Elder Xuan sat to the side, left hand holding a chicken leg and right arm cradling a wine gourd, eating and drinking with great relish.
Xu Zihuang and his six companions, along with the five inner court disciples on the other side, each moved to one side of the assessment field, slowly pulling apart to form distance.
Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng's group of five had already been the reserve team during the last Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament. After five years of磨练, their teamwork was already seamless. Naturally, there was no need for discussion. If they couldn't utterly crush a reserve team whose strongest members were only at the Soul Ancestor level, it would be far too shameful.
On the other side, Xu Zihuang's seven gathered together.
Beibei looked at everyone with a serious expression and said in a deep voice,
"Although our reserve team was chosen at the last minute and our cultivation is far inferior to the senior brothers and sisters of the inner court, I personally don't want to surrender so easily. Since we're going to fight, then let's give it our all. I believe everyone feels the same as I do."
As he said this, his gaze fell on Xu Zihuang.
"Tianhuang, you're the only control-type soul master among us. You'll be the one to set the tactics. When the battle starts later, you'll also take command."
In this reserve team, there was no need to mention Beibei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Ning Tian. They were all close to Xu Zihuang and understood his ability and strength well.
Naturally, none of them raised any objections.
Even Jiang Nannan, though not too familiar with Xu Zihuang, had personally witnessed his methods during the recent outer court core disciple selection tournament.
As for Wang Dong, although he still acted stubborn outwardly, deep down he had already come to acknowledge Xu Zihuang's strength.
After suffering setback after setback at Xu Zihuang's hands, no matter how unwilling he was to admit it, the reality stood before his eyes.
At this stage, Yu Tianhuang was indeed far stronger than him.
His nature wasn't bad, nor did he bear much true malice toward Xu Zihuang. It was simply that, after repeatedly losing, he couldn't accept it—like a child throwing a tantrum.
Regardless of talent, just in terms of temperament alone, Wang Dong had already lost too much.
Xu Zihuang nodded, his expression turning much more solemn, though without a trace of fear.
"Senior Brother Bei is right. Our cultivation is indeed far behind that of the senior brothers and sisters from the inner court. But it doesn't mean we have no chance. Our martial souls are no weaker, and with Ning Tian's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda as support, the gap can be narrowed even further."
Looking into Xu Zihuang's confident, composed eyes, everyone seemed to see once more that awe-inspiring figure who had descended like a god of thunder during the outer court core disciple tournament. Their hearts were stirred to varying degrees.
As core disciples of Shrek Academy's outer court, they were all outstanding among their peers. Who among them would be willing to admit defeat so easily?
"Good, that's the spirit. No wonder you're someone I recognize." Xu Sanshi grinned, extending his large hand to heavily pat Xu Zihuang's shoulder.
"Tianhuang, just say it directly—how should we fight? As long as Senior Sister Xiao Tao doesn't step in, everything else is fine." As he spoke, this fellow even winked fawningly at Jiang Nannan.
"Don't worry, Nannan. I'll protect you later."
Jiang Nannan's delicate brows furrowed, but seeing that everyone was bracing themselves for the upcoming battle, no matter how much she disliked Xu Sanshi, now was not the time to flare up.
Xu Sanshi's heart leapt with joy. He had been scolded by Jiang Nannan far too often, and although she still looked at him with disgust, to him that was already a huge step forward!
Xu Zihuang cast a distant glance at Dai Yueheng on the opposite side before slowly speaking:
"The strongest opponent over there is undoubtedly Senior Brother Dai Yueheng, a Level 64 Battle Soul Emperor of the assault type. None of us alone can withstand him head-on. Senior Brother Bei, Senior Brother Xu, I'll leave Senior Brother Dai Yueheng to the two of you. With your strength, plus the assistance of Ning Tian's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, holding him off temporarily shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Beibei and Xu Sanshi exchanged a glance before replying solemnly,
"No problem."
Ning Tian also nodded slightly.
Xu Zihuang continued,
"Senior Sister Jiang, you're an agility-attack type soul master. Wang Dong, your martial soul grants you flight. Only the two of you are suited to hold back the other assault-type, Senior Brother Chen Zifeng. He Caitou, you provide ranged support whenever possible. Normally, Senior Sister Xixi, the agility-attack type, will definitely try to first close in on either Ning Tian, our auxiliary soul master, or He Caitou, our soul engineer who lacks close combat. That will be our greatest breakthrough point. As for the control-type Senior Sister Ling Luochen and the auxiliary-control Senior Brother Yao Haoxuan, I'll be responsible for suppressing them.
