Wang Xiaoqi was from a merchant family and was very rich. Money flowed out of his hands like running water, and he did not feel bad about it.

Ding Hao kept the little booklet and nodded slightly. Then, he patted Wang Xiaoqi’s shoulders and said, “Junior Brother Zhong. Thank you. I will remember your help.”

“Senior Brother, you’re really great.” Zhang Fan had tossed away the ill-feeling he had in his happiness. He hugged Wang Xiaoqi’s shoulders excitedly and said, “With this, Senior Brother’s chances of winning are even higher in today’s competition.”

Wang Xiaoqi laughed.

He was very happy.

Ding Hao’s stance, especially, made him heave a sigh of relief silently.

Wang Xiaoqi was from a merchant family. Even though his family had always been grooming him to study martial arts, he had been influenced by his surroundings as a child. He was rather talented in the art of finances and was able to see things and people for what they were.

Wang Xiaoqi had been observing everyone around him ever since entering the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect, choosing someone worth investing in.

After all, every disciple on the waiting list who had just entered the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect all had a chance of entering the upper echelons of the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect in the end. Wang Xiaoqi knew that he did not have any shocking talent. If he could become the friend of a disciple who was extremely talented and had an unlimited future, he could benefit from it in the future. His entire family might benefit from this.

In the beginning, he did not think highly of Ding Hao.

After all, at that time, Ding Hao was just a poor chap without any background. Even though his overall ranking was decent, he did not show any investing potential.

That was why Wang Xiaoqi spent his efforts on the extraordinary Zhuo Yifeng amongst the disciples of the Eastern Academy. He tried to find a way to enter Zhuo Yifeng’s circle.

But in the Seeded fighter selection match in the Eastern Academy of green shirts, Ding Hao defeated Zhuo Yifeng, Fang Tianyi and the others and showed astonishing sword skills. After that, Wang Xiaoqi immediately knew that he had judged wrongly.

He quickly adjusted his attitude and started to think of ways to get close to Ding Hao.

Wang Xiaoqi quickly understood Ding Hao’s character in a short period of time.

At the same time, he could not help but be subdued by Ding Hao’s righteous attitude.

In particular, Ding Hao’s sincerity toward the silly Zhang Fan gradually made Wang Xiaoqi feel ashamed. He unwittingly abandoned the business plans he had, and truly wanted to be Ding Hao’s friend.

As such, he spent a lot of energy and thoughts and came up with the information booklet overnight.

Ding Hao’s stance meant that he finally seemed to have accepted Zhang Fan, accepting this dorm mate of his. This made Wang Xiaoqi oddly excited.

…

In the afternoon.

The melodious chime from the ancient bell rang through the entire second stair area of the Swordsmanship-seeking Mountain.

The arms drill area outside was filled with people once more.

The second day of the first competition among the five academies was about to begin.

After the first day, there were only 13 powerhouses left from the 30 seeded fighters from the five academies. They would continue the fights today for a place among the top seven.

In terms of the rankings of the various academies, all members of the “Honorable Alliance of Seven” from the Central Academy of white shirts have all entered the next round. They were extremely powerful and have won 23 points for their academy, taking the lead. Lyu Kuang and Wang Xiaoshi from the Southern Academy of purple shirts have gone on to the next level. The performance of the pretty boy, Lin Xin, from the Northern Academy of yellow shirts had been eye-catching. The fat and gluttonous Ren Xiaoyao had entered the top 13 because he had not drawn anyone in the second round. Ding Hao and Li Lan were the most outstanding in the Eastern Academy of green shirts.

The Western Academy of red shirts was the worst off. Their fighters had all lost after the second round.

Among the top 13, the other people were popular candidates at the beginning. Only Ding Hao and Ren Xiaoyao were the two black horses. However, the latter could only be considered lucky while Ding Hao had entered the top 13 through a real fight. He had defeated powerful opponents and was a true dark horse. This had also attracted the attention of many.

The top 13 walked out from where their Academies were seated under the scrutiny of many. They walked up to the area below the first arena and drew their opponents.

…

At the same time.

On the viewing platform, the big shots had already started to predict who the victor of this round might be.

“Haha, I think, that Lyu Kuang of the Southern Academy of purple shirts would definitely come first in this competition!”

“Elder Lyu, you are wrong. Even though Lyu Kuang might be the most exceptional descendant in your family, I think that Li Lan of the Eastern Academy of green shirts has tricks up his sleeves. He has the looks of the victor!”

“Haha, both elders are biased towards the children of their family. This is just because you’re biased, I’m afraid. I think there aren’t many who can hold up against the ‘Honorable Alliance of Seven’ from the Central Academy of white shirts. The leader of the alliance, Li Muyun, looks mighty and has the disposition of a winner. He would definitely be the victor.”

“Could it be that no one thinks well of the black horse, Ding Hao?”

“His luck is indeed good, but don’t forget, there’s the even luckier Ren Xiaoyao. I’m afraid that Ding Hao’s luck might be subdued by Ren Xiaoyao’s!”

The viewing platform was filled with big shots. There were elders from the branch sects and a few regular elders. There were also relatives and elders from the families of the top 13 fighters. They all had differing opinions.

This voice traveled to the ears of three third-generation core disciples who were presiding over the competition.

“I wonder who Senior Brother Yin thinks highly of among the disciples.” Lu Qi asked, slightly curious.

Yin Yifei stroked his beard lightly and swept his eyes across the top 13 disciples. Then, he said simply, “Among the ‘Honorable Alliance of Seven’, at least four will enter the top seven. Li Lan of the Eastern Academy of green shirts, Lin Xin of the Northern Academy of yellow shirts, Lyu Kuang and Wang Xiaoshi of the Southern Academy of purple shirts are all hopefuls. However, someone will not draw an opponent this time as well. It’s hard to say who would be the lucky one.”

“Oh? Where’s Ding Hao? Could it be that Senior Brother Yin doesn’t think well of the black horse who had attracted plenty of attention yesterday?” Lu Qi asked in surprise.

Yin Yifei nodded, “Ding Hao is just lucky. He is only a one-apertured Martial Disciple. He definitely cannot make it through this round, and it is worthless to nurture him.”

“Haha, why is Senior Brother Yin so sure? Another third-generation disciple, Cheng Fei, heard him talking, and suddenly laughed out loud. “I think Ding Hao will do well. You have to know that luck is also a part of Martial Arts.”

“Hurmph, Cheng Fei, words don’t mean much. Would you dare to bet with me?”

A trace of annoyance flashed through the depths of Yin Yifei’s eyes. Cheng Fei always pitted himself against him and was really annoying.

“Oh? A bet? Alright. Senior Brother Yin, how are we going to bet?” Cheng Fei asked laughingly. He thought to himself, that if Yin Yifei knew that Ding Hao had been chosen by the old monster, Senior Uncle Qi Qingshan, he would be scared to death.

“I heard that Junior Brother Cheng had received 500 grams of “Taiyi Stardust” not long ago. Would you be willing to bet on it?” Yin Yifei stroked his beard and asked slowly.

Cheng Fei was stunned and then laughed out loud. “Alright, since Senior Brother Yin wants the 500 grams of “Taiyi Stardust”, sure. As long as Senior Brother Yin can take out a treasure that is on par with “Taiyi Stardust”, I would be willing to play!”

“Taiyi Stardust” was ranked 10th on the “Snow Province Exotic Object List”. It was a divine object used for refining Qi soldiers and was very rare.