Not long after, Ning Fengzhi and others, who arrived late, looked at the overcrowded venue, and everyone's expression was somewhat complicated…
Gu Rong couldn't help but remind, "Feng Zhi, we seem to have arrived late."
"The students from the academies and the people from the royal household must have arrived at Martial Soul City long ago!"
Ning Fengzhi placed his hand on his forehead, somewhat helplessly saying, "Uncle Bone, it's not that we seem to have, we indeed have arrived late. It's really embarrassing!"
They had originally planned to arrive at Martial Soul City early, but their plans went awry due to negotiations with Hao Tian Clan and the Blue Electric Overlord Dragon Sect!
Gu Rong coughed slightly and soothed, "Feng Zhi, you're taking it too seriously. The friendship match hasn't even started yet; we can't really say we're late!"
He knew the latter's character well—he wasn't the kind of person who would casually break a promise!
Ning Fengzhi paused and then nodded, "Hmm… you're not wrong about that!"
Seeing the former calming down, Gu Rong continued, "Then that's settled. Emperor Xue Ye is over there; let's hurry on over!"
Without any further words, Ning Fengzhi, under the close protection of Gu Rong, headed toward Emperor Xue Ye's position not far away…
However, their arrival also attracted the attention of many Soul Masters and civilians…
"Look quickly, the one wearing the jade crown should be Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, right? The one next to him looks like Sword Douluo!"
"If you don't know, then stop talking. How could that be Sword Douluo? That's Bone Douluo! The pillar of strength of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect!"
"Strange, why are Sect Master Ning and the others arriving so late? I remember they always arrived early in the past, could it be that they forgot that today is the day of the friendship match and hence are late?"
"How could that be! That's Sect Master Ning, after all. How could he forget such a trivial matter? He must have been dealing with important matters of the sect. Besides, the friendship match hasn't started yet, has it?"
"Truly worthy of being the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect. Just standing there, he exudes an extremely strong presence. If only I could join this sect too!"
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong ignored these comments, quickly passing through the avenue to join Emperor Xue Ye and Bi Bidong…
Using an extremely natural tone, he said, "Emperor Xue Ye, Your Holiness the Pope, I was delayed due to urgent matters of the sect and arrived late. Please forgive my tardiness!"
Emperor Xue Ye revealed a smile and waved his hand, "Sect Master Ning jests. The friendship match hasn't started yet; you have arrived just in time!"
Bi Bidong, however, spoke with an indifferent expression, "Sect Master Ning, you must be weary from the long journey. Please take a seat!"
Ning Fengzhi nodded as a sign of acknowledgment and immediately took the seat that had been prepared in advance…
Gu Rong, on the other hand, stood behind with hands clasped behind his back...
There was no seat prepared for him, for he chose to stand close to Ning Fengzhi for his protection!
Soon, Ning Fengzhi noticed something and asked with some surprise, "Hmm? On the day of the friendship match, why haven't I seen Prince Xue Xing?"
Emperor Xue Ye did not hide anything but answered casually, "Sect Master Ning, you actually noticed. Prince Xue Xing and Poison Douluo had already arrived, but it seems something came up and they left early!"
Ning Fengzhi propped up his chin, a contemplative expression on his face, "I see."
If they had already arrived but then suddenly left mid-way, it must be no small matter!
Emperor Xue Ye glanced at him and spoke again, "Sect Master Ning, who do you think will win the friendship match this time?"
Ning Fengzhi didn't respond immediately but swept his gaze over the teams below…
In his heart, he immediately had a rough answer!
Members of the Martial Soul Hall Golden Generation had a very high chance of winning this Friendship Competition!
However, his Seven Treasures Glaze Sect was inclined towards the royal household, so of course, he couldn't say that outright!
With that thought, he quickly organized his language in his mind and answered diplomatically, "Hmm... Every participant in this Friendship Competition seems very outstanding, with strengths closely matched, making it quite difficult to choose!"
"But if I really had to say, I think Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the Spirit Hall Golden Generation should have the best chance of victory!"
Xue Ye's expression visibly relaxed a lot and he agreed, saying, "Hmm… Sect Master Ning does share my opinion. If things go as expected, the champion should emerge from either the Spirit Hall Golden Generation or Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
Immediatelly after, he turned his gaze to Bi Bidong, "Your Holiness the Pope, what do you think?"
Although he didn't really want to converse with the Martial Soul Hall Pope, constantly ignoring her would be too obviously intentional!
Hearing this, Bi Bidong's beautiful eyes flickered...
In her heart, the Spirit Hall Golden Generation was naturally going to be the champion!
As for the team from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, they were nothing but a bunch of kids with talent but lacking in practical experience!
But to say that would be too arrogant and could affect the relationship between the royal household and Martial Soul Hall...
Without changing her expression, she tapped the ground with her Purple Crystal Scepter and spoke, "While that is true, in a competition, any small factor can impact the final result. Which team becomes the champion will still depend on their actual performance!"
Xue Ye couldn't help but sneer inwardly and countered, "However… it seems Your Holiness the Pope has quite a lot of confidence in the Spirit Hall Golden Generation!"
Bi Bidong pretended to be puzzled and asked in return, "What do you mean, Emperor Xue Ye? As the Pope of Martial Soul Hall, is it strange for me to have confidence in the children of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation?"
Xue Ye withdrew his gaze, "Is that so, then I must be overthinking. I had thought that Your Holiness the Pope chose Martial Soul City as the venue for the Friendship Competition because you were absolutely confident of victory."
Listening to their dialogue, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but reveal a wry smile...
Although subtle, he still picked up on the pointedness between the two...
He then looked towards Gu Rong...
The latter, seeing this, also helplessly shrugged his shoulders...
In such a situation, it was better not to speak out of turn; otherwise, the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect might also get involved!
Ning Fengzhi naturally understood this point and laughingly said, "Uncle Bone, this is Martial Soul City. There should be no one daring enough to cause trouble, so there is no need to guard me closely. Please, take a seat first."
The other person wasn't his servant but a senior worthy of his respect!
Gu Rong hesitated for a moment, then scanned the surroundings with his spiritual power to ensure absolute safety before nodding and saying, "Alright…"
After saying this, he also took a seat nearby...
Indeed, as the former said, if anyone had ill intentions in this setting, they would offend not only the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect but also the royal household and Martial Soul Hall!!
Especially Martial Soul Hall, they definitely would not allow such an incident to occur!