"Xiao Tian, you rushed in too quickly. Don't forget, we're a team," said Yu Tianheng as he and the others followed. The Emperor Team's seven members were already prepared.
For this match, Tianlin and Yu Tianheng were the power attack soul masters, the Shi Brothers were the defense, Oslo and Yu Feng were the agility attack, and Huanyin was left in control.
Without their support soul master, Ye Lingling, it was clear the Emperor Team was dead set on offense this time.
On the other hand, Elephant Armored Academy fielded seven giant students, each weighing over 200 jin (about 100kg), all defense-type soul masters—a team built to the extreme and with a distinct Elephant Armored Academy Sect style.
"Patriarch Huyan, is that the biggest one your grandson, Huyan Li?" Ning Fengzhi asked, looking at the one standing in the center of the Elephant Armored Academy Academy lineup.
"That's right. Xiao Li is the most outstanding disciple of our Elephant Armored Academy Sect's younger generation. His talent even surpasses mine back in the day. I hope he'll become the first Title Douluo of our sect," Huyan Zhen replied in his booming voice, not bothering to keep it down. Not only did the people in the front row hear him, but even Prince Xue Xing and Elder Meng Shenji in the back could hear clearly.
Emperor Xue Ye smiled slightly. "Patriarch Huyan, to have such a grandson is worth celebrating."
"Your Majesty overpraises. Our Elephant Armored Academy Academy's goal this time is the top three in the finals. Apart from your Royal Academy and the Spirit Hall Academy, we aim to defeat all other opponents," Huyan Zhen replied modestly, though his tone was quite arrogant.
He knew this match was unwinnable, but it didn't matter—there was more than one team entering the advancement rounds anyway. He had no ambitions of actually winning the championship.
After all, the Sword Prince of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall were like two mountains blocking all the other academies—no one could easily surpass them.
"Hello everyone, I'm your friend Doudou, and I'm the host for this tournament."
A beautiful female soul master spread her wings and hovered in midair.
"The first round of the qualifiers is about to begin! Both teams, please release your martial souls and get ready!"
At her announcement, all seven members of Elephant Armored Academy activated their martial souls—seven Diamond Mammoths. Three were Soul Ancestors, and four were Soul Elders, all with optimal soul ring configurations. The strongest, Huyan Li, was already at level 43.
This level would be strong in most teams, but against the Emperor Team, it was insufficient. As captain, Yu Tianheng shouted, "Let's go, everyone—Martial Soul Possession, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"
A deep blue dragon soared into the sky, looking down on the seven mammoths below, eyes showing no fear.
Behind him, the Ghost Panther, Black Tortoise, Wind Bell Bird, and Seven-String Zither all appeared in turn. Compared to Elephant Armored Academy, the Emperor Team's lineup was more complete, with every role accounted for.
More importantly, all were Soul Ancestors—even the weakest, Huanyin, had just reached level 41.
"As expected of the Emperor Team, their strength is extraordinary. Vice-captain Dugu Yan, Nine Heart Begonia Ye Lingling, and Bone Douluo's disciple Gu Ran haven't even appeared. They're still holding back some terrifying strength," Flender said gravely.
At this moment, Tianlin revealed his Demon Sword—one yellow, two purple, and two black soul rings, causing everyone's pupils to contract.
It was already rumored that the Sword Prince of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had absorbed higher-level soul rings, with his second ring already at the millennium level. But now, his fourth ring was of the ten-thousand-year level, so surely the fifth ring was even more extraordinary.
"He is a Soul King. Judging by his soul power fluctuations, he should be around level 52, so he probably just broke through and used the extra energy from the high-level soul rings to get there," Salas said, not surprised. With Tianlin's cultivation speed, reaching Soul King was expected by Spirit Hall.
Of course, the soul power Salas sensed was completely wrong—Tianlin used the soul bone from the Ice Silkworm to conceal his true power, only revealing as much as he wanted. Unless someone was at level 95 or above, they absolutely couldn't see through him.
It wouldn't be so easy to probe his true strength.
Soul Master tournaments didn't allow external items—Shu Mountain talismans were also restricted. So Tianlin had no intention of breaking the rules by using concealment talismans, but soul bones were allowed by the rules.
Seeing both sides ready, Doudou announced, "Begin!"
"First spirit ability—Iron Wall!"
No sooner had she spoken than the Elephant Armored Academy team all used their first spirit ability to boost defense, forming a line and pressing forward toward the Emperor Team.
This was the Elephant Armored Academy Sect's specialty—using their massive bodies and strength to relentlessly pressure opponents.
Though their advance wasn't fast, after Martial Soul Possession, their bodies were even more imposing. Just those seven giants were enough to make anyone feel pressured.
Usually, when opponents were forced back like this, they'd either retreat or attack, but today, the Emperor Team didn't move at all, as if they were just waiting for the attack.
This annoyed Huyan Li, who excelled at defense and counterattack. "Since they won't move, let's focus all attacks on Jun Tianlin! Everyone, use your third spirit ability—crush him with all our strength!"
He remembered his grandfather's instructions: it didn't matter if they won, as long as they could force Tianlin to reveal his full power.
Salas looked oddly at Huyan Zhen in the stands, as if to say, "Is this idiot your grandson?"
Huyan Zhen could only rub his forehead helplessly. "Xiao Li's talent is good, but he's not very bright. Just announcing the skill is enough—why would you also shout your target and how you're going to use it? Isn't he just giving the enemy time to prepare?"
"Haha! If you're going to be this silly, I won't hold back," Yu Tianheng laughed. "Shi Brothers, help Xiao Tian defend. Oslo and Yu Feng were harassed from both sides. Huanyin, get ready!"
Huanyin nodded, placing her fingers on the zither strings, but didn't play yet—she seemed to be waiting for something.
At this point, among Elephant Armored Academy's seven, the Shi brothers, with their strong defense, dragged out two Soul Masters each. The two Soul Ancestors were being harassed by the Emperor Team's agility attackers, leaving only Huyan Li, whose Diamond Mammoth lifted its forelegs and slammed down at Tianlin.
Boom!
Both feet hit the ground, shaking the entire arena.
"Boss! Are you okay?" Ma Hongjun shouted anxiously from the stands.
Ning Rongrong smiled. "It's fine. That little bit of attack can't do anything to Sword Brother."
As the dust cleared, they saw that under Huyan Li's feet, his crushing attack was being held up by Tianlin's hands. Judging by his effortless demeanor, he wasn't bothered at all.