Chapter 4969 — Return to Morning Star
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"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.