Many Grand Academicians did their utmost to appear composed, but small details betrayed their nervousness.
Fang Yun said impassively, "I am not omnipotent, and neither is the Bloodmang Will. However, from certain subtle details, I can make judgments far beyond those of ordinary people. For instance, I do not know what you wish to eat next, but I know perfectly well that you harbor murderous intent and hatred toward me!"
"This... is like standing before the Sages?" Feng Cheng blurted out.
Many Grand Academicians were astonished at first, but soon accepted it. Even a Great Scholar could not hope to conceal anything before a Half-Sage. Any lack of candor would inevitably be sensed. Someone had once compared a Half-Sage to a vast ocean, with everyone before him no more than fish. Even a Great Scholar was merely a larger fish.
Fang Yun offered no further explanation. Instead, he looked at Feng Cheng and asked, "Our paths have never crossed, nor have we ever met. Why do you bear such deep hostility toward me?"
Feng Cheng had not expected Fang Yun to question him first. Alarm flashed across his face, and his gaze shifted slightly, but a moment later, he sighed softly. "To be frank, Your Majesty, Saint Zong once entered the Bloodmang Ancient Land and gave me guidance. Only because of that was I able to advance to Grand Academician years later. I knew I was an idle piece on His Majesty Saint Zong's board. Barring the unexpected, my identity would never have been exposed in this lifetime. Yet the Bloodmang Ancient Land underwent a great upheaval, and Zong Ganming came to my door. I could only fulfill the promise I made back then and join forces with the Zong Family."
The Grand Academicians of the Bloodmang Ancient Land were