Cheers and applause reverberated from the spectators when Qiqi triumphed. They never expected the little girl would win the battle royal.
Asides their amazement, some nobles who were aware that Qiqi had the rare Pure Yin Qi Body Constitution began to question Qiqi's origins.
However, they had to reconsider their intention since the girl was under Fang Zheng's watchful eyes.
Moreover, nobody could tell what kind of power house backing up the little girl. Even Fang Zheng's presence was enough to deter anyone who dares lay a hand on her.
After her soul had returned to her body. Fang Zheng descended down to the arena below him, he praised the little girl before him proudly.
"Congratulations!" Fang Zheng exclaimed. "We have the winner for this tournament!"
"All thanks to your guidance and tutelage, shifu." Qiqi replied.
Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction. Despite the fact that she had proved herself as the best student in the first year, Qiqi was still humble at heart.
He couldn't help but to give the little girl a gentle head pat. "Indeed, however, you were relentless. I knew from the beginning that you have a huge potential. Once again, congratulations for your achievement."
Qiqi blushed slightly as the audience was amazed, the crowds began to get noisy. It was the very first time the Dean praised his disciple to such an extent.
Fang Zheng ascended to the sky before the audience got too noisy. They were hushed the second Fang Zheng began to speak.
"The Awards Ceremony will be held on the day after tomorrow. The students who made it to the top ten will be awarded fairly. With this, The Battle Royal Tournament is over!"
After he said this, Fang Zhen left the scene without a trace. Leaving the trivial matters to Li Bingbing, Vice Dean of the Academy.
Although Qiqi won splendidly, there was no euphoria in her eyes. She's more concerned for Ling Zhao's fare instead.
Qiqi seek out for Ling Zhao's presence amidst the crowd and ran the second she saw his back.
Yet, she felt awkward to approach him when she saw Kwan Xi Lan was beside Ling. Somehow, Qiqi compared her size with Kwan Xi Lan who has a fully developed breast. Kwan Xi Lan looks so matured with her white robe which emphasized her body curvature.
The two looked well paired to each other and made something inside her chest squeezed.
Kwan Xi Lan turned back as she felt Qiqi's presence, she quickly stepped away from Ling at once since she was aware that Qiqi has a special feeling for Ling.
"Well, I think that's my que. Until we meet again, Young Master." Kwan Xi Lan said. She then strode her way while smiling towards Qiqi.
Ling simply nodded to respond.
"Oh, you are here." Ling says. "What's with that face?"
"Hmm?" Qiqi leaned her head sideways. "Maybe I am just too tired due to fighting all day long?"
"Okay… Anyway, congratulations on your victory, Qiqi. You deserve it."
"Actually, it should have been yours, brother Ling. But why did you retire in the middle of the fight with Prince Jiang Feng?"
Ling scanned the vicinity before he told Qiqi about the whole conspiracy behind the curtain. As an ex-general in his past life, he caught the presence of some spies amidst the crowd.
"Not here… Let's talk somewhere quiet."
Before long, Li Bingbing spotted them from afar. Wasting no time, she approached them.
"There you are. I've been looking for both of you. Follow me, we have a lot to discuss."
Qiqi was askew, wondering why the Vice Dean was in such a hassle.
"After you then, Li Bingbing Shizun." Ling Zhao said.
Arriving at her study, Li Bingbing sat on her comfy chair, letting out a relieved sigh.
"Thanks to both of you. We just avoided the demise of this Academy."
"What do you mean by that, Shizun?" Qiqi asked innocently.
"These matters are highly classified, but I will tell you the gist so you can protect yourself later. Promise me, don't act recklessly. Especially you, Ling Zhao."
Ling Zhao zipped his mouth with a gesture, Qiqi also did the same.
"Okay…" Li Bingbing paused for a moment.
"There is a war just outside the border. The Royal Family is amassing their army, secretively. The youngest prince, Jiang Feng, was aware of this matter. And there is no better place than this academy to amass his own army..."
Ling Zhao couldn't hold his chuckles, as a General in his previous life, amassing an army was not as simple as recruiting a bunch of ruffians to fight in the battlefield.
"What's so funny, brother Ling?" Qiqi asked.
"Apologize, it's nothing, please continue, Li Bingbing Shizun."
"I know what you are thinking, Ling. I do understand that our students are the future of the Kowloon Kingdom. However, I won't let this academy become a training ground for soldiers wannabe. These children have bright futures ahead. And that's not include dying on the battlefield. They are far too young for that."
Hearing such a heavy and complicated problem made Qiqi distraught just by thinking of the sheer horror of war that approaches their front door.
'Why are humans always eager for war? Always hungry for power and blood. I can't follow their thoughts at all.'
However, Ling Zhao has different thoughts about this matter.
'A war, eh? If I could sneak amongst the army and absorb the blood that spilled on the battlefield to strengthen my Blood Iron Art, my cultivation stage would skyrocketed!'
Ling Zhao hid his rather evil thoughts perfectly under his stoic expression.
"I truly appreciate your concern, Li Bingbing Shizun. We will take care of ourselves. Fret not, no harm shall befall the students as long as I am here."
"That really strengthens my heart, Ling." The vice-dean smiled proudly. "Anyway, I will expect both of you at the award ceremony, rest well."
The two then get up from their seat, cupping their fists before leaving the room.