Salas was not surprised by Wu Qi's actions.
At only fourteen years old, Wu Qi had already reached Spirit King Level, displaying talent even greater than that of the founder of the Spirit Hall and the first Angel God.
Salas' actions were naturally meant to build goodwill with such a prodigy.
Ever since the opening match, Emperor Xue Ye had stopped attending the tournament personally, leaving Crown Prince Xue Qinghe to represent him.
There was likely an order from Xue Qinghe behind this as well.
Having his past exposed, Grandmaster's face turned bright red. He held it in for a long time but could not utter a single word.
In the eyes of the audience, the Spirit Hall was, in many ways, more impartial than the Empire itself.
Even the Platinum Bishop had declared that the Seven Treasure Team had broken no rules, while Grandmaster continued making unreasonable accusations. Who was right and who was wrong was now obvious to everyone.
The members of the Seven Treasure Team left the arena as though none of it mattered.
Changkong rubbed his stomach and complained, "I'm starving. We should've ended the match even faster."
Everyone laughed together as they walked into the competitors' tunnel, seemingly unaffected by Grandmaster's behavior.
Grandmaster glared at their departing figures with bloodshot eyes, his face twisted with rage, yet he did not dare take another step.
Liu Erlong wanted to argue with Salas, but he ignored them completely and simply turned around and left.
In the end, under the criticism of the spectators, they could only leave in disgrace.
After leaving the arena, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong immediately came over.
"Eliminating your opponents in twenty-nine seconds. I'm afraid that record may never be broken."
After praising them, Ning Fengzhi's expression turned serious.
"You were right to stand up for His Majesty. But did you consider what would have happened if someone had died? Do you realize how great a loss that would have been for us?"
According to the tournament rules, killing an opponent would result in immediate disqualification. Even if both the Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan intervened, they would not have been able to save the Seven Treasure Team.
In Ning Fengzhi's eyes, Wu Qi had acted far too recklessly. Trading the future of the entire Seven Treasure Team for the life of someone from Shrek Academy simply wasn't worth it.
Ning Rongrong pouted.
"Dad, Brother Wu Qi knew exactly what he was doing."
Ning Tianyu added, "Clan Leader, our attacks weren't as serious as they looked."
Everyone had only cut the skin of the Shrek Seven Devils without injuring any vital organs. In the end, they had merely knocked them unconscious, they had not passed out from severe injuries.
Realizing something, Ning Fengzhi quickly asked, "Did you do all this just to embarrass Shrek Academy?"
Wu Qi did not deny it.
Someone like Grandmaster was nothing more than a clown.
He had no real ability, yet cared endlessly about saving face. Letting him lose face in public was an effective way to crush his arrogance.
Ning Fengzhi finally relaxed.
At least Wu Qi and the others had not let their emotions get the better of them.
As for Grandmaster, he was simply an incompetent fool, a perfect example of an unworthy son born to a great father.
"Alright. I'll have extra food prepared for all of you. Go back, get some rest, and don't let this affect tomorrow's match."
With that, Ning Fengzhi left without saying anything more.
At the same time, news of this shocking match quickly reached the imperial palace.
Emperor Xue Ye, who had been preparing to retire for the night, was overjoyed.
"Excellent! Eliminating Shrek Academy in just twenty-nine seconds! The Seven Treasure Team truly lives up to my expectations!"
Until now, he had been bothered by the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team Three's humiliating defeat in fifty seconds.
Although the record had been created unofficially by the public, it had become a favorite topic of conversation.
Whenever people mentioned that the Heaven Dou Royal Academy had become the stepping stone for Shrek Academy's record-breaking victory, where would the dignity of the imperial family be?
But now, Wu Qi had led the Seven Treasure Team to break that record once again, reducing it all the way down to twenty-nine seconds.
Such an astonishing time would likely never be surpassed in the future.
When it came to the fastest victory record, people only remembered the best result. Previous records that had been broken would gradually be forgotten.
Just imagining Shrek Academy being nailed to the pillar of shame for at least the next hundred years filled Emperor Xue Ye with satisfaction.
"Reward them! Reward them generously!"
A palace attendant cautiously reminded him, "Your Majesty, the preliminary rounds haven't concluded yet. It may be a little early to issue rewards."
Xue Ye waved his hand dismissively.
"Then record the reward for now. We'll grant it after the tournament ends!"
While some celebrated, others despaired.
After returning to Shrek Academy, Grandmaster stormed into his office and smashed everything in sight. The anger on his face showed no signs of fading.
The Shrek Team had suffered another crushing defeat, and he did not even know how to comfort them.
Moreover, their match against the Godwind and Blazing Team was scheduled as the very first match the following morning.
Not only was there little hope of fully healing the injuries of the Shrek Seven Devils overnight, but even if they recovered physically, could they truly compete at their best after suffering such a devastating defeat?
"It's all ruined, everything is ruined!"
Liu Erlong cursed through gritted teeth, "That damned Salas! He's always been causing trouble for the imperial family, so why did he suddenly speak up for them today?"
Flender didn't know why Salas had acted that way either, but he understood one thing: those who sow injustice eventually reap its consequences.
The Shrek Seven Devils had acted far too arrogantly in the opening match. Now that they had been repaid in exactly the same manner, it was only natural that many people supported the Seven Treasure Team.
If anyone was to blame, it was Grandmaster for indulging Tang San too much, allowing things to reach this point.
"Xiaogang, calm down first. Even if we forfeit tomorrow's match, we'll only have two losses. We still have matches against Skywater Academy and Thunder Academy afterward, and we may very well win both. Our qualification prospects are still excellent."
"Right now, we need to stabilize the children's emotions and prevent."
Before he could finish, Grandmaster exploded in anger.
"Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down? The Seven Treasure Team has two Spirit Kings. With a lineup like that, they would have secured the championship in any previous tournament."
"Flender, what exactly are you trying to do? You want me to comfort the children so they can lose to the Seven Treasure Team again later and become the laughingstock of everyone?"
Flender was completely dumbfounded.
Was that really what he meant?
It was Grandmaster who had confidently declared that the Multiple Fusion Skill would secure them at least second place in the finals.
And today's match had only happened because he agreed to Tang San's request to gauge the Seven Treasure Team's true strength.
Now that they had their answer, he couldn't accept the result?
At that moment, Flender felt more exhausted than ever before. Ma Hongjun had been right. He owed Grandmaster nothing, so why had he always obeyed him without question?
Still, Flender had enough perspective not to argue. He simply turned around and walked away in silence.
Outside the room, Tai Long was waiting anxiously.
After seeing him, Flender hesitated briefly before walking over.
"Tai Long, go home tonight. Tomorrow, bring your grandfather here. I'm afraid only your grandfather can help Xiao San and the others through this."
Tai Long nodded seriously and hurried home under the cover of night.
At the hotel where the Seven Treasure Team was staying.
"Trying to hide your strength when you don't even have the ability to back it up. This is exactly where it gets you."
Every time Sun Buyu thought about Grandmaster's behavior after the match, he felt irritated.
Still, this victory had been incredibly satisfying.
---
If you like story please donate some power stones and leave a review
For additional chapters
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu