Douluo Continent, my martial soul is a mushroom.

Chapter 49 Xue Qinghe, a popular team

After picking up Xiao Wu at the rest area, they wanted to meet up with Flander and the other two, but found that they had already left. So the group decided to return to the hotel.

Today is just the beginning; the qualifiers will truly begin tomorrow. The round-robin tournament will then commence, with 34 teams competing for a month.

"Rongrong!"

Just as they stepped out of the Great Soul Arena and were about to return to their hotel, a voice made them stop. Ning Fengzhi, now dressed in ordinary clothes, stood in a corner not far from the entrance and waved to them. Behind him, Sword Douluo nodded and smiled in acknowledgment.

"Dad, Grandpa Jian!"

Ning Rongrong excitedly ran over and threw herself into her father's arms. Apart from a one-month vacation each year, she almost never returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. If she counted carefully, it had been almost a year since she had seen Ning Fengzhi.

Facing the sect leaders of the three upper sects, the number one support soul master in the soul master world, and a level 97 titled Douluo, the Shrek group showed different reactions.

Out of respect for the other party's strength, everyone bowed.

Ning Fengzhi exchanged a few pleasantries with Ning Rongrong, then said, "Go back to the hotel with your friends. You're a member of Shrek Academy, and your father is a member of the competition organizing committee, so we can't spend too much time together, or people will say I'm showing favoritism."

Ning Rongrong pouted in dissatisfaction, "Let them talk, we speak with our strength."

Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, "Fourteen is quite a young lady now, so don't be so naughty in the future. By the way, before you leave, aren't you going to introduce your friends to me?"

"I'm very sensible, okay!" Ning Rongrong pouted, then pointed at everyone and introduced them one by one, "Boss Dai, our senior brother of Shrek Academy, and also the team captain. He's number one in head-on combat power! Boss Dai is 17 years old this year, but he's already a level 49 Soul Master. Maybe he can break through to Soul King before the finals."

"Ping-ge, the second senior brother of Shrek Academy, and the vice captain of the team. He has the strongest overall strength. He's the same age as Dai-ge, and also a level 49 Soul Master. He'll break through to Soul King in two months. He's Dean Fu's successor. You can basically ask Ping-ge about anything related to cultivation in the academy. Ping-ge has a very good understanding of cultivation."

"His name is Oscar, the third senior brother, 16 years old, a level 45 food-type Soul Master, and his martial soul is a sausage. Although he can't compare to Dai Mubai and the others, he's still quite capable! Moreover, he can research and create his own soul skills, using intuition as the core, and has designed a complex and varied set of combat techniques. He'd be very suitable for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School!"

Compared to the others, Ning Rongrong provided a more detailed introduction to Oscar, and deliberately mentioned that Oscar was suitable for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"Tang San, the fourth senior brother, is 15 years old. He is a level 41 control-type weapon spirit master with the Blue Silver Grass martial spirit. He is a master of hidden weapons, and the mechanical hidden weapons that the sect purchased before were made by him."

"Ma Hongjun, fifth senior brother, 15 years old, level 41, martial spirit: Fire Phoenix..."

"Xiao Wu, Sixth Senior Sister, 15 years old, Level 41, Martial Soul: Jade Rabbit..."

"Zhu Qing, junior sister, 15 years old, level 37, martial soul: Netherworld Cat..."

Ning Rongrong pointed to herself last, smiling, and said, "Dad, I've already reached level 36! I estimate I'll advance to Soul Master by this time next year!"

Ning Fengzhi let out a long breath. Although he was somewhat prepared, he was still utterly shocked. To steadily increase one's soul power by four levels in a year—such a speed was truly terrifying.

"Shrek Academy really has a great teaching method!"

Chi Ping said, "Everyone here is naturally talented; the academy is just the icing on the cake."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head, "Even the best talent is no different from having none if you can't bring it to fruition."

After hesitating for a moment, Ning Fengzhi asked, "What are your plans after graduation, young friends?"

—This means they're planning to recruit them.

Everyone understood.

This is a characteristic of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is a support sect and not good at martial arts, so recruiting battle spirit masters as guest elders is their way of life.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing said, "We appreciate Uncle Ning's kindness. We will definitely visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School when we have the chance."

Tang San, Xiao Wu, "This junior intends to establish my own sect and hopes to continue cooperating with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in the future."

Ma Hongjun: "I'm following the dean and Brother Ping."

Oscar said, "Sect Leader Ning, I have always admired you. I am also a support-type disciple. I wonder if I will have the honor of joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School after graduation?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded and said with a smile, "I couldn't be happier. What our sect needs most is a talent like you, Xiao Ao. The gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School are always open to you."

"Thank you, Uncle Ning!"

Oscar beamed with joy.

Ning Fengzhi was equally pleased.

With his age and shrewdness, how could Ning Fengzhi not see through Oscar and Ning Rongrong's little scheme?

If Oscar is indeed as Ning Rongrong says, with considerable combat strength, then what's wrong with breaking the rules and agreeing to their union? Rules are for the better development of the sect. What's the use of rules if they hinder the sect's development in order to maintain them?

