Chapter Seventy-One: Having Settled the Matter, He Leaves with a Flick of His Sleeve

Though the vitality in the Heart of the Zither realm could not compare to that of the Soaring Clouds realm, and certainly could not rival those who had mastered limb regeneration, even when severed at the waist, one could still linger for a brief moment.

“Ah…”

Thus, Zhang Baole saw his own lower body. When his torso crashed heavily to the ground, pain and terror brought him to a sudden clarity—the clearest and most agonizing moment of his life had arrived. He had actually been killed by an orphan with no parents, no background...

“Director Zhang…”

“Kill him…”

……

Though Zhang Baole was without the bodyguards from Lin Pharmaceutical Group at his side now, the more destitute he became, the less he wanted to be looked down upon. Especially after the incident, Zhang Xueyi had given him a considerable sum. So he had hired two bodyguards, and Zhang Xueyi assigned two more from her own companies. Four bodyguards surrounded him, but none expected that this brooding, one-armed young student would suddenly erupt in violence, and with a single stroke, kill Zhang Baole.

Though they had no hope of breaking into the Soaring Clouds realm, all four had spent decades cultivating, reaching the eighth or ninth layer of the Heart of the Zither realm. They were no strangers to bloodshed. As Xie Zhiqiang struck and killed Zhang Baole, they descended upon him with madness.

If Xie Zhiqiang and Song Yichen were both dark horses who rose after being tempered by Lin Qingyun, then Xie Zhiqiang was ten times darker. Song Yichen had a solid foundation, daring to take risks at critical moments, and the flesh of the Earth Qilin suited his cultivation technique perfectly. Various factors combined for his breakout. But Xie Zhiqiang, having lost an arm and consumed the explosive pill, forcibly broke through to the seventh layer of the Heart of the Zither realm and rose against all odds. The Earth Qilin’s flesh lacked enough vitality to regrow his arm, but it did allow him to fully recover from the aftereffects of the explosive pill, and he gained other unique opportunities at that time.

All these changes made him even more extreme.

Soon, the building was completely destroyed in their fight, but fortunately, to avoid being discovered during his debauchery, Zhang Baole had rented an island near Haicheng. Even with such commotion, it would not attract attention for a while.

After a dozen minutes, Xie Zhiqiang took his sister and left the island on a rented boat, then departed Haicheng.

As for the island, the isolation array was activated—not defensive, but it cut off all communications. Zhang Baole often indulged in wild parties, so his sudden disappearance and lack of contact for a few days did not raise suspicion.

Haicheng—Lin Qingyun enjoyed the privilege of flying on Nangong Aoshe’s private jet. In today’s society, being the chairman of Lin Pharmaceutical Group or a super cultivator ensured such a status.

Media and reporters were not a concern. After quietly returning to Haicheng, Lin Qingyun preemptively booked a discreet flying car, registered in Chao’s name to avoid having his movements tracked. Then Lin Qingyun hurried to the Alchemy Department at Haicheng University, now quite familiar with the place despite never having attended a single class there.

“Haha, you’re amazing, buddy! You casually became the top new student, and I hear you even took a stroll through the ruins’ micro-world? Incredible! Someone of your level entering an unsettled C-class ruins micro-world and coming out alive—probably the first ever…”

Others were unaware, but Chao and Chu Qing had already arrived to greet him. Upon seeing Lin Qingyun, Chao gave him a bear hug, happily patting his back. Her excitement was hard to conceal.

To most, Lin Qingyun was simply the champion of the new student combat trial, but for Chao, she had endured the pain of believing he had died in the beast tide and heavenly tribulation.

Lin Qingyun understood Chao’s feelings. She had hugged him before, never treating herself as a woman. But this time, he felt two soft masses pressed against his chest—uh… much bigger now…

If Chu Qing weren’t watching, Lin Qingyun wouldn’t mind Chao holding him a bit longer.

“Escaped death, turned misfortune into fortune. How did you two fare—any gains?” Lin Qingyun patted Chao, switching from a hug to slinging an arm around her shoulder as they walked toward Chu Qing.

“Boss,” Chu Qing greeted Lin Qingyun, her excitement obvious. At Haicheng University, they were familiar with him, and all had believed he had perished in the beast tide and heavenly tribulation.

“We all gained a lot. After hunting beasts in the trial, I completed the second Dao Foundation. My foundation is solid, and with enough pills, I’ve already reached the third layer of the Heart of the Zither realm—three Dao Foundations.”

