But now… how could this person, who only placed at rank 99, possibly touch him, who was at rank 1?

He couldn't believe it.

"How did you do that? You must have used sorcery!" Prince Lin Hong screamed in fear. He might be aloof on daily basis, but he was still nothing more than 17 years old boy. Seeing how Lin Xiao managed to get a lock of his hair signified that Lin Xiao could kill him with ease if he dared to get close to him.

It was scary.

For some reason, Prince Lin Hong felt as if he could no longer gauge Lin Xiao's strength anymore. Was this person had just making his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment?

In fact, Prince Lin Hong was not the only one who thought that. Many others were already staring at Lin Xiao with wide eyes. They didn't want to believe it, yet the fact was presented before their eyes.

They have to believe it.

"What? Do you really think that you're the strongest?" Lin Xiao laughed when he saw Prince Lin Hong's expression. This young man, who was only a few months younger than him, looked so naïve that he couldn't believe it was the same person as the aloof prince. It seemed that the princes were also quite pampered and treated as if they were the best with no one could match them.

For Lin Xiao, he had never been the first. Back in the village, there were many other who were much more powerful than him. When he reached Feng Yi City, he had encountered so many powerful experts that he didn't dare to mess around with them. And during the entrance test, he was only in the middle.

Heck, even in written test, he was dead last because of his poor knowledge.

Because of that, Lin Xiao didn't really care much about the title of being the strongest. He had no intention to take that title either because what he wanted to was to simply grow stronger and stronger until he reached the throne. At that time, he just simply had to be even more stronger than any other people.

If not, he wouldn't be able to hold onto the throne.

Even if he was not the one with the highest cultivation, at least, his followers have to be one. That way, he would have the support he needed to become the Emperor.

"I'm the best! No one can possibly defeat…"

Tring!

"You're so noisy." Sui Wenyan's eyes were cold. Using her Qi, she prevented him even from speaking. "Let's go back, Master."

Lin Xiao arched his eyebrows at Sui Wenyan's address. A woman's mind was hard to guess, but he felt that she was only doing this to show that they were all already Lin Xiao's follower. Only if Lin Xiao died would they no longer become his follower and even then, there was no one who could say whether they would follow others or not.

"Let's go back."

"Okay."

"How about if we try to spar after our return? I'm sure that you've grown more powerful."

"Ah, I want to visit the Examination Ground first. I should be able to pass the fourth now that I'm already at Foundation Establishment Stage."

"Fair enough. All of us have already used our chance."

"Book Pavilion?"

"Done!"

"Good."

The nine of them were chatting merrily while the group of students were still drenched in cold sweat. With Sui Wenyan's control, they could see that she was so powerful that no one in their group could possibly go against her. Even Prince Lin Hong, who used to be so powerful, couldn't do it.

He was standing rooted in his place, looking at their departing back with listless expression. His defeat would surely tarnish his reputation.

Bang!

Punching the ground, Prince Lin Hong released his rage and annoyance at his own weakness. He should have been the best. How come that country bumpkin took his place for what he was supposed to have? He couldn't accept this!

In the shadow, a young man silently left. He was heading towards the seniors' location and entered a residence. Before long, he had already delivered a piece of news towards some people.

"Oh, that brat Lin Hong finally lost?" a young man around the age of 19 to 20 years old said. His strong disposition was one that couldn't be overlooked easily. As he sat down, those around him bowed and greeted, "Your Highness, what's your instruction?"

The young man was Prince Lin Bo Wang, the twelfth prince and also one of the four princes who have the capability to open the Dragon Pavilion Hall. While he might be one of the few who had the right to fight for the throne, he was also the one who's the quietest.

There were never any ripples pertaining his name during his time in the academy as if he had vanished for the past few years.

Only those who followed him knew the secret move this prince had been doing for the past few years to prepare for his fight for the throne. But of course, it was also their secret that no one dared to divulge.

"What's his name?"

"It's Lin Xiao, Your Highness."

"Age, background."

"He's still 17 years old right now. He comes from an unnamed village that's located deep in the woods."

Prince Lin Bo Wang nodded. The brat was interesting, and he also knew that there were many youngsters who had the surname Lin without any relationship with the Imperial Family. This brat should be one of them.

"Well, well, I never thought that there will be someone so interesting popped out out of nowhere. What do you think of him?"

"He's powerful for someone his age, but he's not your match, Your Highness."

Prince Lin Bo Wang smiled and waved his hand. "Let him play with that brat Lin Hong for the time being. There's nothing to worry about. When he had already passed the three years of staying in Sun Dragon Academy, I'll give him a warm welcome."

The people shuddered but they bowed. "Yes, Your Highness!"