After learning of the existence of the Blood Soul Pearl, the Despicable Donkey remained in the Western Wilderness, searching for the whereabouts of the Blood God Cult's leader while also seizing every opportunity to plunder more Blood Soul Pearls.
Thus, he was unlikely to return to the Imperial Capital anytime soon.
Meanwhile, in the distant Imperial Capital, Ling Feng and the East Court's Sword Team were finally about to face their first match.
The day after the banquet at the General's Mansion, Ling Feng had led everyone back to Tianwei Academy, devoting all their efforts to preparing for the upcoming battle.
Though they were unlikely to face any real pressure, the first match had to be won with overwhelming aura—no matter what.
It was worth mentioning that Leng Jianfeng, seemingly recalling bits of his drunken ramblings from the previous night, had stormed up to Ling Feng with a flushed face, threatening and bribing him into absolute silence.
Ling Feng wasn't one to talk needlessly, so he agreed without hesitation, even promising to help Leng Jianfeng find out who the "scoundrel" Su Qingxuan had taken a liking to.
Poor Ling Feng, cursing himself as the "scoundrel" without the slightest clue!
The opponent the East Court's Sword Team faced in their first match was no stranger—it was the North Court's Second Team, whom they had once sparred against in a training match.
Ling Feng still had a vivid impression of their captain, Yang Zhan, whose adaptability in battle was remarkable.
The North Court's Second Team was no weakling—at the very least, they had once posed a significant challenge to the East Court's Sword Team.
In the first round of the Five Courts' Sword Team Grand Competition, only five out of the ten participating teams would advance.
After the draw, each paired team would compete in three matches, with the first to secure two wins claiming victory.
Since every matchup required three consecutive matches, only one pair of teams would compete each day.
This was why the entire Five Courts' Sword Team Grand Competition spanned a lengthy three months.
After the competition concluded, there would be a half-month break, followed by another month's rest once the four major academies' top sword teams finished their matches. Finally, the most highly anticipated event would arrive—the Royal Sword Team's final challenge.
From the previous day's matches, the first team to secure advancement was the West Court's Sword Team, led by Xuanyuan Ao.
And now, on the second day, it was finally the East Court's Sword Team's turn—their opponents being the North Court's Second Team!
At that moment, the central sword fighting arena of Tianwei Academy was packed to the brim. Not only had most of the academy's students and mentors gathered, but even many of the Imperial Capital's noble families had come to watch.
After all, among today's competitors was the recently renowned "General Weiyuan", Ling Feng!
In addition, representatives from the Alchemist Guild and Cangqiong Sect's Wen Tingguang were also present.
As a member of the Central Court's Sword Team, Yue Yunlan had advanced directly to the later rounds without needing to compete. Therefore, she brought Qiao Qiao along to watch the matches.
As for Deng Yongshi, she had even skipped Hailan Academy's matches, dragging General Deng along just to watch Ling Feng compete.
East Court's Sword Team, contestant area.
"Based on yesterday's strategy, our lineup for this match will be Vice-Captain Gong Cheng, followed by Nanfeng, Mochen, Sixian, and Xiaolin," Gu Tengfeng announced, scanning his team. "Any objections?"
This arrangement wasn't because Gu Tengfeng looked down on the North Court's Second Team, but rather to avoid revealing their full strength too early.
Especially Mu Qianxue—her heaven-defying support abilities were a trump card to be saved for the very end, reserved for their ultimate clash with the Royal Sword Team. Even against the Central Court's Sword Team, he didn't want to expose it prematurely.
"No problem!" Ye Nanfeng was the first to crack his knuckles, his voice booming with excitement.
Even without any of their main fighters, he was absolutely confident.
Those two months of hellish training in the Fearsome Forest hadn't been for nothing. Not to mention, Ling Feng had given each of them a sky-tier martial skill!
If they couldn't win even with all that, they might as well go home and eat dirt!
Besides, the early matches were their only chance to shine—once they faced the real powerhouses later, they'd be warming the bench.
"Gong Cheng, this first match is yours. Bring us victory!" Gu Tengfeng clapped a hand on Gong Cheng's shoulder.
The two were from the same year, and the bond between them was something the others couldn't match.
"Don't worry, Boss Gu!" Gong Cheng clenched his fist. "Leave it to me!"
"There's also me!" Xue Xiaolin squinted, smiling as she stepped forward. With a casual gesture, she hooked her arms around the shoulders of Gu Tengfeng and Gong Cheng. Among the veterans of East Court's Sword Team, only the three of them remained.
Though Xiaolin was fairly tall, she still had to tilt awkwardly to reach Gu Tengfeng's towering, two-meter-plus frame.
"Xiaolin." Gu Tengfeng bent down slightly, his gaze locking onto her. He scratched the back of his head, his face reddening. "After we defeat the Royal Sword Team, I…"
Ye Nanfeng, Lin Mochen, and the others immediately turned to look. Xue Xiaolin's feelings for Gu Tengfeng was so obvious that even Ling Feng, typically clueless when it came to emotions, couldn't miss it!
Is Boss Gu finally going to confess?
Ling Feng rubbed his nose. It might be premature to assume they could defeat the Royal Sword Team, but no matter what, they had to win!
"Well?" Xue Xiaolin bit her lip, her eyes flickering with anticipation and nervousness.
"Ah… haha…" Gu Tengfeng's face turned even redder under the intense stares of his teammates. The words he'd prepared died in his throat. "Let's, uh… celebrate properly after we beat them! Yeah, celebrate…"
Xue Xiaolin glared at him, grinding her teeth in frustration.
This idiot! Where was his usual domineering attitude? Every time it came to the crucial moment, he—
—acted like a coward!
She was half-tempted to just tackle this "big gorilla" to the ground herself!
"Whatever!" She stomped hard on Gu Tengfeng's foot, making him yelp in pain.
The "big gorilla" captain shot a fierce glare at the snickering Yu Sixian and the others. "What're you laughing at? If any of you screw up later, you're dead!"
After a brief tactical discussion, the two teams stepped onto the sword fighting platform at the sound of Chief Referee Tong Chengtai's clear whistle.
The North Court's Second Team fielded their full elite lineup—Captain Yang Zhan and their powerhouse, Nie Yuanzhou, leading the charge.
Facing the current East Court's Sword Team, they didn't dare hold back.
But when Yang Zhan saw their opponents' formation, fury burned in his chest.
The East Court's Sword Team hadn't even sent out a single main fighter—were they looking down on them?!