The morning sunlight bathed the training grounds of Heaven Dou Royal Academy as a new day of training was about to begin. The morning session was arranged for combat training, and the team members arrived early at the training field, their faces filled with anticipation.
Marco was warming up, executing various high-difficulty movements using the Six Styles—instant bursts of movement with Shave, aerial steps with Moonwalk, vacuum slashes with Tempest Kick... His kicking techniques were performed with mesmerizing skill, the sharp leg movements whistling through the air.
"Good morning, Captain!" The team members arrived one after another, greeting Marco.
Marco stopped his training and responded with a smile, "Good morning, everyone. This morning we'll be doing combat training. I hope you all take it seriously."
Just then, Dugu Yan quickly approached Marco, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Captain, my grandfather asked me to pass on a message..."
Marco looked at her. "What is it?"
Dugu Yan said softly, "Grandfather said he'd like to visit you to express his gratitude... and he wants to take me to the Li residence to visit your father."
A faint, almost imperceptible glint flashed in Marco's eyes as he thought to himself, "He took the bait..." Outwardly, he nodded calmly. "Alright, I understand. I'll inform my father when I return."
Dugu Yan breathed a sigh of relief and retreated back into the team.
Instructor Yan Ming arrived at the training field and, seeing the team members full of energy, nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent, it seems everyone is prepared. This morning's training will be combat practice."
He looked at Marco. "Marco, today you'll be facing everyone alone. You're already a Soul Honour, while the others are Soul Grandmasters. This should be a good challenge for you."
Hearing this arrangement, the team members all showed excitement. Although they knew Marco was powerful, with six of them working together, they might just have a chance to defeat their captain.
Yu Tianheng said eagerly, "Captain, we won't go easy on you!"
Osler also rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. "That's right, Captain. Seven against one—we still have a chance!"
Marco smiled faintly. "Bring it on."
As the battle began, the seven team members quickly spread out, forming an encirclement. Yu Tianheng and the Shi Family Brothers took the front, Dugu Yan was in the middle, Ye Lingling stayed at the back, and Osler moved around the edges—a standard team formation.
"First Spirit Ability: Thunder Dragon Claw!" Yu Tianheng launched the first attack, his right hand transforming into a dragon claw aimed directly at Marco.
At the same time, the Shi Family Brothers released their Black Tortoise Turtle Spirits. "First Spirit Ability: Black Tortoise Protection!" The two closed in from left and right.
Osler swiftly advanced from the side, attempting to disrupt Marco's rhythm. Dugu Yan released her Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison. "First Spirit Ability: Jade Phosphorous Red Poison!" A toxic mist spread through the air.
Ye Lingling prepared to provide healing from the rear. "Nine Heart Begonia, ready for treatment!"Facing the siege of seven people, Marco remained completely unruffled." Observation Haki instantly expanded, making every movement around him clear and slow in his perception.
With a single Shave step, he vanished from his original position, perfectly evading Yu Tianheng's dragon claw and the Shi Family Brothers' pincer attack. Armament Haki covered his legs as he unleashed a Tempest Kick, sending out a vacuum slash that forced Osler back.
The Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit was unleashed, azure flames swirling around his body, isolating Dugu Yan's poisonous mist. Marco didn't even use a Spirit Ability, relying purely on physical techniques and Haki to neutralize the first wave of attacks.
"So fast!" Yu Tianheng exclaimed, completely failing to follow Marco's movements.
The Shi Family Brothers were equally astonished: "The captain's speed is incredible!"
Marco smiled faintly and took the initiative to attack. Using Moonwalk to step through the air, he instantly appeared before Osler, striking toward his shoulder with a Finger Gun. Osler barely dodged sideways, already breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Second Spirit Ability: Jade Phosphorous Blue Poison!" Dugu Yan released a stronger poisonous mist, attempting to restrict Marco's movements.
But Marco's Observation Haki had already predicted her actions. Changing direction mid-air with Moonwalk, he easily evaded the poisonous mist's range. Azure flames erupted beneath his feet as he delivered a downward kick aimed directly at Dugu Yan.
Yu Tianheng rushed to rescue her: "Second Spirit Ability: Thousand Weights of Thunder!" A more powerful burst of lightning erupted, trying to block Marco.
