Chapter 62 Yes, But It Costs Extra

Not long after, the group arrived at the academy square.

A few days ago, after Li Zongheng led people out, the mystic realm passage in the square had been resealed by Wang Chongguo, who had also replaced it with a completely different sealing formation.

To prevent any accidents at this critical juncture, Wang Chongguo was the only person who knew the unlocking method.

As for the true location of the mystic realm passage, the Dragon Kingdom had long dispatched heavy guards to station there, making it impossible even for a mosquito to fly inside.

Without wasting any words, Wang Chongguo raised his hand in a false grip, and spiritual energy so dense it made one tremble gathered in his palm, tearing open the mystic realm passage once more.

Seeing that the passage was open, Sikong Yuanhang pulled a red rope from his pocket.

"Miss Liu, I have never practiced cultivation, so this trip will trouble you to carry me along. I'm getting old and can't take too much excitement, so please remember to fly a bit slower later."

As he spoke, he handed over one end of the red rope.

"Alright. Academician Sikong, if you feel any discomfort later, please let me know immediately. Your health is the priority."

Liu Qingzhi responded respectfully, took the red rope, nodded to Wang Chongguo, and then shifted her gaze to Qin Zhe.

"Let's go."

"Take care on the way."

Qin Zhe smiled and watched the two fly away, vanishing into the mystic realm.

Standing nearby and witnessing the scene just now, Wang Chongguo couldn't help but ask, "Qin Zhe, you and her... exactly how far have things progressed between you two?"

"Huh?"

Qin Zhe turned his head in confusion.

Wang Chongguo looked young, roughly middle-aged, but he was actually over fifty years old and a man of experience.

Seeing Qin Zhe looking at him like an absolute fool, Wang Chongguo was left speechless.

Could this kid be the legendary emotionally dense straight-arrow?

Here he was, a dignified academy president standing right in front of him, and also Liu Qingzhi's elder. Yet before leaving, she had only said goodbye to this guy alone, and this blockhead didn't realize a thing?

Wang Chongguo didn't intend to interfere in the affairs of the juniors.

Comparatively, he was more curious about what kind of mood Liu An would be in if he were to witness such a scene.

Shaking his head without further comment, Wang Chongguo formed hand seals to seal the passage and said, "Forget I asked. Next, let's talk about the arrangements for you."

"Wait, President, did you misunderstand something?"

Qin Zhe gave a wry smile. He wasn't a fool and could understand what Wang Chongguo meant; he had understood it just fine earlier.

Yet in his view, there was simply nothing going on between him and Liu Qingzhi.

At most, the Chief Officer found him somewhat pleasing to the eye and occasionally traveled with him.

When all was said and done, their interactions were limited to the previous two entries into the mystic realm, and they didn't have much contact on ordinary days.

"Young people's business is none of an old timer's concern, but you should look out for yourself. Although Qingzhi has a somewhat prickly personality, she's a good girl. Don't let her down."

Speaking in the tone of an elder, Wang Chongguo suddenly changed the subject. "Enough of that. Regarding the arrangements for you, I have a question. Do you want to make money?"

????????

Qin Zhe wore a face full of question marks, somewhat bewildered.

To him, Wang Chongguo was undoubtedly a sugar daddy-level wealthy benefactor, ranked right up there with his parents.

If it weren't for the rewards the president had given him on two occasions, he would have been completely penniless, struggling even to afford meals.

Therefore, upon hearing that there was a task arranged for him, he didn't feel any aversion.

He just never expected Wang Chongguo to be so blunt right out of the gate.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Wang Chongguo said solemnly, "Big money."

"Yes!"

Qin Zhe nodded vigorously, a look of longing in his eyes.

After visiting the market today and buying both an illusion cat and a pile of spiritual fruits, his pockets were completely empty.

It was such a coincidence that Wang Chongguo was handing him an opportunity to make money—how could he possibly refuse?

Faced with someone's such straightforward and easily readable reaction, Wang Chongguo twitched the corners of his mouth and said, "Qin Zhe, you are a young man with a lot of potential, but I think you really need to change this habit of being greedy for money."

