During the promotion matches, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, as the representative of the empire, closely observed every match.
Not far from where the various teams were stationed, there was a small building.
This was a resting place for royal family members and now served as Xue Qinghe's temporary residence.
Upon entering, Ning Tianchen was led to a meeting room.
"Why did you summon me here, Brother Xue?" Ning Tianchen asked curiously.
Xue Qinghe replied, "I wanted to ask if Brother Tianchen would like to serve in the Eastern Palace. Earlier, I discussed this with my teacher, and he advised me to consult your opinion. Currently, the Crown Prince's residence doesn't have many retainers. If Brother Tianchen is willing to join, I will request permission from His Majesty to appoint you as the Crown Prince's Junior Protector."
This was an excellent position—numerous ministers in the imperial court schemed to send their descendants to serve in the Crown Prince's residence.
The role of Junior Protector was ostensibly to safeguard the Crown Prince's safety. However, the Crown Prince's residence already had many strong individuals, so the position was largely honorary. It placed the holder close to the Crown Prince, and once the prince ascended the throne, the rewards for loyalty would be substantial—potentially bringing wealth and prestige for generations.
But for Ning Tianchen, did any of this matter?
With strength, what status couldn't he achieve? Why rely on others' favor?
As expected, he declined. "My apologies, Your Highness. After this tournament concludes, I still need to enter seclusion for cultivation and won't be able to take on such a responsibility. If Your Highness requires protection, I can arrange someone to guard you."
Xue Qinghe's lips twitched slightly.
The person Ning Tianchen referred to was most likely Zhang Erhe.
The death of the Gold Pavilion Soul Douluo had already spread within the Spirit Hall, and Xue Qinghe knew who the killer was but didn't reveal it.
Ning Tianchen placing Zhang Erhe by his side could be framed as ensuring his safety, but in reality, wasn't it just surveillance?
Xue Qinghe didn't lose his temper.
He wasn't sure if Ning Tianchen had noticed anything or guessed his true identity.
"Brother Tianchen, no need to be so serious. Since you're not interested, let's leave it at that. In the future, when we have time, we can meet more often and strengthen our bond."
Seeing that he wouldn't get the desired outcome, Xue Qinghe swiftly ended the topic.
"By the way, from what I've seen in this tournament, the Seven Treasures Team has the potential to win the championship. What are your chances?"
Ning Tianchen replied, "Claiming a hundred percent certainty would be exaggerating. But I'd say we have more than a fifty percent chance. The key lies in whether Brother Xue can obtain intelligence on the Spirit Hall Team."
The three soul bones offered as the final rewards were indeed provided by the Spirit Hall, but Xue Qinghe was more eager to see that woman's plans fail.
As for the Spirit Hall Academy Team's intelligence, he already possessed it—but he couldn't reveal it, lest his identity be exposed.
After some thought, he said, "I don't have the ability to investigate the Spirit Hall's intelligence. This way, I'll send out some scouts. How much information they can gather, I can't guarantee."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while longer, Ning Tianchen finally took his leave.
The Qing Luan Douluo, who had been guarding nearby, entered the meeting room.
"Young Master, you're too impatient. This is Tiandou Empire's military camp, and both Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo are here. If you had revealed your true identity earlier, years of planning might have been ruined."
He could tell that if Ning Tianchen had accepted the position of Junior Protector, Xue Qinghe might have dropped his disguise, confessed to him, and attempted to recruit him into the Spirit Hall.
Xue Qinghe gave a faint smile. "If third grandfather disagrees, I'll just kill him."
The Qing Luan Douluo frowned. "Young Master, calm down. He left with you in front of Ning Fengzhi. If he dies or disappears, no matter how you explain it, Ning Fengzhi will hold you accountable."
Xue Qinghe waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not that foolish. Let's wait and see."
---
On the second day of the competition.
After the first day's battles, the teams had gained some understanding of each other's strengths.
Today's matches were bound to be intense.
"Our opponent today is… the Balak Academy Team," Ning Tianchen muttered sarcastically. "What rotten luck. Right at the start of the promotion round, we've faced strong teams for two consecutive days."
Most of the Balak Team's members had flower-type martial souls.
Ning Rongrong carried the Yearning Heartbroken Red flower, which could immunize her against these soul masters' attacks.
Of course, Ning Tianchen wouldn't let her participate. After all, the Yearning Heartbroken Red was an external item unrelated to martial souls and would be considered cheating.
Feng Xiaotian raised an eyebrow at Ning Tianchen. "Captain, shall we compete?"
The competition he referred to was about achieving a one-against-seven sweep.
Ning Tianchen shrugged. "You go first, or should I?"
Feng Xiaotian replied, "You already completed a one-against-seven sweep during the inter-academy tournament. This time, naturally, it's my turn to go first."
Ning Tianchen reminded him, "If you pull off a one-against-seven sweep today, in the future, those weaker teams facing us won't give us another chance to do so."
After all, there were no spectators in the promotion round. Knowing they would face a one-against-seven sweep, weaker teams might choose to concede early without fear of ridicule.
Unless they encountered stubborn teams, there would only be one chance for a one-against-seven sweep.
Feng Xiaotian pondered for a moment and said, "You've already achieved a one-against-seven sweep in the inter-academy tournament. If I pull it off this time, it'll only count as tying with you. If there's no chance in the future, then so be it. Ensuring our team secures first place is our top priority."
Ning Tianchen arranged, "Then you'll take the lead, followed by Fatso, and I'll guard the final position."
Dealing with the Balak Team didn't require Ning Tianchen to step in. This arrangement was just a precaution.
---
After being thoroughly defeated by the Shrek Team, the Balak Team had become much more subdued.
Upon learning their opponent for today, the Balak Team's captain immediately considered conceding.
Yesterday, Ning Tianchen's displayed strength had been absolutely terrifying.
Even high-level Soul Ancestors couldn't withstand more than a few moves under his hands—let alone their low-level Soul Ancestors.
Their instructor immediately scolded them, "Don't forget, you represent the Balak Royal Family. Even if you lose, you must lose standing tall!"
At the start of the match, he didn't believe the Seven Treasures Team could achieve a one-against-seven sweep.
In previous tournaments, such sweeps were extremely rare, and the Tiandou Empire region had never seen one.
He believed that although Ning Tianchen's strength was formidable, eliminating the Balak Team's members would surely drain a significant amount of his soul power. Once exhausted, he would have to leave the stage.
"Teacher, I…" The Balak captain didn't want to step onto the stage to be beaten up.
The instructor glared at him. "I have the authority to report your performance directly to His Majesty. Don't forget the benefits the king promised you. You were sent here to compete, not to avoid matches!"
Thinking of the king's rewards, the Balak Team members became energized as if injected with adrenaline.
Clearly, the reward was incredibly enticing.
"Promotion Round, Second Round, Third Match: Seven Treasures Academy Team versus Balak Academy Team!"
After the referee announced the match, both sides sent out their first contestants.
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