"Vice-Director Tong!"
All the mentors and instructors bowed, showing no hint of impoliteness.
In turn, students from every tier and court followed suit, paying their respects. Vice-directors held a status and rank so high that they stood as titans at the peak of Tianwei Academy.
Even though they were geniuses among geniuses, they still had to show utmost respect in the presence of such formidable experts.
While they performed their bows, Ling Feng couldn't help but feel a hint of disdain.
This old fellow is no good. If it weren't for Yan Cangtian standing up for me... Hmph!
"Seems like everyone has arrived," Tong Chengtai scanned the area below and spoke slowly. "Every year, the Hunting Competition brings forth a new wave of talent. This year is no exception. The prosperity of Tianwei Academy today is the result of the collective efforts of all mentors and students..."
Tong Chengtai rambled on with a string of formalities before finally getting to the point.
"Now, let's proceed to honor the exceptional students. Sky-tier students who ranked in the top ten, please step forward."
The ten students who stepped forward exuded a strong presence as they made their way to the steps.
Among them, Ling Feng caught sight of Ye Nanfeng.
Being a member of the East Court's sword team, it was only natural for him to be among the top ten.
"The top three students each receive one million Tianwei points! Third to tenth place, five hundred thousand each!
"The top ten earth-tier students form a line! The top three each receive three hundred thousand Tianwei points! For third to tenth place, one hundred thousand each!
"Mystical-tier students, the top three each receive fifty thousand Tianwei points! From third to tenth place, thirty thousand each!
"Yellow-tier students, the top three receive ten thousand Tianwei points! For third to tenth place, five thousand each!"
It turned out that the rewards for the top ten students in each tier were Tianwei points, which, while not particularly surprising, were the most practical rewards in Tianwei Academy.
For example, Element Formation Pills, which greatly benefited martial artists in the Pulse Formation Realm, cost approximately one hundred Tianwei points per bottle. Ordinary yellow-tier students didn't have many opportunities to earn Tianwei points, so the ten thousand points awarded this time were indeed valuable to them.
However, for Ling Feng, it was mediocre at best.
Of course, the real highlight would be the rewards for the top ten new students.
"Next, it's time to announce the rewards for the top ten new students!" Tong Chengtai's voice rang out as he produced a list. "First place goes to Jun Moxie!
"Second place is claimed by Lin Xiu!
"In eighth place, we have Ye Nanfeng!
"Coming in ninth is Chen Xuan!
"And in tenth place, we have Ling Feng!
"Congratulations to these individuals, who will all receive the opportunity to enter the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder!"
As Tong Chengtai's words faded, excitement erupted among the mentors and high-tier students below.
"Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder! Who would've thought we'd get a shot at it!?"
"We're so lucky! The Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder is the ancient Yijian Sect's treasure, haha..."
However, Ling Feng furrowed his brow slightly. He was clueless about the Yijian Sect and the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder.
Su Qingxuan turned to see Ling Feng's expression and explained softly, "Thousands of years ago, the Yijian Sect was the most renowned sect in the entire Dongling Region. However, its seventh sect leader suddenly defected from the right path, turned into a demon, and slaughtered all the disciples with a divine weapon, staining the Yijian mountains with blood. Since then, the Yijian Sect has ceased to exist.
"The Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder is the Yijian sect's treasure, with each level holding invaluable treasures. If one can find even a trace of opportunity within the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder, it would greatly benefit their martial arts journey!"
"Ah, I understand now," Ling Feng nodded lightly. "But how does that relate to our Tianwei Academy?"
"Hehe!" Leng Jianfeng couldn't resist butting in. "Kid, you're quite out of the loop!"
"Oh?" Ling Feng looked up at Leng Jianfeng, his tone calm. "Please, enlighten me."
"Haha, we owe it to the third director of our Tianwei Academy," Leng Jianfeng chuckled. "After the Yijian Sect was wiped out, it turned into a forbidden land where ordinary martial artists wouldn't dare to tread. However, the directors of the four major academies in the imperial capital joined forces and forcefully penetrated the heart of that forbidden land, establishing a teleportation passage to the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder. So, every decade, the four major academies can send a group of students to explore the tower in search of opportunity.
"Ten years have passed since the last visit," Leng Jianfeng remarked and gave Ling Feng's shoulder a firm pat. "You're lucky to be here now, kid. If you manage to reach the ninth level, that would be quite the achievement."
"Oh?" Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. "Have you ventured into the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder yourself, Instructor Leng?"
"Yeah, but I only made it to the sixth level. The challenges beyond that... Fuck, they were too insane!"
Leng Jianfeng sighed, feeling a lingering fear as he recalled his own experience in the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder.
"Nevertheless, I have faith in you. After all, you're someone I've personally trained, haha..."
Ling Feng rubbed his nose. In terms of sheer shamelessness, he had to hand it to Leng Jianfeng!
"Alright, settle down, everyone."
Tong Chengtai's demeanor turned solemn as he addressed everyone slowly. "Time is limited. This time, besides us, Zhenlong Academy, Hailan Academy, and Wenyuan Academy will send ten students each. I trust you'll all showcase your abilities and uphold Tianwei Academy's reputation!"
The students' voices echoed in unison, filled with resolute determination!
Even without Tong Chengtai's words, the students wouldn't back down against students from other academies.
"Excellent!" Tong Chengtai nodded in satisfaction. "The ten of you, come with me to the Qianji Pavilion. I'll personally activate the teleportation passage!"
Just then, Chen Xuan, the earth-tier student who had secured the ninth position among all the new students, stepped forward and respectfully said, "Vice-Director, I'm willing to give my ninth spot to Li Bufan, a yellow-tier student."
With those words, countless eyes instantly fixated on Chen Xuan.
After all the effort to secure a spot in the top ten, was he really giving up such a valuable opportunity to Li Bufan?
Yet, upon reflection, it wasn't entirely unfathomable.
Li Bufan, being the young master of the grand commandant's family, possessed a status and lineage far beyond that of an ordinary student.
As long as Grand Commandant Li secretly bribed this Chen Fan, persuading him to give up the opportunity for Li Bufan wouldn't be difficult.
After all, entering the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder required taking risks to obtain opportunities, but Grand Commandant Li's wealth and prestige were immeasurable, and he could easily offer endless treasures and luxurious riches.
How could Chen Xuan resist such temptation?
Li Bufan clenched his fist tightly. With his intelligence, how could he not guess that this must be his family's arrangement?
Though it contradicted his pride, he wasn't ready to easily relinquish the chance at the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder.
"Father, I won't thank you for such an arrangement!"
Li Bufan's eyes flashed with a hint of anger. However, watching Ling Feng enter the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder and possibly gaining an opportunity, he feared the gap between them would only widen in the future.
With this realization, Li Bufan, though reluctant, had no choice but to silently accept this arrangement.
"Oh? Is that so?" Tong Chengtai, wise and experienced as he was, couldn't have been unaware that this was Grand Commandant Li's doing. He nodded slightly and said, "Very well, since you're voluntarily stepping back, I will allow it."
"Thank you, Vice-Director."
Chen Xuan nodded and smiled. Trading a place in the Sword Tower of Wind and Thunder for a favor from the Grand Commandant's family is definitely worth it!