Chu Qing said, “I’ve reached the second layer too, and my foundation is very stable. With sufficient pills, I can reach the third layer within a month.”

Chao sighed, “Our luck was above average—not as good as Xie Zhiqiang, Song Yichen, or you, but much better than most. We didn’t get Earth Qilin flesh, but our retreat route exposed us to liquefied spiritual energy from the ruins, and we benefited greatly.”

“There were heavy casualties, but all survivors gained something. By the way, what about Zheng Haoyue and the others? I saw the news after emerging—they were dealt with by Nangong Lingyue.”

Lin Qingyun didn’t want to dwell on that topic. If pressed, explaining the evacuation route he had pointed out to Chao and Chu Qing would be awkward, but he had already laid the groundwork, using Ancestor Chifeng as a scapegoat.

“Haha…” Mentioning Zheng Haoyue and the others, Chao couldn’t help but laugh, “They were the unluckiest. Li Daoze and Mao Yiqiang didn’t even make it to the ruins’ entrance. Zheng Haoyue got in but stayed on the outskirts, too timid to venture into the core. His gains were among the smallest.”

“Those guys thought you’d died in there and talked recklessly. They just don’t get it—even if you and Nangong Lingyue don’t end up together, you’re like siblings. Family fights are just meat rotting in the pot…”

Listening to Chao’s wild words, Lin Qingyun was speechless. What kind of metaphors were these?

“Let Chu Qing talk about the university situation. You calm down, I’ll need to discuss the pill business with you later.” Lin Qingyun stopped Chao’s wild remarks, letting Chu Qing report.

Chao shrugged unconcerned, raising her eyebrows as if to say, “Are you afraid of what I’ll say because something’s up?”

“Boss, Zheng Haoyue and the others brought it upon themselves. Nangong Lingyue personally dealt with them, humiliating and injuring them. The university didn’t punish her, but instead launched an investigation into those who fueled conflict between you and the princess’s fans.”

“Li Daoze and Mao Yiqiang were removed as student council vice presidents, but they took all the blame and Zheng Haoyue was spared. He lost all face and has been keeping a low profile, supposedly in seclusion.”

“Also, Liyang University’s investigation into Xie Zhiqiang is out. All his sponsorship paperwork was in order, and he insisted he was just a crazed fan of Nangong Lingyue. Liyang University only gave him a major demerit. With no direct evidence, his achievements have the university fully backing him.”

“Education Ministry and the university contacted our department. Since you were unreachable while recovering at the Wind King’s home, your reward is stored with Professor Qian Shanming.”

Chu Qing dared not be as casual as Chao, reporting to Lin Qingyun in earnest. She didn’t mention the pill or medicinal business, knowing Chao would handle that with him.

“I think you should check the research intern contract you signed with Professor Qian, just in case he skims some of your reward.” Chao added, teasing about Professor Qian.

It was a joke, of course. Professor Qian was upright, unlike those who would do anything for profit or cultivation.

“No worries. Our collaboration is lucrative. I asked before coming—he’s currently in seclusion refining pills. I’ll wait until he emerges; we have major cooperation ahead.”

Hearing this, Chao and Chu Qing were delighted—another opportunity.

They now fully understood why Professor Qian had valued Lin Qingyun so highly—he saw him as a treasure trove, and the initial pill recipes were only a small part. Now, it seemed the supply was endless.

“This time you’ll need to recruit more staff. If there are suitable candidates at the university, even better. Haicheng University students are elite, with higher future prospects—better than hiring ordinary people.”

“Because I mentioned to the Wind King that Haicheng University wants to massively expand pill production lines, he can open up markets for us. With his support, we can access surrounding countries. Even if we don’t compete domestically for now, there’s plenty of room for growth.”

Lin Qingyun’s words once again stunned Chao and Chu Qing.

Though the Wind King’s territory was technically domestic, it belonged to the alliance of lordly kings and extended influence to neighboring regions. This was already cross-border—a feat many hundred-billion enterprises could not achieve.

With this new acceleration, Lin Qingyun wanted to personally negotiate with Professor Qian and instruct Chao and Chu Qing.

Chao needed to help build a team; she and Chu Qing were already overwhelmed with supervision alone. Before meeting Professor Qian, Lin Qingyun spent two days with Chao and Chu Qing, carefully outlining future frameworks.