Chapter 741: "Eighth Slap (22)"
With everyone still stunned and in shock at Jun Wu Yao's overwhelming power, someone there was fully experiencing what was termed complete and absolute despair.
Ning Rui stood completely frozen in his spot, his face turned completely white, every inch of his entire body feeling a bone biting chill.
[It's over..... It's really..... all over.....]
Hope had ignited many times, but in the end, there was only despair. His eyes seeing the few men collapsed in their own blood, Ning Rui seemed to be looking at the fate that would soon befall him.
Terror gripped him!
"Head..... Headmaster..... What do we do..... What do we do now....." Gongcheng Lei's legs had turned to jelly. When those few men had appeared, he had thought that the tables had turned. But things have progressed to a point that went beyond all their expectations.
That man who held so much power that he struck terror in their hearts had completely crushed any last slivers of hope they had held.....
Gu Ying had been rescued, and the few envoys who had remained behind were all dead, and they suddenly found that only the two of them were still here in the Zephyr Academy!
The dark shadows of death loomed heavily over their heads.
Being asked by Gongcheng Lei with a question like this, Ning Rui felt a shiver run through his body. He looked around at the dumbfounded disciples around him, and he saw that all their attention was focused upon the terrifyingly powerful man.
"Run..... Hurry, run....." Ning Rui had only that thought in his mind. He could not care about anything else. He hunched his back, drawing his shoulders together trying to appear as small as possible think to slink away silently in escape.
However, the Heavens had decreed that he would not be granted that opportunity.
"Uncle Ning, where are you headed off to?" Fan Zhuo's tall slender form was suddenly standing in Ning Rui's path, his face glowing with his usual gentle smile, except that his eyes were burning with insuppressible murder!
Ning Rui's heart jumped, and he fell back three steps in fright.
Gongcheng Lei who was just behind him realised that the game was up and he quickly fell to his knees with a loud thud by Fan Zhuo's feet, his face covered in tears: "Second Young Master, all of this had been entirely Ning Rui's doing. I had been bewitched by his promises and only helped him to cover up the facts. The Headmaster was murdered by him and Gu Ying, and I do not know about anything else!"
Fan Zhuo did not even give Gongcheng Lei a single glance and just raised his foot and kicked out to send him sprawling into the ground.
His father had been too kind and trusting, and he did not realised that he had been keeping such a heartless and cowardly mutt by his side all those years!
Although Ning Rui's face was pale, the moment his eyes saw Fan Zhuo, the fear in his heart suddenly evaporated. He knew his fate was sealed and he would not live through this. That had somehow made him lose his fear. He looked down at the pitiful heap that was Gongcheng Lei on the ground, bawling his eyes out, and Ning Rui's mouth curled up with scorn.
"Moron, you think by pleading, he will let you off? Your previous crime of secretly adding drugs to his food wouldn't be that easily forgotten you know?"
Ning Rui maliciously pointed out with his voice dripping with contempt, causing Gongcheng Lei on the ground to shiver more violently.
Fan Zhuo beamed at Ning Rui and said: "Uncle Ning is absolutely right. I have no intentions of sparing him."
"And naturally, you as well." The fire in Fan Zhuo's eyes intensified.
Ning Rui replied: "Winner takes all. I admit defeat." He had calculated every single move, and planned everything meticulously. But a little brat named Jun Xie had fouled everything up. If not for that pipsqueak, Ning Xin might very well have successfully killed Fan Jin and the control of the Zephyr Academy might have fallen into his hands without him needing to enlist outside help that resulted in this hopeless situation now.
From the beginning, when Ning Xin had first planned to use Jun Xie to bring discredit to Fan Jin's name, that had been the worst mistake made, and it was already too late to change anything.
With the first step taken with the wrong foot, everything else went wrong henceforth!
Ning Rui had asked himself countless times. If there was no Jun Xie, would he have succeeded?
That little inconspicuous youth, had suddenly appeared in the Zephyr Academy, and completely crushed the scheme he had been brewing and stewing for so many years here. And now, he had even damned him to suffer eternal doom!
Chapter 742: "Squeezing her Small Hand (1)"
From all directions, all the disciples of the Zephyr Academy were staring at Ning Rui with eyes burning with hatred. The taunting words Ning Rui had thrown out when he believed that victory was at hand earlier were now suddenly turned against him, like a heavy sharp blade hanging over his head.
This man who had attempted to use the lives of everyone in the Zephyr Academy in exchange for power and authority would finally face judgement!
Fan Zhuo did not immediately take their lives but just imprisoned Ning Rui and Gongcheng Lei. Although his intense hatred for them was pushing him to subject the two men to a thousand cuts at that very moment, he held himself back as the one who really needed to see them being punished was not him, but Fan Jin.
Ning Rui was dragged away together with Gongcheng Lei by the guards and Fan Zhuo subconsciously turned to look at Fan Jin. The all too familiar face stung at his eyes, as he knew in his heart that was not really his beloved elder brother.....
The crisis in the Zephyr Academy had been resolved and everyone in the academy finally heaved a big sigh of relief. They all felt like they had gained a new life after having just been pulled out from the pits of despair. They were deeply grateful to Jun Xie who has saved them all and they had developed a deep respect and awe towards the unbelievably powerful man.