Unfazed, Marco hardened his arms with Armament Haki, directly meeting Yu Tianheng's Thunder Dragon Claw with a loud "bang." Simultaneously, a side kick struck Shímó's Black Tortoise Turtle shell, forcing him back several steps.
The entire sequence flowed seamlessly. Marco hadn't used a single Spirit Ability, relying purely on the Six Styles, Haki, and kicking techniques to suppress the combined attacks of seven team members.
Instructor Yan Ming watched from the sidelines, stunned. He had originally thought Marco would need to use at least his first Spirit Ability to handle the seven-person assault, never expecting Marco to gain complete dominance without even using Spirit Abilities.
"What... what kind of fighting style is this?" Yan Ming muttered in disbelief. "That footwork... those attack methods... completely defy conventional Soul Master combat patterns!"
The team members grew more alarmed as the fight progressed. No matter how they coordinated or attacked, Marco always anticipated their movements, neutralizing their assaults with the simplest and most effective methods. His speed was too great, his attacks too precise, his defense too solid—utterly flawless.
"Third Spirit Ability: Black Tortoise Impact!" The Shi Family Brothers simultaneously unleashed their strongest Spirit Abilities, transforming into two tortoise-shell shockwaves charging straight at Marco.
Yu Tianheng also erupted with full power: "Thunder Dragon Claw!" Osler attacked from the side, while Dugu Yan released poisonous mist to block escape routes.
Facing this all-out assault, Marco finally grew slightly serious. The Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit was fully unleashed, and three Spirit Rings rose beneath his feet—two yellow, one purple!
"Second Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Guard!" Marco shouted lightly as a barrier wreathed in azure flames instantly appeared, blocking all attacks.
This Spirit Ring came from a Scarlet Flame Roc on the verge of breaking through a thousand years. Marco had originally planned to absorb a millennium Spirit Ring, but changed his mind after encountering this Soul Beast with dense Golden-Winged Roc bloodline. The Scarlet Flame Roc possessed the innate skill "Golden Body" for invincible protection. The second Spirit Ability, Azure Flame Guard, inherited the Golden Body's defensive power. Though not invincible, its defense was exceptionally strong, capable of blocking attacks one realm higher.
More importantly, when Azure Flame Guard was broken, it granted the caster a 5-second 20% speed boost!
"Bang!" All attacks struck the Azure Flame Guard, producing deafening collision sounds. The barrier shook violently but ultimately did not shatter.
Just as the team members were at their weakest, with their old strength exhausted and new strength yet to emerge, Marco suddenly launched a counterattack.
"Third Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Fire Feathers!" Azure flames condensed around Marco, transforming into countless sharp fire feathers that shot toward the team members like rain.
This was his third Spirit Ability, a long-range area attack. The azure flames formed into sharp fire feathers, covering an extremely wide range with astonishing power.
The team members hurriedly defended, but it was already too late. The fire feathers accurately struck each person's weak points, neither causing serious injuries nor rendering them completely incapacitated, but effectively neutralizing their combat ability.
In the blink of an eye, all seven team members lay on the ground, and the battle concluded.
The entire arena fell silent. Everyone was stunned by the strength Marco had displayed. Not only had he won one against seven, but he had also effortlessly defeated the entire team without even using his first Spirit Ability.
Instructor Yan Ming took a deep breath and stepped forward: "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Marco, your strength far exceeds my expectations."
His eyes sparkled with excitement: "Come, fight me! Let me experience your power firsthand!"
Marco was slightly taken aback: "Instructor, this..."
Yan Ming assumed a combat stance: "Don't worry, I'm a level 56 Soul King. I won't lose to you that easily."
Five Spirit Rings rose beneath his feet—two yellow and three purple. Although not the optimal configuration, the aura of a Soul King remained formidable.
A fighting spirit flashed in Marco's eyes: "In that case, please instruct me, teacher."
The battle began, with Yan Ming taking the initiative to attack. With his Martial Soul, the Flame Wolf, fused to his body, the speed and strength of a level 56 Soul King were incomparable to the Royal Fighting Team members from before.
"First Spirit Ability: Flame Wolf Assault!" Yan Ming transformed into a black shadow, charging straight at Marco with extreme speed.
But Marco's Observation Haki had already predicted his movements. Using Shave, he instantly evaded while delivering a Tempest Kick that sent a Vacuum Slash toward Yan Ming.
