Chapter 4965 — Preparing to Leave
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
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."