This is our first time working as a team in this kind of group battle, so perfect coordination isn't realistic. We'll just have to adapt as we go."
Although Xu Zihuang didn't want to be too closely tied to Wang Dong, nor to bother with his cold attitude, as the team's control-type soul master he had to act formally and without flaw. Wang Dong's identity was special—perhaps useful in the future, though more likely to bring trouble.
Xu Zihuang had no intention of being tormented to death by a certain "selfless God-King." That was his real reason for keeping distance.
Jiang Nannan, He Caitou, and Wang Dong all voiced no objections.
Perhaps because Xu Zihuang's words had sounded somewhat like praise toward him, Wang Dong felt secretly pleased, and even found Xu Zihuang much easier on the eyes.
The quarter-hour passed quickly, and both sides now stood facing each other from opposite ends of the assessment field.
This was the same place where the freshman assessment had been held. The area was spacious enough for everyone to unleash their full power.
On Xu Zihuang's side, Beibei and Xu Sanshi stood at the very front. Wang Dong and Jiang Nannan took up the flanks, the four forming a curved human wall.
Behind them stood Xu Zihuang and He Caitou, with the auxiliary soul master Ning Tian at the rear. It was a standard 4-2-1 formation.
On Dai Yueheng's side, their arrangement was nearly the same: Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng, the two assault types, in front; Xixi, the agility-attack type, at the flank; and Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan, the control and auxiliary-control types, bringing up the rear.
Elder Xuan's muffled voice sounded again:
"Listen well. From now on, you are opponents. Don't hold back. Begin."
At this moment, the two sides were still far apart, but with Elder Xuan's order, both sides moved at once, closing the distance rapidly.
The first to act on the inner court's side was Dai Yueheng.
With a resounding tiger's roar, the White Tiger martial soul unique to the White Tiger Duke's Mansion instantly took form. His body swelled with bulging muscles, white fur bristled, and his deep, beast-like eyes glowed with intense battle spirit.
Yet compared to Dai Huabin, another possessor of the White Tiger martial soul, the pressure Dai Yueheng radiated was on a completely different level. After all, he was a Soul Emperor, while Dai Huabin was only a Soul King.
Two yellow, two purple, two black—the optimal configuration of six soul rings rotated around him. His surging soul power spread like crashing waves, pressing heavily upon everyone present.
Chen Zifeng followed closely behind. Though he didn't release his martial soul, his speed was not the least bit slow.
At the same time as Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng charged forward, the seemingly frail Yao Haoxuan suddenly stomped his right foot heavily against the ground, letting out a deafening roar toward the sky.
It was as if the earth dragon itself had turned over—rumbling booms shook the entire assessment field, and even the thick marble floor trembled. Using that immense power, Yao Haoxuan leapt high into the air. His academy uniform shredded instantly as his body swelled with muscle, revealing a form-fitting dark-golden undergarment beneath.
In midair, he transformed into a giant. His eyes turned a strange, eerie green, and every muscle bulged like granite. Covered in that elastic dark-golden attire, he looked like a towering colossus. When he landed with a crash, his body was more than four meters tall, shoulders spanning over three meters, like a living fortress. His breathing rumbled heavily.
Two yellow, two purple, and one black—five soul rings rose swiftly at his feet.
His massive fists, as large as hammers, pounded against his chest. The first two soul rings lit up simultaneously.
Boom, boom, boom—! Deep reverberations echoed through the field. Rings of yellow light spread outward from his body.
His teammates were instantly bathed in golden radiance, their auras sharpening.
On the other hand, Xu Zihuang's team was struck with dizziness from both the golden shockwaves and the pounding sound. The four at the front—Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and Wang Dong—staggered slightly in their advance.
In team battles, the first to act was always the control-type soul master. As Yao Haoxuan's ability spread, the main control, Ling Luochen, calmly lifted her fair right hand. Her snow-white skin contrasted sharply against the dark-golden giant beside her.
From beneath her feet rose five soul rings—the best combination once again. The first two shone as she moved.
