Xue Qinghe's Overture, Arranging the Lineup

"Isn't that Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Why is he here at the Blazing Fire Academy Shrek Academy's camp? The young man beside him bears a striking resemblance to Xue Ye. Could it be Qian Renxue in disguise as Xue Qinghe? I remember now, in the original story, Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe did visit Tang San at the Shrek Academy's camp. Both of them are very good at recruiting talent. Could they be here for me?" Huo Lei's thoughts flashed through his mind.

At this moment, Ning Fengzhi and the young man dressed in ordinary noble clothes came to Huo Lei.

Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "What a coincidence, to run into Brother Huo Lei here."

"Damn! Ning Fengzhi, you're something else! You're almost at the barracks entrance, yet you can still act like it was a chance encounter. You must have been a ladies' man when you were young." A thought flashed through Huo Lei's mind.

Huo Lei smiled slightly and quickly cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Greetings, Sect Master Ning."

Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "No need for formalities. Brother Huo Lei is truly a young genius, having already reached the Soul King level at such a young age. It's truly enviable. You must visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Huo Lei School when you have time, so that the disciples can learn from you. By the way, let me introduce you to a friend. This is Xue Qinghe, the Heaven Dou Empire."

Huo Lei feigned surprise, looked at Xue Qinghe, clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Huo Lei greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Xue Qinghe said softly, "Brother Huo Lei, no need to be so polite. I'm traveling incognito, so there's no need for such formalities. To be honest, I've wanted to get to know you for a long time, but I've been tied up with official duties. By the time I had the time, you had already left Huo Lei Heaven Dou City. It's quite a coincidence that we met at the military camp. I'm fortunate to be here with my father to watch the Promotion Round, and I'm determined to witness your Huo Lei."

Huo Lei humbly replied, "It is my honor to meet His Highness the Crown Prince. I am truly unworthy of such praise."

Xue Qinghe said gently, "Brother Huo Lei, a military camp is not like a hotel. Are you settling in well here? If you feel uncomfortable, I'll have someone move you to another place."

Huo Lei shook his head. "No need for that. It's already very fine here. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe maintained his smile, "Brother Huo Lei, please stop calling me 'Crown Prince.' I'm a few years older than you, so if you don't mind, just call me Brother Xue. How about I just call you by your name?"

"Goodness, she's already trying to get close to him. Qian Renxue is beautiful, but her brain is just average. She gets confused when she meets a handsome genius. This kind of infatuated girl was eventually completely fooled by Tang San. It's best not to get too close to someone like that, or it will affect her intelligence. But we can't offend her now. Before she grows up, it's better to be tactful." Huo Lei's mind raced, and after making up his mind, a sweet smile appeared on his face.

"Okay, Brother Xue. I'll call you that from now on. Please come inside and have a seat."

Huo Lei quickly called out to Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi, leading them towards the barracks.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head and said, "We won't sit down. His Highness the Crown Prince and I have other matters to attend to, so we'll be leaving now."

Huo Lei nodded. "Alright, then Sect Master Ning, Brother Xue, take care."

"Huo Lei. I'll be waiting to see you in the Promotion Round." Xue Qinghe also greeted Huo Lei before turning and leaving with Ning Fengzhi.

At this moment, Xie Chong came out of his barracks and quickly walked to Huo Lei's side, exclaiming in surprise, "Isn't this Ning Fengzhi? What's he doing here? And who is that young man beside him?"

Huo Lei looked at Xie Chong and said, "That young man is Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Xie Chong asked doubtfully, "Crown Prince Xue Qinghe? He wouldn't be trying to recruit you too, would he?"

Huo Lei smiled and nodded, saying softly, "He definitely has that thought, but he hasn't said it yet. Right now, it's just a matter of getting closer to each other. Teacher Xie Chong, you must keep the matter of Xue Ye seeking us a secret. Remember! The Crown Prince is the Crown Prince, and Xue Ye is Xue Ye; there's a difference."

Xie Chong looked at Huo Lei with a puzzled expression and asked, "The Crown Prince is the Crown Prince, Xue Ye is Xue Ye? What do you mean? Aren't they the same thing?"

Huo Lei said mysteriously, "Hehe, you'll understand later."

After Huo Lei finished speaking, he turned and walked towards his barracks, leaving Xie Chong standing there dumbfounded.

Unlike the Preliminary Round Promotion Round are held in a single venue: the Royal Knights' Grand Drill Ground.

A total of fifteen teams will participate in the Promotion Round, which will consist of fourteen rounds, one round per day, with one team having a bye each day, playing seven matches. All matches will be held in the same venue.

The Grand Drill Ground has been renovated, with a 100-meter-diameter area designated as the competition arena in the center. Compared to the Preliminary Rounds, this space is much larger, making it easier to showcase one's abilities.

On the north side of the Grand Drill Ground, a temporary platform facing south served as both the VIP seating area and the referee's seat. This time, there were fewer VIPs than last time, and many nobles were absent.

Looking around, apart from Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Platinum Bishop Salas in the first row, the seats in the back were occupied by people dressed as military officers and some high-ranking members of the Heaven Dou City Spirit Temple.

Team battles are inherently chaotic, making it difficult to see things clearly, but the Promotion Round are different. Every team member will showcase their individual strength under the watchful eyes of everyone. This is also the best opportunity to assess the strength of a Soul Master.

Inside the Grand Drill Ground, a full ten thousand royal knights completely surrounded the area. The front ranks of warriors stood, while the rear ranks rode on horseback, forming a huge circle.

Between the large circle formed by the knights and the competition venue, all fifteen participating teams had arrived. Even those teams that had a bye today were no exception. Even without playing, they wanted to get a clear picture of their opponents' strength.

The rules of the competition are simple. Each side sends seven players, and each player must fight until they are defeated. The winner then faces the next opponent, until all seven players on one side are defeated.

The draw was completed in the evening, and Blazing Fire Academy did not receive a bye in the first round. Their opponent is a high-level Soul Master Academy from the Hagen-Dazs Kingdom. They will play the first of today's seven matches.

The teams from different divisions were grouped together through the Preliminary Round, and Huo Lei naturally saw familiar opponents like the Three Elements and Shrek Academy. When they looked at the Blazing Fire Academy, a few people's gazes fell specifically on Huo Lei.

This included Shui Bing'er, the captain of the Skywater Academy, Yu Tianxin, the captain of the Thunderclap Academy, and Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and others from the Shrek Academy.

Xie Chong summoned everyone to his side, his gaze sweeping over the eight members of the Blazing Fire Academy Team. "Now I announce the starting lineup. Huo Wushuang, you're first, followed by Huo Wu, Huo Lie, Huo Lei..."

At this moment, Huo Lei suddenly spoke up, "Excuse me, Teacher Xie Chong, may I interrupt? You're not really going to arrange for seven people to appear, are you?"

Xie Chong wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled at Huo Lei and said, "I understand what you mean. I arranged you to be fourth so that you would be the last one. Actually, I only wanted to arrange the four of you, but you just happened to speak up."

Huo Lei nodded. "Oh! I see. It's just Fabia Academy, there's no need for such a big fuss. I believe my brother and sister are enough."