The new disciples widened their eyes in shock, each pondering three existential questions: Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?
They had spent more than ten years cultivating and fighting fiercely in the arena, emerging as the best among thousands of geniuses. What kind of organization had they strived so hard to join?
The Imperial Academy? The Tianxuan Empire's top cultivation academy?
Then why did it now seem more like a gang? The seemingly goofy Fu Qing, who was praised as the most brilliant genius in Tianxuan's golden generation, appeared to be nothing more than a gang leader!
Fu Qing showed no embarrassment. He gestured for silence, smiling modestly, "Basic skills, basic skills, no need for such praise."
Then he turned to the students, his face kind and showing none of the madness from the battle earlier, "Students, I'm Fu Qing. You must have heard of me. I'm quite easygoing. You can call me Old Fu. No need to be too formal."
Was this really the demeanour of a martial emperor and the head of a prestigious academy?
Clearing his throat, Fu Qing continued, "Ahem, okay, let me say a few words here. This time at the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb, our Imperial Academy achieved a great victory! Everyone present contributed!"
"Here, I want to particularly commend two students! The first place goes to Mo Qingkuang! He acquired the legacy of the Fallen Leaf King and displayed the might of our Imperial Academy! The rewards will be personally distributed by Dean Zheng once we return to the inner academy. I hope other students can learn from Mo Qingkuang, serve the Imperial Academy, and remain loyal to the empire! The empire will not treat you unfairly!"
Listening to Fu Qing, everyone was exasperated.
Hidden in the ring, Mo Fan's heart trembled!
'Did I set up this character incorrectly? Why does this sound so weird?'
Fu Qing continued, "Secondly, I want to commend Little Kong."
"Pfft—" The crowd couldn't hold back their laughter.
Little Kong? Who?
Seeing the usually stoic and expressionless Senior Brother Chen Kong's face turn purple, everyone knew who Little Kong was.
Could it be that this highly skilled, indifferent Senior Brother Chen Kong had such a nickname?
Mo Qingkuang finally understood why Chen Kong always covered his face and avoided looking at Fu Qing. With a teacher like this, anyone would want to rebel and leave!
Fu Qing ignored the reaction of the crowd and continued, "Little Kong secured the first place on the Young Qilin Ranking with his strength, bringing great comfort to me!"
The latter sentence was directed at Chen Kong, full of affection.
However, Chen Kong turned his head away, not even bothering to look at his teacher.
Fu Qing, undeterred, continued, "I believe that in the latest edition of the Young Qilin Ranking, Little Kong Kong will take the top spot! He will be the first student in the history of Imperial Academy to top the Young Qilin Ranking! Everyone, give him a round of applause!"
Saying this, he started clapping.
With the principal leading, how could the students not follow? Despite feeling it was silly, no one dared to disobey.
Reluctant and prolonged applause ensued, finally stopping after a while.
Fu Qing nodded in satisfaction, then asked a few grandmasters, "Is that old rascal Wu Ming still alive?"
"Uh... Principal, Lord Yingzun took the elixir and is out of danger. He should recover within a month," one grandmaster replied, stunned.
"Good, that'll keep Old Zheng from throwing a fit. Let's go!" Fu Qing waved his hand, leading the team away.
***
Back at the inner academy, Dean Zheng personally welcomed the team returning from the Fallen Leaf King Tomb!
The Imperial Academy team had never been so triumphant! The Yuan Sword Sect and Tiandao Sect gained nothing!
But Imperial Academy returned with full spoils!
Dean Zheng, in high spirits, rewarded each person with a thousand points! Mo Qingkuang, the top contributor, received three thousand points, and Chen Kong was equally rewarded with three thousand points.
Everyone cheered, thrilled to become wealthy from just one trip.
Then, Fu Qing dragged Chen Kong away, while Mo Qingkuang was led into a room by Dean Zheng.
"Sit," Dean Zheng pointed to a chair, signalling Mo Qingkuang to sit down.
Mo Qingkuang sat down and said, "Teacher, you must want to know about the Fallen Leaf King Tomb."
Before Zheng could speak, Mo Qingkuang preemptively spoke.
Regarding the situation inside the Fallen Leaf King Tomb, Zheng likely already had detailed information. However, what happened when Mo Qingkuang acquired the legacy was unknown to anyone.
"Yes, tell me about it. How did you obtain the legacy while being hunted by so many, and how did you become a Wind Spirit Body?" Zheng Tao nodded, handing Mo Qingkuang a cup of tea.
He was in an excellent mood now.
He had originally thought Chen Kong, with his extraordinary luck and the Earth Spirit Body, would dominate the Imperial Academy.
He had given up hope of Mo Qingkuang competing with Chen Kong, but unexpectedly, Mo Qingkuang, also blessed by fortune, managed to gain a Spirit Body from the trip to the Fallen Leaf King Tomb.
This reignited his hope.
'Old Fu, we don't know who will win yet; your disciple has an Earth Spirit Body, but mine also has a Wind Spirit Body!'
Now, Zheng Tao found Mo Qingkuang more and more pleasing to the eye.
Mo Qingkuang organized his thoughts, attributing Mo Fan's guidance in avoiding traps to his own insights and portraying his scolding of the Fallen Leaf King as his own righteous indignation. Besides these embellishments, he did not conceal much.
Initially, Zheng Tao wanted to mock Mo Qingkuang for claiming to be righteous, but when he heard that the 'Flower Plucking Manual' and 'Fallen Leaf Compendium' had fused into the Heavenly grade technique 'Withering and Flourishing Sutra,' he suddenly stood up!
"Is it truly Heavenly grade?"
"It is Heavenly grade," Mo Qingkuang nodded. The 'Withering and Flourishing Sutra' was indeed a Heavenly-grade technique.
Zheng Tao, hearing this, was overjoyed! A Heavenly grade technique!
Imperial Academy did have Heavenly grade techniques, but only two.
One was a royal legacy technique, which only royalty could cultivate. Even if the royal family allowed Imperial Academy disciples to practice it, those without an ice attribute physique couldn't practice it.
The other was Wu Ming's technique, but it was bizarre and had extremely stringent physical requirements, making it unsuitable for everyone.
In fact, most Heavenly grade techniques had very unique physical requirements.
Fu Qing's 'Zhan Tian Sword Technique' was already a top-tier Earth-grade technique, and the most advanced technique accessible to a wide audience at Imperial Academy.
Hearing Mo Qingkuang's description, Zheng Tao concluded that the 'Withering and Flourishing Sutra' was one of the rare Heavenly grade techniques with relatively low physical requirements.
It was precisely what Imperial Academy desperately needed!
He slowly approached Mo Qingkuang, patting his shoulder, his eyes shining, "Good, good! Qingkuang, if you submit the 'Withering and Flourishing Sutra' to the state, our Imperial Academy will finally have a Heavenly grade technique to uphold our prestige! I will personally request a title of nobility for you from the court!"
***
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