Initial Battle

Initial Battle

In the afternoon, golden sunlight spilled across the ground, casting dappled patterns over the polished floor. Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling led Feng Yao through the central plaza from either side, their shadows intertwining beneath the sun.

"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy's dedicated training grounds are up ahead." Dugu Yan pointed toward a grand building in the distance. Ye Lingling quietly walked beside them, her silver hair drifting gently in the breeze.

Before them lay a training ground as large as a standard spirit fighting arena. Various Soul Tools were embedded in the surrounding walls, while the central area was laid with specially made elastic flooring. All kinds of training equipment were neatly arranged in the corners. Strangely, despite such complete facilities, only a handful of people were using them at the moment.

"Such a fine training ground, yet it's awfully deserted." Feng Yao sighed softly, his fingers unconsciously brushing the "Fuxi" in his arms.

Dugu Yan gave a light snort, her emerald hair swaying slightly as she shook her head. "At this hour, those noble brats are either attending tea parties and listening to music or admiring the scenery in the gardens." She curled her lips. "To them, the training grounds are just somewhere to muddle through their classes."

"Except for our Imperial Dou Team," Ye Lingling suddenly added softly. Her voice was as clear as a spring. "Teacher Qin requires us to train here every afternoon."

Dugu Yan nodded and turned to Feng Yao with a radiant smile. "Since the three Education Committee members entrusted you to Teacher Qin's guidance, you're one of the Imperial Dou Team from today onward." She blinked slyly. "Prepare yourself. Teacher Qin's special training is no joke."

A gentle smile rested on Feng Yao's lips as he nodded lightly. Sunlight streamed through the dome of the training grounds, coating his handsome profile in a faint golden glow.

"They should be arriving soon." Ye Lingling's voice rang out like a clear spring, her silver hair brushing softly in the breeze.

Before long, the training ground doors were pushed open. Yu Tianheng entered at the head of the group, followed by several unfamiliar faces. When he saw Feng Yao standing beside Dugu Yan, a trace of impatience flashed through his azure eyes, and his brows unconsciously furrowed.

"Oh, Yanzi, and this is?" A young man with short golden hair strode forward. He had a well-proportioned build, lively eyes that darted about, and an overall air of carefree mischief.

The Imperial Dou Team's gazes all fell upon Feng Yao—or, more precisely, upon the ancient "Fuxi" zither in his arms. The dark patterns flowing across its body flickered in and out beneath the sunlight, emanating a mysterious aura.

Dugu Yan cleared her throat. "This is Feng Yao, a new team member. The three Education Committee members specifically assigned him to Teacher Qin." Her emerald hair swayed gently as she turned. "We'll all be training together from now on."

Feng Yao gave an elegant bow, the pale moon-white hem of his robe lifting gently in the wind. "Please guide me." His voice was as crisp and clear as Zither Sound, yet it only made Yu Tianheng's frown deepen.

"This rascal is Yu Feng." Dugu Yan pointed at the blond youth, then at a silent figure in the shadows. "That quiet one is Oslo." Her gaze shifted to the two burly youths standing nearby. "These two are the Shi Family Brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo."

Everyone nodded in greeting. During that brief exchange of pleasantries, a black figure appeared before them like Ghostly.

"Good afternoon, everyone." The man in black stood there with a smile, his fitted outfit outlining a capable, lean physique. He looked only a little over thirty, with ordinary features, simple black hair, and plain clothing. Yet a trace of profound light gleamed in his bright black eyes.

A trace of reverence flashed through Dugu Yan's eyes. "Feng Yao, this is Teacher Qin Ming." Her voice unconsciously lowered. "The youngest Soul Emperor powerhouse on the continent."

Feng Yao solemnly bowed, his fingertips casually brushing the strings. "Greetings, Teacher Qin."

Qin Ming stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips as he stared at Feng Yao with piercing eyes. "The Education Committee members have already given me a detailed account of your situation, Student Feng." His voice was steady and powerful. "The Imperial Dou Team welcomes you."

Feng Yao bowed slightly, gently stroking the strings. "Teacher Qin overpraises me. I dare not accept such praise."

"So this is your Martial Soul?" Qin Ming's gaze fell on the ancient "Fuxi" zither in Feng Yao's arms, curiosity flashing in his eyes. The antique patterns on its body shimmered with a mysterious luster beneath the sunlight. It was clearly no ordinary item.

