Before the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect fully sides with the Spirit Hall, Wu Qi had no intention of having too much contact with them.
Nor would he allow the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to gain reputation for nothing.
"As for the academy, I plan to follow the Crown Prince's arrangements. Most likely, we'll go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"I'll inform you of the exact decision when the time comes. No need to worry about it."
Ning Rongrong nodded seriously, then turned and went back into the room to pack her belongings.
Changkong quickly shut the door and spoke in a low, urgent tone, "Brother Wu, are you really planning to fight for the Heaven Dou Empire?"
"What if—just what if, we actually defeat the Spirit Hall Academy team in the finals? What would that even mean?"
The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament was essentially a contest of strength between major factions.
In the past two tournaments, the Spirit Hall had taken the championship, gaining immense prestige across the continent.
In the next tournament, although their chances of winning were not high, if they somehow did win, wouldn't that directly weaken the Spirit Hall's influence?
Wu Qi remained unconcerned and replied, "Wouldn't that just prove that under Bibi Dong's leadership, the Spirit Hall is declining? That alone could become a key reason to bring her down in the future."
"The Spirit Master Tournament is a fair competition where strength speaks for itself. The weak have no voice!"
After packing their things that very day, the three of them set off in a carriage back to Heaven Dou City.
About half a month later, they successfully arrived.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was located on a plain outside the city. At the city gates, Ning Rongrong parted ways with Wu Qi and the others.
After entering the city, Wu Qi and Changkong headed straight to the Crown Prince's residence.
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe set aside his work and personally received them.
"Your identities have been arranged. These are your household registrations, keep them safe."
As he spoke, he took out two booklets from his desk drawer.
As the future heir of the empire, most officials had already aligned themselves with him.
Fabricating a household registration was not difficult, the real challenge was ensuring that no information leaked.
To accomplish this, Xue Qinghe had spent some time and ultimately completed the matter without anyone noticing.
The registrations included details such as place of birth, place of residence, and the names of their parents.
These details had to be memorized to avoid exposing any inconsistencies later.
After a pause, Xue Qinghe casually asked, "By the way, did you find anything during your time in Suotuo City?"
Wu Qi replied, "We didn't uncover anything about the grain issue, but we can confirm it has nothing to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Additionally, Moon Pavilion has sent personnel to Suotuo City. It's very likely connected to the grain disappearances. Your Highness may want to investigate them—you might find some leads."
"And we also heard about an academy during this trip…"
Wu Qi then explained everything about Shrek Academy in detail.
He was not trying to get Xue Qinghe to recruit Tang San and the others, but rather to bring them to his attention.
In the original timeline, Tang San had done many things under the Spirit Hall's nose because his identity remained hidden.
If he were brought into the Spirit Hall's field of vision earlier, his future would not be so smooth.
"Alright, I understand," Xue Qinghe said.
"I heard you plan to join an advanced Spirit Master academy and participate in the next Spirit Master Tournament. Do you have any academy in mind? If so, say the word, I can arrange for you to enroll without an entrance exam."
Given the talent of Wu Qi and Changkong, no advanced Spirit Master academy would refuse them.
Seeing that Wu Qi had no particular preference, Xue Qinghe suggested, "In that case, why not go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy? They have two team slots for the Spirit Master Tournament."
"The first team's roster is already set and may be difficult to change. But for the second team, you can form it entirely as you wish. How about it?"
Heaven Dou Royal Academy was within his sphere of influence, making it easier for him to support the two of them.
Wu Qi did not object and agreed.
It seemed Xue Qinghe had already arranged everything. He immediately instructed an official from the Crown Prince's residence to escort them to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
On the way, Changkong couldn't help but mutter, "Brother Wu, if we join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, won't there be trouble if my grandfather finds out?"
In recent years, the Spirit Hall had been helping the Heaven Dou Empire resist invasions from the Star Luo Empire.
But that didn't mean the Spirit Hall supported the Heaven Dou Empire, it was more about maintaining a delicate balance.
Since Qian Renxue had arranged for them to enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she had likely already informed the Worship Hall Elders.
At the very least, Qian Daoliu would not blame them for this.
"As long as the sky doesn't fall on us directly, it's not our problem. Don't overthink it," Wu Qi said casually.
As they spoke, under the guidance of the Crown Prince's official, the two arrived at the foot of a mountain range surrounded by peaks.
With his foresight, Wu Qi knew that Heaven Dou Royal Academy was built atop these mountains.
According to the royal family's original intention, placing the academy far from the bustling city was meant to prevent students from indulging in distractions.
However, over time, the academy's intake had shifted to mainly noble children.
These nobles relied on their family status and lived comfortably, showing little dedication to cultivation.
For them, the distance was just a few extra steps, their indulgences remained unchanged.
For Wu Qi, joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy was currently the best choice.
The academy received monthly cultivation resources from the empire, and those idle noble students rarely used them. As a result, there was no real competition, resources were practically unlimited.
Climbing the steps, they encountered many unruly noble students along the way.
These people joked loudly, spoke crudely, and even openly discussed women from pleasure houses.
It was no wonder the Heaven Dou Empire was gradually declining, this environment was in stark contrast to that of the Spirit Hall Academy.
At the mountaintop, three education committee members had been waiting for some time.
They were supporters of Xue Qinghe. Upon hearing that two geniuses were being sent over, they didn't dare act arrogantly and came out personally to welcome them.
Spotting Wu Qi and Changkong from afar, they greeted them warmly.
Following the three committee members, the two arrived at the administration office.
With special arrangements and the influence of the three committee members, their enrollment procedures were quickly completed.
"Young friend Wu Qi, His Highness has already given instructions. The academy's second team will be entirely under your management."
"As long as you don't recruit from the first team, you may choose anyone else in the academy. If someone refuses, the three of us will handle it," said Meng Shenji, the head of the committee, warmly.
Wu Qi and Changkong were both under thirteen and already at Spirit Elder Level, such talent was almost unheard of. Naturally, they were treated like treasures.
With Wu Qi's strength, if it were the tournament after next, he would undoubtedly be a core member of the first team.
As for now, they were still slightly lacking.
Moreover, the second team was not the academy's main team and was not taken very seriously.
Allowing Wu Qi to form his own team was a special privilege granted out of respect for Xue Qinghe.
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