Chapter 4970 — The Second Alchemist

There was no need to speak of anything else—simply seating the Morning Star Academy delegation at the head table of the victory banquet was a feat that made Wei Zhao the chief contributor. It meant that from then on Morning Star Academy would enjoy Zhuang Yifan's powerful backing, and its rise to become the foremost top-tier Yellow-Rank academy was only a matter of time. This was something Ling Yuanqing had failed to accomplish in decades.

Beyond that, word had also come back of Wei Zhao persuading Zhuang Yifan to mediate between the two academies. There were bound to be all sorts of murmurs within the academy, but be that as it may, it was still a great merit. Anyone with vision could see that unity served both sides—this was a rare and joyous occasion for both Morning Star Academy and Morning Pride Academy.

"Master Lin, you have worked hard this time. On behalf of everyone, I thank you for all you have done for Morning Star Academy. You will forever be a benefactor to our academy!" Ling Yuanqing said excitedly.

"Director Ling, you overwhelm me. I have imposed on the academy for so long that doing a little something for it is only proper," Wei Zhao said modestly, hurrying to deflect the praise.

"Master Lin, I have an presumptuous request—I would like you to serve as honorary director of Morning Star Academy. Would you be willing?" Ling Yuanqing suddenly proposed.

"This..." Wei Zhao exchanged a glance with Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao. He reflected that quite a few people here had ties to him, and that an honorary director's title was no bad thing. After a brief hesitation he nodded and said, "Since Director Ling is so gracious, I would be rude to decline."

"Good, good. I have already had a victory banquet prepared—both to celebrate Master Lin's achievements and to welcome our new honorary director. Master Lin, after you!" Ling Yuanqing said at once.

"After you, Director Ling." Wei Zhao nodded with a smile. On this return he had clearly noticed that Ling Yuanqing's manner had grown ever more courteous, and though he felt somewhat helpless about it, he knew it was unavoidable. After all, even a figure like Zhuang Yifan treated him as a peer—how could Ling Yuanqing possibly keep putting on airs? Otherwise, even if Wei Zhao himself took no offense, Zhuang Yifan's expression would likely sour.

What rather gratified Wei Zhao, however, was that the Divine Nun of the Eastern Sea's attitude toward him had not changed in the least. She was, after all, a monastic of serene temperament, and moreover the master of Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao. If even the Divine Nun had turned fawning along with the rest, Wei Zhao would truly have been in a sorry plight.

At this victory banquet, those seated at Wei Zhao's table were, apart from Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao, the three giants of Morning Star Academy and Qing Xuanzi. Li Ren, who had led the delegation as libation officer, also took the humblest seat—ordinarily he would not have qualified, but this time he counted among the meritorious, and so it was a reward of sorts.

After three rounds of wine, Wei Zhao suddenly turned to Qing Xuanzi, who sat at his left, and asked, "Qing Xuanzi, has that problem you ran into in your alchemy been solved?"

"Solved—completely solved. These last few refinings, that old situation has not cropped up once. Master, your eye is truly keen and your insight strikes to the heart of the matter. Your disciple has benefited enormously!" Qing Xuanzi said excitedly.

No wonder he was so agitated—merely by breaking one small habit as Wei Zhao had told him, his success rate in alchemy had instantly risen severalfold, worth decades of bitter cultivation. Truly, the guidance of an expert made all the difference.

He had been the academy's chief alchemist to begin with; with the problem now resolved, he could well rank among the finest of seventh-rank alchemists, and his next step would be to set his sights on the Mystic-Rank.

To be sure, a chasm yawned between Yellow-Rank and Mystic-Rank alchemists—even reaching the pinnacle of Yellow-Rank seventh grade did not guarantee that one would advance to Mystic-Rank.

But that was, after all, the bare minimum prerequisite. If one could not even reach the pinnacle of Yellow-Rank seventh grade, then Mystic-Rank was not worth a moment's dreaming.

And now Qing Xuanzi at least had the right to dream. That in itself was a gratifying step forward.

"Good. From now on, devote yourself to cultivating the technique of simulating the alchemical fires of all the various systems at once. That is the most important foundational skill for advancing to Mystic-Rank alchemist—do not treat it lightly." This came from Wei Zhao's own experience refining the Earth-Solidifying Pill a few days before. He was, after all, the man's master; the Divine Farmer's Cauldron could not be shared, but what could be taught still ought to be taught.

"Yes, thank you for your teaching, Master. Your disciple will keep it firmly in mind." Qing Xuanzi was overjoyed at these words. He had long since been certain that Wei Zhao must be a Mystic-Rank alchemist, but he had never imagined he would receive Wei Zhao's earnest instruction so soon—it was a genuine and unexpected delight.

Earlier, a single casual sentence from Wei Zhao had solved a problem that had plagued him for years, and now this sentence too was worth its weight in gold.

It had to be said that when he had recklessly taken Wei Zhao as his master, others had thought it an unbelievably impulsive move—but in hindsight it was unquestionably a wise act of great foresight.

"By the way, is there another alchemist in the academy named Zheng Dongyang?" Wei Zhao asked, changing the subject.

"Zheng Dongyang?" Qing Xuanzi was startled, somewhat puzzled that Wei Zhao should suddenly ask after the man, but he answered honestly all the same: "That's right, there is indeed such a person—our academy's second alchemist, also a seventh-rank alchemist. Only he seems to have gone out recently to visit relatives, so he is not at the academy."

"I see." Wei Zhao thought to himself that this explained why he had never met the man; otherwise, if Zheng Dongyang had truly been at the academy, he should long since have come to pay his respects.

After all, even Qing Xuanzi, the chief alchemist, had become his disciple—let alone a mere second alchemist.

"Is there something you need, Master? Shall I have someone call him back?" Qing Xuanzi asked, seeing his expression.

As chief alchemist he was the direct superior of all the alchemists at Morning Star Academy, and even Zheng Dongyang had to follow his orders. It should be understood that although the two were both seventh-rank alchemists, their abilities differed enormously—Qing Xuanzi alone was worth at least three Zheng Dongshens, or else he could never have held the chief alchemist's seat so securely.

"That won't be necessary. I was merely asking in passing." Wei Zhao waved it off carelessly. With his present standing, a single word could make Zheng Dongyang's life thoroughly miserable, but Wei Zhao was not so domineering as that.

For one thing, Qin Chan's affair concerned only Zheng Tianguang; Zheng Dongyang, as Zheng Tianguang's father, was guilty at most of lax discipline, hardly a grave offense.

For another, Wei Zhao did not wish to meddle too deeply in Qin Chan's business. A chance encounter warranted no more than a helping hand here and there—the matter of vengeance was best left for Qin Chan to settle himself. (To be continued.)