The next day, well into the morning.
Huo Wushuang arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Wu Qi had just finished Sun Buyu's theory class when he happened to run into him.
Huo Wushuang let out a long breath, stepped forward, and cupped his hands. "Brother Wu, my grandfather invites you to visit our family to discuss some matters. Would you be willing to come with me?"
Wu Qi wasn't surprised. Turning to Changkong, he said, "You stay here. I can handle this myself."
Changkong didn't know Wu Qi's true intentions. Bringing him along might create unnecessary complications.
Since he didn't object, Wu Qi followed Huo Wushuang down the mountain.
Before leaving, Wu Qi casually made a subtle gesture behind his back. A figure silently began following him from the shadows.
There was still about half an hour before mealtime. If the discussion went smoothly, they would surely invite him to stay for a meal. Otherwise, it would mean the negotiation had broken down.
That would save him the trouble of wasting words.
Element City, where the Feng, Shui, and Huo families were located, lay adjacent to Heaven Dou City.
Many years ago, this place had been nothing but wasteland. After their ancestors were granted land by the Heaven Dou Emperor, it became the shared territory of the three families.
Originally, the Element Academies only included these three families. Later, Thunder Academy forced its way in, backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family.
Fortunately, that family had no ill intentions toward them, and the two sides coexisted peacefully. Over time, Thunder Academy was accepted.
However, in recent years, Elephant Armor Academy had also forced its way in, and their actions were deeply resented.
They not only seized large portions of land within the city but also frequently intimidated disciples from the three families.
Unfortunately, the three families had long since withdrawn from court politics and no longer held influence. Without power, they were unable to stand against Elephant Armor Academy and the Elephant Armor Sect behind it.
Their purpose in contacting Wu Qi this time was to use his connection to the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, to help ease their family's crisis.
They also intended to test Wu Qi's relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If they could draw Ning Fengzhi into the situation, the Elephant Armor Sect would not dare act recklessly.
Originally, this meeting was meant to be between the Feng and Huo families and Wu Qi. However, after hearing the news, Shui Ningbing, the head of the Shui family, decided to come as well to see Wu Qi for herself.
"I say, Old Huo, hasn't he arrived yet?" Feng Changlin asked impatiently.
Huo Lie was even more anxious, his brows slightly furrowed. "Wushuang left a while ago. He should be here soon."
Shui Ningbing chuckled lightly. "Old Feng, Old Huo, don't be so impatient. Keep your composure, or you'll end up being led by the nose."
Huo Lie snorted dismissively. "He's just a young brat. Don't expect him to gain any advantage over us."
Feng Changlin reminded him, "Don't forget our goal. Whether we can use him to meet Xue Qinghe is what truly matters."
Logically speaking, recruiting three Spirit Douluo-level experts should be something Xue Qinghe would welcome.
But in reality, their situation was different. Their identities were sensitive, and they hadn't responded to imperial summons for a long time.
In the eyes of the royal family, they were closer to "defectors." The fact that their lands hadn't been confiscated was already fortunate, how could they expect help from the empire?
After about a few minutes, Wu Qi arrived at a run, following behind Huo Wushuang.
After a brief introduction, Huo Wushuang quickly turned and left.
Wu Qi bowed slightly. "Junior Wu Qi greets the three family heads."
Feng Changlin narrowed his eyes.
Wu Qi's aura was exactly as Feng Xiaotian had described.
Feng Xiaotian was a full ten years older than him, and his spirit power Level was even higher.
Yet Wu Qi had already surpassed him.
Such talent was truly extraordinary.
Huo Lie gestured for him to enter and said flatly, "Let's talk inside."
Inside the hall, Huo Lie sat at the main seat, with Feng Changlin and Shui Ningbing seated beside him, while Wu Qi took a guest seat further below.
Servants brought tea for the four of them. Then Huo Lie spoke first.
"Little friend Wu, I've heard from my grandson that you intend to recruit his sister and him, as well as Old Feng's grandson, to form a team?"
Wu Qi explained calmly, "That's correct. Huo Wu is a control-type Spirit Master and plays a crucial role in a team. Huo Wushuang and Feng Xiaotian both possess strong combat ability and can withstand the pressure at the front line…"
Huo Lie didn't seem convinced. Tapping the armrest lightly, he interrupted, "Everything you've said, do you think I don't already know? Since the goal is to contend with the Spirit Hall Academy team, you could just as well join Blazing Academy."
"I can guarantee that if the three of you join Blazing Academy, the resources you receive will not be less than what you'd get at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Wu Qi shook his head. "Seniors, forgive me for speaking frankly."
"Although I was the one who proposed this alliance, my strength has already surpassed your younger generation. In this joint team, I must hold the leading position, there's no question about that."
"To put it bluntly, if we join Blazing Academy, your interference in future training would be inevitable. I prefer independence, and that's something your academy cannot provide."
Heaven Dou Royal Academy granted Wu Qi a very high degree of autonomy, this was no secret.
If he joined Blazing Academy, Huo Lie would naturally prioritize Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu, building strategies around them to highlight their roles.
If the siblings were significantly stronger than Wu Qi, he would have no objection.
But the reality was the opposite, Wu Qi was stronger than both of them. Making them the core of the team would already create a major flaw in tactical setup.
When it came to actual matches, the outcome would be obvious.
From there, the discussion over leadership turned into a heated argument between Wu Qi and Huo Lie.
Both sides stood firm, unwilling to give even an inch.
Feng Changlin remained silent, clearly weighing his own interests.
As noon approached, Shui Ningbing broke the tension with a light smile. "It's about time for a meal. Why don't we continue this discussion over food? I also have something I'd like to ask little friend Wu."
Although they had been arguing, Huo Lie still believed the matter was worth continuing. With a wave of his hand, he ordered the family chefs to prepare a banquet.
At the Huo family banquet hall, Shui Ningbing wore a gentle smile as she spoke softly, "Little friend, if Old Huo doesn't agree to this arrangement, Tianshui Academy can form a team with you. What do you think?"
Recruiting Shui Bing'er would inevitably mean giving up on Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu.
In terms of potential and strength, Shui Bing'er was undoubtedly stronger than the siblings.
However, bringing Xue Wu into the team would mean having two support-type Spirit Masters. This would increase the burden of protecting the backline, while adding the advantage of a powerful martial soul fusion skill.
If that happened, the team's core would become Shui Bing'er.
Wu Qi had left the Spirit Hall Academy team precisely because he didn't want to be a supporting role to Hu Liena and the others.
If that were the case, he might as well return to the Spirit Hall Academy team.
Moreover, the Shui family consisted mostly of female disciples and tended to avoid conflict.
While Shui Bing'er could help bring the Shui family over, it would be difficult to use her influence to change the stance of the Feng and Huo families.
From the earlier discussion, Wu Qi could tell that Feng Changlin and Shui Ningbing both subtly deferred to Huo Lie. As long as he secured the Huo family, bringing in the other two would naturally follow.
"I will seriously consider your proposal, Family Head Shui."
As he spoke, Wu Qi cupped his hands toward Huo Lie and then took his seat.
Huo Lie had been watching the exchange. Wu Qi's refusal to change his stance surprised him somewhat.
During the conversation that followed, his attitude noticeably softened.
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