His literary hearts would continue to increase, but he could have no more than twelve Magma Hearts.
With a thought from Fang Yun, the twelve Magma Hearts whistled toward his Literary Palace, finally settling around the twelve lotus seeds.
In the stands, many members of the Zong Family and Lei Family were both furious and panicked.
"This... this is unfair! Everyone knows Magma Hearts are harder to obtain than Silver Lotus Seeds! Why should he receive twelve Magma Hearts in the Lava Cave just because he obtained a twelve-petaled lotus throne in the Lotus Pond? It's unfair!" Lei Longkuo bellowed.
"Yes, it's unfair! At most, he should only be allowed to absorb the vital energy mist in the Lava Cave and Cloud Sky. Without establishing his heart or his path, he shouldn't receive Magma Hearts or Seven-Colored Auspicious Clouds!"
"We'll report this to the Sacred Academy!"
"Something is wrong here!"
Everyone could see the panic of the Zong Family and Lei Family.
Some people from other kingdoms also discussed it in low voices.
"This... does seem a little odd. I don't object, but I have no reason to support it either."
"Though giving these twelve Magma Hearts to Void Sage Fang does no real harm, the Zong and Lei Families do have something of a point."
"I also think the rewards are too generous. Winners usually receive only one lotus seed or one Magma Heart. Even Master Zhi Shi back then received only two each of the Silver Lotus Seeds, Magma Hearts, and Seven-Colored Auspicious Clouds."
As the Zong and Lei Families continued to protest, Li Fanming could not resist firing back, "If you could form a twelve-petaled lotus throne by declaring your aspirations, you could receive twelve Magma Hearts too! Crows mocking a phoenix-what a racket!"
"As if the