"Teacher Lin Mu, the Soul Master Tournament is no joke. They're this young—how much soul power could they possibly have? Surely you're not bringing two dead weights along?"
Dugu Yan was already simmering with anger, and now Lin Mu wanted to add two new members, which only made her more resentful.
If things kept going like this, sooner or later, she and Yu Tianheng would be replaced in the Royal Fight Team.
Yu Tianheng and the others remained silent, but most of them inwardly agreed with Dugu Yan's words. These two looked at most thirteen or fourteen; they definitely hadn't reached the thirtieth rank.
For the Royal Fight Team, composed entirely of Soul Elders, adding two Great Soul Masters wouldn't raise their overall strength—it would only become a burden.
Lin Mu glanced at Dugu Yan. His tone was indifferent: "Whether they're dead weight or not, won't we know after a try?"
"I'll try then." Dugu Yan's gaze turned slightly cold. Her eyes fell on Tang San. "You, little brother."
Tang San did not immediately accept the challenge. Instead, he looked toward his teacher, awaiting his direction.
"No. Your Jade Phospor Serpent poison is useless against Xiao San."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan was instantly furious. This bastard actually dared to belittle her Jade Phospor Serpent poison!
But that was the truth. Lin Mu truly held no regard for Jade Phospor Serpent poison. If it were Jade Phospor Emperor poison, that would warrant some caution.
As it stood, the Jade Phospor Serpent poison posed no threat to Tang San.
Since her poison was ineffective, Dugu Yan's combat strength would be drastically reduced. Even with her higher soul power rank, she was no match for Tang San.
Lin Mu then pointed to Yu Tianheng, the team captain, and said calmly, "Xiao San, you'll have a sparring match with him."
Hearing this arrangement, Yu Tianheng was taken aback. Was this right—he was to personally test the strength of a new member?
"Yes, teacher."
Tang San stepped out from behind Lin Mu and looked at Yu Tianheng with a composed expression.
To ensure Yu Tianheng was at full strength, Lin Mu's gaze shifted to Ye Lingling, standing at the rear of the group. "Lingling, help him recover."
"Okay, Brother Lin Mu."
Ye Lingling obediently responded. Her voice was soft, sweet, and gentle—utterly different from her usual cool detachment.
Hearing this intimate form of address, everyone present was briefly stunned. Their gazes darted back and forth between Ye Lingling and Lin Mu, surprise and suspicion in their eyes.
This new leader actually knew Ye Lingling, the quietest member of the team—and their relationship seemed unusual?
Under the group's astonished eyes, Ye Lingling had already summoned her Nine Hearted Begonia.
Along with a faint, delicate fragrance, a beam of white light descended from above, taking the form of petals that drifted down and landed on Yu Tianheng, quietly melting into his body.
In just a short moment, the dull ache in Yu Tianheng's chest rapidly dissipated.
Seeing the new leader had already made up his mind, Yu Tianheng said nothing further.
He would simply hold back a little, so as not to make his opponent lose too badly.
Soon, Tang San and Yu Tianheng entered the competition arena.
"Yu Tianheng, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Thirty-ninth rank, Attack System Battle Soul Elder."
"Tang San, Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. Thirty-fourth rank, Control System Battle Soul Elder."
"What? Thirty-fourth rank?!"
Yu Tianheng exclaimed, his eyes flying wide open. His face was full of disbelief.
The blue-haired youth before him, who looked at most thirteen or fourteen, had actually cultivated to the thirty-fourth rank. It was unbelievably absurd!
Even with innate full soul power, he shouldn't have progressed this quickly.
What's more, his martial soul was the most ordinary, most worthless Blue Silver Grass. It was practically a resounding slap in the face!
What use was it to possess the top-tier beast martial soul, if he couldn't even match a Blue Silver Grass soul master? It made him wonder if he himself was just trash.
"Cultivating to the thirty-fourth rank at this age. Brother Lin, this disciple of yours has extraordinary talent."
Xue Qinghe glanced at Lin Mu beside him and praised him.
Compared to the members of the Royal Fight Team, Xue Qinghe wasn't all that shocked.
After all, he had witnessed Lin Mu's own talent not long ago; his psychological tolerance had significantly improved.
"You flatter me, Your Highness. Soul power rank does not represent true strength."
Lin Mu's expression was calm as he spoke.
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng finally rallied his spirits.
Yes! His martial soul was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Even if the other's cultivation speed was faster, what of it?
His insignificant Blue Silver Grass could only be crushed underfoot.
The battle began at once. Tang San struck first, controlling his Blue Silver Grass to launch an assault.
Faced with these fragile strands of grass, a flicker of disdain passed through Yu Tianheng's eyes.
He immediately used his first soul skill, his right arm transforming into a Thunderous Dragon Claw, easily shredding the Blue Silver Grass before him to pieces.
Reinforced by three soul rings, the Blue Silver Grass's quality was no longer negligible, but compared to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, it still fell far short.
Seeing his attacks were ineffective, Tang San decisively changed tactics.
Using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, he created distance.
At the same time, Blue Silver Grass continuously surged forth from the ground, entangling Yu Tianheng's legs.
Even though they were easily snapped by his powerful lightning, it still effectively slowed his offensive advance.
Relying on his superior soul power rank and martial soul quality, Yu Tianheng smoothly seized the initiative.
Thunder raged, forcing Tang San into constant evasive maneuvers.
Nevertheless, Tang San responded aptly at every turn.
He used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step to maintain distance while disrupting Yu Tianheng with his Blue Silver Grass.
When he had opened up sufficient distance, the second soul ring beneath his feet suddenly blazed to life.
"Second Soul Skill: Flying Petals Like Leaves!"
Tang San continuously swung the bladed leaves of his Blue Silver Grass.
His hands moved with a bewildering speed, like a thousand-armed Guanyin.
These Blue Silver Grass leaf blades, coated in a pale golden icy crystal and edged with sharpness, shot toward Yu Tianheng like a torrential downpour.
The sheer volume of leaf blades, targeting vulnerable areas like his joints, greatly disrupted Yu Tianheng's offensive rhythm, forcing him to divert his focus to defense or evasion.
"Damn it!"
Yu Tianheng attempted to force a breakthrough, but Tang San's coordinated control and attacks gave him no opportunity to close in.
"Rage of Thunder!"
Amplified by his third soul skill, Yu Tianheng's attack power and lightning attribute surged dramatically. With a single burst, he shattered the surrounding Blue Silver Grass.
"It's still just Blue Silver Grass after all."
Yu Tianheng sneered coldly. Exploding forward, he charged at Tang San with formidable speed. Even the ceaseless barrage of leaf blades could not halt his advance.
But just as he prepared to finish the fight, he completely failed to notice the few strands of Blue Silver Grass that had not been destroyed beneath his feet.
In an instant, several unusually thick Blue Silver Grass vines abruptly sprang from the ground, tightly coiling around his legs—and in that same moment, crystallized.
Amplified by his first soul skill, the Blue Silver Grass's defensive power had greatly increased. Even Yu Tianheng, erupting with full force, was tripped and sent crashing to the ground.
In that split second, Tang San closed in like a phantom, holding a leaf blade against his throat.
The outcome was clear. Victory and defeat were decided!
Looking up at Tang San standing over him, Yu Tianheng's expression was dazed.
He had lost.
He had lost to a Blue Silver Grass soul master with soul power five levels lower than his own, and several years younger than him.