Chapter 201 Attention
After Yuelun said that he wanted to take Fang Xingjian in as his disciple, he looked at the commotion that had broken out in the hall, then smiled and said, “I’ve heard that the Hundred Blossom Banquet organized by Madam Hathaway has invited all the talented students from the twelve academies in the Great Western Region.
“Given that he has transitioned into a Windstorm Sword Hero, he ought to be considered a genius in Kirst Royal Academy. Therefore, I’ve come here to look for him.”
From a distance, a lady with a poised, dignified and mature disposition, yet with the figure of a young lady in her twenties, smiled and said, “All talented individuals and heroes have been invited to the Hundred Blossom Banquet. This is both to allow for all of the elites in our Great Western Region to gather for an exchange, as well as to announce the examination content in the upcoming Regional Selection.”
Saying these, Hathaway looked toward the others and inquired, “May I ask where Fang Xingjian is?” When she spoke, her lungs trembled, as if a strong surge of energy was quivering in the air, as she easily propelled her words to everyone’s ears.
Everyone quieten down, as if they wanted to see what the genius who had transitioned into a Windstorm Sword Hero, the person who was highly regarded by a Divine level expert, looked like.
Lilia also started to anxiously look around. She was both excited about Fang Xingjian being chosen as a Divine level expert’s disciple, and looking forward to whether Fang Xingjian would also attend this banquet.
That was her true reason for attending the Hundred Blossom Banquet.
However, amidst the silence, no one stepped forth. Hathaway called out once again, but seeing that the situation stayed the same, she frowned and asked, “Is there anyone from Kirst Academy here today? Those from Kirst Academy, please raise your hand to confirm.”
Edger could no longer pretend as if he had not heard anything. Helplessly, he slowly raised his hand, and immediately all eyes locked onto him with burning gazes.
Hathaway asked him straight away, “Who are you? Where is Headmaster Jackson? Hasn’t Fang Xingjian come?”
Edger gulped. How had he managed to become the center of attention? Under the countless gazes of so many powerful, well-known characters from the Great Western City, he felt as if he was losing all his strength.
Especially so under Hathaway’s gaze. She was the Governor’s wife! Slightly nervous, he answered, “Headmaster Jackson is sick and is resting in Kirst. I’m the Deputy Headmaster, Edger. This time around, I’m representing Headmaster Jackson and attending the banquet in his place.
“Erm… Fang Xingjian…” At the mention of Fang Xingjian, his face turned red. He felt extremely awkward, unable to advance or retreat, and simply did not know what to say.
Was he supposed to say that Fang Xingjian had disappeared? Or that he had been pushed away?
This was simply putting negative labels on Kirst Royal Academy, such as incompetency, lack of control, and the inability to educate, right before all the aristocrats in the Great Western City.
Hathaway impatiently asked, “What on earth has happened? Can’t you even talk?”
Edger was stumbling over his words, unable to reply.
Just as he was facing the predicament, Hathaway’s gaze had turning increasingly colder, Setques finally brought Fang Xingjian to the hall. He smiled and said, “Madam, my apologies.There’s been some misunderstandings. Young Master Fang Xingjian has just arrived.”
Setques’s words attracted everyone’s gazes right away. They all bypassed the steward and landed on the fat Valen and on Fang Xingjian.
Fat Valen did not seem related to a Windstorm Sword Hero in the least. Moreover, he was an official of Great Western City, and many people recognized him.
Hathaway smiled, looking at Fang Xingjian, and asked, “Are you Fang Xingjian? The Windstorm Sword Hero from Kirst?”
Everyone’s gazes gradually focused on Fang Xingjian, on this young man who looked like a beggar with his dishevelled hair, unkempt appearance and shabby clothing. Expressions of ridicule, sneer, envy or admiration filled the aristocrats’ eyes as their gazes landed on Fang Xingjian.
“This is Fang Xingjian? Haha, he doesn’t seem to be anything special…”
“Where did this guy pop up from? He looks like a savage. He’s no better than me. What right does he have to become a Divine level expert’s disciple?”
“What do you know? It’s obvious that he has just returned from a period of tough cultivation. It’s true that endless effort and hardships lie behind every successful person.”
If the others’ gazes were those of jealousy and hatred, then David and the Shadow Death God Anderson were looking at him with jealousy and killing intent. Becoming a Divine level expert’s disciple attracted too much ill will.
But who was Fang Xingjian? He was a blind man. So he turned to look in the direction from where the lady, Hathaway had spoken, as if he had not felt a single thing.
Although he was unable to see beyond ten meters, he could still hear the direction where the voice was coming from.
He looked at Hathaway with his eyes closed and replied, “I’m Fang Xingjian.”
Seeing Fang Xingjian’s closed eyes, Hathaway said, “I heard that your eyes were hurt by poison during the battle with Garcia’s Destined Warrior. Hasn’t your sight recovered yet?
Fang Xingjian calmly replied, “No.”
Hathaway smiled and said, “However, it’s alright. You should remember this day. It’s your lucky day.”
Hearing that Fang Xingjian was blind, everyone’s gazes of jealousy grew increasingly stronger. They all knew that the Holy Orison was in the top ten Divine level experts of the Empire, and the only one skilled in healing.
Not only was Fang Xingjian to be taken in as a disciple, but his eyes would be healed as well. What a great honor this was!
Everyone was looking at Fang Xingjian, wishing that they could be in his shoes.
Edger’s body unconsciously trembled, as if waves of explosions had smashed into him. He felt both excited and shocked that Fang Xingjian would be taken in as a disciple by a Divine level expert.
However, he also felt unease and fear when he recalled how he had not thought well of Fang Xingjian, and had tried to push him away.
Both emotions filled up his body concurrently, making him feel as if he had been injected with chicken blood [1].
On hearing what Hathaway had just said, Fang Xingjian felt a bit puzzled. He was unaware that the Divine level expert, the Holy Orison, had planned on taking him in as a disciple.
Seeing Fang Xingjian’s confused look, Hathaway turned and looked toward Master Yuelun, but started frowning. Master Yuelun was simply staring straight at Fang Xingjian, as if he had just seen something unbelievable.
It was only when Hathaway gave a slight cough that Master Yuelun regained his senses. However, the look he threw Fang Xingjian was still a bit weird.
‘How could it be… How could it be so similar?
‘Is this a coincidence… or…?’
He then came up with a terrifying conjecture about why his teacher had gotten him to come here on his behalf and take Fang Xingjian as his disciple.
However, he was still a level 29 expert and showed no changes of expression. He amiably looked at Fang Xingjian and said, “Fang Xingjian, my teacher is the Holy Orison. After seeing your records, he’s very interested in your condition. Are you willing to follow Teacher to learn and cultivate in the Sacred Mountain?”
In that instant, all gazes were focused on Fang Xingjian. Everyone was waiting for his reply in great anticipation, waiting to witness this historical moment.
[1] For those who don’t remember, please refer back to chapter 94.