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"Who would've thought the vice-captain could be so lovesick—it's truly enviable," Yu Die said with a hint of envy.
Ning Tianchen hadn't expected that Feng Xiaotian would pursue the elusive path of self-created soul skills during his prime cultivation years, all for the sake of Huo Wu.
In the original timeline, if Tang San hadn't been pursued by the Spirit Hall, Huo Wu might have thrown herself at him instead.
If it came to that, where would Feng Xiaotian even begin to argue?
"Xiaotian, why don't you tell us what kind of person Huo Wu is? We can help you analyze the situation," Ning Tianchen asked with a smile.
At the mention of Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian's face unconsciously lit up with a smile. "Huo Wu is gentle and considerate..."
"Cough, cough." Ning Tianchen couldn't help but interrupt. "Xiaotian, if you're just making things up, don't blame us for not being able to help you. That day, I saw her battle in the Tiandou Great Soul Arena—her fiery temper was more explosive than an erupting volcano. Does that sound like someone who's gentle and considerate?"
Love is blind, and Feng Xiaotian's praise for Huo Wu was understandable.
Seeing his bluff called, Feng Xiaotian awkwardly replied, "Uh, actually, Huo Wu only acts that way during battles. Normally, she's..."
Feng Xiaotian went into great detail, allowing everyone to roughly imagine Huo Wu's personality.
Ning Tianchen then solemnly stated, "Xiaotian, this kind of bootlicking behavior might work on Yu Die—she might even reward you with some affection. But Huo Wu isn't that kind of person. You're just throwing yourself at a cold shoulder."
Yu Die glared at him, angrily retorting, "Can't you speak properly? Why do you have to use me as an example?"
"I was just speaking casually—don't take it to heart," Ning Tianchen quickly backtracked.
Yu Die rolled her eyes and turned to Feng Xiaotian. "What the captain said earlier is correct. You really shouldn't pursue Huo Wu this way."
Oscar chimed in mischievously, "Sister Yu Die, do you need a bootlicker?"
"Shut up, not that!" Yu Die cursed and picked up a brick from the ground, ready to teach him a lesson.
Oscar quickly curled up into a "ball" shape to avoid her attack.
Ning Tianchen patted Feng Xiaotian on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Xiaotian, listen to me. When you see Huo Wu next time, don't go easy on her. She's the type who admires strength—if you act more dominant, she'll become more devoted to you."
In the original timeline, Huo Wu had only met Tang San once.
But after being defeated by him, she was willing to throw herself at him. Only Tang San's purity of heart and loyalty to another stopped her. If it had been Dai Mubai, Huo Wu would have already been won over.
"Is that really true?" Feng Xiaotian asked, looking bewildered.
"Anyway, she's already ignoring you, so why not give it a try? Even if you fail, things can't get worse than they are now," Ning Tianchen shrugged.
After some thought, Feng Xiaotian finally agreed.
"Brother Tianchen, what about Rongrong? Are you planning to discipline her too?" Ning Rongrong asked calmly, though her words were as icy as winter winds, piercing and biting.
Oh no…
Ning Tianchen only knew Huo Wu's personality well enough to give Feng Xiaotian advice—he wasn't exactly a playboy himself.
Yu Die, always eager to stir up trouble, quickly chimed in, "Rongrong, I think our captain is one of those people who admires strength. Beat him into submission."
"Don't talk nonsense," Ning Tianchen scolded, glaring at her before quickly trying to pacify Ning Rongrong.
Yu Die wore a sly grin and casually threw the brick in her hand at Oscar.
---
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the inter-academy exchange tournament began as scheduled.
Early in the morning, banners welcoming students and teachers from various schools were plastered all over Seven Treasures Academy.
The members of the Seven Treasures team gathered early at the academy gates to welcome the participating teams.
The first to arrive was the Godwind team, led personally by Feng Changlin, along with some teachers and students.
"This must be Young Friend Ning Tianchen. I've heard so much about your extraordinary abilities from Xiaotian. Today, meeting you in person, I can see you truly live up to your reputation," Feng Changlin greeted warmly.
Ning Tianchen was destined to become one of the top figures of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Strengthening ties with him now would ensure the Feng family's future alignment with the sect.
"Elder Feng flatters me. I've merely been fortunate," Ning Tianchen replied humbly, directing them toward the tournament venue.
"Xiaotian Clan Brother, during the tournament, please go easy on us," said Feng Ye, the current captain of the Godwind team and a disciple of the Feng family.
"What a useless fellow," Feng Changlin muttered, grabbing him by the neck and dragging him into the academy.
Next to arrive were the Skywater and Blazing Academies.
Ning Tianchen wasn't familiar with them and simply directed them politely to the venue.
It was worth noting that after receiving Ning Tianchen's advice, Feng Xiaotian had completely changed his approach.
When he encountered Huo Wu today, he acted as if he were seeing a stranger, vastly different from his usual demeanor.
After entering the academy, Huo Wu couldn't help but ask, "Brother, has Xiaotian found someone else?"
Huo Wushuang knew that Feng Xiaotian was pursuing Huo Wu. Since their families were evenly matched and Feng Xiaotian was strong, there was no reason for him to refuse. However, Huo Wu herself remained uninterested and always kept her distance from Feng Xiaotian.
"Sister, you can ask him yourself—I have no idea," Huo Wushuang shrugged.
Huo Wu pouted. "Who cares about him anyway!"
---
Next to arrive were the teachers and students of Flame Radiance and Auckland Academies.
Their teachers fawned excessively over the Seven Treasures team. Had it not been clear they were here to compete, many might have suspected they were here to surrender.
After directing them, the Imperial Team arrived shortly afterward.
Tiandou Imperial Academy only sent the Imperial Team and their instructor, with no other students or teachers accompanying them.
This wasn't because they didn't value the event or intentionally snubbed Seven Treasures Academy—it was simply that their students' abilities were inconsistent, and most were useless. Sending them to compete would only embarrass them further.
News of Yu Tianheng's withdrawal from the Imperial Team had already spread throughout Tiandou City.
A few days ago, Yu Tianheng and the Shrek team made an appearance at the Great Soul Arena, signaling to the outside world that he had joined Shrek Academy.
Now, Dugu Yan was the captain of the Royal Battle Team. After Yu Tianheng's departure, his position was filled by a 23-year-old Soul Ancestor, whose age would just barely meet the cutoff for the upcoming Soul Masters Tournament.
"Ning Tianchen, I won't lose to you this time," Dugu Yan declared before walking into the academy.
Have you forgotten that I gave you the antidote to the poison pill?
Ning Tianchen silently responded.
Dugu Yan's poisons were nowhere near one-tenth as potent as Dugu Bo's. Even without realgar wine, they posed no threat to him.
Finally, the Thunderclap Academy, led by Yu Luomian, made their grand entrance.
"Sorry, it seems we're late," Yu Luomian said with a faint, mocking smile.
Ning Tianchen didn't give them a warm welcome. "Since you're late, stay here a little longer. We'll call you when the tournament officially begins."
"Young Nephew Tianchen surely knows how to joke. Please convey my greetings to Lord Ning," Yu Luomian said, bowing slightly to them.
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