"President, let's get down to business. Let's talk about the main point."

Qin Zhe spoke up, unwilling to listen to these nagging complaints.

Seeing this, Wang Chongguo simply complied and said, "A couple of days ago, I contacted the Dragon Kingdom Martial Arts Association and asked them to come to the academy to study the True Self Heart Scripture. Having heard about your performance in the exchange tournament, the association attached great importance to it and dispatched two long-established fifth-tier martial artists over. They will arrive tomorrow, and by then, I need you to demonstrate the explosive secret technique of the True Self Heart Scripture to them."

"Just a simple demonstration?"

Qin Zhe frowned, feeling somewhat disappointed.

How much money could a task like that possibly make?

Just as this thought arose, Wang Chongguo held up two fingers.

"Two hundred top-tier spiritual stones."

"Deal! President, whatever you say goes, I'll follow your arrangements!"

Qin Zhe's face lit out with joy, and his spirits lifted.

As expected of President Wang, being so generous over such a minor matter—he was definitely going to cling to this powerful backer.

"It's a settlement then. The people from the Martial Arts Association will step up to spar with you one by one."

Wang Chongguo said leisurely, "If you can win, I'll add another hundred top-tier spiritual stones. It doesn't matter if you lose, but you must at least display the combat power expected of you. Seeing is believing, and hearing is doubtful. Until you prove the True Self Heart Scripture is worth prioritizing to the association members, their attitude won't be definitive."

"Ah? I have to fight fifth-tier martial artists?"

Qin Zhe was slightly startled, not entirely consumed by money. Then, a sudden realization hit him, and he asked with a strange expression, "President, this doesn't seem like such a trivial matter, does it? You're being so generous—did you place a bet with someone again?"

"Ahem!"

Wang Chongguo coughed violently, his old face flushing red as he said, "Never mind all that. Just fight the matches and collect your money."

Without giving Qin Zhe a chance to probe further, Wang Chongguo quickly changed the subject. "The fifth tier is the peak of martial arts and shouldn't be underestimated. Don't be careless or underestimate your opponents when fighting them. Since they traveled all the way to Haicheng, you must give them a good eyeful."

It was obvious that the president had a guilty conscience. While suppressing a smile, Qin Zhe's mind began to spin.

Wang Chongguo was even more generous than last time, which meant the stakes of the bet were probably substantial.

Qin Zhe figured that although he didn't have the capital to participate in the bet himself, the key factor was entirely in his own hands, so he put on an act and said, "Since it's your arrangement, President, of course I'll listen. However... I've been a bit inconvenienced lately..."

"What inconvenience could a student possibly have?"

Wang Chongguo's face turned dark.

As cunning and experienced as he was, how could he not catch the subtext behind the kid's words?

This brat actually dared to negotiate the price with him!

He was really getting too bold!

"I haven't been feeling very well recently. It's probably because I was injured by White Imperfection in the mystic realm."

Qin Zhe stiffened his neck and spoke with absolute solemnity, refusing to back down.

"..."

Wang Chongguo fell silent. The corners of his mouth twitched as he said, "The base price is three hundred, with an extra hundred if you win, unchanged. If you're unwilling, I can find someone else. Not many people cultivate the True Self Heart Scripture, but finding one or two who have cultivated it to a deep level is still possible given how vast the Dragon Kingdom is. It would just take a bit more time."

"Deal!"

Seeing when to stop, Qin Zhe accepted the offer, feeling both delighted and expectant.

He wasn't entirely sure if he could defeat a fifth-tier opponent.

No matter how invincible his counter-shock talent was, its explosive method was ultimately too singular and crude, never straying far from the realm of borrowing force to strike back.

As long as the opponent understood deflection techniques, it wasn't entirely unmanageable.

While it was hard to say for the Dao of Immortals and Demons, martial arts definitely boasted the highest proficiency in such methods.

Not to mention that borrowing force to counter and winning against the strong with the weak was already a major system within martial arts, and deflection techniques were everywhere.

Having the chance to fight a fifth-tier martial artist and rake in a massive fortune win or lose—how could he not look forward to it?