In the context of a severe shortage of yellow-grade elixirs, the sudden announcement from Phoenix Academy was nothing short of earth-shattering.
To be honest, even many students from Qingxu Academy were tempted, considering leaving Qingxu to join Phoenix Academy.
“What a ruthless strategy. With this move, Qingxu Academy will be completely outmatched in its rivalry with Phoenix Academy, with no chance of turning the tables,” Feng Yanran sighed helplessly.
“Not necessarily,” Lan Yuer said with a slight smile, casting a subtle glance at Ling Xiao, who was wearing a ghost mask nearby.
“Not necessarily?” Feng Yanran gave a wry smile. These warriors from the Tianlong Continent truly didn’t understand the current situation in the Phoenix Continent, let alone the Phoenix Empire.
“The second matter!” Sikong Zun, seeing the shocked expressions below, chuckled inwardly. Such small benefits could win people’s hearts so easily.
He seized the moment to announce the second matter. “I believe everyone here has heard of the Ten Phoenix Sons, right?”
“The Phoenix Sons! The children of the Phoenix, the ten most outstanding youths on the Phoenix Continent!”
“Phoenix Academy already has two Phoenix Sons. Are they adding more?”
“Who knows? Let’s see what this vice-dean announces.”
A tense atmosphere spread through the crowd in the plaza.
“Many of you have probably guessed it already. That’s right, at this opening ceremony, we will have two heavyweight students joining us,” Sikong Zun said, sensing the mood was right and raising his voice. “You two, come out and meet everyone!”
As his words fell, a bolt of thunder crashed from the sky, startling the crowd.
The lightning struck the platform, revealing a young man in blue, his true face now visible.
Calm, composed, with a faint smile.
“That’s Thunder Eagle Phoenix Son, Ying Tianxia!”
How could the crowd not recognise him?
Ying Tianxia, one of the Ten Phoenix Sons and the most outstanding genius of the Thunder Eagle Clan, was joining Phoenix Academy. Did this mean the Thunder Eagle Clan was submitting to the Ice Phoenix Clan?
At that moment, a seven-coloured divine light flashed in the sky, dazzling the crowd until they could barely open their eyes.
The clouds turned into a radiant, multicoloured glow.
A young man, glowing with seven hues, descended slowly from the sky, like a magnificent peacock fanning its tail.
“It’s Peacock Phoenix Son, Kong He!”
The crowd was stunned. The Thunder Eagle Clan submitting to the Ice Phoenix Clan was one thing, as their clan was never among the strongest nobles. But the Peacock Clan, second only to the Phoenix Clan, submitting to the Ice Phoenix Clan too?
Was the Ice Phoenix Clan planning to permanently hold the throne of the Phoenix Empire?
This was utterly shocking!
This news was arguably more astonishing than anything before it.
After all, the addition of the Peacock Phoenix Son and the Thunder Eagle Phoenix Son wasn’t just about two students. It signified the submission of two major clans.
“Yesterday, I saw the Peacock Phoenix Son and the Thunder Eagle Phoenix Son chasing each other outside the city. I thought they were just visiting the capital for fun, not joining Phoenix Academy!”
“Vice-Dean Sikong Zun is making bold moves. With him, Phoenix Academy can lord it over Qingxu Academy.”
“Exactly. Four of the Ten Phoenix Sons are now with Phoenix Academy, while Qingxu Academy has none. The gap is only getting wider.”
The plaza buzzed with discussions, filled with shock and awe.
Feng Yanran frowned, worried about Phoenix Academy’s soaring momentum. How could Qingxu Academy demonstrate its strength in response?
Ling Xiao’s lips curled into a slight smile.
The Ten Phoenix Sons?
Since he was on the Phoenix Continent, he’d have to challenge them properly.
In his view, it would be best if they all joined Phoenix Academy. If he could single-handedly turn the tide and protect Qingxu Academy, his status on the Phoenix Continent and within Qingxu Academy would surely rise significantly.
“Alright, the two matters have been announced. The ceremony begins now. Our guests are welcome, but I hope no one is foolish enough to cause trouble here, or I won’t show mercy!” Sikong Zun’s commanding voice carried a hint of menace.
He likely knew many in the crowd resented him.
But he didn’t care.
Whether they were happy or not was irrelevant, as long as they didn’t court death.
“Qingxu Academy’s Feng Qingyan congratulates the establishment of Phoenix Medical Academy and offers a modest gift. Please accept it!”
At that moment, a white figure floated in.
It was Feng Qingyan, vice-dean of Qingxu Academy.
He wasn’t here just to deliver a gift. The powerful aura he exuded as he approached made it clear he wanted to show that Phoenix Academy shouldn’t get too smug, displaying his own strength.
The Phoenix Sons? They were just talented youths with potential. Phoenix Academy hadn’t dared challenge Qingxu Academy all these years, not because of these youngsters, but because of Feng Qingyan, Dean Feng Qingxu, and another vice-dean.
Of course, he had no intention of disrupting the event, as that would seem petty.
The gift was genuine, not a sham.
“Welcome!”
“The Peacock Clan offers congratulations!”
“The Thunder Eagle Clan offers congratulations!”
…
“Tian Yue Ri Xiang, Foreign Minister of the True Demon Empire, offers congratulations and a modest gift. Please accept it!”
At this voice, the crowd tensed instantly.
The True Demon Empire’s reputation was formidable.
Tens of thousands of years ago, it nearly destroyed the Holy Dynasty, striking fear into countless heroes.
At that time, the Holy Dynasty was a hundred times stronger than the current Phoenix Empire.
Recently, the resurgent True Demon Empire had destroyed the Holy Dynasty, razing the Holy City. While it hadn’t fully unified the Tianlong Continent, that day wasn’t far off.
Tian Yue Ri Xiang was a woman.
A strikingly beautiful woman.
Noble, elegant, refined.
No adjective seemed too much for her.
Her cultivation wasn’t as high as the two Demon Kings, but it was no less than Master Sun Shang’s. The people around her were also Heavenly Realm experts.
“You’ve finally arrived,” Sikong Zun said with a slight smile upon seeing Tian Yue Ri Xiang. “There’s one more thing I haven’t announced, as the key figure wasn’t here. Now, I solemnly declare to all—the Phoenix Empire and the True Demon Empire have formed a strategic partnership. Both nations will refrain from aggression, exchange warriors for mutual learning, and jointly confront external enemies!”
At these words, everyone was dumbfounded.
Leaving aside what an alliance between the Phoenix Empire and the True Demon Empire meant, for Sikong Zun to announce this represented the will of Phoenix Academy.
It was widely known that Phoenix Academy’s dean was the current emperor’s national teacher, meaning Phoenix Academy essentially represented the entire Phoenix Empire.
Compared to them, Qingxu Academy was insignificant!
