"Teacher, rest assured. I am confident I can take down Brother Lin. He won't escape my grasp."
Xue Qinghe's lips curled into a confident smile.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi finally felt relieved. He had already decided to bet everything on Xue Qinghe. As long as Xue Qinghe ascended the throne, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would prosper immensely.
"Your Highness, regarding Rongrong joining the Royal Fighting Team..."
"Teacher, the Royal Fighting Team is not under my direct jurisdiction. Furthermore, the management rights have fallen entirely into Brother Lin's hands. This matter may be somewhat difficult."
After a pause, Xue Qinghe changed the subject seriously. "However, given my relationship with Brother Lin, it shouldn't be a problem."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo felt their moods ride a rollercoaster, going from cold dread to relieved hope.
"In that case, I'll leave this matter to Your Highness. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will not forget Your Highness's kindness once it is accomplished."
Having said this, Ning Fengzhi bowed and took his leave. He had only come for this matter, and with Xue Qinghe's guarantee, there shouldn't be any issues.
After all, Lin Mu's appointment as the leader of the Royal Fighting Team was partly due to Xue Qinghe's recommendation, in addition to his own strength.
Given their relationship, getting Ning Rongrong into the team shouldn't be difficult, especially since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the Number One Support Martial Soul in the world. Lin Mu had no logical reason to refuse.
"Teacher, why don't you stay a little longer? Qinghe has many things to ask you regarding governance."
"We can talk more later when we have time. For now, Your Highness should prioritize winning over Lin Mu; he is the key to solving all problems."
With that, Ning Fengzhi led the Sword Douluo out of the hall.
Xue Qinghe accompanied him for a distance, and only after Ning Fengzhi's repeated persuasion did "he" reluctantly return to the palace.
"It seems that Lin Mu has no good feelings toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which is why Ning Fengzhi asked me to win him over. This saves me a lot of trouble."
Xue Qinghe muttered to herself.
She had initially been worried that Ning Fengzhi would try to poach Lin Mu directly. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacked many things, but certainly not money or resources, which allowed them to recruit so many Soul Masters to risk their lives for them.
But now, seeing this, her worries were completely unnecessary. Given Lin Mu's personality, how could he possibly join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
Then, she put her hands behind her back, her eyes blazing. "Uncle She Long, I remember you told me that Ning Rongrong is at Shrek Academy, right?"
Before she finished speaking, the Snake Lance Douluo had already quietly appeared.
He knelt on one knee behind Xue Qinghe and solemnly said, "Reporting to the Young Master: Not long ago, the Blue Tyrant Academy was renamed Shrek Academy. Presumably, Ning Rongrong is currently in this academy."
"Blue Tyrant Academy?"
A strange glint flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes. The Blue Tyrant Academy was backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; how could it be renamed "Shrek Academy"?
What was so extraordinary about Shrek Academy that it involved two of the Upper Three Sects?
At this moment, the Snake Lance Douluo suddenly remembered something and continued, "Young Master, I happened to witness something when I went to Suotuo City with Lin Mu to recruit him."
"What was it?"
"The Dean of Shrek Academy, along with a teacher, robbed a Viscount of the Balak Kingdom."
"Oh? That's interesting. It seems necessary to investigate this matter; it might come in handy later."
Xue Qinghe's eyes flashed. In the Heaven Dou Empire, robbing a noble was a serious crime. If the amount involved reached a certain threshold, it could even result in the death penalty.
On the other side, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo had already left the palace grounds.
"Fengzhi, can Xue Qinghe really handle this matter?" the Sword Douluo suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi stopped. He remained silent for a moment before saying with a hint of helplessness, "Although I've only met Lin Mu once, I can sense that he's rather obsessive and prideful. I hope to use this opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings."
Upon hearing this answer, the Sword Douluo remained silent. From their brief exchange in battle, it was clear that Lin Mu was indeed extraordinary.
He preferred a direct confrontation rather than accepting three of the Sword Douluo's strikes, and even during their fight, he displayed a complete lack of traditional martial ethics, relentlessly pursuing his advantage without any humility.
Royal Fighting Team Training Ground.
Lin Mu was busy training everyone using his Gravity Mud Swamp skill.
After about half an hour of training, Qian Renxue finally arrived, late.
Lin Mu glanced at her, his gaze leaving no room for argument. "You dare to be half an hour late? Today, the cleaning job is yours."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback.
She had only been late for a short while, and now she was being made to clean his room again? Even if she was to be punished, couldn't he at least give her something different?
Cleaning Lin Mu's room every few days had caused quite a stir at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, with some rumors even suggesting she was Lin Mu's personal maid.
After a moment, she suppressed her dissatisfaction and changed the subject. "I have something else to discuss with you. His Highness the Crown Prince asked me to pass on a message."
"His Highness the Crown Prince? Why doesn't he come to me himself?"
Lin Mu raised an eyebrow, looking at Qian Renxue with interest. 'Has this woman even bothered to separate her identities properly?'
Qian Renxue already had a prepared excuse. She said calmly, "His Highness is extremely busy and simply can't spare the time. He said he'd come to drink and catch up with you when he has some free moments."
"If that's the case, how come he has time to pass on messages to you? do you live in the Crown Prince's Palace?" Lin Mu pressed on.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue was taken aback. 'Why is this guy suddenly asking this? Is he worried I have a relationship with another man?'
After a moment's hesitation, she explained, "His Highness treats me like a sister, so he lets me stay in the palace, but I live in a side hall."
Although this explanation was somewhat weak, Lin Mu didn't press further.
Changing his tone abruptly, he calmly asked, "Speak. What message did His Highness ask you to relay?"
Seeing Lin Mu's swift change in attitude, Qian Renxue felt a pang of doubt; she had a vague feeling that this guy was toying with her.
'Impossible. With my intelligence, I couldn't possibly be fooled by him.'
She quickly stated, "According to His Highness, Sect Master Ning wants to send his daughter to the Royal Fighting Team and would like to ask you to make an exception."
"Ning Rongrong?"
Lin Mu's expression turned strange. He had initially refused to have Ning Rongrong even as a substitute, but now she needed Ning Fengzhi to pull strings. It was truly dramatic.
Previously, he had been indifferent to Ning Rongrong's desire to join.
But now, he didn't want her to be a member, even as a substitute, as it could cause trouble for the team's dynamic.
Even though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was a top-tier support-type martial soul, Ning Rongrong could only cultivate it to around Level 33 before the competition began.
For a team almost entirely composed of Soul Ancestors, Ning Rongrong's soul power simply couldn't sustain them for long.
After a moment's thought, Lin Mu said confidently, "Currently, the Royal Fighting Team's lineup is basically complete; we don't need another support-type Soul Master."
"This is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the strongest support-type Martial Soul on the entire continent! Are you sure you don't need it?" Qian Renxue asked again, trying to fulfill her 'mission.'
However, Lin Mu shook his head slightly and said calmly, "Ning Rongrong's soul power is too low. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda requires a lot of soul power to sustain its buffs; she is simply insufficient to support a team of Soul Ancestors."
Hearing this explanation, Qian Renxue opened her mouth but couldn't refute it.
It seemed that Lin Mu had already made up his mind not to use Ning Rongrong.