Gu Ying had sustained heavy injuries, Ning Rui and his people had been imprisoned. The calamity that had struck the Zephyr Academy was finally arrested.
The Zephyr Academy had recently experienced too many setbacks was there was a dire need for them to realign themselves. According to the rules, the position of Headmaster should be taken up by Fan Jin and Fan Jin readily agreed to it with an easy smile. His first instructions as Headmaster of the Zephyr Academy was for all the disciples and teachers to first go back and rest up and he informed them that the Zephyr Academy would be taking a break for the next few days to allow everyone a chance to catch their breaths.
Things have more or less settled down but Jun Wu Xie was still not able to go back.
Jun Wu Yao held Jun Wu Xie's small hand in his and proceeded straight towards the little bamboo grove.
"You are really a gutsy little lass. You have just barely learnt how to raise your powers to attain the purple spirit and you already dare to take on those men in a fight? If I had not arrived in time, are you going to get yourself all covered in injuries again?" Jun Wu Yao led Jun Wu Xie to sit down by the table and Ye Mei and Ye Sha who had come in following behind them were completely silent as they lowered their heads and slowly retreated outside to stand beside the doors, trying their best to hide their presence as much as they could.
"Why are you here?" Jun Wu Xie did not answer Jun Wu Yao's question but was more interested by his sudden appearance.
Jun Wu Yao had left suddenly and returned just as suddenly. Jun Wu Xie had no idea where he had disappeared to during this period.
Jun Wu Yao replied: "Ye Mei came to look for me. He said you went missing at the bottom of the Heaven's End Cliff. "
Jun Wu Xie paused a moment and thought back to the scene when she had been reunited with the others and she remembered that she had not seen Ye Mei with them. So, Ye Mei had left at the time to go seek out Jun Wu Yao.
"Then how come you came here instead?" Jun Wu Xie remembered that the Heaven's End Cliff was a far way off from the Zephyr Academy.
"I will naturally go where you go." Jun Wu Yao said with a laugh. Ye Mei had been midway through his search for his Lord when he received the information that Ye Sha had sent him, telling him that Jun Wu Xie had been located. But as Ye Mei had things he needed to report to his Lord, he had continued with his search.
That was when Jun Wu Yao finally knew that the place people called the Heaven's End Cliff was in actuality the Dark Emperor's tomb, and it seemed that his Little Xie, was highly interested in the artifacts, buried in the "Dark Emperor's tomb".
"It was just a coincidence. The moment I arrived, I saw you caught in that predicament. Were you going to risk your life again fighting against that man?" Jun Wu Yao chided gently, holding Jun Wu Xie's hand in his. Her fingers were long and slender, the tips rounded and tender, the pink nails were like fallen petals, and beautiful to look at. He squeezed and toyed with her hand but she seemed not to feel a thing, her face calm and expressionless, while Jun Wu Yao could not resist it but started to toy and squeeze at Jun Wu Xie's fingertips.
They were small and petite, soft to the touch.
"No." Jun Wu Xie said as she stared at the person who had usurped possession of her hand, and was just squeezing it incessantly, before she continued, "I am not hurt."
Chapter 743: Squeezing her Small Hand (2)
"Huh?" Jun Wu Yao raised his eyes. He knew that she was not hurt, or else, those three insects wouldn't have had such an easy death!
Jun Wu Xie's head was lowered, looking at the pair of "paws" squeezing her fingertips, before raising her head to look at him.
[Was he checking her hands for wounds?]
"....." The smile on Jun Wu Yao's face froze a little and he suddenly laughed aloud again.
"Those men were not weak and they would not be above using despicable tricks, so there is a chance you might have suffered some hidden injuries unknowingly. If they are not carefully examined, injuries like these could be easily missed out. Little Xie can just talk and I'll just listen while helping you check for any hidden injuries. Isn't that better?" Jun Wu Yao said, the smile on his face not looking all that genuine.
Jun Wu Xie blinked blankly at Jun Wu Yao's words and did not react further. She sat there quietly, afraid she would distract Jun Wu Yao, and stretched out her hands to allow him to continue inspecting her hands.
The corners of Jun Wu Yao's mouth curled up higher as he kneaded her fingertips and turned her small hands over. He scratched gently at her palm, and that light fleeting touch tickled a little causing Jun Wu Xie's tiny body to quiver.
Jun Wu Yao had found a hobby he would never tire of.
Standing at the door, Ye Sha and Ye Mei fought with every ounce of strength they possessed to maintain the stern looks on their faces, as their hearts almost exploded from their impossible suppression.
[Did their Lord Jue just duped the Young Miss with such a blatant lie?]
[That is just one big con!]
[With the Young Miss being so highly intelligent, why has she not realised the real reason behind their Lord Jue's "careful examination"?]
Ye Sha and Ye Mei exchanged a glance and they both saw the helplessness and suppressed mirth in each others' eyes.
Grasping the soft hands in his, Jun Wu Yao pretended to be calm and serious as he asked: "The bottom of the Heaven's End Cliff, was it fun?"
"Not fun." Jun Wu Xie replied.
"Knowing that that place is dangerous and you still went?" Jun Wu Yao asked, an eyebrow raised. Ye Mei had already related all their encounters in the bottom of the Heaven's End Cliff to him. It must not be denied, that the people from the Dark Regime had really put in a lot of effort into it. But..... with the punitive power that Little Xie and her companions possessed, they had gone down the Heaven's End Cliff and still managed to return back alive, that was no mean feat.
"I want to locate the Dark Emperor's tomb." Jun Wu Xie's eyes were determined. When faced against people from the Middle Realm, she had been repeatedly reminded of her own weakness and frailty. She refused to depend on the power of others to protect herself. She knew to needed to become stronger!
Jun Wu Yao's lips curled up at the sides, and he drew his face closer to Jun Wu Xie's, his eyes filled with mirth and narrowed conspiringly.
"Oh? Why is Little Xie so determined to find the Dark Emperor's tomb?"
"For power." Jun Wu Xie said frankly and bluntly. "Dumb Qiao and the others told me that the Dark Emperor's tomb holds all the treasured artifacts of the Middle Realm that will allow one to become incredibly powerful in a short period of time. I want to gain the power to resist the Twelve Palaces."
The feeling of having a home that she could not return to was something that she didn't want to endure for long.
Jun Wu Yao's smile grew wider. "Do you know who the Dark Emperor is? And you dare to covet after his treasures?"
"He is already dead." Jun Wu Xie countered.
"....."
Standing by the door, Ye Sha and Ye Mei nearly wanted to rush in and kneel before Jun Wu Xie.
[Young Miss!]
[Is saying to a person's face that that person is already dead really an acceptable thing to do?]
Two pairs of nervous eyes turned subconsciously onto the figure of Jun Wu Yao, deeply afraid that he would suddenly fly into a rage.
However, Jun Wu Yao laughed aloud instead. He sat there holding Jun Wu Xie's tiny hands, laughing heartily till his shoulders shook.
"That's right..... The Dark Emperor is dead. To a dead person, however powerful he might have been in life, did not matter any longer."
The Dark Emperor is "dead". Or else, how would those scums from the Twelve Palaces dare to even set their eyes on that place? Jun Wu Yao's eyes narrowed at the thought of that. Having so many people lusting after his things, he must remember to "reward" them in future.
But.....
Jun Wu Yao's eyes turned to look at Jun Wu Xie and the sharp glint in his eyes immediately disappeared.
As long as Little Xie wants it, no matter what it is, she can have it.
Chapter 744: "Squeezing her Small Hand (3)"
Towards a certain someone's extreme disparity in the way he treated people who were eyeing his treasures, Ye Sha and Ye Mei were quick to come to a tacit understanding to overlook the matter.
To their Lord Jue, whatever the Young Miss wanted, he was only to glad to provide!
"After this, what is Little Xie intending to do?" Jun Wu Yao asked Jun Wu Xie, looking at her seriously. The Heaven's End Cliff had come about only after his disappearance and according to what Ye Mei had told him, that place contained a collection of the most dangerous things the Dark Regime were able to put together. If they went there without a map, even he was not entirely confident that he would be able to find it.
"Find the maps." Jun Wu Xie replied. She did not need to hide anything from Jun Wu Yao.
Ning Rui was already imprisoned, and the map he held would soon be in their hands. Adding that to the other two pieces they already had with them, they would hold a total of three out of the eight map in existence.
"On our way to the Heaven's End Cliff, we encountered people from the Yan Country. If the information we gathered is accurate, the Crown Prince of the Yan Country should be holding another piece of the map." If they manage to get their hands on that map, they would have four pieces, which would make up half, and the rest would just be a matter of time.
"Oh? Do you need my help then?" Jun Wu Yao asked with a laugh.
Jun Wu Xie however shook her head. She had not forgotten that Jun Wu Yao would occasionally go missing, his departure sudden, and that would mean that he had his own matters that he needed to attend to.
Jun Wu Yao was extremely powerful, more powerful than anyone she had ever met. But she did not want to be reliant on Jun Wu Yao for everything that happened. Only if she gained power herself, would it yield her the best results. If Jun Wu Xie seeked to oppose the Twelve Palaces, then she must not rely on the powers of others in everything.
Jun Wu Yao did not force the issue and left it up to Jun Wu Xie to decide.
"Does that mean Little Xie will be going to the Yan Country next?" Jun Wu Yao asked with an eyebrow raised, with his eyes still lowered and focused on the on the fair little fingers of Jun Wu Xie's, seemingly not be able to get enough of it.
"Not for the time being. Fei Yan needs to snoop around for more information on the Yan Country first and Lord Meh Meh's and Fan Jin's injuries..... I want to cure them first." Jun Wu Xie said, her brow furrowing suddenly. Lord Meh Meh's injuries had been cured and it would only need a period of nursing before making a full recovery. But Fan Jin's condition was a little more complicated and would require a little more effort.
Fan Qi was dead and the Zephyr Academy sorely needed a new Headmaster to come forth to shoulder the heavy responsibilities. Fan Zhuo was destined to leave with them and the Zephyr Academy must only be left for Fan Jin, as was the right thing to do.
"Then, should I remain here to keep you company?" Jun Wu Yao asked.
Jun Wu Xie raised her eyes to look at Jun Wu Yao. In those eyes sparkling with a smile, she saw herself reflected within.
"You are done with your own matters?"
Jun Wu Yao shook his head, and declared nonchalantly: "It won't make a difference if I delay it a little. Instead, I am more concerned with is whether Little Xie dislikes my company?" The pair of enchanting eyes were suddenly looking forlorn, but there was the slightest tinge of teasing hidden in them. The pitiful look in those eyes suddenly made Jun Wu Xie feel rather flustered and she did not know what to do.
She lowered her head instead and chose to ignore Jun Wu Yao's query.
Seeing that the little one was clamping up and refusing to answer him once again, Jun Wu Yao was nevertheless calm. He ordered Ye Sha and Ye Mei to clean up the place before he resumed with his teasing of Jun Wu Xie.
Faced with a certain someone's continued teasing, Jun Wu Xie was feeling rather distressed and helpless. Her Uncle and Grandfather had never teased her in such a manner and although they always spoke to her in a very gentle tone as well, she could not help but feel that there was a vast difference when Jun Wu Yao was doing it.
If this had happened in the past, Jun Wu Xie would have immediately chased him out. But Jun Wu Yao had a been tagged with the position of "Big Brother" and Jun Wu Xie did not know how to deal with it now.
Coincidentally at that same moment while she was feeling endlessly flustered, Fan Jin came in with Qiao Chu and the others who had rushed over.
Chapter 745: "The Aftermath (1)"
"I'm really amazed at how Brother Hua looks now. He looks exactly just like Fan Jin." Qiao Chu said, pulling Hua Yao to come before Jun Wu Xie, completely failing to notice that the smile on Jun Wu Yao's face had somewhat changed, and even failing to see that Ye Sha and Ye Mei at the side were looking at him with a look showing they were silently mourning for him.
The Fan Jin that had appeared in the Zephyr Academy earlier today had been Hua Yao who impersonated him. The real Fan Jin was still lying in bed back at the inn, being watched over by Wen Xin Han.
To fully squash Ning Rui, Fan Jin and Fan Zhuo needed to appear at the same time and that was the reason Jun Wu Xie asked for Hua Yao to go meet them at Chan Lin Town.
Hua Yao was highly skilled at his Bone Shifting ability and with Jun Wu Xie's help, they were able to perfectly impersonate anyone they wanted, without being found out.
Not even in his dreams, would Ning Rui ever expect, that the Fan Jin who had appeared right before him, was in fact an imposter.
"You got the map?" Jun Wu Xie asked, her eyes on Qiao Chu.
Qiao Chu smirked, looking mighty pleased, as he pulled out a brocade box, and opened it to show a map made out of human skin.
Jun Wu Xie very naturally pulled her hands out from Jun Wu Yao's "paws" to receive the map, scrutinising it carefully.
An eyebrow on Jun Wu Yao's face raised up as he looked at the fully focused Jun Wu Xie before his gaze slowly shifted onto Qiao Chu. Qiao Chu had been smiling happily all this while but when he saw Jun Wu Yao's eyes on him, for some unknown reason, he was suddenly feeling a strange chill on the back of his neck. He instinctively hunched his neck into his shoulders as he blinked blankly at the widely smiling face of Jun Wu Yao.
"Big Brother Jun." Qiao Chu called out to Jun Wu Yao, in oblivious ignorance.
Jun Wu Yao nodded slightly in response.
"Where is Fan Zhuo?" Jun Wu Xie had finished studying the map, and she handed it back to Qiao Chu.
Qiao Chu said in answer: "Fan Zhuo is still there. He seemed to have more things he wanted to ask Ning Rui, so we came over first. Just saying..... Little Xie, are you really confident you can cure Fan Jin's condition?" When Qiao Chu and the others had arrived at Chan Lin Town and saw Fan Jin, their hearts had wrenched in pain when they saw the always jovial and exuberant youth they knew reduced to such a sorry state.
Although they did not share the same fate, but Fan Jin was nevertheless a righteous friend. Even without his relationship with Fan Zhuo, they would still not wish to see Fan Jin fall into such a wretched state.
Jun Wu Xie nodded. "I am, but I need a little time. Before Fan Jin recovers, we will need Brother Hua to continue to appear as Fan Jin."
The Zephyr Academy had just undergone great turmoil and it urgently needs someone to lead them back to normality. If it is revealed that Fan Jin has not recovered, it will surely throw its ability to maintain its reputation as a top academy into great doubt.
Although Jun Wu Xie never liked to get involved in the affairs of others, the Zephyr Academy was nevertheless deeply linked to Fan Jin and Fan Zhuo, and she would not allow the Zephyr Academy to be destroyed without doing anything.
Qiao Chu was taken aback a moment. He stared at Hua Yao who was disguised as Fan Jin and said: "Doesn't that mean Brother Hua would have to remain looking like this for quite a while?"
Qiao Chu had always been closest to Hua Yao as they usually moved together in their missions. Suddenly asking him to pull his usual antics looking at Fan Jin's face everyday.....
