Feng Family Residence.
Feng Lie suggested, "Little friend Wu, I've heard your team has encountered some trouble. Why not transfer to Blazing Academy instead?"
"Xiao Wu (Huo Wu) already told me about your thoughts. Rest assured, the academy will never interfere with your training."
Wu Qi shook his head and changed the topic. "It's just some temporary disturbance because the Crown Prince is not around."
"By the way, may I ask why the three family heads have summoned me today?"
Feng Changlin took over the conversation. "Little friend Wu, regarding your proposal, the three of us have carefully considered it."
"I have a question. If our three families unite to form a single large clan, would Senior Dugu really be willing to help us suppress the Elephant Armored Sect?"
Clever wordplay.
Wu Qi sneered inwardly.
Feng Changlin always liked these superficial tricks, meaningless and transparent.
"Patriarch Feng, we are neither relatives nor allies. You want to form a unified family, yet why should I ask Senior Dugu to step in and resolve your problems?"
"Don't misunderstand things and damage others' perception of your family because of a slip of the tongue."
Feng Changlin gave an awkward smile.
Everyone had selfish intentions; being exposed so directly naturally made him uncomfortable.
Huo Lie quickly stepped in. "Please don't mind him, Little friend Wu. Old Feng simply asked out of curiosity, nothing more."
"Xiao Wu (Huo Wu) and Huo Wushuang's improvement is obvious to us. Likewise, you have fulfilled your promise and demonstrated your capability."
"However, I still have one more matter that requires your clear answer."
Wu Qi nodded with a faint smile. "Speak."
Huo Lie exchanged glances with the others. Finally, Shui Ningbing spoke. "Little friend Wu, let's be frank."
"We understand your intention, and we've discussed it for a long time."
"Your relationship with Senior Dugu can indeed ensure he helps us resist the Elephant Armored Sect. Becoming your subordinate is not an issue, but your current performance is still not convincing enough."
"In other words, we do not fully trust your ability to lead our three families toward a better future."
Shui Ningbing spoke more tactfully. "Our three families joining together is ultimately for profit and stability. Otherwise, the alliance could easily collapse and even turn us against each other."
"So I hope you can put yourself in our position and think carefully."
"If we join under you, we are willing to keep an open mind. But at the same time, you must provide a development plan that satisfies us."
Wu Qi understood immediately.
These three families had lost the backing of the Heaven Dou imperial family, and under pressure from the Elephant Armored Sect, their industries were shrinking rapidly.
Aside from renting out shops on their lands, they had almost no stable income left.
As for their respective academies, they only barely broke even on the surface.
With the Elephant Armored Sect constantly targeting their students, it wouldn't be long before many would quit due to pressure.
In his previous life, Wu Qi had heard of capital logic.
Capitalists pursue profit; only a stable and secure environment can generate sustained gains.
The Feng, Shui, and Huo families were now trapped in internal and external crises, so much so that few merchants would dare cooperate with them.
The only way out was to find an extremely powerful backer to resolve their immediate crisis.
But at the same time, they had not clearly agreed to fully submit. If things were resolved and they later reneged, Wu Qi would be left bearing all the risk.
Moreover, this "piece of fat meat" was very likely already being eyed by Bibi Dong.
If he stumbled here, the Worship Hall would inevitably lose confidence in him.
Thinking of this, Wu Qi understood this was a deadlock that was difficult to break.
After a long silence and countless mental simulations, he finally spoke.
"The concerns of the three family heads are understandable, and I am willing to provide a solution."
"We would like to hear it." The three showed curiosity.
Wu Qi continued, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is expanding its commercial market. If you trust me, I can help facilitate cooperation between you and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"As for your external threats, Senior Dugu can resolve them today."
This was not an empty claim about influencing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Wu Qi's relationship with Ning Rongrong was well known to them.
Ning Fengzhi valued talent highly, and Wu Qi was an unprecedented genius of the continent. Forming ties with him was something Ning Fengzhi would not miss.
Moreover, this move had been carefully considered.
Since the Worship Hall was willing to give the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect benefits, binding the Feng, Shui, and Huo families to its "war chariot" would make it harder for Qian Daoliu to change his stance later without serious consequences.
Wu Qi had never forgotten the Worship Hall's support, but in the original timeline, Qian Daoliu had never truly acted decisively.
In fact, later misjudgments indirectly contributed to the downfall of the Spirit Hall.
Seeing the three hesitate, Wu Qi added one more sentence.
"Three patriarchs, opportunities like this do not come often. I hope you can seize it."
"I have not known Sect Master Ning for long, but I can tell he dislikes two-faced schemers."
Fire Lian silently gestured, and a member of the clan escorted Wu Qi forward.
"Little friend, please go and rest first. Allow us some time to consider carefully."
After leaving the hall, Wu Qi was surprised to find Feng Xiaotian and the others already waiting outside.
"What are you doing here?"
Huo Wu quickly asked, "Did Grandpa agree?"
"Agree to what?" Wu Qi feigned ignorance.
He did not intend to reveal anything before matters were settled.
If it ultimately failed, it would only make things awkward for Feng Xiaotian and the others within the team.
However, it was clear that Feng Xiaotian's group had already heard some rumors in advance.
Huo Wushuang said, "Captain, as teammates, we trust you."
"In the Sunset Forest, your decisions repeatedly helped us overcome crises. At the Great Spirit Arena, your command led us to victory after victory."
"We believe that under your leadership, our team will definitely win the Spirit Master Tournament championship."
Feng Xiaotian added, "I also believe that under your leadership, the future development of our three clans will only improve. If our grandfathers refuse, we will step in and persuade them."
"You…" Wu Qi was momentarily stunned.
He had not expected that after only a little over a month of interaction, Feng Xiaotian and the others would already regard him as someone worth entrusting everything to.
They were all heirs of their respective clans and held significant influence. With their support, they could, to some extent, sway the three clan heads.
But—
"I already have my own plan for this matter. You don't need to interfere. Trust me," Wu Qi said seriously.
For him, this was also a test.
Convincing the three clans alone was different from relying on Feng Xiaotian and the others to persuade them.
If he wanted the three clans to fully trust him, he had to prove his own capability.
With that, Wu Qi immediately wrote a letter and entrusted Feng Xiaotian to deliver it to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
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