When in Douluo, All the Goddesses Fell Apart

Even the mentors from the various academies were amazed, feeling that the academy had truly found a treasure this time.

As a result, none of the current team members failed to admire Wu Xing, even though they were all members of the royal family.

After all, strength was the main theme of this world.

As for Wu Xing's relationship with Su Ruoxi, everyone had already understood it, and no one entertained any further thoughts.

Not long after, before everyone had waited long, Mentor Yu Feng appeared. Behind him were four students also dressed in Heaven Dou Royal Academy uniforms.

Yu Feng sized up the seven of them. When his gaze met Wu Xing's, he nodded in satisfaction before saying, "In ten months, the All Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition will begin. In order to bring honor to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the Teaching Committee has decided that these four students will join your team for coordination training."

Although the Soul Master Competition was fought in teams of seven, there were many matches, and uncontrollable factors could lead to injuries. Rotating team members was therefore essential.

Thus, the competition organizers allowed every academy to send four additional members for substitutions and adjustments.

After briefly introducing the four students and allowing everyone to get acquainted, Yu Feng continued, "Since we have time, I'll explain the rules of the Soul Master Competition today."

"The Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is the largest Martial Soul Competition in the Soul Master world. It is initiated and hosted by the royal families of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, with Spirit Hall assisting. It gathers geniuses from across the entire continent."

"First, the competition has two most important rules. The first is age: participants must be under twenty-five. Second, the competition is primarily for friendly sparring, and deaths are not permitted. Remember this well. Unless necessary, avoid crippling your opponents as much as possible. If you kill an opponent, the academy will bear the corresponding losses, and you will be expelled from the Soul Master Competition."

"Do you understand?" Yu Feng paused and looked at everyone.

Other than Wu Xing, every one of these students had an influential background. They did whatever they pleased and naturally had no restraint when attacking, which was why he stressed the matter so heavily.

In his view, while his students were weaker than the First Team, they still ranked relatively high among the advanced Soul Master academies across the continent. He was only worried they would treat the rules as a joke.

Of course, he had no way of knowing that the Second Team students in the original story were nothing more than the lowest-tier cannon fodder, swept out of the match by Shrek Academy in a minute.

They were still thinking about holding back. They would be lucky if they did not get beaten senseless by the other academies.

However, with Wu Xing joining them now, what happened in the original story definitely would not happen again.

Facing their mentor's gaze, the students all replied carelessly, "Understood, Mentor Yu. We'll be careful."

Seeing that they did not seem to take it to heart, Yu Feng sighed inwardly. Teaching these royal relatives paid well, but it was truly exhausting.

At Wu Xing's side, an odd expression appeared on his face as he watched the unconcerned team members. Did these guys really think they could dominate the competition?

No way? Surely not?

Having watched the anime, scenes flashed through Wu Xing's mind one after another. He truly could not think of a single participating team weaker than this one...

Dugu Yan's Annoyance

"Across the two empires, there are roughly more than a hundred advanced Soul Master academies. Every academy has one competition slot. However, because the two empires are the hosts, the competition officials grant them certain privileges, giving them two slots: Heaven Dou Royal Academy, representing the Heaven Dou Empire, and Star Luo Royal Academy, representing the Star Luo Empire."

Yu Feng did not expect these noble youths to fully listen, so he could only continue explaining.

"These two official representative academies divide their two slots into a main team and a reserve team. The main team advances directly to the Finals, while the reserve team must compete in the Preliminary against the remaining teams."

Yu Feng paused slightly here and examined the students again. Seeing that they were looking at him, he continued, "After discussion by the Teaching Committee, it was unanimously decided that Yu Tianheng's team would advance directly to Spirit Hall for the Finals, while you will represent Heaven Dou Royal Academy's reserve team in this competition."

No one found this surprising, nor did they envy Yu Tianheng's team for advancing directly to the Finals.

After all, the two teams sparred often, and they had always been suppressed. It was not as though they had absolutely no ability to fight back, but they had never had even the slightest chance of winning.

"Originally, the Teaching Committee wanted Ben... Wu Xing to join the First Team as a substitute. But after considering that your team lacks a powerful control-system Soul Master, and that Wu Xing himself had no intention of joining them, he was left on this team instead."

Yu Feng had originally intended to call Wu Xing Ben Yuan, but when Wu Xing returned yesterday afternoon and came to discuss the matter with him, he revealed that Ben Yuan had only been an alias.

Everyone understood this. Using an alias outside was only natural, especially for someone like him, a Soul Elder with three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings. Protecting himself was particularly important.

On Douluo Continent, countless geniuses had fallen, while few truly grew strong. If one did not know how to protect oneself, even the greatest genius could fall, much less someone born a commoner Soul Master like him.

Hearing their teacher's words, the students looked at Wu Xing in surprise. They had not expected him to refuse joining the First Team.

One had to know that entering the First Team, even as a substitute, was far better than remaining on the Second Team in every respect. Yet he had rather stayed with this team.

In an instant, everyone's opinion of Wu Xing rose several more notches.

"Furthermore, the Preliminary is divided into regional divisions. We belong to the Heaven Dou City Division, and there are only five qualifying slots. Going by past conventions, and excuse me for saying something unpleasant without trying to praise others at our expense, the Second Team has never achieved a result good enough to advance to the Finals. We generally hover around tenth place in the Heaven Dou Division, and even our best record was only sixth place."

"However, with Wu Xing this year, we have hope of making a push and winning honor for the academy and the empire."

Yu Feng did not speak of winning the championship. That was unrealistic. His greatest wish was simply to qualify.

Although Wu Xing was strong enough to crush Dugu Yan from the First Team, the competition was a contest between teams of seven. One person's strength was ultimately limited.

Elsewhere.

As the First Team gathered and listened to their teacher, Dugu Yan could not help telling the mentor that Heaven Dou Royal Academy would definitely win the championship.

Of course, she was not talking about the First Team, but the Second Team.

As long as the competition did not begin immediately, with a guy like Wu Xing around, and another ten months for him to develop, who knew how terrifyingly strong he would become!

The newly arrived mentor was dumbfounded as he watched Dugu Yan speak with absolute certainty, as though the championship were within easy reach. Not only him, even Yu Tianheng and the others looked utterly bewildered.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy—no, all academies—had always lived under the fear of being dominated by Spirit Hall Academy.

Yet the two of them said Heaven Dou Royal Academy would definitely defeat Spirit Hall Academy. How could that not astonish everyone?

"Yanyan, even if Wu Xing easily defeated you last time, he can't possibly be that strong, can he?"

"Yeah. Which competition hasn't ended with Spirit Hall Academy easily taking the championship?"

"Exactly, Vice-Captain. This isn't an individual match. No matter how powerful one person is, how powerful can he be? If Wu Xing is restrained, their Second Team can't even beat us, much less Spirit Hall Academy..."

The First Team members voiced their different opinions one after another, but none of them were optimistic.

"What do you know?" Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at them. If she had not been considering Wu Xing's privacy, she would have loved to reveal his trump cards to everyone.

So many Martial Souls—Soft Bone Rabbit, White Tiger, Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, Blue Silver Emperor—plus one devastating Martial Soul he had not even told them about. Wouldn't he be able to beat up anyone his age with ease?

Do not be fooled by the fact that his Martial Soul was only level 31 now. He had awakened it only a few days ago. Besides, did they think innate level 30 Soul Power was a joke?

Seeing Dugu Yan stubbornly insist that Wu Xing could win the championship, everyone exchanged glances. Yu Tianheng said awkwardly, "Yanyan, have you fallen for that kid?"

"Yeah. I, Dugu Yan, have taken a liking to him." Dugu Yan admitted it openly. After two days of contact, she no longer thought much of any other boys.

The others froze again. Damn, they all thought. That kid had only been at the academy for a few days, and he had already stolen their goddess away.

"Fine, now I understand why you said that." Yu Tianheng said helplessly.

Beauty was in the eye of the beholder. That was exactly her current state. They had only sparred once, and she had already become his little fangirl.

The newly arrived mentor could not help laughing bitterly as well. He had truly thought Wu Xing had hidden something else and had even considered going to the Teaching Committee to fight for the chance to recruit him. Now, however, he felt there was no need.

Thinking of this, the mentor teased, "Yanyan, the Teaching Committee originally planned to have Wu Xing join your First Team as a substitute, but he refused. You may be disappointed."

In order to quickly blend in with the students he was leading, this mentor was really going all out, even making jokes.

"What!" Dugu Yan's eyes widened when she heard that. Damn it, how could that guy refuse!

Ye Lingling was also slightly stunned. Although she rarely spoke, if there were a chance, she still hoped he could become her teammate.

That way, they would spend more time together. With more time together, there would naturally be a chance to develop a better relationship.

"Ling Ling, do you think that guy looks down on us?" Coming back to herself, Dugu Yan spoke to Ye Lingling indignantly.

Ye Lingling's face immediately reddened. Glancing at the mentor and teammates watching them, she said awkwardly, "Sister Yanyan, maybe it's because of Sister Ruo Xi."

"That bastard! I'll definitely ask him about this! What's wrong with joining our team? Ruo Xi can come along too!" Dugu Yan failed to notice the stunned, open-mouthed expressions of the other team members as she continued speaking angrily.

The new mentor's jaw nearly dropped. What did she mean, Ruo Xi could come along too? Was Heaven Dou Royal Academy her home, where she could bring in whoever she wanted?

Oh, right. Her grandfather was a Titled Douluo. Never mind, then.

Simulated Training

To develop teamwork and cultivate mutual understanding, the best method for team combat was battle.

The Mimicry Training Ground was a training facility created for precisely that purpose. Though it could not compare to actual combat in a Spirit Beast Forest, it was convenient. After all, they could not have students living in the wilderness all the time.

Furthermore, Simulated Training could create the environment most suitable for training based on one's Martial Soul, thereby accelerating the cultivation of Soul Power. Finding a place truly suited to oneself in a Spirit Beast Forest was not easy.

After Mentor Yu Feng finished explaining the Soul Master Competition, he led the group to the Mimicry Training Ground.

Before them stood a broad semicircular building divided into four floors. Rows of doors glowing with light screens stood within it, on every floor. At a glance, there seemed to be dozens of them.

The first floor had the most rooms, the second had fewer, the third even fewer, and the fourth had the least, with only five rooms in total.

"Wu Xing, this is Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Mimicry Training Ground. When the academy is not holding group sessions, you can come here for individual training. The first floor contains mimicry rooms for attack-type Soul Masters, the second floor is for control-type Soul Masters, and the third floor is for support-type Soul Masters. As for the fourth and highest floor, it contains team training rooms. But be careful not to disturb anyone. A green light above a mimicry training room means no one is inside, while a red light means it is occupied."

Since it was Wu Xing's first time here, Yu Feng specifically explained this to him before entering the mimicry training room.

"Okay, Mentor Yu Feng." Wu Xing nodded.

Once he saw that Wu Xing understood, Yu Feng led the group toward a room on the top floor with a green light glowing above it.

Today's training was mainly for team coordination, cultivating tacit understanding, and improving cooperative ability, so they entered the highest floor.

The moment they entered, the room was completely white. Only a Soul Tool resembling a gaming console from Wu Xing's previous life sat beside them.

Yu Feng casually pressed several buttons on it. Soon, the entirely white room began to transform into a vast forest. Dense trees filled every direction, mixed with the roars of Spirit Beasts, making it feel as though they were truly inside a Spirit Beast Forest.

Watching the scene change before him, Wu Xing was somewhat amazed. As expected of Simulated Training; it felt no different from the real thing.

"Alright. Your teacher has placed a ten-thousand-year Spirit Beast inside. Your goal today is to hold out for one hour," Yu Feng said slowly.

As soon as Yu Feng spoke, everyone except Wu Xing changed expression. Xue Hui even pulled a long face and said, "Teacher, isn't this requirement too harsh?"

A ten-thousand-year Spirit Beast was equivalent to a human Spirit Emperor. How were they, a group of Soul Elders barely above level 30, supposed to deal with it?

