"You brat! Getting this excited over pocket change. Wasn't the Tianwei Points you earned from the Blood God Cult mission enough for you?"
Gu Tengfeng shot him a glare but didn't press further. After all, only a fool would turn down easy money.
That said, given the East Court Sword Team's current reputation, the betting odds should've been pitifully low. Even if Lin Mochen won, it couldn't have been much.
"Gambling is the spice of life!"
Lin Mochen grinned. "Even a mosquito's leg is still meat!"
Ling Feng shook his head with a chuckle. This guy truly lived up to his reputation as a gambling addict!
"But speaking of which, I did run into an idiot at the casino who placed a huge bet against Tianwei Academy making it to the finals—a full million elemental crystals!"
Lin Mochen narrowed his eyes. "Damn, elemental crystals! The casino owner nearly fainted on the spot. The odds against us winning the championship were already one to fifty. If we'd actually lost, the casino would've had to pay out fifty million elemental crystals!"
"But right now, we're unstoppable, riding a tidal wave of momentum. That sucker just threw away a million elemental crystals for nothing. Haha, you tell me—isn't he a moron?"
Gong Cheng's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. After a moment, he glanced back at Ling Feng and said gravely, "Ling Feng, I think there's more to this."
"Mhmm. Definitely not simple." Ling Feng stroked his chin calmly. "Knowing we're the favorites, someone still went against the grain and dumped a million elemental crystals. Either they have a grudge against us, or there's a scheme at play."
"Exactly. I suspect someone's already targeting us. We might not lose on the battlefield, but off it, they could pull something underhanded."
Gong Cheng took a deep breath. "In any case, everyone should stay vigilant, especially you, Ling Feng."
A faint smirk tugged at Ling Feng's lips. In the imperial capital, he'd made no shortage of enemies. But when it came to someone with this kind of wealth, this level of cunning, and this much obsession with bringing him down—it didn't take a genius to figure out who.
It had to be the Yan family's Yan Shuying.
As for Yan Jinghong, arrogant and domineering as he was, he at least had his pride. He wouldn't stoop to such methods.
If this woman wanted to play games, then Ling Feng would happily oblige.
"No matter. I'd like to see what tricks this mastermind has up their sleeve."
Ling Feng chuckled softly, then leaned in to whisper something into Gu Tengfeng's ear. Gu Tengfeng's eyelids twitched. "Ling Feng, are you sure?"
Ling Feng smiled faintly. "Whatever comes, we'll handle it. With our strength, there's nothing to fear."
The group nodded in unison. Surrounded by Tianwei Academy students, they returned to the campus.
With this kind of entourage, even if someone wanted to scheme in the shadows, they'd have little opportunity.
Zhenlong Academy vs. Wenyuan Academy.
This match also held little suspense. Although Mo Wufeng, the captain of Zhenlong Academy, had become the target of widespread criticism—his once-great and shining image completely tarnished, now seen as a cunning villain—one couldn't deny that he still possessed considerable strength.
Every member of his team was exceptionally well-rounded, each boasting combat prowess at the Spiritual Element Realm. After defeating Hailan Academy, they too had become one of the favorites to win this year's Four Major Academies' Sword Team Grand Tournament.
In the end, Zhenlong Academy secured a clean 2-0 victory over Wenyuan Academy, claiming another point.
Poor Wenyuan Academy—it seemed they were doomed to another scoreless tournament.
Finally, the long-awaited match between Hailan Academy and Tianwei Academy arrived.
Hailan Academy's strength had been evident for all to see. Had Mo Wufeng not used underhanded tactics to unsettle Wan Jianyi's focus, Zhenlong Academy might not have won.
Now, with two powerhouses clashing, this was bound to be an epic battle!
"Captains of Tianwei Academy and Hailan Academy, please finalize your lineups. The match is about to begin!"
As the host's voice rang out, the central arena erupted.
"Big Brother! (Brother Feng) You've got this!"
"Tianwei! Tianwei! Number one!"
"Hailan! Hailan! Unstoppable!"
"Cai Yan! Cai Yan!..."
Even before the match began, the fan clubs from both sides were already roaring at the top of their lungs. While Ling Feng enjoyed immense popularity, Cai Yan, as one of the imperial capital's Ten Great Beauties, also commanded a formidable following. Just her presence on stage was enough to mesmerize countless men.
Take someone like Yu Sixian—if he weren't a member of the East Court Sword Team, he'd probably be shouting himself hoarse cheering for Cai Yan.
Gu Tengfeng glanced at his teammates: Ling Feng, Jiang Xiaofan, Li Bufan, and Xue Xiaolin.
This was the same lineup they'd used against the Central Court Sword Team. Aside from Mu Qianxue, all their main fighters were here.
Li Bufan's appearance sent the crowd's cheers soaring even higher.
"Little Sword God! Little Sword God!..."
On the other side, Cai Yan and Wan Jianyi also had no shortage of supporters. Especially Wan Jianyi—his eyes burned with determination. Today, he would fight at 120% of his strength.
Though Ling Feng had helped him once, that was precisely why he had to give it his all. That was the greatest respect he could show to a worthy opponent like Ling Feng.
The captains of both teams exchanged greetings, and an overwhelming battle will surged forth. With the two captains as the dividing line, the intense will to fight suddenly swept across the arena, soaring into the skies.
"Excellent! It seems both sides are ready. Let the match—begin!"
Feeling the intensity in the air, the host wasted no time. At his command, both teams sprang into action.
"Ling Feng, handle Wan Jianyi—he's their biggest threat. Bufan and I will look for openings to break through their flag-guarding area. Xiaofan, Xiaolin, you've got the rest!"
Gu Tengfeng issued orders swiftly. In an instant, the entire team moved.
Ling Feng's target was clear: Wan Jianyi.
If they could take him out quickly, the match would effectively be over.
"Jianyi, don't get dragged into a duel with Ling Feng. You're our only hope!"
Cai Yan's tactical mind was sharp. She immediately saw their strategy—neutralize Wan Jianyi, and the match was theirs.
Wan Jianyi nodded. As much as he wanted to face Ling Feng head-on, this was a team competition, not a personal duel.
"Golden Light—Ten Thousand Swords Art!"
With a roar, the flying sword on his back unsheathed itself, splitting into ten, then a hundred. In the blink of an eye, thousands of sword rays filled the air like a storm of petals, raining down upon Tianwei Academy's side.
This move was meant to divide the battlefield, slowing Ling Feng's advance so Wan Jianyi could slip free of his pursuit and influence the match elsewhere.
Witnessing this overwhelming display of swordsmanship, the audience was left in awe.
So this... is Wan Jianyi's true strength!