After the banquet, Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong took Ning Tianyuan to the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
Dai Tianxing received Ning Tianyuan in the Imperial Study.
Both of them were startled to realize that the other was clearly Titled Douluo.
Ning Tianyuan bowed slightly. " Ning Tianyuan, Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, greets His Majesty the Star Luo Emperor."
Dai Tianxing smiled and said, " Elder Ning, there's no need for such formalities. It is my honor and Star Luo Empire's blessing that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wishes to form a marriage alliance with the Star Luo Empire."
Ning Tianyuan straightened up and said solemnly, "Your Majesty is too kind. The Sect Master asked me to convey that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Star Luo Royal Family are now related by marriage. In the future, we will do our utmost to fulfill any requests."
Dai Tianxing was naturally very happy to be able to get in touch with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and exchanged a few more pleasantries with Ning Tianyuan.
After their conversation, Ning Tianyuan concluded, "Your Majesty, the Sect Master has one more thing to convey. The Sect Master and Senior Sword Douluo will personally come to Star Luo City after the finals to formally meet with Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Dai Tianxing's eyes flashed with joy, and he nodded, saying, "Very well, I also very much look forward to meeting Sect Master Ning."
The three then took their leave.
As they exited the palace gates, Dai Mubai bid farewell to Ning Tianyuan: " Elder Ning, the advancement competition is tomorrow, and Rongrong and I need to return to the academy to prepare. If you have any questions later, you can discuss them with Elder Niu and Elder Bai. They've been in Star Luo City for many years and are very familiar with the situation here."
Ning Tianyuan said, " Third Prince and Miss, rest assured, you can focus on the competition and don't need to worry about us. I will take care of the sect's affairs."
Ning Rongrong smiled at Ning Tianyuan and said, "Grandpa Ning, Rongrong will head back now. Please feel free to send someone to the academy to find me if you need anything."
Ning Tianyuan smiled and waved his hand, "Go on, go on. Your competition is more important."
Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong bowed to Ning Tianyuan, and the three of them left.
The qualifying rounds began on the second day.
Dai Mubai led the entire Second Team to the competition venue for the promotion match, the Northern Camp of the Soul Master Legion, which was the same legion camp where Dai Mubai led his troops to besiege Wolf Road a year ago.
When Dai Mubai and his entourage stepped into the military camp and arrived at the training ground, the soldiers on duty recognized him from afar and bowed in salute.
A captain quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, " Third Prince! You've arrived!"
His tone carried a genuine sense of respect.
Dai Mubai nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers lined up on both sides of the training ground.
The soldiers looked at him with reverence, even a touch of fanaticism.
During the last raid on the Wolf Bandits, Dai Mubai led the charge, and the murderous aura of the Gengjin White Tiger swept through the mountains and forests, a memory they still vividly remember.
Not to mention the one million Gold Soul Coin received after the war, which Dai Mubai didn't keep a single penny for himself, distributing them all to the soldiers. The entire army held Dai Mubai in the highest esteem.
Dai Weisi stood on one side of the training ground, taking in the whole scene, a ruthless glint in his eyes.
Dai Weisi has agreed to Ghost Douluo's request.
He didn't want to die, nor did he want to be stripped of his cultivation and left to fend for himself in a barren land.
Dai Weisi was willing to bear the infamy to sit in that position. The Crown Prince position could only be his own.
The qualifying rounds began soon.
The competition was held at the military training ground. A 100-meter-diameter arena was erected in the center of the training ground, surrounded by a semi-circular grandstand.
The qualifying rounds were held behind closed doors, not open to the public, and there were few spectators, only some accompanying personnel from the participating colleges.
The dais was set up on the north side of the drill ground. Dai Tianxing sat upright in the central seat, dressed in a dark brocade robe, his face dignified.
To his left sat White-Clothed Bishop Okafor of the Star Luo Empire Temple, a white-robed figure with a perfectly measured smile on his face, though his gaze occasionally swept towards Dai Mubai below the stage.
To Dai Tianxing's right sat the Fire Leopard Sect Master Wind Sword Sect Master, both Soul Douluo level experts with solemn expressions.
The other major sect, the White Tiger Sect, was actually controlled by Dai Tianxing, and most of the geniuses it recruited were sent to the Star Luo Royal Academy, so the sect leader did not attend.
It's no secret in the Soul Master World that the Fire Leopard Sect Wind Sword Sect have already pledged allegiance to the Spirit Hall.
Among the fifteen teams, the strongest are the academy teams trained by the Fire Leopard Sect Wind Sword Sect, as well as a rather special team, the War Academy Team.
The War Academy is an academy established by the Star Luo Empire's military. The academy does not charge tuition fees and provides subsidies. There are no restrictions based on identity, but all graduates must serve in the military for ten years.
Some of the captains, Northern Camp commanders, and even the commander-in-chief Han Qing, whom Dai Mubai knew, were graduates of the War Academy. In addition, some students went on to serve as commanders in ordinary armies.
The Star Luo Empire governs with an iron fist, and most of the Soul Master resources are concentrated under the empire's control. However, recently, under the balancing power of the Spirit Hall, several sects have made some progress, which explains why others are turning to the Spirit Hall.
However, these academy teams only have two or three Soul Ancestor at most. Compared to the lineups of the two teams from the Star Luo Royal Academy, the gap is quite large.
However, the qualifying rounds consist of fifteen teams competing in a round-robin individual tournament, ranked by wins, so all teams have the opportunity to play against each other.
As the teams entered the field one after another, the atmosphere on the training ground gradually became lively. The spectators in the stands were talking animatedly, their eyes darting back and forth between the teams.
When the members of the Star Luo Royal Academy Second Team stepped onto the training ground, a noticeable commotion arose in the stands.
"That's the Second Team? The team that won all their matches in the qualifiers?"
" Ma Hongjun, Yang Pojun, Niu Zhen, Dai Lingling... they're all Soul Ancestor! Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame is incredibly powerful."
"Is that the Third Prince Dai Mubai walking at the very front? This is the first time I've seen him on stage."
When Dai Mubai, who never showed himself, finally appeared, everyone cast scrutinizing glances at him. Some were curious, some were expectant, and some were even testing him.
Dai Mubai walked calmly at the front of the group, his blond hair neatly tied back, and his white outfit accentuated his tall and straight figure.
His gaze swept across the stands, and he nodded slightly to Dai Tianxing on the podium before landing on Dai Weisi not far away.
The two brothers' eyes met in mid-air.
Dai Mubai noticed a hint of gloom in Dai Weisi's eyes, but he didn't think much of it.
The situation is now settled, and as long as nothing unexpected happens, Dai Weisi won't be able to cause any trouble.
Dai Weisi stood there, his fingers clenching slightly. He thought to himself: Once the finals are over, once we reach Spirit City, it will all be over. No matter how strong Dai Mubai, he can't stop the Spirit Hall. At that time, everything in Star Luo City will be back in his hands.
On the platform, Okafor exchanged a meaningful glance with the two patriarchs.
Dai Tianxing took in everything, but showed nothing.
Dai Tianxing stood up from the podium and announced loudly, "The qualifying rounds officially begin today. Over the next fourteen days, I hope all the academy teams will fully demonstrate their strength and showcase the true spirit of Soul Master. Begin!"
The first match has begun, with the Fire Leopard Academy taking the stage first. Their opponent is a team called Nili Academy.
Dai Mubai and the members of the Second Team watched the game from the viewing area.
To be honest, there's not much to see. While there are a few flashy plays now and then, most of the time it's just a bunch of noobs sparring.