Having dealt with the loot from this dungeon run, Wang Zhifan checked his phone and found it was still early, not even noon yet, so he continued to keep himself busy.
First, he called his previous teammate, Chu Wei, and learned that she hadnāt set her return point in the real world at the Marriott Grand Hotel, where they initially finished the run. She was currently alone in her apartment dorm, so he reminded her not to reveal his capabilities to others. After all, he wasnāt afraid of trouble, but he didnāt want unnecessary ones either.
Over the phone, Chu Wei quickly assured him she wouldnāt talk about this to anyone else, as she was not someone who indulged in gossip. She also thanked Wang Zhifan for carrying her to victory in a rather challenging dungeon, which allowed her to luckily obtain two Fine Layer rewards and two ordinary rewards.
Wang Zhifan congratulated Chu Wei on her bountiful loot from the run. Donāt mistake his words for false modesty; in truth, he knew better than to underestimate Fine Layer rewards as he himself donned five pieces of Fine Layer gear, understanding well their significant practical value despite not being exceedingly powerful.
After finishing his call with Chu Wei, Wang Zhifan dialed Chen Ming next. He learned that Chen Ming had already left the Marriott Grand Hotel and returned home, so he repeated his request for secrecy, to which Chen Ming readily promised not to speak out of turn.
After this topic was done, Wang Zhifan shifted to the other purpose of his call to Chen Ming, which was to exploit a rich guy.
He then said to Chen Ming over the phone:
"Ah Ming, I just got a good healing elixir from the dungeon, which might help with your illness. Do you want to give it a try?"
To Wang Zhifanās surprise, the teenager in a wheelchair, Chen Ming, didnāt seem very enthusiastic about his offer. Instead, Chen Mingās emotionless voice quickly responded:
"Thanks for your concern, Fan! But Fan, Iāve already tried buying and using all kinds of elixirs, potions, magic potions, and talismans from forums to treat my illness, but none showed significant results. Some even caused significant side effects, and I suspect my recent worsening condition is from misusing these things. So, though I appreciate your kindness, my illness is too severe, and Iād rather not..."
"Hold up! Hold up!"
Realizing that Chen Ming might quash his plan to leverage the wealthy before it even began, Wang Zhifan found himself at a loss for words. He forcibly interrupted Chen Ming, saying:
"Ah Ming, trust me! The elixir Iām recommending is nothing like the common stuff you find on forums. Its efficacy is top-notch! Plus, I can let you try one to see its effect. If it doesnāt work or causes side effects, Iāll take responsibility. You wonāt lose out!..."
In an effort to extract some wealth, Wang Zhifan unleashed his past enthusiasm for salesmanship from before his time-traveling, talking such a big game that Chen Ming on the other end was left stunned and soon reconsidered, agreeing to be the guinea pig to test the elixirās effects.
Of course, Chen Mingās quick agreement unquestionably reflected his strong trust and value for his relationship with Wang Zhifan, not wanting to create conflict over such a matter.
With Chen Mingās consent secured, Wang Zhifan soon left his lavish apartment and headed directly to Chen Mingās luxury home in the city, finding him there. Before Chen Mingās old housekeeper, he poured a Celestial Essence Elixir onto Chen Mingās hand.
"Fan, Iām really going to take it, huh."
In the elegantly decorated living room, Chen Ming, sitting in a wheelchair and under Wang Zhifanās intense gaze, looked resolutely at the black pill in his hand, vaguely sensing a hint of tragic nobility in his act.
"Sir, does the medicine youāre giving to the young master have drug approval? May I see it?"
The old housekeeper dressed in black and white beside Chen Ming asked Wang Zhifan with a slightly serious expression.
He was, in fact, not too keen on Chen Ming taking such an unknown pill. However, seeing how much Chen Ming trusted the young man before him, whom heād seen at the Marriott Grand Hotel showing extraordinary things not seen in his past experiences, he opted to inquire rather than forcibly intervene, knowing well that Chen Mingās condition was dire beyond conventional medical solutions.
"Go ahead and take it! Donāt worry, Iām right here. If anything happens, I canāt run away."
Wang Zhifan paid no heed to the housekeeperās question, urging Chen Ming to take the medicine without delay, fearing any further hesitation might stall his plan to capitalize on the wealthy.
"Alright! Fan! I trust you!"
With Wang Zhifan making his stance clear, the wheelchair-bound Chen Ming hardened his resolve, popped the black pill into his mouth, and swallowed it.
In the following minute, he observed the elderly and young duo beside him watching intensely, like they were at a zoo observing a panda, making him feel a tad helpless.
"How do you feel? Any sensation?"
"Young master, do you want to call a doctor?"
Soon enough, both Wang Zhifan and the housekeeper inquired, filled with concern, making the young man shake his head.
"Fan, Mr. Liu, I donāt feel anything significant... and thatās normal. Iāve never had any sensation in my lower body to begin with."
The young man clearly placed little hope on the pill offered by Wang Zhifan. Having tried such remedies countless times before, he grown accustomed to disappointment long ago.
"Donāt rush it, if thereās no effect, just wait a bit longer. Itās only been less than two minutes."
Listening to Chen Ming, Wang Zhifan admitted he was too hasty earlier, mistaking the Celestial Essence Elixir for an Immortal Pill, expecting it to solve everything swiftly. This was an unreasonable expectation from an elixir at the Excellent tier, expecting results akin to an Epic-tier elixir.
Minutes passed again in no time.
Just as Wang Zhifan was about to check in once more with Chen Ming about any specific sensations, he suddenly heard the young man in the wheelchair exclaim:
"Fan! Mr. Liu! My legs... My legs seem to have some sensation! They feel really tingly!"
"Young master!"
Before Wang Zhifan could respond, the surprised Mr. Liu reached out to gently knock on Chen Mingās leg, then quickly asked:
"Do you feel anything, young master?"
With the housekeeperās inquiry, the wheelchair-bound Chen Ming promptly nodded several times, quickly replying:
"I do! I really do! And I think I can move my legs on my own!"
Before Chen Ming finished speaking, both Wang Zhifan and the housekeeper observed as the boyās frail legs, which had been lifeless like dead weight, slowly lifted without any external help.