Chapter 43: The Emperor Battle Team vs. Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One

Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, a year had passed. Through their relentless daily training, the Emperor Battle Team had made great strides in strength. Tian Lin, now over 8 years old, had not advanced as dramatically in soul power and swordsmanship as one might expect due to his focus on studying the Yuheng Herbal Scripture throughout the year. His soul power had risen to level 26, a four-level increase, and he had mastered the second and third forms of the Seven Kill Sword Technique, both reaching proficiency. Chen Xin was already quite satisfied with this progress. If he knew that Tian Lin had been diverting a significant portion of his attention to other pursuits, he would have been utterly astonished. Tian Lin had already learned the art of detoxification about six months ago. Over the next six months, he focused on learning alchemy. Some divine herbs are most effective when consumed directly, but others, according to the notes in Yuheng Herbal Scripture, could unleash greater potential when refined into pills. In some cases, a single herb could yield more than one pill, maximizing its utility. Tian Lin's rapid progress was also thanks to the soul ring and external soul bone of the Purple Flame Golden-Eyed Beast. True to its reputation as an intelligent soul beast, fusing with its soul ring and bone had enhanced Tian Lin's memory and comprehension abilities. Typically, a soul beast's soul ring and bones enhance physical attributes like strength and defense, but improving intelligence was unprecedented. This might be one of the unique abilities of his external soul bone. Aside from Tian Lin, the other eight members of the Emperor Battle Team had also made significant progress. They were now all Heaven-tier students, and Yu Tianheng was close to breaking into the Sky-tier. Current Team Status: Yu Tianheng, 13 years old, Beast Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Power Attack System, Level 29. Dugu Yan, 13 years old, Beast Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Snake, Control System, Level 28. Shi Mo, 13 years old, Beast Martial Soul: Black Tortoise, Defense System, Level 28. Shi Mo, 13 years old, Beast Martial Soul: Black Tortoise, Defense System, Level 28. Oslo, 13 years old, Beast Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard, Agility Attack System, Level 27. Yu Feng, 13 years old, Beast Martial Soul: Windbell Bird, Agility Attack System, Level 27. Ye Lingling, 12 years old, Tool Martial Soul: Nine Heart Begonia, Healing System, Level 26. Gu Ran, 12 years old, Beast Martial Soul: Skeletal Warhorse, Power Attack System, Level 25. Jun Tian Lin, 8 years old, Tool Martial Soul: Suppressing Demon Sword, Power Attack System, Level 26. Compared to the original Shrek Seven Devils, the Emperor Battle Team was slightly less talented—except for Tian Lin, whose presence tipped the scales. Gu Ran was particularly at risk of falling behind, as he wasn't even a character in the original story—a true nobody with no narrative importance. However, with his good fortune to acknowledge Tian Lin as his leader, he received Tian Lin's protection. After Ning Rongrong, he was the second to benefit from the Holy Breath Domain's amplification, which allowed him to barely keep pace with the group. The Emperor Battle Team's current strength was such that even some teams of Soul Elders might not defeat them. They were occasionally even used as sparring partners for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team. After all, the All-Continent Soul Master Elite Tournament was only a year away. Of course, this wasn't the tournament Tang San and his team would participate in, as the tournament was held once every five years. The last one took place four years ago. Neither Tang San's group nor Tian Lin's team would be eligible for the upcoming tournament—they were too young. Their true stage would come in six years. Unfortunately, Tian Lin had little hope for this year's Heaven Dou Royal Academy team. Their first team lacked strength, featuring three low-level Soul Ancestors and four high-level Soul Elders. How could they possibly compete with the Spirit Hall? In their usual sparring, if those three Soul Ancestors accidentally fell victim to Tian Lin's Ice and Fire God Seal, sealing their fourth soul ring, they would struggle miserably. This group truly lived up to their reputation as spoiled aristocrats—not only were their levels low, but their combat skills were pathetically weak. Perhaps even their hard-earned breakthroughs to the 40th level were achieved through family resources. With such a mediocre team, once Tian Lin reached level 30, he could crush them with ease. ... Soul Arena. That day, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team was once again training with the Emperor Battle Team. While the Emperor Battle Team was supposed to act as sparring partners, it was clear that the real sparring partners were their opponents. Except for Gu Ran and Yu Feng, the seven other members of the Emperor Battle Team were brimming with confidence. Despite facing opponents whose average level exceeded theirs by more than ten levels, they showed no fear. In contrast, the Heaven Dou Team One members were gasping for breath, their negative attitudes making it clear they didn't want to train. "Tianheng, these senior students are truly hopeless. Let's give them a little motivation!" Tian Lin suggested. "Alright, Xiao Tian, let's do it. Let's use our combo technique!" Yu Tianheng smiled confidently. He and Tian Lin had worked together many times, and although they hadn't developed a Martial Soul Fusion Technique, they had created several powerful combo techniques. Tian Lin's sword could absorb various elements to strengthen itself. Although he hadn't yet absorbed a thunder-element soul ring, it could temporarily channel Yu Tianheng's lightning to enhance its power. "Thunder Fury!" Tian Lin raised his longsword, channeling the fire-element energy from his second soul ring. Simultaneously, Yu Tianheng used his second soul skill, directing lightning into the sword. The two most violent and destructive elements—fire and lightning—merged perfectly. "Thunderflame Sword Qi!" Flaming sword qi imbued with the power of lightning exploded across half of the Heaven Dou Team One's field. The combination of the strongest Beast Martial Soul and a weapon comparable in power to the Seven Kill Sword and Clear Sky Hammer created a combo technique so powerful it rivaled some Martial Soul Fusion Techniques. The Heaven Dou Team One members tried to scatter and dodge, but they forgot that the Emperor Battle Team had a control-type soul master. "Jade Phosphor Snake Venom!" Dugu Yan released toxic mist from her Jade Phosphor Snake, enveloping the opponents and sealing all their escape routes. In the end, the entire Heaven Dou Team One was left battered and bruised. If Tian Lin hadn't held back at the last moment, they would have been severely injured. "Senior, this is unacceptable. I haven't even used my Ice and Fire God Seal or Seven Kill Sword Technique!" Tian Lin said with a smile, resting the magic sword on his shoulder. "Wait... wait, hold on! Junior, listen, we really can't go on anymore. We're older now—we don't have the stamina you younger ones do. Let's rest and continue the training in a couple of days," Team One's captain pleaded shamelessly. "Sigh!" Meng Shenji, as their instructor, felt utterly exhausted. A group of twenty-somethings losing to twelve- and thirteen-year-olds was bad enough, but using their age as an excuse to beg for mercy? Where was their dignity? If Team One was already like this, there was no need to even mention Team Two. Elder Zhi Lin couldn't bear to watch anymore. He left with a sigh, saying, "This year's tournament is over for Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Get ready to be mocked by the Star Luo Royal Academy!"