In her raised hand, an ice-crystal staff two meters long took shape, glowing with icy-blue light. Ice formed upon her body, quickly merging into pale-blue armor that sparkled brilliantly beneath the sunlight.
With her staff pointing skyward, the heavens turned a shade of icy blue. Frigid currents of air surged toward Xu Zihuang's group.
The biting cold, combined with the golden shockwaves, slowed the advance of Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and Wang Dong even further.
Ling Luochen's martial soul was the Ice Element itself. Her first soul skill, Ice Staff Summon, and her second, Ice Armor, though seemingly plain, enhanced her affinity with the element. The icy-blue currents she directed weren't soul skills, but the pure instinctive ability of her martial soul.
These frigid flows acted like an all-encompassing control ability. The chilling cold was secondary; their main effect was to delay the enemy's actions.
Meanwhile, Xixi, the agility-attack type, released her martial soul. Her speed was so fast that not even her shadow could be caught. Concealed behind Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng, she radiated a dangerous killing intent.
The inner court disciples' strength was fully displayed in this round of abilities.
But just then, Xu Zihuang locked eyes with Ling Luochen from afar. His deep violet eyes suddenly turned to dazzling gold.
Purple, purple, purple, black—though he too bore only four rings like Beibei and Xu Sanshi, this strange configuration made the inner court disciples' pupils contract sharply. Most striking of all was the deep, ancient black ten-thousand-year ring—starkly out of place among the reserve team's usual yellow and purple.
His first purple soul ring shone, and the phantom of a silver-scaled white whale appeared beside him. Its ethereal, ancient whale song resonated through the battlefield.
At the sound of the whale's cry, Yao Haoxuan's golden shockwaves visibly faded. The pounding of his fists was completely drowned out.
To his horror, he realized his first two soul skills had been entirely suppressed by Yu Tianhuang's first soul skill. Not only that, but even Ling Luochen's icy-blue currents had been negated, reduced to nothing more than cold air with no controlling effect.
Under Xu Zihuang's White Whale's Song, Beibei and the others were freed of all negative effects, and their spiritual power increased by ten percent.
Aside from Jiang Nannan's Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul, which lacked elemental affinity, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Wang Dong all received an additional ten percent boost to their attributes.
The lightning surging on Beibei's scaled arms grew denser and more violent. The black light on Xu Sanshi's Xuanwu Shield intensified, and Wang Dong's Goddess of Light Butterfly shone with richer blue-gold brilliance.
This elevation from the very source of their martial souls caused their momentum to soar instantly. For Beibei's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Xu Sanshi's Xuanwu Turtle—both near extreme-attribute martial souls—the ten percent boost was far more than mere numbers. It was a qualitative change.
Though not enough to reach true extreme attributes, it meant that even without awakening their ultimate abilities, both of them now possessed strength nearly equal to a Soul King.
"An attribute boost?!" The same thought flashed through Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Wang Dong's minds, yet their charge did not falter.
At the same time, Ning Tian's support descended precisely upon her teammates.
Spinning gracefully on the spot, a seven-tiered, multicolored tower no more than a foot tall appeared in her right palm—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Seven treasures are radiant with light;
First is speed, second is strength, third is soul."
Beams of colorful light fell upon her companions.
Beibei, as an assault-type, and Xu Sanshi, as a defense-type, were granted boosts to strength and soul power.
If before, under Xu Zihuang's first soul skill, they had been close to the level of Soul Kings, then with Ning Tian's amplification, the only thing they lacked compared to a true Soul King like Chen Zifeng was a fifth soul skill. And that was speaking of a Soul King cultivated in Shrek's inner court.
"爽! This feels amazing! With Tianhuang's and Ning Tian's boosts, I feel like I alone could hold off Senior Brother Dai Yueheng!" Xu Sanshi laughed heartily, his voice full of exhilaration. Only after personally experiencing Xu Zihuang's first skill and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could one truly grasp how overpowering they were.
"Fine then, Senior Brother Dai is all yours." Beibei smiled faintly.
Xu Sanshi's grin froze instantly, his expression comically stiff.
Still, though Beibei teased, his actions were swift. As they clashed with the charging Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng, his faint smile vanished, replaced by a razor-sharp gaze.
