Chapter 4970 — The Second Alchemist
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
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.