More and more spectators left the Great Soul Arena, and with so many people and so many eyes, it was no longer a suitable place to continue the conversation.

Ning Fengzhi said, "I'm truly delighted to have met such talented young people like you today. Chi Ping, how about we have a few words alone?"

—This is about the cooperation between Shrek Academy and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School!

Chi Ping nodded. "Okay."

The other Shrek members understood immediately. Ning Rongrong said, "Dad, you and Ping-ge go ahead. We'll head back to the hotel. We have a match the day after tomorrow, and we need to discuss tactics!"

After they left, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo led Chi Ping to a teahouse in the most bustling area of ​​Tiandou City.

The teahouse was quaint and elegant, with very few customers, but it was clear at a glance that the patrons were all wealthy and powerful.

Chi Pingxin had doubts, but since Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo didn't explain, he kept quiet about it.

Sword Douluo stayed on the first floor, while Ning Fengzhi led Chi Ping to the innermost private room on the second floor. They pushed open the folding screen and went inside.

There was already someone in the room, who stood up from his seat upon hearing the sound. This person appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with unremarkable features, and wore a clean blue cloth robe, giving off a refreshing feeling. His long, black hair was tied back with a blue cloth ribbon, hanging neatly down his back.

"Uncle Ning, you've arrived." The young man bowed respectfully to Ning Feng.

Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly and said, "Qinghe, how many times have I told you, you don't need to do this."

The young man smiled and said, "How can that be? You are an elder and also Qinghe's teacher. If my father finds out that I have been disrespectful to you, he might break my legs."

His gaze shifted to Chi Ping. "This must be the Chi Ping brother that Uncle Ning so highly regards."

Chi Ping cupped his hands in apology, "I dare not accept such praise."

Ning Fengzhi said, "Let me introduce you. Chi Ping, this is the current Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Tiandou Empire. Qinghe, Chi Ping is the heir of Shrek Academy."

"So it's Your Highness the Crown Prince. I am very polite." Chi Ping bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.

Xue Qinghe exclaimed, "If Uncle Ning hadn't told me, I would have found it hard to believe you're only 17. It's a pleasure to meet you. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Xue. As for the title 'Crown Prince,' let's not mention it."

Chi Ping already understood why Ning Fengzhi had sought him out alone.

His expression was calm as he coldly stated, "I represent Shrek Academy, while the Crown Prince represents the Empire. Shrek Academy is founded on the principle of absolute neutrality, and as the heir to the academy, I should maintain my distance from the Crown Prince."

Despite being met with indifference, Xue Qinghe remained unperturbed. "Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. Although we each have our own roles, that doesn't prevent us from being friends."

Chi Ping shook his head. "There has never been a complete separation between public and private matters."

Xue Qinghe's face was slightly congealed.

Ning Fengzhi smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, let's sit down and talk. The green tea here is quite good. Chi Ping, you should try some too."

The three of them sat down and sipped their tea.

A cup of tea can soothe the mind and dispel restlessness.

Ning Fengzhi said, "Chi Ping, you can call me Uncle Ning, and I'll call you Xiaoping, okay?"

Chi Ping nodded. "Uncle Ning, if you want to help the Crown Prince mediate, there's no need. I will not allow Shrek Academy to participate in any conflicts on the continent. Shrek Academy will only be a place for teaching and nurturing people. Anyone can study at Shrek Academy; Shrek welcomes all. This is Shrek's promise and its principle."

The snow cleared the riverbed. "Are the Chi Ping brothers so resolute? Leaving no way out?"

Chi Ping said, "At the finals, I will make a promise and invitation to all Soul Masters on the continent from the podium."

Xue Qinghe, "You are very confident and decisive."

Chi Ping sat calmly and remained silent.

Xue Qinghe smiled and asked, "What are the admission standards for Shrek Academy? What are its teaching characteristics?"

Ning Fengzhi also said, "Xiaoping, please tell Qinghe and me about the unique features of Shrek Academy. Although Rongrong has told me about her life at the academy, I'd like to hear your opinion as the future successor. I'm thinking of sending some disciples from various sects to Shrek Academy, so I need to understand the academy's strength in detail."

Chi Pingdao said, "Only those who pass Shrek Academy's examination can join the academy. The academy's distinctive teaching includes moral education courses, cultivation of Qi and blood intuition, martial arts theory, and martial arts technique learning..."

Chi Ping spent two hours explaining Shrek Academy's teaching system and philosophy to Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe. The two listened attentively and occasionally asked questions, which Chi Ping answered one by one.

"A very lofty ideal!" Xue Qinghe commented. "Brother Chi Ping, do you know how difficult it is? If Shrek Academy is to develop according to your wishes, it cannot accept the help of any force, and it will even have to face the targeting of most, if not all, forces on the continent."

Chi Ping nodded, "The road ahead is long, only the will and action will tell."

……

The elite competition is in full swing.

With a total of 34 participating teams, one round per day, and a total of 33 days of competition, ten days have passed in the blink of an eye, and the audience and the Grand Arena have selected five favorites to advance.

Thunder, Blazing Fire, Heavenly Water, Divine Wind, and Shrek.

(End of this chapter)