Li Xun smiled as he looked at the three members of the Education Committee. "What do you three think? Should we still hold back our strength?"
"Members of the Education Committee, just wait for our good news," Yang Qianjun said with a laugh, noticing how the three were startled by Li Xun's Spirit Rings.
"Ahem, since you all are so confident, I won't stand in your way. After all, with your current influence as the 'Little State Preceptor,' I can't really change anything," Meng Shenji quickly covered his mouth and coughed lightly, trying to save face.
Hearing Meng Shenji jokingly refer to Li Xun as the "Little State Preceptor," everyone burst into laughter.
"Old Meng, please don't joke like that. I'm no 'Little State Preceptor.' It's just a nickname my colleagues tease me with," Li Xun waved his hand with a smile. "However, I do have a small request for this Soul Master Competition. I wonder if the three of you could agree to it?"
"Oh? Go ahead," Meng Shenji said seriously. "As long as it's within the academy's capabilities, I can agree to it. But if it's beyond our means, you'll have to handle it yourself."
Since joining the academy, Li Xun had never made any demands or asked for resources. On one hand, he didn't lack anything, and on the other, the academy couldn't really offer much help.
Now that Li Xun was finally making a request, Meng Shenji was quite curious to see what he had in mind.
"Members of the Education Committee, I'd like our team to wear the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's attire during the Soul Master Competition," Li Xun said with a smile. "On one hand, it's to promote the sect, and on the other, it's to earn a bit of money."
"Of course, I'll give 30% of the earnings to the academy as a return, and the remaining 70% will be split among us."
Upon hearing this, the three members of the Education Committee frowned and discussed among themselves.
After a moment, Meng Shenji nodded. "I can agree to that. After all, it's you who will be competing in the Soul Master Competition, and the majority of the team is from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
Currently, in the entire Tian Dou Royal Team, only the Shi Feng and Shi Mo brothers were not from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. If one were to insist, it wouldn't be wrong to call it the Seven Treasure Team.
Li Xun calling it a "small request" was already giving them face. Otherwise, he could have easily taken the team and affiliated with any academy that had the qualifications to participate.
"Brother Li, you're planning to pull us into making money together," Yang Qianjun's eyes lit up as he looked at Li Xun with excitement.
The Shi Feng and Shi Mo brothers also looked pleasantly surprised. Although they were studying at the Royal Academy, their families weren't well-off. Now that Li Xun was planning to include them in earning money, it was undoubtedly a helping hand.
After all, who on the continent didn't know about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's ability to make money? Not to mention Li Xun's own ventures over the years.
"If we sweep through the Soul Master Competition, it's bound to create a wave of excitement. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we can sell team uniforms and handmade items to earn a decent income," Li Xun said with a smile, then subtly winked at Zhu Zhuqing.
He had actually started preparing for this a month ago. The main goal was to promote the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, leaving a deep impression on both commoners and Soul Masters, laying a solid foundation for the sect's future popularity.
Secondly, it was to earn some pocket money for Zhu Zhuqing and the others.
After all, the sect was the sect, and individuals were individuals. If there were any major expenses, it was always better to have some money in one's own pocket.
While the Heavenly Dou Royal Team was discussing ways to make money, the group from Shrek Academy at Blue Lightning Advanced Academy was also strategizing on how to make a splash in the upcoming Soul Master Competition.
Flender was particularly excited because he had already negotiated advertising spots on their team uniforms with several shops.
Yu Xiaogang glanced at Flender with a puzzled look before addressing the Shrek Academy group, "Tomorrow is the preliminary round, so I'll outline the plan for you in advance."
"Tianheng, you have the highest cultivation level and are the oldest in the team, so you'll be the captain."
Seeing Yu Tianheng nod in agreement, Yu Xiaogang turned his gaze to Dai Mubai and Tang San. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Xiao San, as the control-type Soul Master, you'll need to manage the dynamics of the team, so you'll be the vice-captain."
"Yes, Teacher," Tang San nodded earnestly.
Dai Mubai stared at Yu Xiaogang, opening his mouth as if to say something but ultimately swallowing his words.
If it were based on age and cultivation level, he should have been the vice-captain. However, Tang San was Yu Xiaogang's direct disciple and a control-type Soul Master, so there was no point in arguing.
But it didn't matter. As long as he could face Li Xun on the battlefield, he would show him just how grueling his training had been.
"And Qin Ming will be my assistant," Yu Xiaogang added.
He scanned the group, and seeing no objections, he nodded. "Since there are no questions, I'll explain the rules of the Soul Master Competition."
"First, the competition is divided into three stages: the preliminary round, the advancement round, and the finals. The preliminary round is a seven-person team match. Even if you lose, you won't be eliminated because it's based on a points system."
"The Heaven Dou Empire and the various kingdoms and duchies have numerous Soul Master academies, so they are divided into six zones, with over a hundred academies competing for fifteen spots in the finals. The Star Luo Empire follows the same structure."
"Although there's no direct elimination, only the top five teams in each zone will advance to the next round."
Yu Xiaogang paused to take a sip of water before continuing. "After the preliminary round, there's the advancement round. This stage also doesn't have an elimination mechanism and focuses on individual matches, primarily to select elites for the Spirit Hall and the two empires."
"So, the first two stages are relatively unimportant, and the real focus is the finals with thirty teams, right?" Yu Tianheng nodded in understanding.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "There are actually thirty-three teams. The extra three are the seed teams from the two empires and the Spirit Hall. They'll advance directly to the finals without having to compete for qualification like the other academies."
"The Heavenly Dou Royal Team's first squad, where Li Xun is, is one of these seed teams."
At the mention of Li Xun, the expressions of the Shrek Academy group darkened. They had already learned about Li Xun's current strength from Tailong and Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened as he looked at the group. "I know Li Xun's current strength is a lot of pressure for you, but how many times have you triumphed against stronger opponents?"
"The only thing you really need to worry about is his Martial Soul Fusion Skill with that girl from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. But as long as one of you can handle it, it should be fine."
At the mention of Li Xun, Ma Hongjun felt as if his butt was on fire, and he abruptly stood up.
With a raised fist, he roared, "Even if his Soul Power is high, ever since I gained the ability to fly, his plants have been no threat to me. This time, we will definitely make him pay."
"Teacher, rest assured. We've been training so hard precisely for this moment," Tang San was also inspired by Ma Hongjun.
"Grandmaster, don't worry. We will surely avenge you."
Yu Xiaogang looked at these spirited young men and nodded, suppressing the unpleasant memories about the treasure tower in his heart. "Good. Since you're confident, I'll arrange the order of appearance for you."
"Grandmaster, with our strength, do we really need to arrange the order for the preliminaries? Can't we just crush our way through?" Ma Hongjun said somewhat dismissively.
"The Soul Master Competition isn't as simple as you think. Not only is the tournament long, but there are also many strong teams. I need you to hide your strength to avoid being targeted by other teams in the finals."
Tang San nodded. "Teacher is right. If all of us compete, our strength will be figured out after a few rounds. If Li Xun and the others find out, it will be very disadvantageous for us in the finals."
Seeing that Tang San understood his intentions, Yu Xiaogang smiled and nodded. "For the preliminaries, I plan to have only four of you main team members compete in each match, with the remaining three spots filled by substitutes."
"Do you have the confidence?"
Before the others from Shrek Academy could react, Tailong, as a substitute, spoke up first. "Grandmaster, are you letting me compete?"
Seeing Yu Xiaogang nod, Tailong trembled with excitement.
If he could compete, it meant he would face Li Xun and Yang Qianjun. This time, he would give it his all to avenge his father.
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