As the clock ticked, the entire place erupted into excitement!
Gu Tengfeng, the captain of the sword team in the East Court, also known as East Court's Number One, unexpectedly extended an invitation to a yellow-tier student.
This could undoubtedly be deemed one of the most astonishing events in Tianwei Academy in nearly a century.
Typically, even earth-tier students might not qualify to join the second team of any court's sword team. Yet, Ling Feng, a mere yellow-tier student, was personally recruited by Gu Tengfeng to join the first team!
He Zhonglei, who had been thoroughly beaten by Ling Feng earlier, struggled to rise from the ground, dumbfounded by Gu Tengfeng's decision. "Him? He can join the sword team directly? And it's the first team? How desperate is your East Court's sword team for members?"
Gu Tengfeng shot him a fierce glare, causing He Zhonglei to shrink back, afraid to speak out of turn.
It was wise to tread carefully when speaking in front of Gu Tengfeng.
A man as formidable as an ape might seem calm, but once he acted, the consequences would be dire!
"Hmph, even if Ling Feng is just a yellow-tier student, didn't he beat your West Court's people to a pulp?" Qin Wanwan retorted, her lips curling with disdain.
He Zhonglei was left speechless, stuttering for words for what seemed like an eternity, unable to even muster a fart.
Ling Feng glanced deeply at Gu Tengfeng. Although he had previously declined Gu Tengfeng's offer, after Yan Cangtian's advice, he had made up his mind to join the East Court's sword team!
He sought to engage with higher-level experts, and joining the East Court's sword team undoubtedly provided an excellent platform for that.
"So, Ling Feng, have you made your decision?"
Gu Tengfeng's eyes shimmered with sincerity and even a hint of pleading, radiating earnestness.
"Ling Feng, please, no matter what, you must join us!"
Gong Cheng, seeing Ling Feng's prolonged silence, gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Perhaps you don't realize, but for those of us who are already twenty-three or twenty-four years old, this year might be our last chance to represent the East Court in the team-based sword fighting competition."
Gong Cheng paused, his eyes slightly reddening. "After this year, Captain Gu must leave Tianwei Academy. He might be transferred to the Black-Armored Imperial Guard or enter the royal court. He won't have any more opportunities! You... you are his only hope. In this final year before his departure from Tianwei Academy, let's make the East Court's sword team victorious in the inter-court sword fighting competition! It's Captain Gu's wish, and mine too!"
Ling Feng hesitated, looking at these two towering figures and sensing their unwavering dedication to the art of the sword.
That dedication had become ingrained in their bones, which was profoundly moving.
"I didn't mean to refuse," Ling Feng said with a faint smile. That smile conveyed a message understood by both Gu Tengfeng and Gong Cheng.
"Haha, good lad, you won't regret it!" Gu Tengfeng slapped Ling Feng's shoulder heavily, nearly dislocating it.
"Captain, our East Court's sword team has hope this year!" Gong Cheng exclaimed, excitement shining in his eyes.
"How laughable!" He Zhongjie muttered, his head bowed, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.
What difference can recruiting someone like Ling Feng make?
Gu Tengfeng was indeed formidable, but within the East Court's sword team, he was the sole powerhouse; the rest of the members varied in skill.
In the five-person team-based sword fighting competition, Gu Tengfeng alone couldn't make a decisive impact.
Especially against the formidable teams from the North Court and the Central Court, each boasting three or four monstrous swordsmen of Gu Tengfeng's caliber.
Perhaps individually, they couldn't match Gu Tengfeng, but with precise coordination, they could sever the East Court's banner and claim victory. Gu Tengfeng's strength alone couldn't overcome repeated defeats.
Even if they recruited someone like Ling Feng, even if he had talent, with only about half a year until the inter-court competition, could he possibly grow enough to contend with those monsters who had unlocked fifty or more meridian gates?
To He Zhongjie, this seemed absurd and utterly laughable.
Not to mention the sword teams of the North and Central Courts; even their West Court's sword team, with proper coordination, could defeat the East Court's sword team!
"Hmph, it's just a desperate move. Ling Feng is nothing to worry about!"
He Zhongjie forcefully suppressed his anger. With Gu Tengfeng standing up for Ling Feng now, he dared not even mention the matter of the fight to the death.
In the crowd, Li Bufan was evidently intimidated by Gu Tengfeng's overwhelming aura. He had long known that Tianwei Academy harbored hidden talents, but only upon truly joining did he realize that there were even more skilled individuals here than he had imagined!
"Bufan, it seems that Ling Feng is out of danger. With Captain Gu's intervention, it's a hundred times more effective than if I intervened," Li Buju said with a faint smile. He was also a sky-tier student of the East Court, but his talent was not as extraordinary as his brother's, so he failed to join the East Court's sword team.
"Yeah." Li Bufan nodded slightly, suddenly developing a keen interest in the East Court's sword team.
In fact, it was more of a sense of competition with Ling Feng. Since Ling Feng had joined the East Court's sword team, he also had to join.
At that moment, a burst of excitement erupted from the rear of the crowd, causing countless people to exclaim in astonishment.
"I-It's the Central Court's top beauty!"
"God, she's so beautiful! Is she a fairy descended from the heavens?"
"Isn't that Yue Yunlan, the young lady of the Cangqiong Sect? I heard she was on a mission and didn't expect to see her here!"
"Haha, today is truly a feast for the eyes. Among all the beauties, Yue Yunlan, the Central Court's top beauty, stands out!"
Upon hearing this, Ling Feng couldn't help but turn around to look.
It wasn't because everyone described the woman as exceptionally beautiful, but because of the name 'Yue Yunlan.'
Wen Tingguang mentioned Yue Yunlan in the letter he sent him, saying she would return to Tianwei Academy soon. It seemed she had only recently returned.
Under the gaze of countless people, Yue Yunlan moved gracefully, slowly approaching from the outskirts of the square.
With her slender figure and elegant demeanor, she appeared like a fairy untouched by the mortal world.
Following closely behind her was a cute and lovely girl. This was undoubtedly her devoted maid, Qiao Qiao.