Xu Sanshi wanted to banter more, but now was no time.
Both his and Beibei's third soul rings lit up simultaneously. With the power of Xuanwu Shock and Thunder's Wrath, their momentum surged once more.
"First Soul Skill—Xuanwu Shock!"
Xu Sanshi stepped forward, intercepting Dai Yueheng. A semi-transparent black barrier radiated from his Xuanwu Shield, colliding heavily with Dai Yueheng's tiger claws.
Dai Yueheng had activated his first soul skill, White Tiger Barrier, shrouding his sharp claws in pale white light.
The claws scraped against the shield, sending sparks flying. Both sides halted abruptly, momentum crashing.
Dai Yueheng's heart trembled. Despite his level 64 cultivation, he had gained no advantage in this first clash.
Behind the massive shield, Xu Sanshi grinned. Beibei emerged from behind him, his soul power surging, a dragon claw of blue-violet lightning, about a foot across, shooting forth toward Dai Yueheng.
It was Beibei's first soul skill—Thunder Dragon Claw.
But now, empowered by Xu Zihuang's attribute boost and Ning Tian's forty percent soul power amplification, the claw's strength far exceeded before. Its lightning even showed signs of deepening toward black-violet, radiating a terrifying destructive force.
Defense and assault, Xu Sanshi and Beibei's teamwork was seamless. They struck precisely as Dai Yueheng's forward strength waned. But as an inner court Soul Emperor, Dai Yueheng could hardly be taken down so easily.
His third soul ring glowed—White Tiger Vajra Transformation!
His already massive frame swelled further, muscles bulging, tiger claws turning gold-white. He met Beibei's lightning claw head-on.
The explosion shook the air. Lightning scattered wildly as Dai Yueheng's claws tore through the dragon claw. His golden hair billowed, tiger fur standing on end from the electricity.
Beibei staggered back over ten steps before steadying himself.
Shock filled Dai Yueheng's eyes. Though his soul power advantage left him appearing superior, his White Tiger martial soul was clearly suppressed beneath Beibei's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Since when had the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon grown so powerful?
Both martial souls were top-tier beast spirits, passed down through their respective clans, with only the slightest of gaps between them. Yet here, he was clearly at a disadvantage.
While fending off Beibei and Xu Sanshi's combined assault, Dai Yueheng instinctively glanced toward Xu Zihuang at the rear—where the true difference lay.
On the other side, Jiang Nannan and Wang Dong intercepted Chen Zifeng.
Ning Tian had boosted Jiang Nannan with speed and soul power, while Wang Dong received a full enhancement—speed, strength, and soul power.
Chen Zifeng extended his right hand, index and thumb pressed together. A streak of blood-red light shot out as his scarlet soul power poured into it.
Before him appeared a longsword, three feet six inches in length, barely an inch wide. Its blade was slender, lacking a guard, but lined with three blood grooves.
As with most tool-type martial souls, his five soul rings revolved around this scarlet sword.
This was Chen Zifeng's martial soul—the Pursuing Soul Sword.
Beast spirits generally enhanced a soul master in all aspects, but Chen Zifeng's Pursuing Soul Sword sought the pinnacle of offense.
In past eras, some sects had cultivated along this line. The Clear Sky Sect's four affiliated clans were prime examples. Though in modern times most pursued balance, there was no denying that Chen Zifeng's path had its own terrifying merits. In pure attack power, he rivaled even Dai Yueheng, the Soul Emperor.
The slender sword paused in midair, then shot forth like a crimson rainbow toward Jiang Nannan and Wang Dong. The air split with a bloody tang even before the blade arrived.
His first and second rings lit up.
First Soul Skill: Sharpness.
Second Soul Skill: Piercing.
With both augmentations, the already razor-edged Pursuing Soul Sword radiated devastating power.
Chen Zifeng remained rooted in place, commanding his sword from afar with effortless grace.
Jiang Nannan and Wang Dong, bolstered by Ning Tian, were pressured but could at least stall him for now.
Moreover, He Caitou, the soul engineer whose destructive power was among the strongest of his rank, had also entered the fray. With the propulsion of his soul tools, his movements were swift, his body brimming with blazing white light streaming from metallic pipes.
