Agreeing to the Invitation! Returning to the Sect to See Ning Fengzhi

Gu Feng looked composed as he raised his hands and returned the salute with clasped fists.

"Teacher Qin Ming is too courteous. I am Gu Feng, and this is my friend, Ning Rongrong."

Ning Rongrong stood beside Gu Feng, her chin tilted slightly upward.

"Teacher Qin Ming, you didn't call us here to stand up for your vice-captain, did you?"

As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Dugu Yan, who was seated nearby.

Dugu Yan could no longer remain seated. She slammed her hand on the table and rose to her feet.

"Who are you saying needs someone to stand up for them? Victory and defeat on the arena depend on one's own ability. I, Dugu Yan, can afford to lose!"

Ning Rongrong was not intimidated in the slightest. She stepped forward half a pace and planted her hands on her hips.

"It's good that you can afford to lose! If Gu Feng hadn't shown mercy just now, you wouldn't even have had the chance to walk off that stage!"

"You!" Dugu Yan's face reddened from being choked speechless.

Yu Tianheng frowned slightly and was just about to stand up for Dugu Yan when Qin Ming raised a hand and stopped him.

Qin Ming shook his head with a laugh, then walked to the tea table and pulled out two chairs.

"Miss Rongrong has misunderstood. Yan'er meant nothing else. We invited you two here today because we wish to discuss an important matter concerning your futures."

Gu Feng pulled Ning Rongrong over to sit down, his tone calm.

"Please go ahead, Teacher Qin Ming."

Qin Ming's smile faded as his expression turned serious.

"Brother Gu Feng, Miss Rongrong, your performances on the spirit fighting stage just now were truly astonishing."

"With your talents, remaining in the spirit fighting arena would be a waste."

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy possesses the finest Mimicry Cultivation Grounds on the entire continent, along with immense resources fully supported by the imperial family."

"At the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament two years from now, the Imperial Fighting Team will enter directly into the finals as a seeded team."

Qin Ming looked at Gu Feng, his tone exceptionally sincere.

"On behalf of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, I formally invite you both to join the Imperial Fighting Team and compete in the tournament as its core main members!"

The moment he said this, the atmosphere in the room immediately warmed.

Yu Feng could not help but speak up. "Brother Gu Feng, join our team! Your wind control combined with my aerial attacks—our twin winds slicing through the back line would be absolutely unstoppable!"

Shi Mo also grinned foolishly and chimed in.

"Yeah, yeah! And with Miss Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, if you join us, we could even aim for the championship this time!"

Faced with the Imperial Fighting Team's enthusiastic invitation, Ning Rongrong gave a soft snort and quietly turned to look at Gu Feng.

Though she was usually spoiled and willful, when it came to serious matters like this, she had long since grown accustomed to letting Gu Feng make the decision.

Besides, Heaven Dou Royal Academy truly was quite good. Her father had previously wanted her to study there, but Ning Rongrong herself had found the academy boring.

Moreover, she had had no one from the sect to accompany her, so she had not gone. Instead, she ran all the way to the Balak Kingdom and learned about Shrek Academy in Suotuo City.

But things were different now. Gu Feng was by her side. If she attended the Imperial Fighting Team with him, it would definitely be interesting.

Gu Feng considered the matter briefly.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Mimicry Cultivation Grounds were indeed excellent, and the imperial family's resources were also abundant.

Furthermore, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect openly supported the Heaven Dou Empire, and Ning Fengzhi was even Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's teacher. Joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy was only natural.

What was more, Gu Feng had another, even more important matter to handle in Heaven Dou City: that treasured place in Sunset Forest.

However, Gu Feng could not simply agree at once. This concerned Ning Rongrong, so he still needed to inform Ning Fengzhi.

Gu Feng looked at Qin Ming, his tone calm.

"Joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy is certainly possible, but since this concerns Rongrong, I need to return to the sect first and inform Uncle Ning."

Qin Ming smiled and nodded upon hearing this.

"Of course. Sect Master Ning is wise and understanding, and he is also His Highness the Crown Prince's teacher. I imagine he will not oppose you and Miss Rongrong entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

However, Ning Rongrong, who sat beside him, was somewhat unwilling. Her small hand lightly pinched the back of Gu Feng's hand as she pouted in protest.

"Gu Feng! I can make decisions about my own affairs. I can agree myself!"

She did not want to return to the sect so soon. She had only just managed to sneak out. If her father and Grandpa Bone kept her there after she returned, it would be difficult for her to come out and play again in the future.

Gu Feng turned his head and casually pinched her soft cheek, speaking in a soothing voice.

"Alright. You came out with me, after all. Taking you back to let Uncle Ning know you're safe is only proper. Besides, I also need to return to the sect to register and collect my disciple's provisions."

Gu Feng pinched her cheek in front of so many people, making Ning Rongrong's little face redden slightly. She slapped his hand away and muttered softly.

"I know. You and your endless rules. I'll listen to you, alright?"

Seeing the usually spoiled and willful young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect soothed by a single sentence from Gu Feng, the Imperial Fighting Team members all wore different expressions.

Gu Feng ignored the others. He turned toward Qin Ming and stated his condition.

"Teacher Qin Ming, if I join the team, I hope my personal cultivation will not be restricted too much in ordinary times."

Qin Ming pondered for a moment before agreeing.

"This condition is reasonable. The academy has always had the authority to make special exceptions for talented Soul Masters. However, I also have one requirement: the team's regular tactical group training must be attended by both of you on time."

Gu Feng nodded in agreement.

"Of course. Team coordination is crucial. We will not be absent."

With the matter settled, the Imperial Fighting Team members all stood and greeted them.

As captain, Yu Tianheng was the first to step forward, extending his broad hand.

"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Tianheng, Level 38 assault-type Battle Soul Elder."

Gu Feng raised his hand and shook it, feeling a warm yet steady strength from Yu Tianheng's palm.

"Gu Feng, Level 35 Battle Soul Elder."

Yu Tianheng spoke seriously.

"Brother Gu Feng, once you officially join the academy, the two of us must spar in the spirit fighting arena."

Gu Feng also wanted to test himself against a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Master.

He then nodded and agreed.

"Alright. Once the enrollment procedures are complete, I'll be ready anytime."

Dugu Yan sat in her chair with her arms crossed before her chest, giving a soft snort.

"Gu Feng, Teacher Qin recognizes you, but the next time we spar at the academy, I won't let you push me off the arena so easily again."

Gu Feng glanced at her without much expression. "Alright. I'll be waiting."

Ye Lingling, standing behind Dugu Yan, stepped forward slightly and tugged at Dugu Yan's sleeve as she spoke softly.

"Nine-Heart Begonia, Ye Lingling, Level 33 support-type Weapon Soul Master."

Her veil remained in place. Her voice was ethereal and pleasant, while her entire bearing was cool and quiet.

The brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo also stepped forward, each patting his solid chest as they honestly introduced themselves.

Osler and Yu Feng crowded forward as well, laughing and joking as they introduced themselves. The atmosphere in the tea room finally became completely harmonious.

After exchanging greetings, Gu Feng rose and addressed Qin Ming.

"Teacher Qin Ming, now that our agreement has been made, Rongrong and I will take our leave. Once we return to the sect and report to Uncle Ning, we will come to the academy to enroll."

Qin Ming stood to see them off.

"Alright. Then we shall await good news from you both at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Gu Feng took Ning Rongrong by the wrist, and the two walked out of the tea room side by side.

Only after their backs disappeared around the corner of the corridor did Qin Ming slowly sit back down, lift the cup before him, and take a sip.

"This Gu Feng is indeed far from ordinary."

Qin Ming murmured softly.

Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi's beloved daughter, showed none of a noble young lady's arrogance when facing Gu Feng. In everything, she followed his wishes.

Dugu Yan leaned back against her chair in dissatisfaction and curled her lips.

"Teacher Qin, aren't you thinking too highly of him? Isn't he just a little faster? He only relied on his Self-Created Soul Skill to counter me."

Ye Lingling spoke softly from the side.

"Yan'er, his Soul Power fluctuations were extremely solid, and he never used his third soul skill from beginning to end. If he truly fought seriously, we might not be his match in a one-on-one battle."

Dugu Yan was left speechless and could only turn her head toward the window.