When Lu Qing'er appeared on the screen, surrounded on all sides, there were looks of consternation back outside Whitespirit Mountain.
"That's Southwind Academy's Lu Qing'er? First on the leaderboard?"
"She's being targeted? That's Shi Huang, and Xiang Liang, Chi Su, Zong Fu. Hoo. All the top few in points."
"Southwind Academy is in trouble now. Shi Huang came well prepared. He must have plotted this earlier. If they can knock Lu Qing'er out, then Eastpool Academy will probably overtake Southwind Academy by eliminating their leader."
"Cheeky lads, ganging up on such a beautiful, wee lass."
"Well, no such rule. Lu Qing'er was careless, is all."
"..."
The chatter swelled with excitement. No matter which side you were on, this battle promised to be the most spectacular one in these exams.
In the pavilion, Yan Lingqing and Cai Wei were staring at the crystal wall, faces stiff.
"Lu Qing'er is in trouble," Cai Wei said.
"They're ganging up on Southwind Academy," Yan Lingqing said shrewdly.
They had accurately pinpointed Lu Qing'er's location, then Shi Huang had come personally. He had even invited three others who were currently on the top 5 standings. They were giving Lu Qing'er no room to escape.
"Trouble."
Cai Wei scowled. Li Luo was from Southwind Academy, so naturally she was on Lu Qing'er's side. Besides, Lu Qing'er had helped the Suncreek Villa out before, so of course Cai Wei did not want to see her eliminated.
Still, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
In the main pavilion, the atmosphere had become stifling. It seemed like the air itself had gone still.
It was the old dean's turn for a black mood. His body pulsed with a robust resonant power, casting an aura of intimidation around him.
Nearby, Governor Shi sat unfazed, a small smile playing across his lips.
"Governor Shi must have gone to great lengths to plan this, eh?" the old dean asked curtly.
This plot did not only involve Eastpool Academy, but even conspirators from three different schools. This was a plot long in the works, and no sudden get-together.
Xiang Liang, Chi Su, and Zong Fu were mere students. The fact that they would choose to work together with Shi Huang meant that their respective schools had given them such direction. And the only one in the Tianshu Province capable of uniting multiple major schools against Southwind Academy was Governor Shi himself.
"Southwind Academy has held the title of best school for too long," Governor Shi said cheerfully. "This is but the will of the masses."
"Governor Shi, your coming to the Tianshu Province can be likened to a rat dropping in a cauldron of soup," the dean said caustically.
A hint of anger flashed in Governor Shi's eyes. He stated simply, "My hand was forced by you, Dean."
"Don't worry. This year at the royal court evaluation, I will give you a poor review again. At that time, Governor Shi will probably give up the position," the dean said icily.
Governor Shi responded with an equally cold smile. "Oh, don't worry. If you lose the title of best school, then Southwind Academy's evaluation holds no weight."
Electricity sizzled in their mutual glare, a wordless communication of anger and hate that only heightened the tension in the main pavilion.
Mentor Anlie just sat there, ignoring their altercation. He had seen all too many of such politicking. As long as no rules were broken, he would not step in.
He was completely focused on the crystal wall. Inwardly, he thought that the lass Lu Qing'er was in a pitiful position...
Within the expanse of broken buildings.
Lu Qing'er's cold gaze was fixed on Shi Huang, who was in front of her. "You must have gone to great lengths to put this show together," she said, her voice ringing out clear and cool.
"A gesture of my great respect for you, Qing'er." Shi Huang smirked.
She shook her head slightly, knowing that words were useless. Her petite frame surged with icy-white resonant power, and her ice-silk gloves began to freeze over with flakes. It was almost like a tiger's tongue; a light graze would tear into flesh.
These custom ice-silk gloves were Lu Qing'er's weapons.
The other three began to harness their resonant power as well. Each readied their weapons as they stared mercilessly at Lu Qing'er.
The tension was palpable.
In the next instant, the three moved as one, each from their respective direction. Three beams of light shot forth, caging Lu Qing'er.
Lu Qing'er's own ice resonant power flared out to meet them. She did not back away, but instead took the fight to them.
As her power howled around her, the air around them grew thicker, and patches of frost could be seen on the cracked ground beneath them.
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