The First Battle, Ice Team

[The Secret of the Great Sumeru Hammer—Exploding Ring]:

Each Soul Ring could be detonated once. After it was detonated, its power would burst forth completely, instantly transforming into the user's own power and pouring into their attack, unleashing strength far beyond what they could normally muster.

The higher the quality of the Soul Ring, the greater the effect of detonating it—but the backlash would also be more severe. Each time a Soul Ring was used to launch an attack, one's strength would increase dramatically.

Lu Chen looked at the five Soul Rings on the Sword Body of the Asura Demon Sword, a glint lighting up his eyes.

This was the real trump card! The Clear Sky Hammer had been so powerful with Exploding Ring back then. What if he used Exploding Ring with the Asura Demon Sword?

And every one of his Soul Rings was exceptionally high quality. Just imagining what would happen if he detonated them... was enough to make his blood race.

Of course, Exploding Ring came at a tremendous cost. After using it, the Soul Rings would disappear for three days, leaving only Soul Power.

It would take a full three days for the Soul Rings to gradually recover. And after detonating a Soul Ring once, he would have to wait at least thirty-six days before using it again; otherwise, there was a risk of permanently shattering it.

Lu Chen smiled. He would use Exploding Ring only if he were truly pushed to the brink. Once he used it, either his enemy would die, or he would!

Lu Chen withdrew his Martial Soul and turned to enter the hotel room.

Yu Tianheng was cultivating. Ever since losing to Lu Chen, he had spent every day either training or cultivating. He knew he would never catch up to Lu Chen in this lifetime, but he still refused to give up.

Lu Chen glanced at Yu Tianheng, somewhat puzzled. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was one of the Upper Three Sects, with a deep foundation. How had it produced a good-for-nothing like Yu Xiaogang, who couldn't even figure out how to develop his Martial Soul?

Just as Lu Chen was thinking this, Yu Tianheng opened his eyes too. Feeling Lu Chen's gaze, he asked, "Captain, is something wrong?"

Yu Tianheng was thoroughly convinced by Lu Chen—mainly because Lu Chen had beaten him into submission.

Lu Chen shook his head and said slowly, "Just seeing you reminded me of someone completely different from you."

Yu Tianheng paused, then asked curiously, "What kind of person?"

At that, Lu Chen let out a mocking laugh, his tone openly scornful. "A good-for-nothing who lives in his own little world all day."

On the second day after arriving in Skywater City, Qin Ming brought everyone to the Skywater Soul Fighting Arena to compete in a seven-on-seven team battle.

When the arena staff saw that there was a Soul King among the Seven-person Team—and especially when they saw Lu Chen's youthful face—they looked astonished.

He checked the roster several times before asking hesitantly, "May I confirm that you really intend to register for the seven-on-seven team Soul Fighting Competition?"

Qin Ming nodded and handed the staff member his Teacher Badge from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. "Sorry for the trouble. Please give me the information on their opponents."

Seeing the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Teacher Badge, the staff member hurriedly handed Qin Ming a stack of documents.

"Thank you!"

Qin Ming thanked him, then led everyone to the waiting room.

As a Heaven Dou-level teacher at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he enjoyed this kind of convenience at any Soul Fighting Arena in the Heaven Dou Empire.

In the waiting room, Xiao Wu rested her head lightly on Lu Chen's shoulder, curiously taking in their surroundings.

The others sat around the table, their eyes all on the documents in Qin Ming's hands.

Qin Ming handed Lu Chen the information on their opponents. "You're in luck. The Ice Team has two Soul Kings, but one of them is a Support System Soul King, so they'll pose much less of a threat to you."

Lu Chen took the documents.

Captain: Ice River, Martial Soul Frost Tiger, level 53 Assault System Battle Soul King. Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple, one black.

Vice-Captain: Leng Ling, Martial Soul Ice Spirit, level 52 Support System Battle Soul King. Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple, one black.

Team Member: Ice Rain, Martial Soul Frost Scepter, level 49 Control System Battle Soul Ancestor. Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple.

Team Member: Ice Feather, Martial Soul Extreme Cold Sparrow, level 48 Agile Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor. Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple.

Team Member: Leng Zi Jie, Martial Soul Ice Turtle Shield, level 48 Defense System Battle Soul Ancestor. Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple.

Team Member: Xia Xue, Martial Soul Cold Shadow Leopard, level 46 Agile Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor. Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple.

Team Member: Xia Feng, Martial Soul Cold Shadow Leopard, level 46 Agile Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor. Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple.

After reading them, Lu Chen passed the documents to Xiao Wu beside him, who then handed them around to the others.

Before long, everyone on the Imperial Fighting Team had read the information on their opponents.

But there was no fear in their eyes—only Fighting Spirit.

Looking at the team's lineup, Lu Chen made the arrangements. "I'll take Ice River head-on."

Then he turned to Dugu Yan. "Yan Zi, I'll need you to take charge during the match."

Dugu Yan nodded confidently. "Don't worry."

Seeing everyone brimming with Fighting Spirit, Qin Ming said approvingly, "This is our first Soul Fighting Competition in Skywater City, and the first match of our entire Soul Fighting plan!

"Remember, winning comes second. Safety comes first. Don't put yourselves in danger just to win."

Qin Ming glanced at the clock on the wall. "All right, it's almost time. Follow me."

At the heart of the Skywater Great Soul Arena stood the Main Soul Arena.

There were no open-air stands in the Spectator Stand here. Instead, it was made up of enclosed private boxes. Behind the one-way crystal glass, which allowed those inside to see the arena, sat one influential VIP after another.

Of course, everyone on the Imperial Fighting Team wore half-face masks, so their identities remained hidden.

"...The Imperial Fighting Team. Captain: Blood Sword Asura. Martial Soul: Blood Nether Sword. Five-Ring Assault System Battle Soul King..."

"The Ice Team. Captain: Ice River. Martial Soul: Frost Tiger. Five-Ring Assault System Battle Soul King..."

After the host finished the introductions, two doors on either side of the Douhun Platform opened silently at the same time. Both teams entered and walked toward the center of the platform.

The Ice Team came from the left. Their captain, Ice River, led the way, followed closely by the blue-haired beauty Leng Ling. Behind the two of them came the silver-haired twin beauties, Xia Feng and Xia Xue, followed by Ice Rain with her Frost Scepter, Ice Feather with her Extreme Cold Sparrow, and Leng Zi Jie with his Ice Turtle Shield.

Ice River sized up the Imperial Fighting Team, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. Though they all wore masks, it was still clear that they were young.

Lu Chen, at the very front, stood out in particular. Ice River sensed something dangerous about him.

A pair of ice-blue wings appeared on the host's back, and he flew into the air. Then he announced:

"Spirit Masters participating in the team battle, please take note. You now have one minute to summon your Martial Souls.

"You may attack only after I announce the start. The battle will continue until one side surrenders, is completely knocked down, or falls off the Douhun Platform."