The person missing from the list was, naturally, Mu Ningxue.
However, it was easy to understand why upon closer thought.
Mu Ningxue had been removed from the National Government Team because of Mu He, so how could she be allowed to fight her way back through the selection trials?
Mu Ningxue's face instantly turned pale below the stage.
Although she had long anticipated this possibility, when it truly happened to her, the overwhelming sense of despair still surged like a tide, almost drowning her.
"Ahem, this matter is of great importance…"
Instructor Shanhe cleared his throat, attempting to speak, but Wang Feng directly interrupted him.
"No matter what the matter is, or how great the impact, as long as the contestant themselves has no issues, they should receive their rightful privileges!" Wang Feng declared righteously.
"The National Government Team doing this is truly disheartening. Although I know this is the will of those people above, I also have the right to protect any contestant who can become a member of my team!"
Through his words, the crowd below finally realized—the young man standing on the instructor's platform was actually the captain of this year's National Government Team!
For a moment, everyone's gaze focused on Wang Feng, a mix of envy, jealousy, and admiration intertwined.
"Wang Feng, this matter has a significant impact…" Feng Li lowered his voice, trying to persuade him.
"Instructor Feng Li, I've heard you despise evil and are upright and unyielding. How could you stoop to colluding in such a matter?" Wang Feng retorted.
"You!"
A flicker of displeasure crossed Feng Li's face, and just as he was about to speak again, Wang Feng interrupted him once more.
"I know you all have your difficulties, but it's fine. What you can't afford to provoke, I will provoke. What you can't bear, I will bear!"
"Don't talk about 'it's for Mu Ningxue's own good,' or 'not letting her go on stage.' That kind of nonsense can only fool others."
"I will protect Mu Ningxue! Let anyone with objections come to me!"
"If I don't even have this much authority, what's the point of fighting in the National Mansion Competition!"
Feng Li's face twitched involuntarily upon hearing this.
But thinking of Wang Feng's status as a Dual Councilor, he could only suppress his anger and grit his teeth, saying:
"Do you think we want to give up a promising talent? This is simply out of necessity!"
"Then that's right. I'm just taking back the contestant spot that originally belonged to her, not making her a main team member directly." Wang Feng shrugged, his tone relaxed.
"What is your relationship with Mu Ningxue?" Feng Li couldn't help but ask.
"She's my wife!" Wang Feng answered without hesitation.
…
Feng Li was completely silenced, speechless, upon hearing this.
Seeing this, Wang Feng smiled, then took a few steps forward, standing at the edge of the instructor's platform, and shouted loudly to the still-confused students below:
"Contestant Mu Ningxue has one vote and should have entered the one-vote channel, but her spot was removed for unknown reasons!"
"Now, with my identity and authority as the captain of the China National Team, I am reinstating Mu Ningxue to the one-vote channel! As for the reason for her removal, I will investigate it thoroughly!"
As soon as these words were uttered, the entire Fighting Arena instantly fell into a deathly silence.
Almost everyone present were scions of influential families, academic prodigies with notable reputations.
Even those with the least up-to-date information knew a thing or two about the Ancient Capital Calamity.
Wang Feng's action was undoubtedly opposing the Mu Clan, as well as all the high-ranking officials who opposed Mu Ningxue!
How was this any different from ruining his own future!
Mu Ningxue stood below the stage, her gaze fixed on the man on the stage who was willing to stand up for her, willing to defy the Mu Clan and those high-ranking officials.
A strange, gentle sheen of moisture welled up in her beautiful eyes, and an inexpressible surge of emotion rose in her heart.
Mu Ningjiao's gaze also fell on Wang Feng.
She had initially been curious why Wang Feng was here, but now she suddenly understood—he was here to support Mu Ningxue.
A peculiar feeling immediately welled up in her heart, and at the same time, she felt envious of Mu Ningxue.
"If it were me… would Wang Feng also step forward to help me like this?" She couldn't help but ask herself.