He really wasn't really used to it.
Hua Yao didn't really mind it much, taking it as repayment for a favour owed.
Early the next morning, Jun Wu Xie got Ye Sha to fetch Wen Xin Han and the others back to the academy. To prevent people from finding out, Fan Jin was placed straight into the little bamboo grove while Hua Yao assumed Fan Jin's identity to run the Zephyr Academy's daily affairs with Wen Xin Han's and Fan Zhuo's assistance.
Luckily the real Fan Jin himself had not been entirely familiar with these matters himself, hence, when Hua Yao started asking the teachers many questions, it had not raised any unwanted suspicions.
Chapter 746: "The Aftermath (2)"
Gu Li Sheng had also brought the disciples of the Spirit Healer faculty back. Having suffered through the recent spate of tumultuous events, all the disciples of the Zephyr Academy had become more docile. No one dared bring up that day's events and all of them lived their days in obedience and that saved Hua Yao a lot of headaches.
Jun Wu Xie brought Lord Meh Meh into the bamboo grove to oversee its care and she spent her days mainly treating Fan Jin and Lord Meh Meh. Jun Wu Yao did not go anywhere this time and just sat on one side everyday, watching Jun Wu Xie bustling to and fro, with a smile on his face.
But it was a difficult time for Ye Sha and Ye Mei. Besides Fan Jin who had lost his consciousness, they did not dare allow anyone else that was of the male species to set foot into the little bamboo grove. Hence, the responsibilities for everything from cleaning to cooking, fell upon their shoulders. When they looked back to the stellar record of their past accomplishments, and then finding themselves faced with the various pots and pans, with the many dirty dishes and crockery before their eyes, Ye Sha and Ye Mei could only silently swallow back their tears, and scrub at the pots vigorously!
Ah Jing was brought back to the Zephyr Academy by Fan Zhuo. The wounds on his body has mostly healed and it might have been the traumatic experiences he had gone through, but Ah Jing had turned into a person that was unusually solemn and quiet.
Fei Yan had left the Zephyr Academy for a period, gathering and collecting information about the Yan Country. They were all making preparations to immediately set forth for the Yan Country, once Fan Jin regains his consciousness, so they can locate the all the maps, and complete the collection as soon as possible.
Time passed, a day at a time. Fan Jin's body was gradually recovering under Jun Wu Xie's careful nursing. But his mind continued to be somewhat clouded, occasionally showing alertness for a short while, but would quickly sink back into senility, his condition still highly unstable.
Fan Zhuo would come accompany Fan Jin everyday. He didn't speak at all, but just sat with Fan Jin in silence, feeding him, washing him, as if taking care of the needs of an ignorant child who knew nothing at all.
In those spasmodic moments that Fan Jin was conscious, he was able to recognise Fan Zhuo. But after just saying a few words, he would quickly fall back into his lifeless and unresponsive state.
And with every time that happened, it felt like a sword was slicing slowly through his heart.
He remained silent through it all, hiding the agonising pain within.
He was thinking the same thought everyday, when would Fan Jin fully regain his senses. But at the same time, he was worried about him awakening.
[When Fan Jin recovers, will he be able to face up to everything that has happened?]
Fan Zhuo wasn't sure.
It was nearing the end of the year and the branch division's promotion selections had been admitted to the academy. It wasn't a great number, just tens of them. They were not really aware of what had happened in the main division and came to the academy muddled headed, wondering why the current Headmaster was a youth similar in age with them.
Nobody would tell them the bitter experience the Zephyr Academy had just suffered through. Those memories were all like a horrendous nightmare, that nobody wanted to revisit.
Not long after the new disciples were admitted, the disciples of the Zephyr Academy were set to go home and they would only return back here a month later.
After most of the Zephyr Academy's disciples had left, the teachers made up their own excuses and applied for leave to go home as well. The vast Zephyr Academy was cleared out, empty and quiet, the usual racket and noisy clamour suddenly missing.
Hua Yao did not need to impersonate Fan Jin any longer and he was able to appear as himself. He sat together with Qiao Chu and the others in the yard within the little bamboo grove and watched as Fan Zhuo helped Fan Jin out to get some sun.
"Next year, I am thinking that quite a number of them will not be coming back here anymore." Fan Jin who had been gradually recovering raised his head to look at the fallen leaves swirling in the air, a bitter smile on his lips.
He had regained his consciousness three days ago, and he had been forced to live through the nightmare that confronted him when he found out everything that had happened. From the initial utter shock and raging hatred, to the calm acceptance now, they all saw that the once jovial youth had changed completely, having lost a little of his bluntness and gained a little more maturity.
Chapter 747: "Unexpected Surprise (1)"
The Zephyr Academy had met with a big calamity and although the disaster was averted in the end, the long series of twists and turns had caused the disciples and teachers of the academy to become nervous and afraid.
It was clear to Fan Jin, although those people had not said much when they had gone home for the year end break, but after the month was up, he was expecting less than half of them to return.
It was rather understandable if the disciples had not returned out of fear, but if even the teachers were to leave as well, what was going to happen to the Zephyr Academy going forward?
