Meng Shu sighed repeatedly.
"We may have to update our information on Dugu Bo."
"The rumor that Dugu Bo and Wu Qi have become close friends despite their age difference is true."
"Furthermore, it's very likely that Wu Qi gave Dugu Bo some kind of cultivation technique, allowing his strength to increase rapidly."
Everything had a cause and an effect.
Dugu Bo and Wu Qi had no connection whatsoever before this. How could they suddenly become close friends for no reason? There had to be something behind it.
Of course, Meng Shu had no way of verifying whether his guess was correct.
Given Dugu Bo's attitude, if he dared to trouble Wu Qi again, he would certainly face retaliation.
Listening to their conversation, Chao Tianxiang understood what they meant.
"Dugu Bo has a granddaughter of his own. They say that those who live nearby have the advantage. I'm afraid Wu Qi has already been chosen as his future grandson-in-law. Yiran truly has no chance."
Meng Yiran pouted unhappily.
"Grandmother, I don't even care about him!"
The couple smiled bitterly.
It wasn't that Meng Yiran wasn't good enough. Rather, Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo had already built a high barrier around Wu Qi, making it difficult for anyone else to interfere.
At least Dugu Bo wasn't the type to act friendly in front of someone and scheme behind their back. If they earned Ning Fengzhi's resentment, their clan might be destroyed before they even realized what had happened.
Chao Tianxiang comforted her.
"Yiran, there are plenty of talented young Spirit Masters at the Spirit Master Tournament. Even if you can't have Wu Qi, why not take a look at some of the others?"
"You're not that young anymore. If there's someone you like, we could start thinking about having a great-grandchild."
"Not at all! I don't want to leave Grandfather and Grandmother."
Meng Yiran crossed her arms over her chest, making it clear that she didn't want anyone approaching her.
Meng Shu laughed.
"Then we can simply find a husband who marries into our family. That way, you'll still be able to stay with us every day."
Although they had failed to recruit Wu Qi, they hadn't really lost anything.
A genius like Wu Qi would certainly never agree to marry into another family.
Two days later, early in the morning.
The various academy teams boarded their carriages and headed toward the Royal Hunting Grounds of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Royal Hunting Grounds were located on a mountain outside the city. The area was normally reserved for members of the imperial family to hunt in their spare time, so there were plenty of wild animals nearby.
Of course, hunting within an artificially enclosed area only appealed to beginners.
Members of the imperial family with sufficient hunting experience wouldn't come here.
However, the area was also the headquarters of the Imperial Knights, considered the most elite military force of the Heaven Dou Empire.
After their identities were verified, the teams began ascending the mountain. Soldiers from the Imperial Knights stood every few steps along the route.
Each one stood upright with a solemn expression, giving off the appearance of a disciplined military force.
As they climbed, Ning Rongrong suggested, "There are quite a few wild animals around the Royal Hunting Grounds. We can choose our resting camp first. Why don't we pick a quiet corner? We can even go hunting in our spare time."
Ning Rongrong had dreamed of hunting ever since she was young. However, she was a girl and an auxiliary Spirit Master, so Ning Fengzhi had never allowed her to go hunting. He had even forbidden her from participating in related training.
Now that she finally had the opportunity, she didn't want to miss it.
"Then let's go with Rongrong's suggestion," Wu Qi replied while also observing everyone's reactions.
Of course, convenient hunting wasn't his primary consideration.
The Seven Treasure Team's resting area would be surrounded by the other teams. The constant noise could affect everyone's rest.
Choosing a secluded location would eliminate that problem.
One-on-one matches were extremely taxing for Spirit Masters, so getting enough rest was essential.
Before anyone else could speak, Sun Buyu immediately made the decision.
"Let's do as Rongrong suggested."
He wasn't deliberately trying to please Ning Rongrong. He simply had the same reasoning as Wu Qi.
As the champions of the qualifiers and one of the Heaven Dou Empire's most prominent teams, the Seven Treasure Team was also supported by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, so the empire had given them considerable preferential treatment.
Having priority when choosing their resting area was only one aspect. More importantly, wherever their camp was located, that area wouldn't become a place for others to dump their garbage.
Without outside interference, the team's condition before each match would naturally be much better.
In the end, they chose a resting area in the southeast corner.
It was less than two hundred meters from the main arena and more than one hundred meters from the resting areas of the other teams. Behind it stretched an endless barren mountain, where they could hunt whenever they wanted.
Before entering the resting area, Wu Qi noticed the tournament arena.
The arena had been constructed recently under a tight schedule. Its overall size was certainly smaller than that of a team battle arena.
However, compared with the one-on-one arenas in the Great Spirit Arena, this arena was considerably larger, even comparable in size to a two-on-two battle arena.
The larger the arena, the more room Spirit Masters had to maneuver, while also reducing the chance of losing because they accidentally stepped outside the arena.
For an ordinary battle, the arena's size wouldn't make any difference to Wu Qi.
But he intended to defeat seven opponents consecutively. A larger arena would inevitably lead to greater physical and Spirit Power consumption.
The organizing committee had probably enlarged the arena to prevent his and Feng Xiaotian's performance from being restricted.
Unexpectedly, they had only made things more difficult for themselves.
After the Seven Treasure Team officially settled into their camp, the next team was finally allowed inside to choose their resting area.
After everyone had selected their rooms and put down their luggage, Sun Buyu gathered them together.
"The matches won't begin until tomorrow. At most, there will only be an opening ceremony today. Everyone, settle down and get some proper rest tonight. If there's anything you need, let me know in advance. I'll contact someone to purchase it and have it delivered to you."
"You all know that not just anyone can enter this place, so strict military-style management is enforced here."
"Other than moving freely within your own resting area, you'll need to submit an application before entering other areas, especially if you want to go hunting!"
Of course, none of this was really a problem for Ning Rongrong.
Given the relationship between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Rongrong merely wanting to go hunting would cause no loss to the empire.
Even if she failed to submit an application beforehand, no one would give her trouble.
"Also, you aren't allowed to leave the Royal Hunting Grounds without permission. If you have a special reason and absolutely must leave, you need to submit an application to the organizing committee. You may leave only after it has been approved."
"If anyone really does leave during the tournament, make sure you keep your exit permit safe. It's your only proof that you're authorized to return to the competition grounds."
As he spoke, Sun Buyu shrugged.
"If you lose it, there's nothing I can do to help. You'll have to find your own way back."
What he meant was that they would have to rely on their own connections and background to convince the guards to make an exception.
Of course, without a special reason, no one would want to leave.
The tournament schedule was packed, and the matches would be intense. Who would have the time or mood to wander around outside?
After explaining the various rules and regulations, Sun Buyu turned and left.
Feng Xiaotian placed one hand on Wu Qi's shoulder and asked with a smile, "Captain, do you have any other plans?"
How could Wu Qi not know what he was getting at?
However, defeating seven opponents consecutively would be extremely difficult, and even Wu Qi himself wasn't confident he could accomplish it.
If he casually made such a claim and then failed to do it, wouldn't he only invite ridicule?
"Take out as many as we can, but don't overestimate ourselves. Our main objective is to take first place in the Promotion Tournament and secure a bye in the second round of the finals."
"Don't forget Uncle Ning's promise. We absolutely must make sure we don't lose a match."
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