"Don't blame this old man for not warning you. Flying boats aren't easy to control. You'll need a few days of practice before you can command one as readily as your own limbs. And every year, Sacred Academy students of the same Literary Rank compete in flying boat races. The rewards are quite generous," said Grand Academician Fan Wendong.
Fang Yun nodded to show he understood.
The Sage Aristocratic Clans enjoyed special privileges: even their Provincial Graduates had a chance to enter the Sacred Academy. Scholars outside those clans were generally admitted after the Palace Examination for outstanding achievements in a particular field. Not everyone remained at the Sacred Academy indefinitely, however.
Ji Zhibai, for example, had enrolled at the Sacred Academy and learned the basics, only to discover his own shortcomings. He had returned to the Jing Kingdom, intending to temper himself for several more years before coming back.
Some late-blooming Hanlin Academicians and Grand Academicians also had opportunities to enter the Sacred Academy and become its students.
It was nighttime, and there were few students around Chongwen Academy. Still, four or five passed by on flying boats. When they glanced over, they brought their boats to a halt, surprised and delighted.
"Void Sage Fang is here!" A scholar in his twenties suddenly used Tongue Blossoms Thunder.
"What? Where?"
"Right at the entrance!"
"Tongue Blossoms Thunder is forbidden within Chongwen Academy! Your mouth will be sealed for seven days. Repeat the offense, and you will be silenced for a year!" a cold voice declared. The scholar's face fell. He tried opening his mouth to speak, but could not utter a single word.
Fang Yun could not help laughing. He had never expected the Sacred Academy to be able to mute people too. Having administrative privileges really was nice.
Seeing