Chapter 176: Trying to Blackmail Us? No Way!

Everyone who can join Tiandou Huangjia Xueyuan is a descendant of the nobility.

The group of people in the Imperial Fighting Team's third squad can be called spoiled brats, and their family backgrounds are naturally extraordinary.

After leaving the tournament venue, Prince Xue Xing was, unsurprisingly, severely reprimanded by Emperor Xueye.

It was only when Xue Xing indicated that he had a way to deal with Shrek Academy that Emperor Xueye desisted, while issuing an ultimatum—success is the only option; even if it fails, it must not be traced back to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family!

The source of Prince Xue Xing's confidence was naturally the loophole in the rules submitted by the Seven Treasures Team before the tournament.

Before this regulation was implemented, he could certainly make use of it.

Moreover, the families behind these seven people would not let the matter rest; a group of nobles gathering together to plot against someone—wouldn't that be easy?

……

After the opening ceremony concluded, as the Seven Treasures Team was leaving the venue, they happened to run into Ning Fengzhi and his companion.

"Greetings, Sect Master Ning (Uncle Ning), Senior Bone Douluo." Everyone bowed in salute.

Ning Rongrong asked curiously, "Dad, that bunch from Shrek Academy is truly detestable; why did you still speak up for them?"

Ning Fengzhi gave a hollow laugh and offered no explanation.

After all, he was not the party involved; stepping in to resolve the situation was merely at someone's request, and there was no need to offend people over it.

His gaze turned to the members of the Seven Treasures Team, and he nodded with satisfaction, "Ning is satisfied with your spirit and energy. Maintain this state, and you will surely achieve good results."

"The final goal of the Preliminary Tournament is just to advance. Regardless of whether you achieve a perfect record, Ning has extra rewards, so don't be under too much pressure."

Saying this, Ning Fengzhi did not stay long.

After all, as a guest of the tournament, and having clearly stated his relationship with the Seven Treasures Team, lingering here would inevitably lead to gossip.

Before leaving, he called out, "Little Wu, the Crown Prince is looking for you regarding something; come with Uncle for a moment."

Wu Qi did not refuse.

Xue Qinghe had also attended the opening ceremony; seeking him out this time was likely also for the sake of the tournament.

Before long, under the guidance of Ning Fengzhi, Wu Qi arrived at a teahouse near the competition arena.

Ning Fengzhi exchanged a few brief pleasantries with Xue Qinghe, then rose to leave, leaving the space to the two of them.

For nearly half a year, Wu Qi had been training, and there had been basically no contact with Xue Qinghe.

"Brother Little Wu, it has truly been a long time." Xue Qinghe waved enthusiastically, signaling for the other to sit beside him.

Wu Qi responded with a faint smile, "It has indeed been a long time. I wonder what the Crown Prince has to say this time?"

Sensing the other's current soul power level, Xue Qinghe felt slightly surprised.

To advance from a mid-level Soul Ancestor to a Soul King in just over half a year—such talent is truly astonishing.

Pausing for a moment, he said with a smile, "It seems my worries were overblown. With Brother Little Wu's strength, few in this tournament are your match."

Not dwelling too much on this topic, he immediately asked, "Brother Little Wu, you must have seen Shrek Academy's performance today. I wonder if you have any good countermeasures?"

Tang San publicly put Emperor Xueye in an awkward position, and Yu Xiaogang tore off the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's fig leaf in a public setting.

This matter had effectively become a disgrace to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Although Xue Qinghe treated people kindly, he was no pushover; in the face of such provocation, how could he let it slide easily?

Tang San was also the son of an enemy, and since the Heaven Dou Imperial Family already had plans to retaliate against him, Xue Qinghe wanted to take this opportunity to use the power in the hands of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family to kill Tang San.

Wu Qi understood his thoughts but shook his head, "It's not that simple. Now that the Spirit Master Tournament has begun, Tang Hao will definitely be guarding Tang San from the shadows."

"If we kill Tang San, no one can stop a crazed Tang Hao; in the end, it will only result in mutual destruction."

Xue Qinghe did not lose his composure and asked in return, "Then what good countermeasure do you have?"

Wu Qi knew that Prince Xue Xing was the type to hold a grudge.

Shrek Academy making him lose face in public was not a matter that could be easily glossed over.

Therefore, why couldn't Prince Xue Xing be the one to step forward?

If Prince Xue Xing handled it well, Xue Qinghe would also feel satisfied; if he handled it poorly, Xue Qinghe could use it as leverage to weaken his power.

"We are in the shadows; why should we take the initiative to step onto the stage?" Wu Qi asked with a faint smile, "By silently pushing the development of everything from behind, even if there is accountability later, it might not necessarily be traced back to us."

"Crown Prince, you are too close to the situation. Sometimes, the more anxious one is, the greater the price one often pays."

Xue Qinghe was lost in thought.

……

That evening, a group of people came to the gates of Shrek Academy to cause trouble.

Among them, some were hired to come, and others were family members of the victims from the Imperial Fighting Team's third squad.

Prince Xue Xing had not yet reached a consensus with this group of nobles, so some nobles wanted to come and settle privately with Shrek Academy.

To put it bluntly, nobles sending their family descendants to Tiandou Huangjia Xueyuan was to serve as hostages for the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Especially during critical periods like leading troops on an expedition or seeking a promotion in rank, sending family descendants to the academy counted as showing loyalty to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Those who could be treated as hostages certainly did not have high status in their families. Some nobles felt that as long as Shrek Academy was willing to pay to settle privately, they could save face, and the matter would be considered over.

After all, there was no need to spend too much energy on a fringe member with no possibility of inheriting a title.

Yu Xiaogang was reviewing the match with the Shrek Seven Devils. Hearing the commotion outside the gate, he rushed out of the room with an ugly expression, grabbed a passing student, and asked, "Who is making a scene here?"

The Shrek Seven Devils also walked out of their rooms out of curiosity.

The student explained, "T-Teacher, there are people outside the gate seeking an explanation from the academy, claiming to be family members of the Imperial Fighting Team members."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang sneered, "A bunch of losers with insufficient strength, daring to come to the academy to find trouble!"

Saying this, he walked toward the academy gate.

The Shrek Seven Devils sneered repeatedly at this and followed along to see how things developed.

Outside the gate, Flender was trying his best to soothe the emotions of these family members.

"Don't be anxious yet. State clearly which student of the Imperial Fighting Team's third squad you are the parent of, and then we shall discuss the matter of compensation."

Flender was very "honest" and fully accepted Ning Fengzhi's suggestion.

After all, the influence of the nobility could not be underestimated; offending them would lead to them secretly tripping up Shrek Academy, and there would surely be endless trouble in the future.

Furthermore, in his view, it was indeed Shrek Academy that was at fault first in this matter.

Listening to Flender's persuasion, many parents gradually calmed down.

Just as both sides were preparing to negotiate further, Yu Xiaogang walked out.

"Flender, these people are just trying to extort our Shrek Academy, yet you are still being amiable to them? Have you gone senile!"

Hearing these words, the anger in the hearts of the parents, who had originally calmed down, was ignited once again.

A mother accused fiercely, "You dare say we are extorting you!? My son had no past grievances or recent grudges with you, yet you, Shrek Academy, actually openly attempted to murder him."

Tang San stepped forward, glaring coldly, "If you were worried about your son getting hurt, then don't let him participate in the competition!"

(End of this chapter)