In the spectator stands, a dark-skinned man with a stern gaze asked:
"Xiao Tutu, is that the Wang Feng you mentioned?"
"Mm, mm, that's the Big Brother Wang Feng I told you about, isn't he handsome~"
Ai Tutu's eyes sparkled with stars, her voice full of adoration.
Ai Jiangtu shot a speechless glance at his lovesick sister, inwardly complaining: "
That man on stage is protecting another woman! And you still have the leisure to say 'isn't he handsome' here…"
"No, I can't let him get close to Xiao Tutu, even if he is the captain!" Ai Jiangtu secretly made up his mind.
…
Just then, an extremely discordant voice appeared in the arena.
"I object!"
Mu Tingying rushed angrily to the instructor's platform, pointing at Wang Feng on stage and questioning him:
"The Mu Ningxue lineage has high-ranking officials of the Black Vatican, and she is even one of the culprits of the Ancient Capital Calamity! The crimes of that lineage are well-known, and she is still Mu He's niece. On what grounds do you reinstate her selection spot!"
Facing Mu Tingying's questioning, Wang Feng looked at her coldly, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "Because I am the captain of the National Government Team!"
"Let alone returning her selection spot, even restoring her status as a reserve team member is fine! If you don't like it, then keep it to yourself!"
"Tell the person behind you who has the authority to question me to speak to my face! Not you, a reserve contestant who hasn't even entered the National Government Team!"
Wang Feng's words perfectly illustrated the saying, "a higher rank crushes others."
One must know that he was not only the captain of the National Government Team but also a Dual Councilor of Hangzhou and Ancient Capital. In this Fighting Arena, no one's status could be higher than his!
Even if Mu Tingying's objection was a previous decision by the National Government's high-ranking officials, those officials would still have to appear in person.
Otherwise, Wang Feng was the highest authority here!
Mu Tingying was left speechless by the retort, her body trembling a few times before she left in a huff.
The regular challenge matches then resumed.
…
Because Wang Feng had taken it upon himself to reinstate Mu Ningxue to the selection, the National Government's high-ranking officials immediately called an emergency meeting.
Those who opposed Mu Ningxue gaining a spot were naturally led by the Mu Clan.
Other high-ranking officials either stood with the Mu Clan or remained silent, quietly observing.
After all, the Mu Ningxue lineage was deeply implicated, and she was even the niece of Mu He, the Tiger Commander Grand Deacon of the Black Vatican.
At this critical juncture, no matter how strong Mu Ningxue's power or how high her potential, no one dared to speak up for her, fearing implication!
…
Inside the Imperial Palace Council Chamber.
The circular conference table was surrounded by representatives from various factions.
Academic Alliance, Pearl Tower, Imperial Palace, Supreme Judgment Association, Family Representatives…
"Wang Feng! Don't think that just because you became a Honorary Councilor and obtained the position of captain of the National Government Team, you can do whatever you want!"
Mu Leng, an elder of the Mu Clan, pointed at Wang Feng and angrily rebuked him, his voice filled with indignation.
"You know better than anyone how much trouble the Bo City lineage caused! Mu He was one of the masterminds behind the Ancient Capital Calamity! And as Mu He's niece, if she appears as a National Government contestant, do you know how great the impact will be!"
Wang Feng scoffed disdainfully upon hearing this: "What the hell does Ancient Capital have to do with you?!"
"I blocked the undead, I resolved the Calamity Abyss, and I found the crucial clue about the Red Cardinal Cardinal Salang! You keep saying the Mu Ningxue lineage is utterly evil, that Mu He was the mastermind of the Undead Calamity, yet you don't mention my contributions to Ancient Capital at all!"
Wang Feng paused, his stern gaze sweeping over the representatives led by the Mu Clan, then continued:
"If Mu Ningxue can be implicated because of Mu He, then can I, as a Honorary Councilor of Ancient Capital, hold your entire Mu Clan accountable?!"