"Yu Feng, Osler. As Agility Attack System Battle Soul Masters, your speed goes without saying. Your weakness is insufficient attack power; you can only harass the opponent from the sidelines."
Lin Mu looked at Yu Feng and Osler, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
Say what you will, the Royal Fight Team was still composed of elites selected from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Even setting aside the lack of substitute players, pairing them with two Agility Attack System Battle Soul Masters was frankly absurd.
This was clearly an attempt to let Yu Tianheng carry the team!
But reality was cruel—he simply did not have that capability.
In Lin Mu's view, the Royal Fight Team was an utter mess. To claim victory in the Soul Master Tournament, a complete reorganization was necessary.
His gaze shifted between Yu Feng and Osler. His tone brooked no argument:
"In the Soul Master Tournament, it's highly likely that only one of you two will be able to compete. Therefore, you are not just teammates now, but also competitors. Whoever performs better will have more opportunities to take the stage."
Hearing this, Yu Feng and Osler looked at each other. It had never occurred to them that their former brothers-in-arms would become rivals.
It seemed a bit too cruel.
"Brother Lin's arrangements… truly hit the nail on the head. Qinghe admires it!"
Xue Qinghe said sincerely.
She had some understanding of the Royal Fight Team's situation.
They simply did not possess the strength to win the championship. But now, under Lin Mu's leadership, perhaps there was indeed a glimmer of hope.
"Your Highness flatters me."
After a brief reply, Lin Mu's attention fell upon the two brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo (Yes, same name but different pronunciation), who had remained steadily composed at the rear.
These two were arguably the most undervalued members of the Royal Fight Team.
"Shi Mo, Shi Mo. Whether we can win the championship in the Soul Master Tournament depends on you."
At these words, everyone was startled.
Even Shi Mo and Shi Mo exchanged bewildered glances, utterly unable to comprehend why Lin Mu would say such a thing.
"Your martial souls are both the Black Turtle, renowned for its ultimate defensive capabilities. Moreover, you are biological brothers. You are the most suited to develop a Spirit Fusion Skill."
Upon hearing this, Shi Mo and Shi Mo looked at one another and saw both shock and fervent excitement reflected in each other's eyes.
This was a Spirit Fusion Skill!
If they could successfully execute a Spirit Fusion Skill, their strength would increase dramatically. No wonder Teacher Lin Mu said they were the key to victory.
However, accomplishing a Spirit Fusion Skill was far from easy.
"The key to a Spirit Fusion Skill lies in trust and affinity."
After a pause, under the blazing gaze of everyone present, Lin Mu continued, "From today onward, you two will eat and live together. All your actions must be taken together, and every evening you will guide your soul power to merge."
In Lin Mu's plan, defeating the Spirit Hall Team would require far more than just Tang San and Yu Tianheng. A core combatant had to be cultivated.
Neither Dugu Yan, nor Yu Feng and Osler, were suited for such a critical role. Only the Shi brothers, upon completing their fusion, would possess the strength to contend with the Spirit Hall Team.
Perhaps their Spirit Fusion Skill could even unleash the true power of the Xuanwu Divine Beast.
"Yes, Teacher Lin Mu!"
Shi Mo and Shi Mo shouted in unison.
Though it was merely a few words of guidance, it had opened the door to the possibility of a Spirit Fusion Skill. This earned their genuine respect for this new team leader.
After hearing Lin Mu's arrangements, a succession of brilliant colors flickered in Xue Qinghe's eyes. Just how many more talents did this man conceal?
"Teacher Lin Mu, being able to serve as your teaching assistant is truly my honor."
Qin Ming spoke with heartfelt admiration.
He had initially thought Lin Mu merely possessed outstanding talent; he had never expected his instructional abilities to far surpass his own. A few brief remarks had already placed him beyond Qin Ming's reach.
"Teacher Lin Mu."
Dugu Yan suddenly recalled something, pointing toward Ye Lingling who stood quietly at the side. With a hint of teasing, she said, "You haven't spoken about Lingling yet."
"Lingling possesses the Nine Hearted Begonia martial soul. Her healing ability is unrivaled among those of the same rank. In official matches, you must protect her at all times. How much of her strength she can bring to bear depends largely on you."
Lin Mu's gaze shifted to Ye Lingling, meeting those blue eyes filled with anticipation and shyness. He continued, "As for her training, I will personally instruct her privately."
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng and the others immediately wore expressions of envy.
Dugu Yan, however, revealed a subtle, meaningful smile. There was definitely something going on between those two.
Elsewhere, under Yu Xiaogang's arrangements, Dai Mubai and the other four had already commenced their special training.
Beneath the scorching sun, each of them carried heavy stone slabs on their backs, monotonously running laps around the village with weighted burdens.
Sweat soaked through their garments. Every step was exceptionally difficult.
Dai Mubai gasped for air, veins bulging on his forehead. He couldn't help but mutter resentfully, "This 'Grandmaster'… he's only at rank twenty-nine himself. Why did the dean put him in charge of training us? I can accept regular combat training, but what's the point of this weighted running?"
Beside him, Oscar's face was deathly pale. He was on the verge of collapse. As a Food System Soul Master, his physical stamina was, by far, the worst.
"Dai Mubai, don't talk… save your strength… I feel like I'm about to see my great-grandma."
"What kind of training is this? This is just torture!"
Ning Rongrong's bratty young lady temper flared. She threw the stone slab off her back and pouted.
Only Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing continued to push forward.
Though Zhu Zhuqing was equally drenched in sweat and breathing rapidly, her gaze remained resolute.
She silently adjusted her breath and continued her strides.
As for Ma Hongjun, the personally acknowledged disciple of the Grandmaster, he was the most miserable of the group.
The weight he carried was about the same as Dai Mubai's. With every step, his entire body of fat quivered. He felt as if his skeleton were coming apart.
"Teacher, you're really killing me here!"
Ma Hongjun wailed with every step he forced forward.
The only reason he could persist was the daily dose of inspirational Yu Xiaogang fed him.
"Hongjun, once you obtain a suitable third soul ring, you will be able to shed your evil fire and transform into a true Fire Phoenix Soul Master. For the sake of such a bright future, what is a little suffering?"
It was this conviction alone that enabled him to endure until now.
In the distance, Flender watched his students' agonized expressions, his brow deeply furrowed. He turned to Yu Xiaogang beside him and asked, "Xiaogang, is this weighted running really necessary?"
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed straight ahead, wearing an expression of profound inscrutability. He said calmly:
"Flender, this is not only to temper their bodies but also to hone their willpower and character. If they cannot endure even this minor physical hardship, how can they face life-and-death combat in the future? How can they become true powerhouses?"
Having said this, Yu Xiaogang's tone shifted, carrying a note of unmistakable authority: "Since you have entrusted them entirely to me for training, do not question my methods. When the training concludes, you will naturally witness their transformation."
Flender opened his mouth to speak, looking at Yu Xiaogang's utterly assured countenance, but ultimately swallowed his words back down and let out a helpless sigh.
For now, he had no choice but to trust in this old friend of his.