Yan Ming was surprised to find that Marco's speed was not inferior to his own and quickly changed tactics: "Second Spirit Ability: Flame Wolf Shadow Clone!"
Several clones appeared, attacking Marco from different directions. However, Observation Haki easily distinguished the real body. Marco used Moonwalk to step through the air, dodging all the clones' attacks, and struck directly at Yan Ming's true form with a Finger Gun.
"Excellent!" Yan Ming exclaimed in admiration. "Third Spirit Ability: Flame Wolf Frenzied Claws!"
A stronger attack ensued, and Marco finally used a Spirit Ability: "Second Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Guard!"
A barrier of azure flames appeared, blocking Yan Ming's frenzied claws. The barrier shook violently but ultimately did not break.
"Fourth Spirit Ability: Flame Wolf Sky-Shaking Roar!" Yan Ming unleashed an even stronger Spirit Ability, a sonic wave attack directed straight at Marco.
Marco's Observation Haki sensed the danger. Using Shave, he rapidly retreated while activating: "First Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Ignition!"
His Soul Power quickly converted, enhancing his speed.
Yan Ming hadn't expected Marco to launch such a fierce counterattack while retreating. He hastily dodged, but the azure flames still grazed his shoulder, sending a wave of burning pain through him.
"Fifth Spirit Ability: Flame Wolf Form!" Yan Ming finally unleashed his strongest Spirit Ability, transforming into a massive wolf-like form, his aura surging dramatically.
Marco also grew serious. His Azure Flame Phoenix Martial Soul fully manifested, his arms transforming into massive Azure Flame Wings. With a gentle flap, he ascended into the air. This was the flight ability he had gained after reaching level 30, as described earlier in the text.
"Third Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Fire Feathers!" Countless fire feathers shot down from the sky toward Yan Ming.
After transforming into a leopard form, Yan Ming's defense greatly increased, allowing him to withstand the fiery feathers as he charged toward Marco. Marco gracefully circled in the air, his Azure Flame Wings flapping as he effortlessly dodged Yan Ming's attack.
The two engaged in an intense aerial battle, with flight capabilities, Six Styles, and kicking techniques clashing against leopard-form assaults, creating an incredibly spectacular scene.
The team members watched in stunned silence; they had never witnessed such a high-level duel. Marco, at the Soul Honour level, was actually trading blows evenly with their teacher Yan Ming, who was at the Soul King level!
Finally, Marco spotted an opening, hardened his right leg with Armament Haki, and delivered a powerful kick to Yan Ming's chest. Although he controlled the force well, it still sent Yan Ming stumbling back several steps.
Yan Ming steadied himself and smiled wryly, "Alright, let's stop here. If we continue, I'll lose all face as a teacher."
Marco retracted his stance and bowed slightly, "Thank you for going easy on me, teacher."
Yan Ming shook his head, "It's not you being polite—I genuinely nearly lost." He sighed in admiration, "To fight me, a Soul King, to such an extent at the Soul Honour level... your strength is truly unfathomable."
The team members gathered around, their eyes filled with admiration: "Captain, you're amazing!"
"You actually fought Teacher Yan Ming to a standstill!"
"Captain, how did you do it?"
Marco smiled faintly, "They're just some special techniques. As long as everyone trains hard, you can achieve it too."
Yan Ming patted Marco's shoulder, "Today's combat training has been an eye-opener for me. Your... unique fighting style completely transcends the conventional boundaries of a Soul Master."
He pondered for a moment, "Although this fighting style is powerful, it requires extremely high physical fitness and reaction speed. Not everyone can learn it."
Marco nodded, "Teacher is right. This fighting style does have its barriers, but some of its concepts and techniques can still be integrated into everyone's training."
In the subsequent training session, Marco instructed the team members to combine simple physical techniques with Spirit Abilities, significantly improving their combat efficiency. The members trained diligently, filling the training ground with a positive and uplifting atmosphere.
After the morning training concluded, Dugu Yan approached Marco again: "Captain, about my grandfather's visit..."
Marco nodded, "I'll speak with my father. I'll let you know once the specific time is confirmed."
Watching Dugu Yan's retreating figure, a meaningful glint flashed in Marco's eyes. The Poison Douluo's visit would be an important opportunity. He needed to prepare thoroughly to ensure the plan proceeded smoothly.