Ding Hao kept silent as he watched them leave. Suddenly he was being assailed by a mob of fellow students from the Eastern Academy who steered him down the stage and lifted him off his feet, tossing him in the air in celebration.
As an ordinarily well-likable and approachable person, Ding Hao enjoyed tremendous popularity among the common disciples.
He had a friendly and affable charm that enabled anyone to be close with him and joke with him.
He was not like the rest of the seeded contestants who constantly wore an air of arrogance about them that made them distant from other disciples.
Standing within the thick of the crowd.
Three people were watching Ding Hao being mobbed by his admirers and supporters. Li Canyan, Xiao Chengxuan, and Li Yiruo were looking at him enviously.
Would there be anyone who would never yearn to be the center of everyone’s attention?
Would there be anyone who would not want to bask in the cheers and admiration showered upon him?
Would there be anyone who would not covet the glory of being victorious and triumphant?
This was the ultimate dream of every boy and lad; to be a hero so well revered and honored by all. At this very moment, everyone present could feel, see, and sense on their own the very manifestation of this dream to stand proudly on the stage after defeating an opponent and enjoy the grandeur of his success.
The very embodiment that Ding Hao now demonstrated.
“Expectedly, the rascal has won again!”
The hot-headed Li Yiruo muttered through her gritted teeth, quietly setting aside her earlier concern for Ding Hao. She had been worried for him when she saw Sun Jiutian using his full power in the fight earlier.
“I will never forgive that crude bastard. I never will… I was only rooting for him because I did not want that smug and pretentious Sun Jiutian to win…” Liu Yiruo thought to herself, biting her lips as she tried to find a pretense for herself.
But as she was deeply immersed in her thoughts, her silly yet innocent demeanor charmed some of the listed disciples around her out of their wits.
With the fairness and beauty that would put all other ladies of all five academies to shame, Li Yiruo’s overbearing demeanor had an allure of its own.
Li Canyang and Xiao Chengxuan shared a brief look and noticed ambition flaring in each other’s’ eyes.
“I will be the center of everyone’s attention one day, just like Ding Hao today,” both of them so swore.
Further beyond where they stood was another pretty young girl. Her petite frame, cloaked in a long, elegant robe, turned silently as she left without being noticed.
“So, you’re now the centerpiece of this tournament?”
The young girl turned her head and stared at the figure of Ding Hao standing atop the stage. The smiling, handsome face was the same one she had always remembered.
“I’ll look forward to our next meeting.”
With that, the girl disappeared into the crowd.
…
Up at the viewing stands.
Leng Yixuan slowly returned to his seat with a fleeting hint of joy wiped across his face before it disappeared.
Cheng Fei made no attempt to hide his delight as he broke into a peal of huge laughter and said, “That is an incredible display by that Ding Hao. That fight had shown that he is already close to the level of Sword Comprehension and his freezing Qi is powerful indeed. Haha, it seems that I have bet on the right horse! Some people ought to be careful instead and try not to lose too badly.”
Yin Yifei tried his best to suppress his displeasure and kept silent.
Feeling unhappy about the Void Boundary Stone, Lu Qi spat, “Everything is still too soon, Senior Brother Cheng. Ding Hao may have defeated Sun Jiutian, but he possesses no sufficient quality to win the tournament. He will never be able to be on par with the likes of Li Lan, Li Muyun and Liang Feixue who are the true wunderkinds of this age.”
“Haha, we’ll see about that. I’m only concerned for you both. Not only you might fail to lay your hands on my Taiyi Stardust, instead, your Void Boundary Stone and sword might also end up as mine!”
It appeared that Cheng Fei had only the utmost confidence in Ding Hao’s capabilities.
This is a genius with unprecedented levels of potential who was close to mastering the level of Sword Comprehension. Surely he would have a great chance of winning the tournament.
Definitely, Cheng Fei told himself.
He is, after all, the one who had been anointed by that ancient horror, Qi Qingshan himself.
…
With the conclusion of Ding Hao’s duel against Sun Jiutian, the Magnificent Seven of the first joint academies tournament had been born.
Still, the Central Academy wielded the highest chance of emerging victorious.
This was all thanks to Li Muyun, Liang Feixue, and Feng Xinjun, all of whom were already almost half the number of the remaining contestants in the tournament. Li Muyun and Liang Feixue were in fact the favorites to be the champion. Therefore, in overall, the Central Academy held absolute advantage entering the final stages.
On the other hand, the Northern Academy which had been continously rumored to suffer from the plague of disunity within its ranks had emerged as a surprising contender with the handsome Lin Xin and the plump Ren Xiaoyao proving doubters wrong.
Lin Xin’s steady way of fighting had seen him defeating Chen Sheng, the young fanatic of martial skills of the Honorable Alliance of Seven.
Whereas the beefy Ren Xiaoyao had enjoyed great luck and fortune getting this far.
Strangely, the chubby Ren Xiaoyao had cruised into the Magnificent Seven by finishing only one duel since the start of the tournament. Everyone was eager to see whether his luck would deliver him further into the finals.
Then again, the Eastern Academy was the most startling of all the academies that even the Northern Academy could not compare.
Even though they paled in comparison to the Central Academy, their accomplishment of the second best overall score in the entire tournament had dramatically silenced anyone who once despised them. Li Lan’s and Ding Hao’s fantastic performance in this contest had earned them praises and support that they could also be favorites for the champion!
Especially Ding Hao.
His charismatic smile, suave appearance, splendid character, immense popularity, captivating presence, skillfulness with the sword and that picturesque scenery created by his freezing Qi… Ding Hao’s fresh and flourishing image was the perfect embodiment of everyone’s imagination as the ideal swordsman, an illustration that has earned him the respect and adoration of his supporters and fellow disciples!
It is this very sparkle of his splendor and fame that had even eclipsed the contestants who came from the Western and Southern Academies.
Disciples of these two Academies, having felt disappointed in their own representatives, have fallen in line to cheer for Ding Hao.
Even they themselves found it inexplicable and bizarre in their choice of Ding Hao from among all of the Magnificent Seven.
There was Li Muyun’s imposing aura, Liang Feixue’s simple humility, Li Lan’s gracefulness, Lin Xin’s unnerving resolve and acumen, Feng Xingjun’s composure in the face of battle, and Ren Xiaoyao’s impeccable fortune…
These were qualities and strengths that would have earned the respect, admiration, and jealousy of others.
Still, the ordinary and straightforward Ding Hao had emerged to become the most popular contender to the championship. It was said that there have been many female disciples who had named Ding Hao as their ideal lover and some had even broken into a fight over him when his duel had just ended.
…
Tens of disciples from the Eastern Academy jostled, shoved and pushed to get to Ding Hao when his fight had ended.
Wang Xiaoqi and some of the other disciples who came from wealthy households had already arranged for a banquet to celebrate his victory, and they had invited everyone from the Eastern Academy. Everyone was to attend to toast to the two heroes of the Academy, Li Lan and Ding Hao!
“I’m sorry. I’m afraid I’m occupied at the moment. I shall not be attending the banquet!”
Li Lan hesitated when he was being invited by his fellow students. Still, he elected to decline the offer.