Ning Tian's forty percent soul power boost strengthened him further. The terrifying soul tools he had displayed during the outer court core disciple tournament now unleashed their might once again. At this moment, He Caitou wielded the firepower of a Soul King, though his cultivation limited how long he could maintain it.
With his ranged suppression, Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng were temporarily contained.
But such full-scale amplification drained Ning Tian heavily. At most, she could last three minutes.
And not everyone was willing to wait that long.
A flash of lightning burst forth from behind Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng, streaking past them at alarming speed, aiming directly at Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian.
Dai Yueheng wasn't the only one who could read the flow of battle.
Xu Zihuang's golden eyes blazed, the dynamic vision of his Golden Eyes clearly catching Xixi's figure.
Her pupils had become vertical slits, her skin darkened, and her entire body coursed with arcs of lightning. Her martial soul—the Lightning Leopard—was similar to Chu Qingtian's Electric Mad Leopard, but far stronger.
Xu Zihuang regarded her calmly, without a ripple of fear.
On the sidelines, Elder Xuan, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo all turned their focus this way.
Ma Xiaotao murmured under her breath, "Xixi is going to suffer a big loss this time."
"Hm?" Gongyang Mo raised a brow, puzzled.
From his perspective, Xixi's choice was flawless. In group battles, agility-attack soul masters always targeted enemy control and support first. With Ling Luochen's cultivation higher than Yu Tianhuang's, how could she be countered?
Even if Yu Tianhuang's skills were strong, could he alone fend off both Xixi and Ling Luochen? Not to mention Yao Haoxuan as well.
Gongyang Mo had witnessed this trio's deadly synergy countless times.
Sure enough, as Xixi darted toward Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian, Ling Luochen casually lifted her ice staff. Her third soul ring shone, sending an icy-blue glow down upon Xu Zihuang.
But in that instant, Xu Zihuang's eyes sharpened, and dark red ripples spread across the field.
All five inner court disciples were instantly encased in thick, dark-red crystal. Ling Luochen's skill was interrupted outright.
"A group-control soul skill?!" Gongyang Mo exclaimed.
Ling Luochen did have one—but as her fifth, ten-thousand-year skill. Yet Yu Tianhuang's second soul skill achieved similar effect. How could that not be shocking?
More terrifying still, Ling Luochen had been fully suppressed.
Beibei and the others would never miss such a chance. Each erupted with their strongest attacks.
He Caitou, in particular, unleashed a full volley of soul tool fire.
For the others it wasn't so bad, but Yao Haoxuan, in his gigantic form, was like a walking target.
Within mere breaths, Dai Yueheng shattered Xu Zihuang's second soul skill—Mirror Shatter. His fifth black ring lit up as he activated White Tiger Barrier, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and White Tiger Devilgod Transformation all at once. With three amplification skills stacked, he roared and blasted several beams of white tiger light to meet Beibei's massive thunder dragon head. At the same time, he took He Caitou's soul rays head-on, easing pressure on Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan behind him.
His thoughts matched Gongyang Mo's:
Ling Luochen—completely suppressed by a four-ring Soul Ancestor?!
Chen Zifeng was likewise struggling. Unlike Dai Yueheng, he couldn't use sheer physique to endure He Caitou's firepower. Scarlet soul power burst from his body as he shattered the dark-red crystal, recalling his Pursuing Soul Sword to guard himself.
He had to fend off not only He Caitou's blasts but also Wang Dong's second skill, Goddess' Light, and Jiang Nannan's close assault. Her Invincible Golden Body was especially troublesome for him. As a pure attacker with weak defense, he had no hope of counterattacking like Dai Yueheng while holding his ground.
For the strong-attackers, the situation was difficult but manageable. For Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan, however—focused on control and support—they lacked offensive means. They could only force soul power to shatter the crystal imprisoning them.
Crack, crack—
The dark-red crystal broke apart as a storm of white light descended—He Caitou's barrage. Just as they prepared to unleash stronger soul skills in defense, a golden radiance enveloped them, freezing their movements.
Elder Xuan waved his hand, blocking He Caitou's blasts, then pulled Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan from the field. His tone was gruff:
"You're eliminated."
Xu Zihuang's skill was indeed powerful, but their swift defeat came partly from underestimating him and not knowing his abilities. They'd performed worse than even Xu Sanshi and Beibei had earlier.
