More and more scholars filled the stands.
Yan Yukong looked around and said, "Far more scholars have come to watch the National Chief Contest this year than in previous years. Last year, there weren't even a third as many as there are now."
"I didn't watch last year," Kong Delun said.
"I didn't pay it much attention either," Fang Yun said.
"Most of the people here this year came for Void Sage Fang. Look-the sections for Qing Kingdom and Jing Kingdom are clearly the most crowded."
Fang Yun glanced at Qing Kingdom's stands, then looked toward Jing Kingdom's. Spotting quite a few familiar faces, he smiled and nodded.
The people in Jing Kingdom's stands immediately erupted into excited chatter.
Sun Naiyong said helplessly, "The National Chief Contest is so important, yet neither of you watched it? Void Sage Fang, don't tell me you don't know the rules."
Fang Yun smiled. "Of course I know them. The National Chief Contest has three rounds. The first is here in the Lotus Pond. Everyone writes out their aspirations, drawing upon the power within the pond to form a lotus platform beneath them. The better the aspiration, the more power it draws, and the more petals the platform beneath them forms. Once everyone finishes writing, the lotus platforms burst, sending shock waves in every direction. Those whose aspirations fall short are pushed off their lotus leaves by the explosions, falling into the water and failing. Those who remain seated on their lotus platforms receive a Lotus Heart and absorb the Lotus Pond's power. In the second round, the Lava Cave, everyone sits on stone pillars amid flames and magma. In the third, the Cloud Sky, everyone sits on white clouds. Anyone knocked off their pillar or cloud loses."
"I thought you didn't care at