His father is dead, and the other two longest serving faculty members who had been almost been as close as being his related uncles had betrayed them. The Zephyr Academy was facing an imminent crisis and Fan Jin felt like he had just woken up from a dream, and the reality presented to him an endless stream of obstacles and tribulations as numerous as the stars.
"Take it slow, things are bound to improve. At the very least, we are still alive now." Fan Zhuo said reassuringly, patting his own brother on the shoulder.
Fan Jin gave him a bittersweet smile and said: "That is true. As long as I am able to bring the Zephyr Academy back to glory, I believe more people will come. I will not let the Zephyr Academy decline further." Unwilling to dwell any longer in pain and suffering, Fan Jin tried to sound strong despite the situation by saying: "I cannot afford to waste away any further. I need to nurse my body back to health and I should be able to make it in time for the next year's Spirit Battle Tournament among the different academies"
Seeing that Fan Jin had picked himself up, everyone was feeling relieved and Qiao Chu asked with a smile: "There are even Spirit Battle tournaments among the academies?"
Fan Jin nodded. "Normally, every academy would hold their own Spirit Battles Tournaments. And every year, the top ten ranked from the individual academies will all make their way to the Yan Country and compete in an inter academy competition. Last year, the Zephyr Academy had achieved a rather good rank in the placings."
Fan Jin had said it easily. But upon hearing his words, Qiao Chu who had been grinning mischievously suddenly stared at Fan Jin in wide eyed surprise.
"Where did you say it was?"
Fan Jin repeated it: "Yan Country. The Yan Country is currently the biggest power and this inter academy Spirit Battle Tournament is also organised by them, where they invited all the individual academies in previous years. In one more month, the new year will begin, and I believe it should be around that time."
The Zephyr Academy's own Spirit Battle Tournament had been cancelled this year due to the tumult that had struck them, and the previous year's top ten rank has less than half of them remaining. Fan Jin was planning to quickly nurse himself back to health so that he would be able to represent the Zephyr Academy in the competition.
Qiao Chu and his companions exchanged glances with each other.
Fan Jin's words had immediately drawn their attention as the next map they had their eye on was coincidentally in the Yan Country!
"Where in the Yan Country will it be held?" Jun Wu Xie asked suddenly. She had caught it as well.
Fan Jin did not realised that his words had drawn the attention of everyone there and he told them with a smile: "In the Yan Country's Imperial Capital. The Spirit Battle Tournament is always crowded and bustling with people and it is usually hosted by the Yan Country. But to put out in another way, the Yan Country is willing to do that so that they can widen their net to recruit talents. It is rumoured that the Yan Country's Imperial household would be observing the battles in secret and if they spot any disciples who possessed good gifts, they will approach them privately and attempt to poach them. My ranking last year was not that high and hence, I was denied that kind of treatment. But I heard that there were a few among the top ten ranked in last year's Spirit Battle Tournament who had remained in the Yan Country after the Spirit Battle Tournament."
Fan Jin was telling it to the companions just intending it as an interesting piece of news to share.
But upon hearing it, it had made Jun Wu Xie and the others incredibly excited.
Jun Wu Xie's eyes were thoughtful. They had originally planned to immediately set off towards the Yan Country once Fan Jin awakened, to go search out the fourth map's location. They had not for one moment thought, that the inter academy Spirit Battle Tournament would actually be held in the Yan Country. They were now in the Zephyr Academy and they could legitimately appear there as disciples of the Zephyr Academy and in this way, they would instead not draw any unwanted attention upon themselves.
Chapter 748: Unexpected Surprise (2)
"You have suitable candidates in mind?" Jun Wu Xie asked.
Fan Jin gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Among the people who participated last year, quite a big number of them are gone, and I don't know how many of those left will return."
Previously, Lu Wei Jie and Ning Xin had represented the Zephyr Academy in the Spirit Battle Tournament. Lu Wei Jie had been driven out of the Zephyr Academy and Ning Xin was dead, her body torn apart. As for the remaining participants, Fan Jin was guessing they would not be returning as they were highly gifted and they didn't need to be in the Zephyr Academy to succeed. Now that the Zephyr Academy had fallen into such a state, those disciples would undoubtedly be mulling how they would be able to switch to other academies.
"The only one I can think of now is only myself." Fan Jin said with a shrug. His father's passing, the academy's turmoil, all the difficulties were now heaped upon his shoulders. The suffocating pressure threatened to overwhelm him but he needed to stand up despite all of it or his father's decades of blood and sweat would all come to naught.
Jun Wu Xie raised an eyebrow and swept her gaze over the faces of Qiao Chu and all the others. As she had expected, she saw in her companions' eyes, the answer she seeked.
If you do not have anyone in mind, include the few of us here in." Jun Wu Xie said calmly.
Fan Jin stared, in pure disbelief at Jun Wu Xie.
"Wh..... What did you say?"
"Har? What is it? You don't think we are up to it? Come on, be a sport. If you put us in, I guarantee you a spot in the top few ranks." Qiao Chu said with an easy laugh, putting his arm around Fan Jin's shoulder, in an easy show of camaraderie.
