The Qualifying Round Opens
Meng Shu sighed repeatedly, "Our intelligence on Dugu Bo will probably need to be updated."
"The rumor that Dugu Bo and Wu Qi became close friends despite their age difference is true."
"Moreover, it's quite possible that Wu Qi produced some kind of cultivation technique, which enabled Dugu Bo's strength to increase rapidly."
Everything has a cause and effect.
How could Dugu Bo and Wu Qi, two completely unrelated people, inexplicably become close friends despite their age difference? There must be something going on.
Of course, whether this is as speculated, Meng Shu has no way of verifying.
Given Dugu Bo's attitude, if he dares to approach Wu Qi again, he will surely face retaliation.
Listening to the grandfather and granddaughter's explanation, Chao Tianxiang understood what was going on.
"Dugu Bo also has his own granddaughter. As the saying goes, 'being near the water tower, one gets the moon first,' so Wu Qi is probably already his chosen granddaughter's husband, and Yi Ran really has no chance."
Meng Yiran pouted and said unhappily, "Grandma, I don't care about him at all."
The couple smiled bitterly. It wasn't that Meng Yiran was incapable, but rather that Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo had already built High Platform for Wu Qi, making it difficult for others to interfere.
Dugu Bo is at least not two-faced; if Ning Fengzhi a grudge against him, his family might not even know how they died.
Chao Tianxiang comforted her, "Yiran, there are many talented young people in the Spirit Master Competition. Even if Wu Qi isn't there, why don't you take a look at the others?"
"You're not getting any younger. See if there's anyone you like, so we can have great-grandchildren soon."
"No, I don't want to leave my grandparents." Meng Yiran crossed her arms, adopting a "keep away" attitude.
Meng Shu laughed and said, "Then let's find a son-in-law to live with us. That way, he can still stay by our side every day."
Although they were unable to recruit Wu Qi, they suffered no losses.
A genius like Wu Qi would definitely not become a live-in son-in-law.
Two days later, in the early morning.
The Academy Battle Team boarded carriages and headed to the Royal Hunting Grounds of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Royal Hunting Grounds were located on a hill outside the city. This area was reserved for members of the Imperial Family to hunt in their spare time, and therefore there were many wild animals in the vicinity.
Of course, hunting in artificially enclosed areas is only appealing to beginners.
Members of the Imperial Family with considerable hunting experience would not come here to hunt.
However, this is also the base of the Royal Knights, which is considered the most elite army of the Heaven Dou Empire.
After verifying their identities, a Royal Knights soldier was stationed every few steps along the uphill path.
They stood tall with chests out and solemn expressions, displaying the demeanor of a strong military.
On the way up the mountain, Ning Rongrong suggested, "There are many wild animals around the Royal Hunting Grounds, and we can choose our resting Camp first. Why don't we choose a secluded corner so we can hunt in our spare time?"
Ning Rongrong had dreamed of hunting since she was a child, but because she was a girl and Support-Type Spirit Master, Ning Fengzhi never allowed her to go hunting, and she was not even allowed to participate in related training.
Now that she had the opportunity, she didn't want to miss it.
"Then let's listen to Rongrong?" Wu Qi replied, while also paying attention to the attitudes of the others.
Of course, ease of hunting was not his primary consideration.
Their rest area was surrounded by other Battle Team, and the noise would disturb everyone's rest.
If you're in a quiet corner, you won't have this problem.
One-on-one matches are extremely taxing on Soul Master, so ample rest time is essential.
Before anyone else could speak, Sun Buyu made the decision directly, "Let's do as Rongrong says."
He wasn't deliberately trying to curry favor with Ning Rongrong; rather, he shared the same thoughts as Wu Qi.
As the champion of the Preliminary Round, a star team of the Heaven Dou Empire, and a team supported by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Seven Treasures Team has received a lot of care from the Empire.
Prioritizing rest areas is only one aspect; more importantly, their campsites are located in areas that won't become garbage dumps.
Without any external interference, everyone's performance in the competition will undoubtedly be at its best.
Ultimately, they chose a rest area in the southeast corner, less than 200 meters from the main arena and more than 100 meters from the rest areas of other Battle Team. Behind them was an endless expanse of Barren Mountain, where they could hunt at any time.
Before checking into the rest area, Wu Qi noticed the Arena for the competition.
This Arena was recently built in a rush, and its area is definitely not as large as that of the Team Battle Arena.
However, compared to the one-on-one Arena of the Great Soul Arena, this Arena is much larger, even comparable to the Arena of two-on-two Soul Fighting.
The larger the Arena, the more room for Soul Master to perform, and the less likely they are to lose the match due to falling out of the Arena.
If it were just a regular fight, the size of the Arena would have no impact on Wu Qi.
However, his desire to One Through Seven, coupled with the larger Arena area, would inevitably lead to greater consumption of physical and Soul Power.
The Organizing Committee expanded the Arena area, presumably to avoid affecting his Feng Xiaotian's performance, but unexpectedly it backfired.
Once the Seven Treasures Team officially moved in, the next Battle Team was allowed to move in and choose their rest area.
After the Seven Treasures Team Members chose their rooms and put down their luggage, Sun Buyu gathered everyone together:
"The competition doesn't start until tomorrow. There's only an Opening Ceremony today, so everyone should focus and get some rest tonight. If you need anything, let me know in advance, and I'll arrange for someone to purchase it and deliver it to you."
"As you know, not just anyone can enter this place, hence the strict military-style management."
"Aside from being free to move around in the rest area, you need to submit an application to enter other areas, especially for hunting!"
Of course, this was no big deal for Ning Rongrong.
Given the relationship between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong's desire to hunt would not cause any loss to the empire.
Even if she hadn't submitted an application beforehand, no one would have bothered her.
"Furthermore, you may not leave the Royal Hunting Grounds without permission. If you must leave due to special circumstances, you must apply to the Organizing Committee and obtain approval before you are allowed to leave."
"If anyone leaves midway, remember to keep your exit pass safe; it's your only proof of return to the competition."
With that, Sun Buyu shrugged. "If you miss any, there's nothing I can do to help. You'll all have to rely on your own abilities."
The implication is that each person relied on their connections to get the guards to give them a break.
Of course, unless there are special circumstances, no one wants to go out.
With such a tight schedule and intense competition, who has the time or inclination to go out for a stroll?
After explaining the rules and regulations, Sun Buyu turned and left.
Feng Xiaotian put a hand on Wu Qi's shoulder and asked with a smile, "Team Captain, do you have any other ideas?"
How could Wu Qi not know his intentions?
However, defeating One Through Seven is very difficult, and he lacked confidence in it.
If you easily say something but don't do it, won't you be ridiculed?
"We'll eliminate as many as we can, within our capabilities. Our main goal is to secure first place in the Qualifying Round and earn a bye in the second round of the Finals."
"Don't forget Uncle Ning's promise; make sure we don't lose the match."