would never have come all the way from the Profound-Tier Sea Region to be humiliated. This time he had been thoroughly duped by Chang Minghui.

"Calm yourself, clan-brother. I never expected this either. Zhuang Yifan went to great lengths to get my wife to act for him precisely so she would refine an Earth-Firming Pill. Who could have guessed that brat surnamed Lin was also a Profound-Tier first-grade alchemist? Zhuang Yifan got the Earth-Firming Pill from him, and his injuries suddenly healed..." Chang Minghui hung his head weakly.

"Hmph. Lucky for you this is his territory—Zhuang Yifan held back for fear I'd destroy his League branch. Otherwise you'd have ruined me this time! You can't even dig up such an important piece of information. More hindrance than help—good for nothing but spoiling things!" Chang Tianwen glared at him in displeasure.

"Clan-brother, calm your anger. This time it truly was your younger brother's fault, and I've put you to great trouble," Chang Minghui hurriedly apologized. Seeing Chang Tianwen's expression soften a little, he ventured cautiously, "But when all's said and done, it was that brat Wei Zhao who spoiled things. If he hadn't refined the Earth-Firming Pill for Zhuang Yifan, how would Zhuang Yifan ever have been a match for you, clan-brother?"

"Mm. The way you tell it, that brat really is a talent—a Profound-Tier first-grade alchemist at such a young age, and one who can beat an early Mountain-Opening expert with only early Profound-Rising strength. This one is no ordinary sort. If he isn't nipped in the bud in time, you'll have serious trouble on your hands down the road!" Chang Tianwen nodded.

"Exactly as you say, clan-brother. That's why I've been thinking this matter can't be delayed. But from the looks of it, the brat will soon be returning to Morning Star Academy. Should we chase him down and wipe him out?" Chang Minghui seized the moment to propose.

"That's your own affair. Why tell me?" Chang Tianwen gave him a faint glance, wearing the air of one washing his hands of the matter.

"Uh... but I need your help for this, clan-brother. I can't handle it alone. Morning Star Academy may not have an expert like Zhuang Yifan, but those Three Giants of Morning Star are no pushovers either. I stand no chance against the three of them by myself—only if you step in, clan-brother, can they be held in check. Otherwise we can only watch that brat Wei Zhao roam free and unfettered?" Chang Minghui pleaded.

"If you can't even manage a trifle like this, what use are you?" Chang Tianwen glanced at him, his tone unchanged. "Helping you deal with Zhuang Yifan was reasonable enough—he's a late Earth-Splitting expert, after all. But for me to stoop to dealing with an early Profound-Rising youngster? Was your head kicked by a donkey? You may have no shame, but I still have mine!"

"But..." Chang Minghui wanted to press his case a little further. After all, to face the Three Giants of Morning Star all by himself—no matter how arrogant and conceited he was, he simply didn't have the nerve for that.

"No buts. This matter ends here. As for whether you can kill that Wei Zhao, that's your own business, none of mine. Do you understand what I mean?" Chang Tianwen said with a frown.

Chang Minghui choked on his words for a moment, then at last could only nod. Since Chang Tianwen was determined not to help deal with Wei Zhao, the matter would have to rest on his own shoulders. One way or another he had to find an opportunity to try—otherwise he would never be reconciled to it.

Three days later, Wei Zhao and his party returned to Morning Star Academy without mishap. Ling Yuanqing led all the academy's senior figures in the grandest of welcomes for the returning group—and among them, Wei Zhao was unquestionably the leading figure.

Strictly speaking, however, the results of this Giant's Road trial for the Morning Star disciples had not been ideal. Apart from a gifted handful like Wang Xinyan, whose talent made success all but certain, every other disciple had failed utterly—an oddity unprecedented in the past several decades.