"First Soul Skill, Molten Flame Fist!"
Lin Mu leapt up violently, the Kirin flames concentrating on his fist, and threw a powerful punch mid-air.
The next moment, these flames transformed into a gigantic fiery fist, which collided head-on with the oncoming blazing fire pillar, instantly detonating it.
"Boom!!"
Accompanied by a loud explosion, the entire arena suffered devastation. The core blast zone was even blasted into a crater several meters deep.
The shockwave from the explosion forced Qin Ming back over a dozen meters, while Lin Mu remained standing in place, unmoving.
"It was actually only his first soul skill…"
Qin Ming wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand, a wave of bitterness rising in his heart. His sixth soul skill had actually been neutralized by the opponent's first soul skill. It was as if the opponent was his natural counter.
Seeing that Qin Ming had lost his will to fight, Lin Mu deactivated his armor fusion state.
Since his Martial Soul's transformation, the suppression of the Flame Nava Armor against fire-attribute Martial Souls had become increasingly apparent, completely overwhelming.
Relying on the Kirin flames, even though it was only a hundred-year soul skill, the power it erupted with was no less formidable than a thousand-year soul skill. Coupled with the elemental advantage, it neutralized Qin Ming's sixth soul skill.
"Your strength far surpasses mine. I accept my defeat with complete conviction."
Qin Ming took a deep breath, mustering a bit of spirit, and clasped his hands in salute towards Lin Mu.
In truth, the moment Lin Mu displayed his soul ring configuration, he knew they weren't on the same level. He just hadn't imagined the gap far exceeded his expectations.
Within the entire academy, probably only the three Education Committee members could truly contend with Lin Mu.
"Instructor Qin flatters me."
Lin Mu similarly clasped his hands in salute to Qin Ming.
After the battle concluded, Xue Qinghe and the three Education Committee members finally regained their composure and quickly descended from the viewing area.
"Your soul rings and strength… truly broaden our horizons. For you to be willing to come teach at our academy is truly a blessing for the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!"
Meng Shenji stepped forward briskly, his tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity and excitement.
This wasn't just a teacher brought by His Highness the Crown Prince—this was clearly the empire's future Great General who would safeguard the nation!
With a ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring and a hundred-thousand-year seventh soul ring, by the time he cultivated to the Title Douluo level, he might even rival a Super Douluo.
Given time to grow, he would undoubtedly become one of the continent's most top-tier powerhouses in the future.
"Your talent is exceptionally rare in this world, bearing the makings of a Super Douluo."
Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin chimed in one after another, their gazes filled with admiration as they looked at Lin Mu. To defeat Qin Ming so effortlessly meant his strength was unfathomably deep, far exceeding their initial estimates.
"The three Committee Members overpraise me. My meager strength is not worth mentioning."
Facing the flattery from the three Education Committee members, Lin Mu responded with a calm expression.
At this moment, Xue Qinghe walked to Lin Mu's side, his smile still on his face, but a glint hidden deep in his eyes. He said in a gentle tone:
"Brother Lin possesses such formidable strength. Merely serving as a teacher would be somewhat underutilizing your talent. How about instructing the Imperial Dou Team instead? Perhaps you could lead them to win the championship in the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."
Hearing this, the three Education Committee members' eyes lit up.
If a powerhouse like Lin Mu personally guided them, the Imperial Dou Team's strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds!
"His Highness's words are most apt! Lord Lin Mu, we entrust the Imperial Dou Team to you!"
Meng Shenji immediately concurred.
Seeing this, Qin Ming took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said earnestly, "The position of Imperial Dou Team Leader is one only you are suited for. I am willing to serve as an assistant instructor to assist you in managing the team."
Although demoted from leader to assistant, Qin Ming harbored no resentment whatsoever.
On one hand, Lin Mu's strength far surpassed his own. On the other, as His Highness the Crown Prince said, only under Lin Mu's instruction did the Imperial Dou Team have a chance at the championship.
Facing the requests of the four, Lin Mu's mind rapidly turned.
He had originally planned to have Tang San and Xiao Wu join the Imperial Dou Team. After all, the reward for the next tournament was three soul bones!
Although the members of the Imperial Dou Team varied in strength and were considerably inferior to the Spirit Hall team, with the addition of Tang San and Xiao Wu, there was still a chance of victory.
If he personally instructed them, the odds would increase further.
"Since Your Highness and the three Committee Members place such trust in me, I shall not decline."
Just after accepting, Lin Mu's tone shifted again, his expression turning serious. "However, regarding my soul ring configuration and the specific details of my match with Instructor Qin, I hope you all can keep it confidential for me and refrain from publicizing it for the time being."
Xue Qinghe and the three Education Committee members were all shrewd individuals. They immediately understood Lin Mu's concern.
Such a world-shaking, convention-defying soul ring configuration and strength, once spread, would inevitably attract the attention and recruitment efforts of countless forces, and might even bring life-threatening danger.
"Brother Lin, rest assured. This matter exits your lips and enters our ears. It will absolutely not be spread."
Xue Qinghe was the first to state his position, promising solemnly.
The three Education Committee members and Qin Ming similarly gave their assurances, promising that no outsider would know.
Two days later, in the Imperial Dou Team's dedicated training ground.
The seven members of the Imperial Dou Team, led by Yu Tianheng, were undergoing their usual training under Qin Ming's guidance.
Right at that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps came from the distance. Everyone looked over and saw a young man walking slowly towards them. Beside him were two junior students in academy uniforms.
What left Yu Tianheng and the others utterly incredulous was that the person walking shoulder-to-shoulder with this young man was actually His Highness the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe!
This scene filled them with doubt. For His Highness the Crown Prince to personally accompany him, what was this person's background?
At the end of the line, Ye Lingling was dressed in a black outfit, her long blue hair cascading down her back. Her figure was graceful and slender, her demeanor as cool and aloof as a snow lotus.
The moment Lin Mu appeared, her clear eyes, unblinking, fell upon him, carrying unconcealable excitement and joy.
Qin Ming quickly went forward to meet them, walking to the other side of Lin Mu. He announced clearly:
"Let me introduce everyone. This is Teacher Lin Mu. Starting today, he will take over from me as the leader of the Imperial Dou Team, fully responsible for your subsequent training and tactical arrangements. I will serve as the assistant instructor, assisting Teacher Lin Mu in managing the team."
As these words fell, the seven members of the Imperial Dou Team were all stunned.
They clearly hadn't expected this young man to become their leader. He didn't look much older than them.
At his age, he could at most be a Soul Ancestor. How could he compare to Teacher Qin Ming, a powerful Soul Emperor?
Yu Tianheng stepped forward, a frown on his brow, speaking up in Qin Ming's defense. "Teacher Qin, you've led us for so long, and the results of our training are evident to all. Why the sudden change?"
As his words ended, Yu Tianheng looked at Lin Mu with hostility. This person must have relied on his connections with the Crown Prince to replace Teacher Qin Ming.
Qin Ming's expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to explain, Lin Mu spoke up first. "Nearly twenty years old and only level 39? And you're still the captain of the Imperial Dou Team?"
These words caused everyone present to freeze momentarily.
Xue Qinghe couldn't help but feel somewhat speechless. Where was there even a hint of timidity or fearfulness about this guy?