Feng Qing Yan smiled, saying nothing more.
Ling Xiao would definitely come.
From his understanding of that young man, he was not one to shy from matters. Even knowing defeat loomed, he would appear.
“Vice Dean, we have arrived.”
Soon after, Feng Yan Ran, Ji Ming Kong, Lan Yu Er and others arrived.
“Where is Ling Xiao?”
Feng Qing Yan asked.
“Still in seclusion. Leng Mei says he should emerge soon.”
Dai Yu Ling knew Leng Mei, having both served under Lin Ze once.
“Leng Mei?”
“Oh, a girl Ling Xiao saved before. Her strength is considerable.”
Dai Yu Ling explained.
“Heh heh, that lad’s luck with women is truly not shallow. Yan Ran, if you do not strive, he may be snatched by others.”
Feng Qing Yan chuckled.
“Vice Dean, what nonsense. I have said it before, towards Ling Xiao, I harbour only gratitude, nothing else.”
Feng Yan Ran grew anxious, quickly changing the subject. “By the way, Uncle Qing Yan, cousin said he would come. No sign of him.”
“Look, the seat over there is reserved for him. No one dares occupy it.”
On the VIP stand, centrally placed were two chairs.
One prepared for Feng Yin Shan, the other for Feng Ming Qi Shan.
Whether they came or not, the chairs must be ready. That was the rule.
“Ming Kong, Yu Er, and you all, sit with me. The view is better here. Plenty of seats empty anyway.”
Feng Yan Ran nodded, then turned to Ji Ming Kong, Lan Yu Er and others.
“Fine.”
Though all worried for Ling Xiao, standing waiting indefinitely was no solution. Better to sit.
Perhaps Ling Xiao would arrive soon.
“Halt!”
Just as Feng Yan Ran sat, and Ji Ming Kong and others moved to seats, they were blocked by Peacock Clan and Great Peng Clan guards.
“What is it?”
Feng Yan Ran frowned.
“Miss Yan Ran, you may sit, but these lowly folk cannot. They are humans, base and inferior. How could they sit with our masters? Standing suits them better.”
The Peacock Clan guard bowed.
“Outrageous!”
“Enough, Yan Ran. No need to anger over trifles. We shall stand. We are warriors, not prone to fatigue.”
Lan Yu Er sought to avoid trouble, opting for peace.
With her saying so, Ji Ming Kong held his tongue. Though others felt displeased inwardly, they could only stand.
It was not about fatigue, but clear discrimination and insult.
Refusing to sit meant openly accepting inferiority.
Of course, they blamed not Lan Yu Er.
Her nature was like an elder sister, wishing all safe and sound, averse to strife.
“Hmph, that is more like it, lowly ones!”
The Peacock and Great Peng guards sneered disdainfully.
Though mere slaves of the two clans, they felt superior, even scorning humans. Whence came such confidence?
Another hour passed. Many grew impatient.
Some even took out provisions to eat, gazing at the sky with displeasure.
Feng Ming Wan Chong opened his eyes and cursed. “Feng Qing Yan, your Qingxu Academy has poor strength, yet your disciples’ airs are grand. Making so many wait for him. Damn it, if he shows, I shall cripple him!”
“Impatient? You may leave. No one compels you to wait. As I said, this is merely a duel between ordinary disciples. Such fanfare is already wasteful. Brother Wan Chong has duties. Why not return?”
Feng Qing Yan mocked.
“Bastard! What do you mean? Is that Ling Xiao not your Qingxu Academy disciple? You would have all come in vain?”
Feng Ming Wan Chong grew angrier.
“Ridiculous. The martial arena was set by your Shenhuang Academy, even charging viewing fees. What, fear the duel fails, losing face for Shenhuang Academy? Serves you right!”
Feng Qing Yan laughed.
Feng Ming Wan Chong gritted his teeth, unable to retort.
For this martial event, they publicised lavishly, spending many spirit stones, hoping to recoup via fees.
If Ling Xiao truly absented, they could not account to the warriors present.
“I heard that Ling Xiao lad is Tianlong Continent’s chosen son, arrogant beyond measure, eyes for no one. Today confirms it.”
“Not necessarily. Perhaps knowing he cannot beat Blood Skull, unable to stomach defeat before so many, he simply took his own life.”
“Do not jest. Were he that sort, he would not return after leaving Shenhuang Empire. Likely truly cultivating.”
“True. Wait longer then. But the longer the delay, the worse Shenhuang Academy fares.”
“Why?”
“You know not? After announcing fees, Shenhuang Academy said only from dawn to dusk. If Ling Xiao comes after dusk, they collect not a single spirit stone. Utter loss.”
“Hahaha, indeed. I now suspect that lad deliberately delays to sabotage Shenhuang Academy.”
“Quite possible!”
Though saying so, the warriors lingered, unwilling to depart, merely drinking when thirsty, eating when hungry.
On the martial arena, Blood Skull sat cross-legged throughout, as if external affairs concerned him not.
Yet inwardly, he seethed with rage.
He hated waiting most.
Not mere hours, even moments would enrage him to murderous intent.
“Ling Xiao must die! And miserably!”
Blood Skull thought viciously.
Time pressed on. The sun set in the west, dusk passed.
“That lad truly dares!”
“I am ever more certain he pits Shenhuang Academy deliberately!”
“Heh heh, though waited long, free duel is fine. Likely Ling Xiao nears.”
Among the crowd, many grieved the fees. Crucially, Shenhuang Academy’s greed: ten thousand low-grade spirit stones per viewing.
For most warriors, no trifling sum.
Saving such stones, only fools would complain.
They rejoiced, but Shenhuang Academy fumed.
“Feng Qing Yan, you bastard. Are you even Qingxu Academy’s vice-dean? Cannot control one disciple!”
Feng Ming Wan Chong stood roaring in fury.
“Heh heh, Brother Wan Chong, why the haste? Sky not yet dark. Same words: if unwilling to wait, return promptly. No need wasting time here.”
Feng Qing Yan teased.
