Nie Li and Chen Guang did not have any chance of making it to the national team but he was different he was the son of the Lu family and held an actual chance, compared to those two who were here to better themselves with resources they could gain in one way or another.
What Lu Zhangtian needed was not resources but a stage to compete for the national team.
With such a naked bribe, Cao Guang was a bit troubled as how to respond and just placated the guy and send him away. He knew the guy was a serious slime ball with no morals. He didn't want to be the reason this guy rose higher.
" Cao Guang oh Cao Guang you will pay for rejecting me like that"
The knockouts were here and Cao Guang went harder and aimed to finish off the games faster and faster, he knew Lu Zhangtian had no viable reason to come after him and if he did something shady he would pay for it.
In the final match of the day the team he was faced was among the best of Pearl Institute in this batch. It was Yan Liling, Mu Hua, Nie Huan and Deng Li.
Cao Guang didn't take his experiment too far and let Lu Zhangtian do whatever he wished in the final opting to face off against the Summouned and Contracted beasts of Nie Huan.
He didn't step outside the fight with Giant Thunder Hawk even when his team was on the back foot. Lu Zhangtian actually pulled a victory with his magic equipment afterall those weren't banned, if not Guan Yu would never have qualified for the national team like that, yeah his family was influential but they weren't Zhao,Mu or Zu there wasn't a lack of influential families that would contest them for a spot on the national team.
Overall Cao Guang didn't think the membership of the national team be any different than the teams that followed. These families had a lot of resources to burn and a few worthy candidates they bred for a purpose. They were quite similar in their approach.
Cao Guang had gotten his qualification ticket and skipped the part where they decided who would go to Imperial Capital. As he walked out he saw Lu Zhangtian giving him a nasty look.
As expected the short sighted fool who couldn't see the underlying meaning of things, there was no hope for this guy.
" He is going out, track him and tell me where he is going"
--
Cao Guang was certain that someone was following him, he was certain because his cultivation was better than that guy, he was probably a single element Advanced mage.
The guy exuded no hint of killing intent and Cao Guang tested him in multiple ways as he went outside the city and waited for the guy to act when there was no witnesses, the guy didn't move.
Apparently Lu Zhangtian wasn't as short-sighted as his brother and wouldn't kill someone without looking them up. He probably just wanted to probe his backing right now.
Cao Guang stayed in the wilderness and called for the guy tracking him.
" I know you are out there and no I am not guessing my cultivation is higher than yours"
Cao Guang waited a few seconds and got no reply.
" Look this is getting annoying, you clearly have no intent to kill and your young master only wants to probe me right now, let's make this faster and I can have you off my back.
Go to the nearest information vendor and ask them about Pang Lai's disciple, you should find my info and background and now scoot"
Cao Guang wasn't sure whether the guy was scared of his background or his strength a she no longer felt anyone tracking him after he got back to the city.
----
" Sir, I made some enquiries and found about the person you asked me to track"
Lu Zhangtian opened the folder and looked up the information.
Dual innate elements, Pang Lai's disciple, possibly at the Advanced level, connected to two Super mages in the army Fei Jiao and Zhan Kong. Buisness partner with a Councilman Zhu Meng.
All these were the public information available about him.
I can't get my revenge on you easily but don't think I have forgotten everything because you eased up on me during the final or because you have a backing.
The assistant looked back at the young master's eyes and held his tongue. He didn't want to be fired for no reason, if the kid got in trouble he would just change employers.
Young master please read that file properly, the guy wasn't afraid of sharing it instantly with me, he probably is ready to deal with you if you act.