After a moment of silence, Wu Qi argued reasonably.
"Forming the second team of the Royal Academy was the decision of the Crown Prince."
"Now that the team has been assembled and has already demonstrated strong strength, yet someone is trying to strip away the results out of jealousy, this is simply disregarding the Crown Prince's authority!"
Qin Ming snapped back, "Nonsense! The sincere intentions of the three Education Committee members are entirely for the Crown Prince's consideration."
Wu Qi countered, "Let me ask you this, bringing Feng Xiaotian and the others into the second team. Were the procedures handled by the three Education Committee members? Was that their contribution?"
This was not the case.
Recruiting Feng Xiaotian and the others had been entirely Wu Qi's effort.
Only after everything was settled did the three Education Committee members learn of it.
Hearing this, the three men felt awkward and quickly interrupted, "Ahem, Xiao Ming, as a teacher you should set an example. Watch your tone."
"Xiao Wu, this is also for the long-term development of the academy."
"You are still young and can participate in one more Spirit Master Tournament. I promise you that for the next tournament, the formation rights of the first team will be entirely yours. How about that?"
Wu Qi sneered inwardly.
Compared to him, the three Education Committee members clearly valued Qin Ming more.
As for the "next tournament"—by then the situation on the continent would already have changed drastically. The Spirit Hall's hunting plan would have destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and severely damaged the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
The continent would be in chaos, and under such circumstances, how could the Spirit Master Tournament even continue?
It could be said that the next tournament would likely be the last meaningful one for more than a decade.
Whether or not there was a future "Seven Treasure Academy" fallback, Wu Qi would not accept such empty promises.
This was nothing more than fooling a child.
When he first joined the academy, they had clearly agreed that he would have full control over forming the second team. Yet a single statement from Qin Ming was now enough to overturn that promise, who knew if the same would happen again in the future?
Just as the dispute reached a stalemate, Prince Xue Xing and Dugu Bo arrived at the Education Committee office.
The prince's guards immediately surrounded the three Education Committee members and Qin Ming. Xue Xing's arrival made it clear he was standing behind Wu Qi.
"Chief Mengshenji, don't forget that I am the actual administrator of the academy," Xue Xing said proudly with his hands behind his back.
The argument between Wu Qi and Qin Ming had already spread through the academy. After hearing the news, Xue Beng immediately informed him.
Xue Xing had long intended to recruit Wu Qi, and this development was exactly what he wanted.
"Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?" Mengshenji's expression turned ugly.
Anyone with clear judgment knew that the imperial family normally did not interfere in academy affairs; everything was handled by the three Education Committee members.
Xue Xing stepping in at this moment clearly showed he intended to bring Wu Qi under his influence.
While Mengshenji was indeed power-hungry, if Wu Qi were to side with Xue Xing, that would be a far greater problem.
Xue Xing sneered, "Your contributions will be reported to His Majesty. I will not fail to acknowledge them."
"But I believe the current second team is already excellent. There is no need to change it."
At the same time, Dugu Bo secretly transmitted his voice to Wu Qi: "Kid, I'm playing along with your plan. Are you confident?"
Wu Qi remained calm and gave a reassuring look.
Qin Ming, seeing an outsider intervene, grew anxious and quickly said, "Your Highness, only by reorganizing the second team can the academy truly develop."
"Don't you want to see both academy teams reach the finals together?"
Xue Xing laughed coldly and glanced provocatively at the three Education Committee members.
"Three of you, is this the successor you've trained?"
"Does he even have the right to speak here?"
"If you can't bear it, I wouldn't mind teaching him a lesson for you."
Mengshenji frowned. "Your Highness, don't go too far! The proposal to disband the second team was made by the Education Committee, it has nothing to do with Xiao Ming. Our decision is not for you to interfere with!"
Xue Xing sighed. "Chief Mengshenji, you are truly getting old and confused. Abandoning a strong team just to break it apart, I am very worried about your condition. I will report to His Majesty and suggest you retire."
Zhi Lin, a Spirit Douluo, also looked displeased.
Although he did not fully support breaking up the second team, it had been a collective decision made for recruitment purposes.
"Your Highness, the academy is not a place for you to act recklessly. If you continue, I will report this to His Majesty myself."
The argument continued until noon. Perhaps everyone grew hungry, and only then did things temporarily calm down.
Before leaving, Xue Xing invited Wu Qi:
"Little friend Wu, would you care to join me at Spring Autumn Restaurant?"
Wu Qi cupped his hands. "I apologize, Your Highness. I already have matters to attend to this afternoon with Senior Dugu. Perhaps another day."
Xue Xing, of course, was well aware of Wu Qi's connection with Dugu Bo.
In his mind, Dugu Bo was already one of his own, so he had no objection to their contact. On the contrary, he even believed Dugu Bo was helping him win Wu Qi over.
"What a pity," Xue Xing said lightly. With a confident stride, he turned and left, adding, "Rest assured, young friend if the three Education Committee members make things difficult for you, feel free to mention my name."
After watching Xue Xing and his entourage depart, Dugu Bo couldn't help but ask, "What is it you need?"
He was certain Wu Qi hadn't been making excuses earlier, he truly had something to discuss.
"Where is Dugu Yan? I need to speak with her first, then I'll need your help."
"Come with me."
With Qin Ming already reinstated, the Emperor's Fighting Team gradually resumed training.
However, it was all independent training; Qin Ming, still focused on securing control of the second team's formation rights, was temporarily unable to manage them.
Inside the dormitory.
Wu Qi asked, "Yan'er, are all your cultivation resources provided by your grandfather?"
Dugu Bo and Wu Qi addressed each other as equals, so by convention Dugu Yan would have had to call him "grandfather."
Wu Qi did not take advantage of that; instead, they interacted as peers.
Dugu Yan looked puzzled. "Yes. The academy's resources aren't well suited to my spirit, so they don't help me much."
Wu Qi asked again, "Besides you, does Yu Tianheng also not use the academy's resources?"
Dugu Yan replied, "Tianheng's resources are provided by his family. Not just him, most of us rarely use the academy's supplies."
"Wu Qi, why are you asking this?"
Even Dugu Bo looked over with curiosity.
Wu Qi would not ask such things without reason, there had to be something significant behind it.
"Yan'er, I know you deeply hate Qin Ming. What I just asked you about is enough to ruin him completely. It depends on whether you are willing to bring the members of the Emperor's Fighting Team forward to testify."
At the mention of Qin Ming, Dugu Yan's expression turned dark.
If Dugu Bo hadn't stopped her, she would have already gone to settle the score herself.
Now her strength had reached Level 45, and in the Emperor's Fighting Team, her authority even surpassed Yu Tianheng.
If she spoke up, even Yu Tianheng and the others would not object.
"Little guy, what earth-shattering evidence did you find? Hurry up and tell me, you're killing me with suspense," Dugu Bo urged.
----
If you like story please donate some power stones and leave a review
For additional chapters
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu