A week later, Chen Junting and his nine companions returned to the Soul Fighting Arena.
Elder Xuan had good news: Chen Junting's earlier proposal had been officially approved. In addition to the seven selected reserve team members, He Caitou and Wu Feng would also join the weekly special training.
Another week passed in the blink of an eye.
They trained twice more under Elder Xuan's brutal methods—"training" that could be summed up in three words:
Combat. Combat. Combat.
Session One: Elder Xuan split the nine into two teams—five versus four—and told them not to hold back. Soul skills exploded endlessly. When someone was injured or exhausted, two Soul Emperor-level teachers healed and fed them, and then it was straight back to fighting.
That night, they dropped into their beds like corpses. Even Chen Junting, whose cultivation was unusually stable, dreamt of his childhood days under his swordmaster's harsh tutelage.
Session Two: Elder Xuan stepped in personally.
Facing a level 98 Super Douluo, the students unleashed everything.
• Ning Tian used her Fusion Ring.
• Wang Dong summoned the Clear Sky Hammer and, alongside Huo Yuhao, used their second martial soul fusion—Heavenly Emperor Hammer.
• Beibei and Xu Sanshi activated their bloodline awakenings.
• He Caitou unleashed his Cigar Martial Soul.
• Chen Junting used the second form of his Seven Killing Sword Art—Seven Emotions, Seven Wounds—striking Elder Xuan with such sorrow that he lost focus for a moment.
Even Elder Xuan was shocked. At one point, he looked like he wanted to steal He Caitou for the Martial Soul Department—but let it drop for reasons unknown.
But no matter the exhaustion, one thing was certain: they were growing stronger. Rapidly.
—
On the third week, the ten of them returned to the Soul Fighting Arena.
But this time, they weren't alone.
Seven red-uniformed students stood waiting—familiar faces. Chen Junting couldn't help but smile. Aside from Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yuheng, the others were all defeated in the upgrade assessment.
Thankfully, Ma Xiaotao hadn't participated back then. If she had, with her terrifying soul power and flight capabilities, they wouldn't have stood a chance.
"Hey! Long time no see, fellow students."
Gong Yangmo stepped forward with a warm smile. His words broke the tension, and the rest followed: Xixi, Chen Zifeng, Yao Haoxuan, and even the icy Ling Luochen. Only Dai Yuheng hesitated before joining in.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi—who had taken beatings from these same seniors—were stunned.
What was this? Post-battle bonding? Combat camaraderie?
But they soon realized the truth. The seniors weren't here for them.
Xixi greeted Jiang Nannan.
Ling Luochen approached Huo Yuhao, curious about his second martial soul—prompting Wang Dong to step in protectively.
Chen Zifeng and Gong Yangmo found Chen Junting and Ning Tian, eager to exchange thoughts on sword martial spirits and battle tactics.
Wu Feng naturally tagged along with Chen Junting and Ning Tian.
"Junior, how about a proper match this time?" Chen Zifeng smiled, clearly itching for a rematch after their last loss.
"With pleasure," Chen Junting replied. Sword soul masters were rare—and fewer still were worth dueling. He had unfinished business with the Soul Chasing Sword.
Meanwhile, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou stood awkwardly until Dai Yuheng approached.
"Mind if I ask something?" he said.
He was curious why his younger brother, Dai Huabin, a powerful martial soul fusion user, hadn't made the reserve team. Why nine members? Why not seven?
Beibei explained the chaotic brawl orchestrated by Elder Xuan, the breakdown of the Netherworld White Tiger fusion, and how He Caitou and Wu Feng became rotating members.
"…Sounds like him," Dai Yuheng muttered, avoiding Elder Xuan's name like a curse.
They chatted a while longer, with Dai Yuheng showing special interest in He Caitou's soul guidance tech.
"Senior Dai, can I ask something?"
"Of course."
"I heard your team originally had someone from the Soul Guidance Department. But now…"
Dai Yuheng's gaze flicked toward Ma Xiaotao.
"There was," he said. "Wang Lian. But once Ma Xiaotao returned, she replaced him. She's also the captain now."
He Caitou frowned slightly.
Beibei and Xu Sanshi glanced at each other. There was clear tension behind Dai Yuheng's tone. The inner courtyard team might not be as united as they appeared.
And Ma Xiaotao?
She stood alone, arms crossed, watching everything with a cold, unreadable expression. She seemed like she wanted to speak… but held herself back, pride keeping her frozen.
Then Elder Xuan coughed loudly, calling the room to order.
Everyone turned his way.
"We've got ten days before the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament begins," he said. "I brought you together so you can get familiar. Some of you fought before, but teams have changed. You need to learn each other's strengths—fast."
Then, he turned to the reserve team.
"Normally, reserve teams just warm the benches. But this class?" He smiled faintly. "You're different. You're strong enough to crush at least 40% of the schools we'll face."
He paused.
"So when we meet those weaker teams…"
He let the silence stretch.
"…you're going in."
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(End of Chapter)
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