Lin Yi was somewhat surprised by the spectacle as well.
He had originally thought the academy would at most hold a small ceremonial event to mark the occasion.
He had not expected it to be this grand.
The procession slowly approached, with people already clearing the way ahead and parting the crowd of onlookers.
The carriage stopped at the academy gates. The moment Lin Yi jumped down, cheers surged in from all directions.
"Lin Yi! Lin Yi!"
"Champions! Champions!"
There were male and female voices, students and ordinary citizens alike, shouting all sorts of things.
Then, several people dressed in different academy uniforms squeezed out of the crowd and hurried toward Lin Yi.
Leading them was a sturdy young man with a broad grin. He extended his hand from far away. "Student Lin Yi, congratulations, congratulations! I'm Huyan Li from Elephant Armor Academy. I came specially to offer my congratulations!"
Lin Yi paused slightly, but still politely reached out and shook his hand. "So it's Young Master Huyan. I've heard much about you."
Before he had even let go, another person squeezed over from the side. A red-haired young woman smiled brightly. "Lin Yi, do you remember me? I'm Huo Wu. My father sent us to represent Blazing Fire Academy and bring congratulatory gifts."
Huo Wushuang, Feng Xiaotian, and representatives from several other academies followed right behind her, crowding over one after another.
Surrounded in the middle, Lin Yi wore a proper smile, though inwardly he was deeply puzzled.
Are they really here to congratulate me?
Why does it feel more like they're here to block my way?
Elephant Armor Academy, Blazing Fire Academy, Godwind Academy...
Good lord, three elemental academies came. Did they calculate that I'd return today, or had they been waiting here in advance?
*And that Huo