Leading the Imperial Dou Team

"First Soul Skill, Melting Flame Fist!"

Lin Mu leaped into the air, concentrating Kirin Fire around his fist as he threw a charged punch through the air.

In the next instant, the flames transformed into a massive fiery fist and collided head-on with the incoming Blazing Fire Pillar, detonating it instantly.

"Boom!!"

With a deafening explosion, the entire arena was ravaged by the blast. At its epicenter, a massive crater several meters deep had been blasted open.

The force of the explosion pushed Qin Ming back more than ten meters, while Lin Mu remained where he was, completely unmoved.

"It was only his First Soul Skill..."

Qin Ming wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, bitterness welling up inside him. His Sixth Soul Skill had actually been neutralized by the other party's First Soul Skill, as though Lin Mu were his natural nemesis.

Seeing that Qin Ming had lost his will to fight, Lin Mu dispelled his Armor Integration.

Ever since his Martial Soul evolved, Flame of Nawa's suppression of fire-element Martial Souls had become increasingly apparent. It was an utterly overwhelming advantage.

With Kirin Fire, even a mere hundred-year Soul Skill could unleash power no weaker than a thousand-year Soul Skill. Coupled with the elemental restraint, it had been enough to neutralize Qin Ming's Sixth Soul Skill.

"Your strength far surpasses mine, sir. I concede wholeheartedly."

Qin Ming took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain some composure as he clasped his hands toward Lin Mu.

In truth, the moment Lin Mu revealed his Soul Ring configuration, he had known they were not on the same level at all. He simply had not expected the gap to be so far beyond his imagination.

In the entire academy, perhaps only the three Committee Members could truly contend with Lin Mu.

"Teacher Qin, you flatter me."

Lin Mu also clasped his hands toward Qin Ming.

Only after the battle ended did Xue Qinghe and the three Committee Members recover from their shock and quickly descend from the spectator stands.

"Your Soul Rings and strength have truly opened our eyes. Your willingness to teach at our academy is truly a blessing for Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

Meng Shenji hurried forward, his voice filled with unprecedented solemnity and excitement.

What teacher brought by His Highness the Crown Prince? He was clearly a future grand general who would safeguard the empire!

A ten-thousand-year Fourth Soul Ring and a hundred-thousand-year Seventh Soul Ring—once he cultivated to the rank of Titled Douluo, he might even rival a Super Douluo.

As long as he was given time to grow, he would surely become one of the continent's foremost powerhouses.

"Your talent is unparalleled in this world. You possess the potential of a Super Douluo."

Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin both echoed the sentiment. Their gazes toward Lin Mu were filled with admiration. To defeat Qin Ming so effortlessly meant his strength was unfathomable, far beyond their expectations.

"You three Committee Members overpraise me. My little bit of strength is not worth mentioning."

Lin Mu's expression remained calm in the face of their praise.

At that moment, Xue Qinghe walked to Lin Mu's side. Her smile remained unchanged, though a glint flashed deep in her eyes as she said gently,

"Brother Lin, with strength as formidable as yours, merely serving as a teacher would be beneath your talents. Why not instruct the Imperial Dou Team instead? Perhaps you could lead them to victory in the next Soul Master Competition."

At her words, the three Committee Members' eyes immediately lit up.

If a powerhouse like Lin Mu personally guided them, the Imperial Dou Team's strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds!

"Your Highness is absolutely right. Lord Lin Mu, the Imperial Dou Team is in your hands!"

Meng Shenji immediately agreed.

Seeing this, Qin Ming drew a deep breath, stepped forward, and said solemnly, "Only you are suited for the position of Imperial Dou Team leader, sir. I am willing to serve as your assistant instructor and help you manage the team."

Although he was going from team leader to assistant instructor, Qin Ming had no complaints whatsoever.

On one hand, Lin Mu's strength far exceeded his own. On the other, just as His Highness the Crown Prince had said, only under Lin Mu's instruction would the Imperial Dou Team have a chance of winning the championship.

Faced with the requests of all four of them, Lin Mu's thoughts began racing.

He had originally planned to have Tang San and Xiao Wu join the Imperial Dou Team. The reward for the next Soul Master Competition was three Spirit Bones!

Although the Imperial Dou Team members varied greatly in strength and were far inferior to the Spirit Hall Team, with Tang San and Xiao Wu joining them, victory was not necessarily out of reach.

If he personally trained them, their chances of winning would improve even further.

"Since Your Highness and the three Committee Members place such trust in me, I will not refuse."

Having just agreed, Lin Mu abruptly changed the subject and said with a serious expression, "However, regarding my Soul Ring configuration and the specific details of my battle with Teacher Qin, I hope you can keep them confidential for me. Please do not spread them outside for now."

Xue Qinghe and the three Committee Members were all shrewd individuals and immediately understood Lin Mu's concerns.

If such a shocking Soul Ring configuration and strength became known, it would inevitably draw the attention and recruitment attempts of countless factions, perhaps even invite deadly danger.

"Rest assured, Brother Lin. What you say will go no further than my ears. It will never be leaked."

Xue Qinghe was the first to state her position, making a solemn promise.

The three Committee Members and Qin Ming gave their assurances as well, guaranteeing that no outsiders would learn of it.

Two days later, at the Imperial Dou Team's dedicated training grounds.

Led by Yu Tianheng, the seven members of the Imperial Dou Team were undergoing their usual training under Qin Ming's guidance.

Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded in the distance. Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a young man walking over at an unhurried pace, accompanied by a younger male and female student in academy uniforms.

What Yu Tianheng and the others found unbelievable was that walking beside this young man was none other than His Highness the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe!

The sight left them deeply puzzled. For His Highness the Crown Prince to personally accompany him, just who was this person?

At the back of the group, Ye Lingling wore a black outfit, her blue hair cascading down her back. Her figure was graceful and alluring, while her temperament was as cold and pure as a snow lotus.

The instant Lin Mu appeared, her clear eyes settled on him without blinking, filled with barely concealed excitement and joy.

Qin Ming quickly went forward, stepping to Lin Mu's other side as he announced loudly,

"Allow me to introduce him. This is Teacher Lin Mu. Starting today, he will replace me as the leader of the Imperial Dou Team, taking full responsibility for your future training and tactical arrangements. I will serve as his assistant instructor and help Teacher Lin Mu manage the team."

As soon as those words fell, all seven members of the Imperial Dou Team froze. None of them had expected this young man to become their team leader. He clearly looked about the same age as them.

At his age, he could at most be a Soul Ancestor. How could he compare to Teacher Qin Ming, a Soul Emperor?

Yu Tianheng stepped forward, frowning slightly as he spoke up for Qin Ming. "Teacher Qin, you've led us for so long, and everyone has seen the results of your training. Why change leaders so suddenly?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Tianheng looked at Lin Mu with hostility. This man must have relied on His Highness the Crown Prince's connections to replace Teacher Qin Ming.

Qin Ming's expression changed slightly, and just as he was about to explain, Lin Mu beat him to it. "Nearly twenty years old and only level thirty-nine—yet you're still the captain of the Imperial Dou Team?"

The moment those words came out, everyone present was stunned.

Xue Qinghe could not help feeling speechless. How was this guy even remotely timid or afraid of trouble?

Let me ask for your opinion: should Qin Ming stay, or should I send him to Shrek Academy?