Ling Luochen's face remained icy, though her eyes flickered with thought. Yao Haoxuan, on the other hand, was red with shame, sneaking nervous glances at Elder Xuan like a student long used to scolding.
Xu Zihuang, after releasing three skills in a row, was down to less than forty percent of his peak soul power.
When casting Mirror Shatter, he had deliberately poured in extra power to harden the crystals. But his greatest drain had been his third skill—Time Disorder.
Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan were genuine Soul Kings, and both had been gathering energy for powerful skills. To alter the time flow around them, Xu Zihuang naturally had to expend much more power.
Yet the loss of soul power didn't hinder his actions. Xixi was already upon him.
Though she had broken free of the crystal slightly earlier, Xu Zihuang had trapped her again within an additional crimson crystal cage. As a result, she escaped nearly at the same moment as Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan.
Her strike burst forth, inevitable.
Xu Zihuang merely raised his right hand. His golden eyes turned deep violet with vertical pupils, radiating a suffocating oppression that struck Xixi's very soul.
Her martial soul deactivated on its own, her beast form dissolving instantly. Stunned, she couldn't recover before Xu Zihuang's hand rested lightly on her shoulder.
She looked up, dazed, meeting his golden gaze and gentle smile.
"Senior Sister Xixi, thank you for your guidance."
Silent, she walked off the field, but her heart was in turmoil.
A twin martial soul?! Absolute martial soul suppression?!
Though Xu Zihuang had only switched martial souls for an instant, several noticed: Elder Xuan, standing behind him; Ning Tian, eyes shimmering with heat and awe; Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo, watching from the sidelines.
Gongyang Mo's reaction was especially intense. White scales flickered faintly across his skin, his long hair shifting toward seven colors. His voice trembled:
"Dragon King's aura?! Impossible! How could a human possess a martial soul of that level?"
"Dragon King? What Dragon King?" Ma Xiaotao frowned in confusion. She knew Yu Tianhuang's second martial soul carried an ultimate lightning attribute, but Gongyang Mo's words baffled her.
Only one being carried such a title—the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian, the foremost beast of the Great Star Dou Forest.
But Gongyang Mo was too shaken to answer.
The situation on the battlefield was now clear.
On the inner court's side, Ling Luochen, Yao Haoxuan, and Xixi had all been eliminated.
On the reserve side, He Caitou had exhausted all his soul power with that final barrage, while Ning Tian was also completely drained from maintaining full support.
Meanwhile, under Dai Yueheng's triple amplifications, Beibei and Xu Sanshi were forced back, blood spilling from their mouths.
Beside him, Chen Zifeng had also gone all out. Without He Caitou's suppressive fire and Ning Tian's support, Wang Dong and Jiang Nannan simply couldn't hold him. His Pursuing Soul Sword hovered coldly at Wang Dong's throat, the bloody, razor aura draining all color from Wang Dong's face. Elder Xuan immediately pulled him from the field.
Jiang Nannan barely escaped with Instant Movement, avoiding the sword's killing edge.
Thus, the reserve team's only remaining fighters were Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Xu Zihuang, and Jiang Nannan—four Soul Ancestors.
Four against two.
Both sides drew back, reassessing.
Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng exchanged glances, each with complicated expressions. Perhaps they had never imagined the reserve team could push them this far.
But their eyes never left Xu Zihuang.
In this entire battle, though every reserve member had performed well, the true leader was Yu Tianhuang, the control-type.
Suppressing Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan—he had accomplished that. Working with He Caitou to eliminate them—done. Even Xixi had fallen to him alone.
By himself, he had taken out three inner court Soul Kings. Could this truly be just a second-year outer court student?
Of course, the reserve team's lineup was near perfect: Beibei the assault, Xu Sanshi the defense, Jiang Nannan as agility, Wang Dong with flight, He Caitou with devastating firepower, Ning Tian with the strongest auxiliary martial soul, and Xu Zihuang as control.
Elder Xuan inwardly admitted—this was a flawless team.
He stood, moving to the field's center.
"This battle ends here."
Truthfully, Yu Tianhuang and the others had exceeded his expectations. His intention had only been to earn recognition for Yu Tianhuang from the main team. That goal was already achieved; there was no need to continue.
