The Battle Teams granted direct entry were different from the others. They had not faced any high-intensity matches in the early stages, so some of their members would inevitably struggle to find their rhythm. Giving them a day to adjust was the result of refining the tournament format.
As for the Battle Teams that had placed first in the two empires' advancement rounds, each would receive a bye in the second round. By the time the Imperial Fighting Team competed, they would also have avoided two of the Battle Teams in the hottest form.
Qin Yuan said, "I'm not asking much of you. You've already practiced the tactical coordination you need. The matches are about to begin, so don't put too much pressure on yourselves. Just keep a level head."
He had nothing else to tell them. The members of the Fighting Team were strong. What mattered now was the draw and their form during the matches.
"Get some rest early, all of you. Don't wander the streets during the tournament. You'll have a few days off once it's over, and that will be plenty of time to experience life in Spirit City."
"Lei Meng, stay behind. Everyone else, go and rest."
As it happened, Lei Meng had made remarkable progress in his blade training lately.
The Virtual Reality Saber Technique was not a particularly powerful technique, and it focused solely on skill rather than requiring Soul Power. That saved a great deal of unnecessary training time.
After all, talented Soul Masters at the Soul Ancestor stage did not have fine control over their Soul Power. They fell far short of higher-level Soul Masters in that respect, so training in arts that demanded extremely precise Soul Power control put them at a disadvantage.
Lei Meng said dejectedly, "Teacher, I still haven't fully grasped the basics. I keep getting stuck on how to apply force. My real strikes are powerful enough, but I waste too much strength on feints. When I draw my saber back, it somehow puts tremendous pressure on my wrist."
It was the same problem he had revealed when Qin Yuan first met him. So much time had passed, yet he still had not truly solved it.
Whenever Lei Meng struck, he could not focus his strength at a single point. Other parts of his body always exerted force along with it, disrupting the smoothness of his swing.
Of course, it was not because Qin Yuan lacked the ability to teach him. Lei Meng had developed the habit over many years, and it simply could not be changed in a short time.
A real strike was a blow delivered in earnest. With Qin Yuan's guidance, Lei Meng had not completely solved his problem, but he could at least direct those different sources of force toward his enemy, keeping his overall power intact.
When he feinted at an enemy, however, that scattered force only added to the strain on his arm and made it harder to draw the saber back smoothly.
Lei Meng had already done well enough. There simply had not been enough time. With the tournament upon him and pressure coming from every side, he could not help growing pessimistic.
Qin Yuan did not try to pull up the seedlings to make them grow. Instead, he offered a word of comfort. "Getting this far proves your insight surpasses that of ninety-nine percent of the Soul Masters on the continent. Even some Titled Douluo might not measure up to you."
"There's no need to rush. Even if your technique is only half-finished, it's enough for you right now."
Insight was different from talent for cultivation. It was inborn, and unlike cultivation talent, it was almost impossible to improve later in life.
Some fools knew nothing but cultivation. Though born with high Soul Power, they lacked insight and spent their lives trapped within the experience of those who came before them, unable to break through their shackles. Of course, many ordinary people had remarkable insight but suffered from a lack of cultivation talent.
Of all the people Qin Yuan had met, Lei Meng ranked among the very best in both insight and talent.
Lei Meng lowered his head and let out a few breaths. The turmoil in his heart eased a little.
"Teacher, will you keep teaching me the blade technique after the Soul Master Tournament?"
Nothing mattered more to Lei Meng.
After learning the Virtual Reality Saber Technique, he did not feel that it was particularly difficult to master. Perhaps one small flash of insight would carry him straight past the basics and into full mastery.
What Qin Yuan had truly taught him was how to use a blade technique in battle, along with lessons drawn from life-and-death combat.
Unlike a fixed technique, there was no end to what he could learn from those lessons. If possible, he wanted his teacher to keep pushing and correcting him throughout his future training.
Qin Yuan gently patted his shoulder but gave no direct answer. "Fate is a strange thing. I hadn't planned to teach you a blade technique or its skills, but through a series of twists and turns, we ended up together all the same."
"Once you've grasped the basics of the Virtual Reality Saber Technique, I'll have fulfilled my commission. This technique isn't difficult. After that, you won't need me guiding you at every step. The Cultivation Manual I gave you will be enough to take you to its peak."
"Your father told me he plans to send you to the border army for experience after the tournament. The road ahead is long, but our paths will cross again someday."
"Now, give the coming matches everything you have. Winning honor for the empire is your first priority."
A trace of loneliness appeared in Lei Meng's eyes, but there was nothing he could do.
Service in the border army had always been where the men of the Lei Clan were forged anew. Besides, if he wanted to inherit his father's title, he had to earn merit there.
He was not his father's only son. Some of his brothers had died on the battlefield; others lacked talent. For the family's title to pass down through the generations, he had to shoulder that responsibility.
This was his trial. How could he drag his teacher into it?
Lei Meng did not press the matter. He bowed deeply, then ran up to the rooftop to practice his blade technique alone.
Qin Yuan's feelings about this student were complicated.
If he had not obtained the system, he would surely have taken Lei Meng as his disciple as he grew older, if only for a stable place to live and an easy life at the Duke's Mansion.
But things were different now. If he joined a faction, he would no longer be able to accept commissions from outside forces, reducing both his chances of earning rewards and the quality of those rewards.
Once the Soul Master Tournament was over, Lei Meng had earned sufficient merit, and his life had settled down, there was every chance they would meet again.
Perhaps by then, Qin Yuan's strength would have taken a great leap, and he would have a few more cultivation arts in hand.
For this year's Soul Master Tournament, Spirit Hall had built an open-air arena in the city.
The opening ceremony the next day was brief and efficient, and the finals officially began.
With no match of their own, the Fighting Team sat below the arena and watched.
Thirty-three teams had reached the finals. The three teams granted direct entry did not compete that day.
Fifteen Battle Teams would be eliminated.
Overall, the Battle Teams from the Star Luo Empire were stronger than those from the Heaven Dou Empire.
On the Heaven Dou Empire's side, the Battle Teams from the various kingdoms and duchies were almost wiped out. Only the five Battle Teams that had advanced from the empire's own region made it into the second round.
Such a showing on the first day put the Heaven Dou Empire's side under immense pressure. Even Qin Yuan had to grow more cautious.
For the teams already eliminated, their tournament journey was over. Their holidays had begun early.
The first day of the finals drew to a close. After watching the matches, Hu Liena and her two companions had gained a rough understanding of the strength of the Battle Teams from both empires.
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