Five boats participating in the race began closing in from both flanks. Two of them had gained a temporary burst of speed from their fourth Sea of Learning poems and were moving swiftly.
They knew that once they did this, the Sacred Academy would inevitably punish them after they left the Sea of Learning. But compared with Literary Hearts and the rewards from the Zong and Lei Families, that punishment amounted to nothing.
As for the other nine, they had not entered the race. Even if they rammed the Dragon Boat, they would not face punishment from the Sacred Academy, because collisions were permitted in the Sea of Learning.
"Void Sage Fang, prepare to meet your end! Even if you destroy our Lei Family's Dragonfolk bloodline afterward, taking your Literary Hearts today will make it worthwhile!" Lei Longkuo controlled his assault ship with all his strength, madness written across his face.
Zong Shibing roared arrogantly, "Stop clinging to false hopes! Do you know why these nine Grand Academicians dare to do this? Because once they sink your boat, all nine will become elders of our Zong and Lei Families despite bearing other surnames, enjoying exactly the same treatment as our own elders! Moreover, every one of them can marry into our two families. If they want Dragon Race blood, they will have Dragon Race blood; if they want Half-Sage blood, they will have Half-Sage blood! A Longevity Fruit for each of them, and every man and three generations of his direct male descendants will receive Saint Zong's personal instruction! They can all soak in the Dragon Spring!"
Hearing Zong Shibing repeat the rewards promised by the Zong and Lei Families, the nine Grand Academicians' eyes blazed with a strange light.
The Grand Academicians entering the Sea of Learning now had