Some bolder students, however, asked as they were leaving,
"Hall Master, who won this match?"
The moment that question was asked, everyone's footsteps slowed.
All of them had witnessed just how intense the match had been. Whether it was the early barrage of Soul Guidance Cannons or the later clash of blade and sword, it had been nothing short of spectacular.
Yet the final result was truly difficult to understand.
Not to mention that Jing Hongchen had interrupted it and directly declared it over, making it feel rather anticlimactic.
"Is the outcome really that important?"
Jing Hongchen did not answer directly. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the student who had spoken.
"The academy spends so much money and resources establishing Soul Tool sparring areas to improve your practical combat skills and strengthen your overall abilities, not so that you can rank yourselves against one another."
"But you not only failed to grasp that, you even opened a betting pool over the outcome."
"What? Since this match ended so abruptly without a clear result, are you having trouble answering to those who placed bets? Are you about to lose money?"
Word by word, Jing Hongchen's voice turned the student pale. His legs trembled, and he nearly could not remain standing.
The many students around him who had placed bets also wore uncertain expressions, their hearts filled with unease.
"Hmph. I'm in a good mood today, so I won't hold it against you."
Seeing that his warning had achieved its purpose, Jing Hongchen could not be bothered to truly pursue the matter. He waved a hand.
"Enough. Leave. Let this be the last time. If I catch anyone opening a betting pool again, withdraw from the academy yourselves."
Only then did the student breathe a sigh of relief and hurriedly leave.