Joining the Imperial Fighting Team

"Wang Chuan won?!"

"A level twenty-two Soul Master beat level twenty-eight Yu Tianheng? How is that possible?!"

The instant the referee announced the outcome, the Martial Soul Academy training grounds erupted. Waves of uproar swept through the entire venue. The students gathered around the edge of the arena all stood on tiptoe, staring at the boy standing in the center with his blade sheathed, their eyes full of disbelief—Yu Tianheng was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's genius, with Soul Power six levels higher than Wang Chuan's and a top-tier Beast Martial Soul. How could he have lost to an opponent with lower Soul Power?

The girls on the eastern side of the stands could hardly contain their excitement. Their chatter rose and fell in succession. "Junior Wang Chuan is incredible! Not only is he handsome, he works so hard too. He's practically the perfect genius!" "I heard before that he was Sword Douluo's direct disciple, but I didn't believe it. Now it seems a great master really does produce outstanding disciples!" "What a pity His Highness the Crown Prince said not to get too close to him before. Otherwise, I'd really want to go ask for an autograph..."

Even so, quite a few people quietly edged closer—after all, everyone in the academy knew of Yu Tianheng's reputation as a genius. If even he had lost to Wang Chuan, it was enough to show just how astonishing Wang Chuan's strength was. Compared to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's earlier veiled statement, everyone now wanted to get a closer look at this youth who had defeated a genius above his level.

Yet Wang Chuan, the focus of everyone's attention, paid no heed to the surrounding discussions. He stood in the middle of the arena with a slight frown, repeatedly reviewing the battle in his mind. Although the Grand Void Transformation Art could make his body turn illusory and evade most attacks, his body would inevitably return to solid form whenever he attacked. Yu Tianheng had seized that opening just now, sending an arc of lightning straight at his weak point the instant he swung his blade. If Wang Chuan had not reacted quickly, he would likely have lost already.

Looks like I need to find a way to make up for this weakness. Otherwise, if I face a stronger opponent next time, I won't be so lucky. Wang Chuan lightly clenched his fist, then turned and headed out of the arena, deaf to the girls' cheers and exclamations.

"Little Brother Xiao Chuan, what are you thinking about? You won, yet you still look unhappy?" A hearty voice came from beside him. Yu Tianheng approached with his teammates. Though there was some regret on his face, there was no resentment at all. Instead, he looked appreciative.

Wen Jingran and Osler chimed in as well. "Exactly, Wang Chuan! None of us could beat Tianheng in a one-on-one fight. The fact that you beat him already makes you amazing!" "That blade technique of yours, shifting between real and illusory, made my eyes spin. If it had been me up there, Tianheng's lightning would have struck me ages ago!"

Wang Chuan looked up at them and honestly shook his head. "It wasn't anything special. I was just lucky. During the fight, Senior found a flaw in my Grand Void Transformation Art—my body becomes solid whenever I attack. That opening nearly cost me the match. I'm thinking about how to improve it."

"Come on, you already won, so don't overthink it!" Dugu Yan poked her head out from behind Yu Tianheng and smiled as she suggested, "Since you defeated our captain, our team has to treat you to a celebration! Junior Xiao Chuan, come with us? There's a barbecue place near the academy, and it tastes amazing!"

The moment Yu Tianheng heard that, he immediately moved close to Dugu Yan's side and said with deliberate grievance, "Yan Yan, what do you mean by that? You clearly promised that if I won, you'd go out with me. Why are we celebrating first now?"

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at him, her tone full of playful mischief. "That's different! None of us can beat you, but Junior Xiao Chuan can. Something worth celebrating like this obviously comes first!" As she spoke, she winked at Wang Chuan. "Junior, don't hesitate. Consider it doing us a favor and come with us?"

"We appreciate the thought, but let's put the celebration aside for now." Qin Ming smiled as he politely declined Yu Tianheng and the others' suggestion. His gaze swept over the youths gathered around him, and his tone gradually became solemn. "There's something more important at hand—the All-Continent Soul Master Elite Tournament will begin soon. I need to find a way to get all of you onto the field."

He knew full well that although Martial Soul Academy was considered an aristocratic academy, there were very few students who could truly be considered outstanding. These children before him—Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Wang Chuan, Wen Jingran, Osler, and the others—were already among the academy's best. If nothing unexpected happened, the competition slots would surely fall to them. But anything could change, so he had to prepare in advance and ensure that the children could secure their qualifications smoothly.

Meanwhile, the barbecue restaurant near the academy was bustling with excitement. The meat sizzling on the copper grill gave off an irresistible aroma. With a skewer in one hand, Yu Tianheng slapped Wang Chuan's shoulder with the other and said enthusiastically, "Xiao Chuan, with your strength, it would be a waste for you to stay in an ordinary team! Why not join us? With you here, we'll definitely achieve a great ranking in the tournament!"

Dugu Yan chimed in as well, handing him a golden-brown grilled chicken wing. "Exactly, Junior! Look how well the few of us work together. Add your blade technique, and we'll be joining forces with the strong!" Osler and Wen Jingran nodded one after another, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Wang Chuan looked at the lively scene before him and felt everyone's enthusiasm. The tension in his heart from reviewing the battle gradually eased. He took a bite of the barbecue, then smiled and nodded. "All right. I'll join."

With Wang Chuan's agreement, the atmosphere in the barbecue restaurant grew even more spirited. As they ate, they imagined the scenes that awaited them in the tournament, and even the air seemed to carry the high spirits unique to youth.

After parting ways at the barbecue restaurant, their days gradually became busy. Before long, Wang Chuan's instructor was changed to Qin Ming. As the academy teacher who valued actual combat the most, Qin Ming led the children through sparring sessions at the training grounds every day, carefully guiding them through everything from basic Soul Skill coordination to tactical adjustments in real combat. Whenever the team made mistakes in coordination, he would even step in personally to demonstrate, correcting their movements hand in hand with unbelievable patience.

In truth, the academy's education committee had little room for choice when it came to whether Qin Ming should lead a team into the tournament. As an aristocratic academy, most Martial Soul Academy students came merely to polish their credentials. They wore splendid Soul Master attire in daily life and spoke fluently about theory, but once they entered actual combat, every one of them was a Silver-like Wax Spearhead—impressive in appearance but useless in practice, with nothing worth showing.

Now that Qin Ming had taken the initiative to propose leading students into the All-Continent Soul Master Elite Tournament, the committee members immediately cast aside their hesitation and voiced their support. Not only did they direct the academy's finest cultivation resources toward the children, they also specially arranged a Soul Tool training room for them to hone their practical combat skills.

Amid a chorus of support, the Imperial Fighting Team, formed by Wang Chuan, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Wen Jingran, Osler, and three others, was officially established. When Qin Ming handed each of them a team uniform embroidered with the words "Imperial Fighting," the youths looked at the emblem on their chests with resolute eyes—they all knew that from this moment on, a challenge that belonged to them was about to begin.