Feng Yao nodded. Two bright yellow Spirit Rings slowly rose from beneath his feet, radiating a gentle glow. He lightly plucked the strings with his slender fingers, and a visible ripple of sound spread outward from him, precisely avoiding everyone present before creating faint echoes against the walls around the training grounds.

"What exquisite control!" A sharp light flashed through Qin Ming's eyes, and he could not help exclaiming in praise. But then his expression turned serious. "However..." He swept his gaze over everyone. "Team training emphasizes coordination and discipline. Every member must strictly follow a unified training plan." His gaze returned to Feng Yao. "Student Feng, surely you can understand that?"

Feng Yao met Qin Ming's gaze. Amid the lingering notes of the zither, his voice was smooth and clear as jade. "Teacher Qin is right." Yet a thoughtful glimmer flashed through his deep eyes.

Feng Yao lightly rubbed the strings with his fingertips. After pondering for a moment, he looked up and said, "Teacher Qin, my cultivation method is somewhat unusual. Could you allow me to arrange part of my personal training myself?"

"No." Qin Ming shook his head decisively, his voice steady and firm. "Student Feng, individualism will damage team chemistry. The Imperial Dou Team is strong precisely because we work together as one."

Silence fell over the training grounds. Yu Tianheng leaned against the wall with his arms folded, a faint sneer curling at his lips as amusement glimmered in his azure eyes.

Feng Yao looked around at everyone, then suddenly smiled. The expression was like a spring breeze brushing across their faces. "In that case, Teacher Qin, how about making a wager with me?" His slender fingers lightly plucked the strings, producing a crisp tremor. "Let me choose anyone from the team for a match. If I happen to win, please allow me to arrange my own personal training. Of course..." He paused, his gaze sincere. "I will attend all team training sessions on time."

"This..." Qin Ming's gaze lingered on Feng Yao's two bright yellow Spirit Rings for a moment, his brows slightly furrowing. "Student Feng, are you sure you want to do this?"

"Of course." Feng Yao nodded calmly, the ancient "Fuxi" zither in his arms glowing with a warm luster beneath the sunlight.

Interest flashed through Qin Ming's eyes. He was also quite curious about this new member's strength. After a moment of thought, the corners of his lips rose. "Fine. Other than Ling Ling, who is in the Support System, you may choose anyone as your opponent."

Feng Yao's gaze slowly swept across the group before finally stopping on the silent figure in the corner. "Then I'll choose Student Oslo." He smiled faintly, his voice as clear as a spring.

When Oslo, whose expression had remained cold and stern, heard this, his brows could not help knitting slightly. A trace of displeasure flashed through those sharp, black-panther-like eyes—he felt that this newcomer was looking down on him.

"What? He chose Oslo?" Yu Feng could not help crying out, his eyes widening beneath his golden hair. Aside from Dugu Yan, surprise appeared on every Imperial Dou Team member's face. After all, Oslo's Ghost Leopard Spirit possessed such explosive speed at short range that even their captain, Yu Tianheng, found it difficult to fully track his movements. Even Yu Feng could only defeat Oslo by relying on his advantage in flight.

Feng Yao walked unhurriedly to the center of the grounds and gave Oslo an elegant bow. "Please enlighten me." His movements flowed as naturally as drifting clouds and running water, carrying an indescribable calmness.

Seeing the seriousness in his opponent's attitude, Oslo's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly. He slowly stepped forward, his voice low. "I'll go easy on you." As he spoke, three Spirit Rings slowly rose beneath his feet.

"Thank you." Feng Yao's lips curved faintly upward, the ancient "Fuxi" zither in his arms glowing warmly under the sunlight.

Without further words, the Imperial Dou Team members silently retreated to the edge of the grounds, leaving enough space for the two of them. Yu Tianheng stood at the front with his arms folded, scrutiny gleaming in his eyes. Ye Lingling unconsciously clenched the corner of her clothes, while Dugu Yan watched with a smile, her emerald eyes full of anticipation.

A cold gleam flashed through Oslo's eyes as Soul Power surged around him. The shadow of an entirely black leopard emerged behind him. He said in a low voice, "Oslo. Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard. Level thirty-five Agility Attack System Battle Titled Douluo." Yellow, yellow, and purple light shone brilliantly within the training grounds.

Feng Yao calmly stroked the zither case, his fingertips lingering over its ancient patterns as he said gently, "Feng Yao. Martial Soul: Fuxi Qin. Level twenty-seven Great Soul Master."

