Yu Feng noticed that the dormitory where Wu Qi was staying was brightly lit and couldn't help but remark, "Huh? Has Team Two already started forming? Two of their rooms have their lights on."
Since the last Spirit Master Tournament, Heaven Dou Royal Academy hadn't even been able to assemble a full team.
For the sake of Royal Team One, Meng Shenji had personally stepped in to recruit the Shi brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, transferring them from other academies.
Even Team One was struggling, let alone Team Two.
In the previous tournament, Team Two had been hastily put together just to make up the numbers.
After all, the Spirit Master Tournament lasted a long time.
Once a team entered, they had to follow strict tactical training schedules. From the start of the tournament, they would have no freedom for at least a month.
If they were lucky enough to advance past the preliminaries, they would be tied up in training and matches for another three to four months.
For those spoiled noble youths, participating in the tournament felt no different from being imprisoned.
As team captain, Yu Tianheng had already heard some news earlier that day.
"Teacher Qin said two talented newcomers joined the academy. To avoid them taking spots from Team One, the three committee members placed them in Team Two and gave them full authority to form their own team."
Oslo curled his lip. "What do you mean 'afraid they'll take our spots'?"
"Who here isn't a genius? We earned our place in Team One with our own strength!"
Among the group, Yu Feng and Oslo were the weakest. If there were an elimination system, they would definitely be the first to go.
Dugu Yan let out a cold laugh. "If you're scared, then go challenge them. If you win, what is there to worry about?"
Oslo nodded seriously. "That makes sense. I'll have Teacher Qin arrange it tomorrow."
They exchanged glances before dispersing.
Wu Qi, however, didn't take Team One seriously at all.
In the original timeline, Royal Team One had faced the Spirit Hall Academy Team in the finals and was eliminated in an almost humiliating fashion by the three members of the Golden Generation.
Before the match, Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin, the so-called twin stars of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family had been heavily praised. But in the actual battle, they performed no better than pushovers.
All reputation, no substance.
Early the next morning, Oslo and Yu Feng approached Qin Ming and suggested arranging a match between themselves and Wu Qi and Changkong, calling it a "friendly exchange."
Qin Ming was highly curious about the two newly arrived geniuses and brought the matter to the three committee members.
If it had been anyone else, the three would have rejected such a request outright.
But Qin Ming was their chosen successor.
Faced with his request, they decided to "ask for the opinions of those involved."
In truth, this was no different from agreeing.
After all, in the world of Spirit Masters, there was no place for the weak. If Wu Qi and Changkong refused a challenge from opponents of the same Level, they wouldn't just lose face in the academy, they'd struggle to stand anywhere on the continent.
However, early that morning, Wu Qi had already been summoned out of the academy by a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Worried about his safety, Changkong secretly followed him.
Any response from them would have to wait.
Inside a teahouse in the city, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo had been waiting for some time.
Arriving downstairs, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciple bowed and said, "Young Master Wu, the Sect Master is in a private room upstairs. You may go up directly."
Wu Qi nodded in acknowledgment.
He had already expected Ning Fengzhi to seek him out.
After all, he had spent quite some time with Ning Rongrong and even helped correct her temperament. Whether as her father or as the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi would inevitably come to meet him.
Entering the teahouse, Wu Qi saw Ning Fengzhi leisurely sipping tea.
Across from him, a cup of freshly brewed tea had already been prepared, clearly meant for Wu Qi.
Wu Qi didn't sit immediately. Instead, he bowed slightly. "Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Senior Bone Douluo."
A gentle smile appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face, warm and refined. "I've long heard of you, young friend. Now that I see you in person, your reputation is well deserved. Please, sit. Let's talk over tea."
Wu Qi sat down calmly, showing neither nervousness nor restraint. "I'll be bold and ask, what matter brings Sect Master Ning to summon me here?"
Ning Fengzhi was about to speak when Gu Rong interrupted.
With a serious expression, he glanced toward the window. "Are you coming out yourself, or do I drag you out?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the window opened. Changkong awkwardly waved at the three inside. "Uh… hello."
Ning Fengzhi lightly patted Gu Rong's arm and turned to Wu Qi with a smile. "Your friend?"
Wu Qi gave a subtle expression.
He knew Changkong had followed him, but he hadn't expected him to be this bold.
After all, Ning Fengzhi was a sect master. Even during a casual conversation, outsiders weren't allowed to eavesdrop. Depending on how it was handled, this could be a serious matter.
Once Wu Qi confirmed it, Ning Fengzhi waved his hand. "If there's nothing else, you should leave. Standing on the railing of the second floor isn't exactly safe."
After Wu Qi also urged him, Changkong finally left reluctantly.
Then, Ning Fengzhi placed a black gold card on the table and pushed it toward Wu Qi.
"I originally intended to let Rongrong experience some hardship outside, to temper her character. But I didn't expect you to help correct her temperament."
As a father, Ning Fengzhi would never truly want Ning Rongrong to suffer.
Wu Qi had guided her in a gentler way, and naturally, Ning Fengzhi wanted to express his gratitude.
Wu Qi didn't accept the credit. He pushed the card back. "Rongrong and I are friends. I didn't do this for any reward, so please take it back."
Ning Fengzhi nodded and didn't insist.
However, Wu Qi's response only made him think that Wu Qi might have feelings for Ning Rongrong.
Taking advantage of this, he continued, "May I ask about your relationship with Rongrong? From Qinghe, I've learned that you come from a merchant family in Notting City, and that your parents passed away during a transport mission."
"My apologies, I don't mean to bring up painful memories. But since you and Rongrong get along well and seem mutually interested, perhaps we could become family. If you join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you will naturally receive my full support."
Wu Qi's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't answer immediately.
Ning Fengzhi's words were likely using Ning Rongrong as a pretext to probe his background.
If his identity truly matched the records, joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would indeed be the better choice.
Otherwise, Ning Fengzhi would confirm that his identity was fabricated.
Back then, when Azure Luan Douluo had taken him away from Heaven Dou City, Chen Xin had seen it with his own eyes.
That was the one flaw, one that couldn't be covered up.
From this line of questioning, Ning Fengzhi had most likely already guessed his origins.
But Wu Qi hadn't considered aligning with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect on a whim.
Since Ning Fengzhi was testing him, he could just as well test Ning Fengzhi in return.
"Sect Master Ning, you must be joking. His Highness the Crown Prince has treated me well. If I were to leave now, wouldn't that be a betrayal of his trust?"
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