Chapter 4969 — Return to Morning Star
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
"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.