His introduction was somewhat simple because his abilities and the "Fuxi" in his hands were difficult to define through conventional Spirit Master classifications. Wherever Zither Sound reached, it could become a fierce offensive, form an invisible barrier, soothe pain, or bolster morale—attack, defense, and support combined into one. That was the unique quality of his Martial Soul. Whether it was attack, defense, control, or support, he had dabbled in all of them.

"Begin!"

At Qin Ming's command, Oslo instantly completed his Martial Soul possession. Three Spirit Rings shone brilliantly around him—yellow, yellow, purple. The configuration of his Spirit Rings displayed the strength expected of a core member of the Imperial Dou Team.

Whoosh—

Only an afterimage remained in the air. Oslo's real body had already vanished from his original position like Ghostly. The terrifying speed granted by his Ghost Leopard Spirit allowed everyone present to catch only a blurred trace of his movement.

"This guy's getting serious right from the start." Yu Feng clicked his tongue, his eyes round beneath his short golden hair.

In the blink of an eye, Oslo had closed in before Feng Yao. His sharp claw blades gleamed coldly, less than an inch from Feng Yao's throat. The fierce wind lifted the loose strands of hair over Feng Yao's forehead, revealing eyes as calm as still water.

At that critical instant—

Twang!!!

A piercing zither note suddenly exploded. Feng Yao's first Spirit Ring erupted with dazzling light as his slender fingers slashed heavily across the strings. Visible golden sound waves spread outward like ripples, distorting even the air wherever they passed.

Thud!

Oslo's charging body abruptly froze. The confident smile had not yet faded from his face, but his eyes had already rolled back. Under everyone's stunned gazes, this Agility Attack System Soul Titled Douluo famed for his speed toppled straight to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The training grounds fell so silent that a needle could have been heard dropping.

Yu Tianheng's azure pupils contracted sharply. He unconsciously stepped half a pace forward, yet he could not understand what had just happened. As the inheritor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit, he had failed to catch even the trace of Feng Yao's attack.

Pride gleamed in Dugu Yan's emerald eyes, while Ye Lingling covered her lips lightly, her pale violet eyes filled with disbelief.

At that moment, every member of the Imperial Dou Team realized that this seemingly gentle and refined Zither Master was likely far stronger than they had imagined.

Qin Ming's figure flashed, and he instantly appeared beside the unconscious Oslo. He reached out and pressed two fingers to Oslo's neck. After confirming his condition through circulating Soul Power, the shock in his eyes deepened. "Mental Shock? No..." He suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze fixed directly on Feng Yao. "You can actually control sound waves with such precision?"

Feng Yao's slender fingers gently brushed across the strings, stirring a faint lingering resonance as he replied warmly, "It is only a minor, unrefined trick. Please forgive me for making Teacher Qin laugh." Apology filled his gaze as he looked at Oslo. "Please rest assured, Student Oslo will awaken within a quarter of an hour. There will be no aftereffects."

Qin Ming shook his head with a wry smile, his eyes holding both amazement and helplessness. "Fine. From now on, arrange your personal cultivation as you see fit. However..." His expression turned solemn as he added seriously, "There must be at least three team training sessions every week. That is the bottom line, and also your chance to understand one another."

"Thank you for accommodating me, Teacher Qin." Feng Yao gave an elegant bow, the pale moon-white hem of his robe swaying gently with the motion. As he raised his head, his gaze inadvertently met Yu Tianheng's—the contempt in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon inheritor's eyes had long vanished, replaced by unprecedented gravity and scrutiny. Feng Yao understood. This battle had allowed him to gain an initial foothold in the Imperial Dou Team.

"Beautifully done!" At some point, Dugu Yan had moved close to his side, her warm breath brushing against his ear. Her emerald eyes gleamed slyly. "But..." Her voice dropped even lower. "Would that move work on Tianheng too?"

Feng Yao's lips curved upward. He lightly plucked the strings, producing a meaningful tremor. "Well..." He deliberately drew out the word, a mysterious glint flashing through his eyes. "That's a secret."

Qin Ming stood with his hands behind his back, watching Feng Yao with a gentle gaze. "All right. Once Oslo wakes up, you will all proceed with your usual training." He paused, anticipation coloring his voice. "As for Student Feng, would you mind letting me observe your training method? Perhaps I can offer you some suggestions."

Upon hearing that, a modest smile appeared on Feng Yao's lips. He elegantly brushed the zither body, his fingertips drawing out a clear tremor from the strings. "Of course. It would be my honor." Sunlight streamed down through the dome, coating his handsome profile in a faint golden glow. "Receiving Teacher Qin's guidance is precisely what I have been hoping for."