"You guys..... You guys are willing to help me?" Fan Jin asked, unable to be sure he heard them right. Not long after he regained his consciousness, Fan Zhuo had told him about it. In a few days' time, he would be leaving with Jun Wu Xie and the others. Fan Zhuo had not told him about the specifics and Fan Jin did not want to probe. Although they were not biological brothers linked by blood, Fan Jin had already accepted Fan Zhuo to be one, and towards Fan Zhuo's decision, he did not object in the slightest.
Upon hearing that Jun Wu Xie and the others were asking to join the Spirit Battle Tournament as representatives of the Zephyr Academy, Fan Jin's heart suddenly soared.
He knew the incredible fighting prowess of Hua Yao and his companions. No need to mention about the inter academy Spirit Battle Tournament, even if they were put out into the vast world, how many people would be able to match up to them?
If they were really to take part, then the Zephyr Academy would surely be able to achieve a result of unprecedented levels!
And as long as they gained one of the top spots, then the Zephyr Academy would be immediately dredged out of its doldrums and teachers and disciples would be clamoring to join the the academy!
With those thoughts in his head, how could Fan Jin not get excited! ?
"Helping you would also be helping ourselves at the same time." Jun Wu Xie said, looking at Fan Jin. In this way, they both stood to gain in this situation. It would help the Zephyr Academy to pick themselves up and at the same time, give the companions a legitimate reason to infiltrate into the Yan Country.
"This is just fantastic! I'll go make preparations for it now! I will make the necessary arrangements, as the Zephyr Academy did not hold their annual Spirit Battle Tournament this year, we will not have any problems with the rankings." Fan Jin was showing his first genuine smile straight from the heart after regaining his mind. From his struggles in the muck, he finally saw the light of hope.
Seeing Fan Jin's face flushed from his unbridledly joyous smile, Jun Wu Xie lowered her eyes.
It might have been unintentional or it might have been his conscious effort. After Fan Jin reawoke, he had never once mentioned Ning Rui or Gongcheng Lei. Fan Zhuo had already told him that those two had been imprisoned but Fan Jin had acted like he knew nothing about it, having never mentioned one word about them and never gone to see them a single time.
As long as he did not bring it up, the others kept silent about it as well.
Chapter 749: Unexpected Surprise (3)
Till the Yan Country's Grand Spirit Battle Tournament, there was still about slightly more than a month. In that period, Qiao Chu and the others decided to make a trip back to the Phoenix Academy to report back to Yan Bu Gui on their upcoming plans.
Upon knowing that they will be making a trip back to the Phoenix Academy, Jun Wu Xie specially wrote a letter, for them to bring back to Yan Bu Gui. As she needed to continue the treatment for Fan Jin and Lord Meh Meh's injuries, she was not be able to leave at that time, while Jun Wu Yao and Fan Zhuo remained behind in the Zephyr Academy with her.
Lord Meh Meh had in this period of time been nursing well and making good progress in its recovery. Its burnt and blackened skin scabbed and peeled several layers and new skin was growing, looking pinkish and tender. From having been burnt into a little black ball previously, till gradually turning into a little pink sphere. At a quick glance, it currently resembled somewhat like a little pink piglet.....
It was not known whether it was due to it having suffered overly severe burns, but Lord Meh Meh's body had not grown any wool yet. Having been used to being bundled up in thick dense wool, it had suddenly lost all its protection from the cold, especially now that the year was ending, with the temperature dropping fast, Lord Meh Meh just could not find the energy to perk itself up. At all times throughout the day, it was either shivering miserably under the blankets or snuggled deep into Jun Wu Xie's embrace.
And towards all of the bald little sheep's actions, someone was watching it all closely with a glint in his eyes.
"Go find something that it can wear." Jun Wu Yao said slowly to Ye Sha and Ye Mei as his eyes swung over to look at Lord Meh Meh burrowing deeper and deeper into Jun Wu Xie's arms seeking warmth.
Ye Mei and Ye Sha both stood in their spots suddenly flummoxed.
[Where are they going to find clothes that a bald sheep was able to wear?]
Jun Wu Xie raised her eyes and looked at Jun Wu Yao.
Jun Wu Yao's lips curled up at the corners as he said: "Since Little Xie is going to represent the Zephyr Academy in the Grand Battle Spirit Tournament, you will of course need some time to cultivate your spirit powers. And if you are carrying that the entire time, I was afraid you might not have enough time."
That tone, the way he put it, sounded especially justifiable!
Jun Wu Xie blinked. The way she cultivated was different from others and carrying Lord Meh Meh did not affect her in the slightest. For her to cultivated her spirit powers, she would only need to bring out the Snow Lotus and place it before her, and she could carry on with whatever she was doing.
"I thinking Little Xie's spirit powers must be on the verge of attaining another breakthrough already?" Jun Wu Yao asked, his eyes staring at the water basin holding the Snow Lotus on the table.
Jun Wu Xie nodded.
"Have you selected the ring spirit you are going to use for the advancement?"
She shook her head.
[She did not have the time to find one.]
Immediately, Jun Wu Yao threw another task for Ye Sha and Ye Mei to complete.
