Chapter 0510: Three Star Hall's Results
The scene of Lu Jinci getting wrecked was being watched by students from all over.
Many swallowed nervously. Jiang Qing'e's beauty had lulled them into false assumptions about gentleness and kindness, but she was destroying every single one of those false illusions right now.
Luckily, the anima gourds served as protection for the students; otherwise, there would be a legitimate fear of Lu Jinci dying.
But in terms of cruelty, it was perhaps justified in a one-against-four situation. And in any case, the outcome of this battle no longer made a difference for most of the eliminated students, so they'd rather support Jiang Qing'e.
She was a freaking goddess.
What was their other option? Supporting four muscled louts?
Over at the Enlightened Sage College side, Vice Principal Guo Jiufeng was scowling at the screen. He was one of the few that knew Jiang Qing'e was doing this as revenge for the rumors that they had spread earlier.
"That little girl is a wild child," another Violet Vibrance mentor said with a bitter laugh.
"Lu Jinci is done for. He'll be eliminated shortly, and then the other three don't stand a chance in hell against her. Our Three Star Hall’s chances are gone."
Guo Jiufeng's face was stony, save for a muscle twitching at his jaw. If the Three Star Hall lost, their grand plan of winning three titles would fall apart.
"Vice Principal, there's no need to be hung up on this," the Violet Vibrance mentor said to him. "This is only the first stage. We still have a chance."
Guo Jiufeng nodded. Of course he understood that, but the second half of the Holy Grail Meet was even more complicated. He was confident that his students had the ability to pull through, but the situation would be fraught with even more unknowns than it was now.
They should seize the opportunity in the relatively straightforward first round, but they had underestimated Jiang Qing'e's strength.
"She might be wiping the floor with Lu Jinci, but we're doing well in two other places. Jing Taixu has a comfortable lead in the One Star Hall, and Lan Lan managed to eliminate the Astral Sage College girl in the Four Star Hall. She was a tough opponent, and the First Princess of the Xia Kingdom."
"I'm not worried about Lan Lan," Guo Jiufeng said. "He's the only student in a hundred years to have successfully learned the Enlightened Sage Scripture. No one is his match in single combat. But Li Luo...
"He makes me uneasy. Still, at this rate, Jing Taixu will use his final move and take the win. If he can at least eliminate Li Luo, we'll have won some face back."
...
While the atmosphere over at the Enlightened Sage College was brittle as glass, the Astral Sage College side was going nuts.
Everyone was whooping and screaming at the Three Star Hall situation.
"Oh my God. Senior Jiang is too crazy! I'm on my knees here!"
"She's worth a hundred of you dogs! Why'd you only send four? You're 96 short, you doofuses!"
"Seems like Jiang Qing'e will take the strongest student title at Three Star Hall after all."
Beating her competitors in a four-on-one fight was truly unexpected.
Vice Principal Su Xin was all smiles as well. Jiang Qing'e had done their school proud indeed.
They had been wise to seed her and pour resources into her.
In the middle of the uproarious celebrations, a vortex opened and a figure slumped out.
First Princess Gong Luanyu.
Her beautiful face was pale and worn out. She had clearly just been through a grueling battle.
"Luanyu, are you alright?" Su Xin asked with concern.
She shook her head listlessly. "I'm sorry, Vice Principal. I was eliminated."
Su Xin put a comforting arm on her shoulder. "No need to apologize. I watched your battle. You did your best. Lan Lan is the champion of the Enlightened Sage College. The fact that you forced out his final trump card is already an admirable accomplishment."
The First Princess nodded feebly, her phoenix eyes still apologetic. She was a proud person by nature, and so she was uncomfortable with losing.
Still, she was a rational enough person to quickly curb those feelings and join in with the rest.
"Qing'e looks like she's going to win," she thought to herself. "And she still has the advantage in a one-on-four. Could it be that she still has more hidden away?"
Vice Principal Su Xin nodded and smiled at the First Princess' reaction.
"Seems like that's one golden resonant tree brooch secured," the First Princess noted, then she turned to the One Star Hall side.
"Li Luo's in the finals too? I have to admit I'm surprised." The competition for the One Star Hall was very strong this year. Li Luo might have made it to the favorites, but they had considered the finals a bit of a stretch.
"Those two are really the most outstanding talents that the Astral Sage College has." The First Princess smiled. "If Li Luo wins too, then they'll go down in history as a legendary couple."
It was not unheard of that a school would take two golden resonant tree brooches in the first round, but for an engaged couple to do it would be a first.
It was rare for people their age to already be engaged in the first place. And for both to be geniuses at different halls?
Su Xin laughed and shook her head. "Things are not yet decided on this side. Jing Taixu is also one of the favored seeds of the Enlightened Sage College. They have great expectations pinned on him. It's not going to be easy for Li Luo to beat that."
The First Princess nodded. She was just about to speak when she suddenly stopped and sat up straight.
"Jing Taixu…
"Is going to end this."