Chapter 4362 — Nothing Strange About It
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 3
As for Wei Zhaotong and Cheng Qitian, they were at that moment exchanging cold, triumphant smiles. To their minds, matters had developed to such a point that Wei Zhao had no room left to refuse; he could only obediently leap into the trap they had dug for him. Otherwise, if he dared to publicly humiliate the three giants, he would die a miserable death on the spot.
Wei Zhao cast a startled glance over the assembled crowd. Before he could open his mouth, Qin Deli had already stepped forward and announced to all present: "Ling Yi, because you are able to challenge Nascent Soul cultivators above your level, your talent and potential are astonishing. For this reason, the three deans of our Morning Star Academy have taken a liking to you and decided to make an exception in admitting you as a disciple under their tutelage. From this day forth, you join the Morning Star Academy. This is a heaven-sent opportunity that comes but once in ten thousand years—you would do well to seize it."
Wei Zhao was all the more dumbfounded at this. He swept his gaze past the three giants, then looked to Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao, and saw both of them shake their heads without a word. At once he knew this had not been their idea.
But if it was not Wang Xinyan and Huang Xiaotao, then it was someone else—so why on earth would anyone recommend him to these three Foundation Establishment giants? What was the real aim behind it?
Wei Zhao was a man of no ordinary keenness. Qin Deli had merely exchanged a glance with Wei Zhaotong and Cheng Qitian, and he caught it at once. Sure enough, no one offers unsolicited kindness without a motive—if not lust, then thievery. Since this man was in league with Wei Zhaotong and the others, it could not possibly mean anything good. Some scheme was surely waiting for him in the shadows.
Such a thing Wei Zhao naturally could not agree to. If he had truly entertained the notion, he would not have found it so difficult back in Zhenduan City—why would he wait until now?
"Seniors three," Wei Zhao said at once, raising his hands in refusal, "this junior is dull of aptitude. I fear I must disappoint you."
"Dull of aptitude? Young Master Ling is far too modest. That business at the docks, where you crippled a peak early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—everyone saw it with their own eyes. And now that the three of us deans have come in person to invite you, you still put up such excuses—that is rather hard to justify, is it not? Or do you simply not hold our Morning Star Academy in your eyes?" Qin Deli needled at once, seizing the moment.
Ling Yuanqing and the other two frowned slightly as well. Whatever the case, this Ling Yi's refusal was too abrupt and clean—he had not even given it the most basic consideration. It did grate on their dignity.
The three giants' expressions turned cold, and the atmosphere in the vast reception hall abruptly grew tense and oppressive. Even Qi Wenmo was sweating for Wei Zhao now. This was different from Wei Zhaotong and Cheng Qitian; if he truly offended the great men of the Morning Star Academy, his little Qingtian Escort Agency could not protect Wei Zhao at all.
Every gaze in the room fell on him, each weighted with its own meaning, yet Wei Zhao only gave a faint, unconcerned smile. Pointing at Huang Xiaotao, who stood beside the East Sea Divine Nun, he replied calmly: "Surely none of you have forgotten—back in Zhenduan City, this junior and this junior sister Huang went together to take part in the selection trials. It was only that my aptitude was truly too poor, so I was eliminated in the very first round..."
Ling Yuanqing and the others had in fact a vague impression of this, and with Wei Zhao's words it all came back to them in a flash. So it was him!