Just like that, after the brothers in misery were made to take up the menial chores of cooking and cleaning, and they were still hard pressed to decide on who would be picking up the needle to sew some winter clothes for Lord Meh Meh, they found another new task thrown before their feet..... to find a ring spirit for Jun Wu Xie's spirit power breakthrough!
Very soon, Ye Mei and Ye Sha would be able to excel in duties presenting themselves well in front in the hall, while shining brilliantly cooking and cleaning back in the kitchen, killing enemies mercilessly in battle on the side, and becoming outstanding in makeup with cosmetics.....
The two of them secretly wiped aggrieved tears from their eyes.
[My Lord Jue, for someone of your esteemed stature to be competing for affections with a Spirit Beast, is that really appropriate?]
After having dumped all the menial task to his underlings, Jun Wu Yao took the excuse of guiding Jun Wu Xie with her spirit power's advancement to pick Lord Meh Meh up from within Jun Wu Xie's arms and throwing it onto the soft bed among the warm sheets and covers as Lord Meh Meh bleated softly in futile protest.
Immediately after that, before Jun Wu Xie could say anything, Jun Wu Yao stretched out an arm to encircle Jun Wu Xie's tiny waist, and with a single leap, flew out of the little bamboo grove.
"Do you know how to sew?" Ye Sha asked Ye Mei, as a persistent twitch tugged at the corner of his mouth, his eyes staring at the little bald sheep well bundled within the thick blankets.
Ye Mei shrugged, and replied mournfully: "Can we buy them?"
Ye Sha almost teared as he said: "Where, throughout all the realms, do you think we can buy clothes that would fit it?"
"..... I'll sew....."
Chapter 750: Yan Country (1)
The Yan Country's Imperial Capital, was always at its busiest in the beginning of the year as the Grand Spirit Battle Tournament among the many academies would be held there at that time. The most elite disciples from more than a hundred academies would congregate at that place to compete for a high ranking in the Spirit Battle Tournament!
Every year, the top ten ranks in the Spirit Battle Tournament would find themselves seeing a new pinnacle in their lives. The young youths who had as yet found fame would only need to give a good show of their abilities, and shine more brilliantly than others, to gain themselves status and fame beyond their wildest dreams.
To become famous in their youth, that posed to be an irresistible draw to all young and exuberant youths!
As the host providing the battle stages, the Yan Country always strove to provide all the academies with the best environments, to allow the disciples to put forth their best, in the Grand Spirit Battle Tournament.
As the mightiest and most prosperous country, and by being the host of the tournament, the Yan Country had throughout the years enjoyed first pick priority in the access to the winners of the Spirit Battle Tournament. Almost every year, the top ten ranked of the Spirit Battle Tournament would almost always have about half of them poached by the Yan Country. The youths would have exhibited exemplary skills although their powers would not have fully matured, but their extraordinary gifts would made them stand out from the rest. Irregardless whether they were other countries or individual powers, all of them were keen to pick out youths who showed potential in the Spirit Battle Tournament. They did not limit themselves only to the top ten ranked but would also keep an eye out for exceptional talents and poach them without a moment's hesitation.
It can be said that the Spirit Battle Tournament was a revered and distinguished event for both the academies and powers from all over the world.
The various powers were able to recruit more talented people into their fold while the academies were able to gain fame and reputation when their disciples did well in the rankings.
So, no matter whether it was the academies themselves, or the youths taking part in the Spirit Battle Tournament, they all placed great importance on how they fared in the tournament.
There were only ten slots for every academy in the Spirit Battle Tournament and the ten selected would most definitely be elites that had undergone a contest under the most stringent selection process and finally emerged victorious, as they represented not only themselves, but also the academy's reputation on their shoulders.
The top three elite academies throughout the lands were the Zephyr Academy, the War Banner Academy, and the Dragon Slayers Academy. These three powerful academies attracted the most attention every single year and the top ten ranks of the Spirit Battle tournament would always be dominated by the representatives from these three academies and the Yan Country and the many various mightiest powers throughout the lands had already recruited many youths from them in the past years. All of those youths who had outshone their peers in the past Spirit Battle Tournaments and joined their respective powers had already left their academies had already grown more powerful, bringing much gains to the powers they served!
Although there were over a hundred academies that participated in the Spirit Battle Tournaments, but the ones that possessed the power to contest for top ten positions were only the top three academies. Although the disciples from the other academies would never dare dream of being among the top ten, that still did not stop them from coming forward to show off their potential as the number of people the various countries and the different powers needed was large and the ten people from the top ranks would not be enough to serve their needs!
The entire duration of the Spirit Battle Tournament lasted a whole month and within that time, all the people from the academies would have their food and lodging taken care of by the Yan Country. A week before the Spirit Battle Tournament was to commence, the convoys from the various academies would begin to stream into the Yan Country's Imperial Capital, gradually driving the bustle of the Imperial Capital into a endless frenzy.
Decorated with banners that depicted the emblem of the Zephyr Academy, their horse drawn carriages slowly rolled towards the city gates. Immediately upon seeing those horse carriages, the soldiers at the city gates parted to let them pass. The convoy consisted only of five carriages and compared to most of the other convoys from the other academies here to participate in the Spirit Battle Tournament, their carriages number conspicuously less than half of others!