One week before the tournament.
After doing the basic training in the morning at Fang Zheng's mansion, Ling went to the academy to socialize himself in order to obtain some information regarding his potential opponents during the tournament next week.
From the information that he gathered, the students who would participate in the tournament were those who had notable backgrounds.
Fierce competition was inevitable, everybody will do any means necessary to come out as top participants.
Not only gained popularity and fame, the students who get in top position would be rewarded by the academy with abundant resources to further develop their cultivation.
From these students, there are few characters that intrigued Ling the most.
They came from the prominent sects and Family in the Northern Region who were already preparing their disciples for this prestigious event.
These persons were the most favored students from each house.
First, he had reached the Ninth Stage Body Foundation Realm. Bai Zan from Yellow Crane Sect. He happened to be the number one student in the House of Qinglong.
The second was Sun Hua Qiang, the number one student in the House of Baihu, at the age of ten years old. Everything about him was quite shady, and he's quite strong at that. Ninth Stage Body Foundation Realm.
Cheng Xue was in third, he came from Cheng Family who are notorious for their Sword Martial Art. Ninth Stage Body Foundation Realm. He was the number one student in the House of Xuanwu.
The next was Yao Mu, from Beast Taming Sect. He had a distinct tattoo on his sleeve. Many had seen him bullying the weaker students with his Winged Tiger Beast, An Earth Rank Beast who had the ability to slip through the shadows. Ranked second in the House of Xuanwu.
The last person was Kwan Xi Lan. Ling's long cousins from Ice Cold Sect. The very sect which his mother, Kwan Xi Yue, originated from. She's ranked second in the House of Zhūquè.
Rumor has it, she's a cold-blooded assassin who would kill any guy who dared to look her in the eyes. Even though there were no reports of any assassinated students just yet.
Aside from those five prominent students, there was this Youngest Prince of Kowloon Kingdom, Jiang Feng. Peak Ninth Stage Body Foundation Realm. Ranked First in House of Zhūquè.
Ling was lucky enough have not a direct encounter with this haughty prince ever. Moreover, the Prince is always with his entourage wherever he goes and other assassins who dwell in the shadow of the academy. It would be quite hectic if this spoiled-rotten kid met with Ling's sharp tongue.
"Hmm…" Ling was having quite the thoughts. "Dealing with this prince is one thing, but the people who sided with him are the most concerning."
Ling suddenly realized something that almost slipped through his mind as he recalled her hidden message in Li Bingbing's eyes.
"This tournament is akin to Gu Cauldron where many deadly insects put in one cauldron and see who's the strongest shall emerge amongst the corpses! I need to tread carefully, otherwise, I will be done for!"
A moment later, he just realized that the Youngest Prince is in danger, he was vulnerable during the tournament due to the Succession War which was brewing behind the curtain. He would be an easy target since there would be a lot of people after him.
"Wait… What matters the most is knowing which sides are opposing the prince! That's it! I will get more resources and many other merits If I can exploit this Succession War! Hehehe!"
All sorts of schemes, strategies and tactics flashed inside his mind. However, he's also aware that he must become stronger in order to execute his plans.
Thus, he decided to return to Fang Zheng's mansion to ask him for some guidance regarding this matter.
He might have all of the knowledge on how to wage a war and win the battle. However, the information regarding the Royal Family was very secretive and only a handful of people knew the truth.
"I need to know everything about the Royal Family in order to pull my plan. Fang Zheng might have known a thing or two!"
Later in the evening, Ling returned to the mansion and then had an audience with Fang Zheng at the Training Hall.
"Pardon my intrusion, Shifu."
Fang Zheng twitched an eyebrow, seeing through his eyelids. "Come in."
"How's your fare in the academy?" asked Fang Zheng, his eyes were still closed concentrating on his meditation.
Ling straight to the topic as usual. "The Tournament. I learned that the tournament is for selecting the strongest and also… A main stage to test the Youngest Prince's wisdom and knowledge to survive the harsh environment. This tournament is nothing but a battlefield, especially rigged to either kill the prince or let him live another day to prove himself worthy for the throne."
Fang Zheng smirked ear to ear. "Correct… This annual tournament is to select those prominent students to serve His Majesty in the future. Jiang Feng, His Highness, and the other two princes are nothing but just pawns in this game of life and death."
"The other two princes?"
"Ling… You do realize this matter has nothing to do with you. Why are you so eager to know the rest?"
Ling was hiding his excitement upon hearing Fang Zheng's answer. Fang Zheng seemed did not give Ling any further information, and yet told Ling so many informations regarding the feuds inside the Royal Family.
Ling was aware that he can gain some merits from this. All he need to do was watching closely and keep his keen ears to any valuable information that circulated around the youngest prince.
"Not in particular. I am just curious." Ling arose from his seat, smiling at Fang Zheng. "I am leaving for training in the forest."
Likewise, Fang Zheng also impressed by Ling's cunningness, he only returned Ling's question and the kid understand the most crucial information of all; The Royal Family of Kowloon Kingdom was indeed having a feud to determine the next future King.
"Eh… Be careful out there. There's One Tusked Earth Salamander looming in the Red Zone. Don't let it sniff your scent, otherwise you have to fight it to death."
Ling turned around, giving his respect by bowing and cupping his fist respectfully.
"Thank you for your wisdom, Shifu."
Ling almost spits his most inner desire there. Deep inside his heart, he wants all the immense power that he could gain if he sided with one of the princes.
Or perhaps, killing them all and taking the throne for himself instead. What he truly desires were all the power, influence, and authority.
It was an inevitable fact that he learnt in hardway in his previous life. Without them, he's nothing but just a stray dog.
Moreover, he couldn't possibly rely on his family background alone to climb up the tower of power in the whole Northern Region.
"Just like the old days, huh?" Ling muttered to himself, clenching his fist as he walked towards the forest inner zone.
"But this time, I am nobody's property! I shall live according to my terms and my own feelings!"