These words immediately shocked everyone present.
Even including Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang.
They had never heard Huo Wuxie discuss this matter before. This sudden change left them stunned.
Huo Wuxie cupped his fist towards Quan Li and Yun Qiong, continuing:
"I have been considering this matter for a long time, especially after experiencing this Elite Competition, which has further strengthened my resolve.
With Yun Qiong personally intervening, Huo Wuxie couldn't refuse, so he had to sit back down, but his eyes were filled with determination.
After a moment of silence, everyone gathered around the long wooden table in the camp. Quan Li and Huo Wuxie, as representatives, sat at opposite ends of the table, facing each other in silence.
Finally, Quan Li couldn't help but ask, "Sigh, tell me, why would you, as the head of an academy, make such a rash decision?"
Huo Wuxie calmly replied, "Elder Quan, I have already given this matter careful consideration.
In fact, many years ago, when our Blazing Academy decided to change its recruitment policy, we already anticipated a potential conflict with the Spirit Hall.
However, I didn't expect this potential conflict to escalate to an irreconcilable point in this way today."
As he spoke, Huo Wuxie looked at Huo Wu on the side and continued, "I haven't forgotten that Xiaowu is also a target of the Spirit Hall.
If Elder Quan hadn't intervened, my daughter might have died before my eyes during that attack."
Hearing this, Huo Wu hastily explained, "Dad, you know I have the strength to easily deal with those opponents."
"Bang!"
Huo Wuxie slammed his hand on the table, interrupting Huo Wu's explanation with a stiff expression.
Huo Wu was also frightened by Huo Wuxie's imposing manner. It was the first time she had seen her father treat her like this.
Huo Wuxie trembled all over, staring at Huo Wu with bloodshot eyes, and hoarsely said, "This has nothing to do with you; it's about me.
Since that day, an image has always haunted my mind.
That is you dying in front of me, and me being powerless to do anything about it.
My power is too insignificant to stand in front of you and protect you from danger in critical moments."
Huo Wuxie had always been an upright man. Beneath his seemingly carefree exterior, who knew what kind of heavy burden he was hiding.
For such a man to admit his helplessness in front of his dearest daughter was truly heartbreaking.
Huo Wu's eyes instantly turned red, wanting to say something but feeling like something was stuck in her throat.
The teammates from Blazing Academy beside her also clenched their fists with unwillingness, remaining silent.
Huo Wuxie took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice:
"Therefore, I want to seek the protection of the Quan family. This will not only protect the stable development of our Blazing Academy but also reduce the risk of Xiaowu encountering the Spirit Hall."
Out of deep love for his daughter, the root of Huo Wuxie's decision was a desire not to burden her.
Even if he couldn't help his daughter, he couldn't cause her trouble. This was Huo Wuxie's dignity and pride as a father.
Quan Yi understood Huo Wuxie's intentions and was greatly shocked.
He looked at Quan Li and Yun Qiong, wanting to convey his thoughts. Fortunately, Yun Qiong and the others understood his eyes and nodded immediately.
Quan Li stood up from his seat and solemnly said to Huo Wuxie, "I'm afraid this old man cannot agree to our soon-to-be relative's request."
Quan Li's straightforward refusal greatly frustrated Huo Wuxie, but then Quan Li's lips slightly curved up, and he continued:
"We're about to become one family, so there's no talk of protection or being protected.
Since you are willing to come, we are of course welcome, but this is not protection, but an alliance!
I, Quan Li, in the capacity of the former head of the Quan family, represent our Quan family in warmly welcoming the arrival of the Blazing Academy."
This sudden change from Quan Li made Huo Wuxie's heart beat wildly.
He muttered with a somewhat dazed expression, "What does this mean? Is it, is it done?"
Quan Yi then spoke up to remind him, "Uncle hasn't answered whether we agree to form an alliance with our Quan family yet."
Huo Wuxie looked at Quan Yi, deeply moved.
This feeling of being respected convinced Huo Wuxie that his choice was not wrong.
He choked up and said, "Agreed, of course, agreed. I, Huo Wuxie, representing the Blazing Academy and the Huo family, am willing to form an alliance with the Quan family."
"Hahahaha, good, today is truly a day of good fortune.
No matter what, I must celebrate this properly.
Xiaoyi, it's about time. Let's hold a banquet here at noon to celebrate properly."
Quan Li laughed heartily, directly telling Quan Yi to hold a banquet.
Yun Qiong rolled her eyes to the side but didn't stop him, only whispering behind Quan Li, "Old man, don't think about drinking at this time. I'll be watching you."
These words seemed to hit Quan Li's little thoughts, and he was startled, quickly waving his hand and saying, "How could I? I know what's important."
On the other side, Huo Wu pouted, scolding Huo Wuxie, "Why didn't you tell me about such a big thing earlier? Even if you didn't want me to worry, you had to let me know.
Dad, aren't we family? Since we're family, isn't there anything we can't discuss?
Hmph, if there's a next time, then I really won't pay attention to you."
To this, Huo Wuxie was speechless and could only repeatedly apologize, "Okay, okay, Dad was wrong. I will never do this again in the future, I promise."
Huo Wu was really quite angry this time and didn't easily forgive Huo Wuxie.
Watching this farce, Quan Yi shook his head, silently took out the ingredients from the Scorching Sun Heart, and began to prepare the food for the banquet.
Normally, his cooking speed would be very fast, but after just being scanned by divine sense, he didn't dare to overdo it, so he simply controlled the heat to process the ingredients.
The sun was high in the sky, and it was noon. Quan Yi finally made a sumptuous meal and placed it on the huge dining table.
Looking at the fragrant and mouth-watering food, the noisy arguments gradually subsided.
Quan Yi, as the chef, clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention. He stood up and said, "The dishes are all ready. I announce that the banquet officially begins!"
With Quan Yi's announcement, how could everyone still hold back, and they all responded loudly, "Let's eat!"
It is said that cooking has the effect of comforting people's hearts. A meal once again brought everyone together.
Oh, except for one person.