They would not die in the mimicry environment, but getting hurt still truly hurt!

"I didn't tell you to kill it. Besides, you have a huge numerical advantage. There are eleven of you. If you cooperate properly, are you really afraid you cannot last?" Yu Feng said bluntly.

Although Xue Hui was Prince Xue Xing's grandson, Yu Feng still had to take a firm attitude toward cultivation at times.

"Alright, begin." Seeing that Xue Hui still wanted to say something, Yu Feng waved his hand and cut him off.

Very quickly, before anyone could react, a massive gorilla appeared before them.

A Raging Black Gorilla!

The students' faces darkened again when they saw this Spirit Beast. It was known for high attack, high defense, and no low agility. Wouldn't a single punch make them cough blood?

The moment the Raging Black Gorilla appeared, it violently beat its chest before charging at them head-on.

Everyone hurriedly activated their Martial Souls. In an instant, all kinds of Martial Souls appeared, and Spirit Rings rose beneath their feet.

Wu Xing's Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings were the most eye-catching no matter where they appeared. The four newly joined substitute members were stunned, so stunned that they failed to dodge immediately even when the Raging Black Gorilla charged right up to them.

It was not their fault. Although they had heard that Wu Xing possessed three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, the visual impact of seeing them in person was still enormous.

But after that brief moment of distraction, it was already too late to dodge.

"What are you doing!" Yu Feng's face turned green. The four substitute students had made such a serious beginner's mistake the moment they met. If this had happened in a Spirit Beast Forest, would they not have died on the spot?

Yet amid his shock and fury, Wu Xing had already acted.

First Soul Skill: Entanglement.

In an instant, countless vines surged from his hands and rapidly wrapped around the Raging Black Gorilla.

The vines, which could restrain even thousand-year Spirit Beasts for a long time, were directly torn apart by the Raging Black Gorilla after only a brief struggle.

Fortunately, that was enough time for the four substitute members to react. They leaped away in different directions, avoiding its crushing blow.

Boom! The Raging Black Gorilla's fist, larger than a basketball, slammed into the ground with a deafening crash, sending mud and turf flying.

After missing its strike, the Raging Black Gorilla roared and charged toward Wu Xing, because this was the one who had just tied it up.

Seeing the Raging Black Gorilla rushing at him, Wu Xing hurriedly dodged and sprinted toward an area with cover.

"Does this thing get tired?" Wu Xing asked while running.

Su Ruoxi, flying above Wu Xing, hurriedly answered, "It does, husband. It simulates a Spirit Beast equal to one outside, so it consumes stamina as well. It'll bleed if you attack it, and if you kill it, it'll disappear."

Hearing Su Ruoxi's answer, Wu Xing breathed a sigh of relief. He had truly been worried that the simulated Spirit Beast possessed endless stamina and Soul Power. Since it could be exhausted and injured, an idea immediately came to him. He quickly called out to Xue Hui and the others, "Get ready to attack it!"

If the simulated Spirit Beast possessed endless stamina and Soul Power, their best option would be to split up and dodge. But if it was like a real Spirit Beast, then attacking was the best defense.

"Ah?" Xue Hui froze. His plan had been to conserve Soul Power as much as possible while dodging. Perhaps they could last an hour against the Raging Black Gorilla. But attacking proactively would only accelerate their Soul Power consumption. What if they could have lasted an hour, only to fail after half an hour?

But Wu Xing's words made him hesitate. Back in Sunset Forest, Wu Xing had displayed powerful command ability, easily coordinating everyone against a two-thousand-year Spirit Beast.

"What do you mean, 'ah'? Zhan Minghui, use Mad Lion's Roar to shock its ears. I'll use Blue Silver Grass to restrain it. While it's controlled, take that chance to attack with everything you have. Then we repeat," Wu Xing shouted his plan to everyone while running at full speed.

The Raging Black Gorilla was extremely fast and could easily evade their Soul Skills. Only during the moment it was restrained could they strike it.

"Alright." Xue Hui no longer hesitated. He mobilized the Soul Power within him and prepared to act at any moment.