Lei Zhongmo never looked back. His retreating figure vanished beyond the Dragon Gate.
Fang Yun smiled and continued practicing Dragon Gate Ascension on his own, while observing the other Demon Barbarians and Water Race members.
Fang Yun no longer attempted double jumps, but many attentive observers noticed that he always paused for quite a while before jumping. Every jump improved on the last. Although the improvements were tiny, they never ceased, unlike the other Demon Barbarians or Grand Academicians, who often jumped many times without improving, then suddenly made progress after a long stretch.
When Fang Yun fell again, sending water splashing several dozen feet high, Yan Yukong called from nearby, "Fang Yun, you could easily clear the first Dragon Gate with a double jump now. Why don't you cross it?"
"I haven't mastered it completely yet. Rather than compete with more Water Race members at the other Dragon Gates, I might as well practice here," Fang Yun said.
"That makes sense."
Several Grand Academicians of the Human Race heard him, exchanged glances, and conferred briefly. They decided to delay crossing the first Dragon Gate. This place had the fewest people, making it ideal for practice.
In the distance, Zong Chenli glanced at Fang Yun from time to time, occasionally looking puzzled. Half an hour later, understanding dawned on his face, and he began jumping less frequently, spending more time thinking.
After practicing for a while, Zong Chenli had a flash of inspiration. A faint smile appeared on his face. He stopped attempting Dragon Gate Ascension and floated on the water, watching Fang Yun and committing every detail to memory.
He rarely watches the larger Demon Barbarians or Water Race members, only those whose builds resemble humans. Hmm, he pays the most attention to those golden carp...
*That carp suddenly