"Don't think being main team members makes you secure. Real combat is the truest test. You've seen it yourselves—this reserve team's talent is no less than yours. Especially Yu Tianhuang, Beibei, and Xu Sanshi—they have tremendous potential. Yu Tianhuang, from this moment, you are the reserve team's main control. Beibei, you are captain."
The captain was the leader, while the control-type was the brain. With Xu Zihuang's display, his position was unquestionable. And Beibei, who had shouldered the assault against Dai Yueheng, fit naturally as captain. None objected.
"Yes, Elder Xuan." Xu Zihuang and Beibei answered respectfully.
"Good. Go rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, pack up—we head to Star Luo City for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament. Dismissed."
With that, Elder Xuan left, wine gourd in hand, swaying. Wang Yan followed, his face still shocked, muttering inwardly:
"Yu Tianhuang is twin martial soul?! That was absolute martial soul suppression just now?!"
On the field, fourteen members of both teams stood awkwardly.
The eliminated Ling Luochen, Xixi, Yao Haoxuan, along with Gongyang Mo and Ma Xiaotao, gathered with the main team. From the reserve, He Caitou, Wang Dong, and Ning Tian rejoined.
But every gaze among the main team fell on Xu Zihuang, each expression different.
Dai Yueheng studied him for a long time, then smiled and extended his hand.
"Welcome to the Shrek Seven Devils Reserve Team. From now on, we fight as comrades."
Xu Zihuang smiled warmly and clasped it. Among soul masters, strength was the truest language.
The others exchanged handshakes as well. Even Ma Xiaotao, though displeased with Dai Yueheng stealing her moment, shook Ning Tian's hand. Xu Sanshi, grinning shamelessly, even snatched Jiang Nannan's handshake with Chen Zifeng for himself.
Xixi remained reserved. Though shocked that Yu Tianhuang's second martial soul had completely suppressed her Lightning Leopard, she kept silent. Gongyang Mo too, after Ma Xiaotao's warning, said nothing—but his gaze lingered on Xu Zihuang with a heated, almost covetous light.
Once the handshakes ended, Gongyang Mo approached Xu Zihuang softly:
"Junior Brother Yu, do you have time afterward?"
A chill ran down Xu Zihuang's spine, but he kept his smile and clasped Ning Tian's pale wrist.
"Apologies, Senior Brother Gongyang. Ning Tian has exhausted her soul power. I'll be escorting her to the infirmary."
Ning Tian looked up, startled, warmth rising in her heart along with a shy flush. What he said was true—she was drained, and without years of medicinal nurturing she might not even be standing. But what moved her was that Xu Zihuang noticed, and even more that he openly displayed such closeness before everyone.
What she didn't know was that Xu Zihuang had his own motives.
First, to subtly reject Gongyang Mo's unwanted "interest." Second, to show the academy's higher-ups that he wasn't bound to Ma Xiaotao as they hoped, thereby securing leverage. Ning Tian's identity was just as weighty. Third, it was time to begin drawing her in—securing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's power would be invaluable to his future.
"Senior brothers and sisters, we'll take our leave." Xu Zihuang said, leading Ning Tian away.
The rest of the reserve team dispersed. Xu Sanshi even copied him, leering at Jiang Nannan:
"Nannan, you've burned plenty of soul power too. How about I take you to the infirmary?"
Her answer, of course, was predictable.
Ma Xiaotao lingered, her emotions tangled as she watched Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian's close figures vanish. Her teacher's words urging her toward him now felt like a cruel joke. He clearly had no feelings for her, treating her with more calm than she did him.
In truth, they had only been deluding themselves.
Beside her, only Gongyang Mo remained. The two looked like kindred souls adrift.
He leaned toward her with interest:
"Xiaotao, just tell me—what exactly is Junior Brother Yu's martial soul? I promise to keep it secret."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Ma Xiaotao glanced at his delicate, almost feminine features with a trace of disgust.
"Keep five meters away from me—or don't blame me if I get rough."
Unbothered, Gongyang Mo smiled, stepping back obediently.
In truth, he preferred bolder types, like Yao Haoxuan in his beast form. His obsession with Yu Tianhuang stemmed less from attraction and more from his martial soul.
He had a strong intuition: if he could cultivate under the aura of Yu Tianhuang's martial soul, his own progress would soar.
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
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