Four-on-Four (Part One)

Yan Shaozhe landed. "Looks like your training has been going pretty well. Come on, I've found someone who can join you."

Mu Xuanheng stepped out from behind him. "Hello, seniors. I'm Mu Xuanheng, and I'm already considered a second-year student."

A fair-skinned boy walked over. "I'm Gongyang Mo. We've heard so much about you, junior Mu Xuanheng, that your name is practically legendary. I'm sure all of Shrek knows your name, not just the few of us here."

"Exactly. Two people taking on the entire first year—that's something that's never happened before." Another boy picked up where Gongyang Mo had left off. "I'm Yao Haoxuan, a Control Support Soul King."

Yan Shaozhe clapped his hands. "Hold the introductions for a moment. Let's do this properly, with everyone introducing themselves and stating their role. We'll start with Xiaotao."

Ma Xiaotao, Power Attack Soul Emperor;

Dai Yueheng, Power Attack Soul Emperor;

Xixi, Agility Attack Soul King;

Yao Haoxuan, Control Support Soul King;

Gongyang Mo, Support Soul King;

Ling Luochеn, Control Soul King;

Chen Zifeng, Power Attack Soul King.

Mu Xuanheng followed suit. "Mu Xuanheng, Power Attack Soul Ancestor."

Everyone was stunned. Mu Xuanheng wasn't even thirteen yet.

"When he's twenty, won't he be a Soul Douluo at the very least?" Adolescence was the golden age for a Soul Master's cultivation.

Yan Shaozhe cut off their discussion once more. "Why do you think I brought Xuanheng here? His talent means he might well join you in the Soul Fighting competition. I brought him so you could get to know each other."

He immediately put forward his idea. "How about a four-on-four match?"

Dai Yueheng frowned. "Dean Yan, in a four-on-four, can junior Mu Xuanheng handle the intensity?"

Mu Xuanheng answered at once. "Don't worry about me, senior. You can't judge my combat strength by my Soul Power Level alone. I'm strong."

A young person ought to have confidence in himself.

A smile immediately spread across Dai Yueheng's face. "Since junior Mu Xuanheng is so confident, I agree."

One by one, the others agreed as well.

It was only a four-on-four match; there shouldn't be any problems. And with Yan Shaozhe there, Mu Xuanheng wouldn't be in any danger.

"Dean Yan, what are the rules?"

"Standard Soul Fighting rules. Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng will be the team captains and choose their teammates. Xiaotao gets the first pick, then Dai Yueheng gets the next. After that, they'll alternate."

With the rules set, there were six people left to choose from, excluding the two captains.

Ma Xiaotao would choose first, and then fourth and sixth. Dai Yueheng would pick second, third, and fifth. It was fairly even.

Ma Xiaotao had first pick, but she chose Gongyang Mo instead of Mu Xuanheng.

The Rainbow Dragon Martial Soul was every bit as good at support as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

No one could find fault with that choice, but Yan Shaozhe was a little dissatisfied. "Xiaotao, I gave you a chance, and you didn't take it."

He knew how talented Mu Xuanheng was and had very much wanted to bring the two together. Unfortunately, Ma Xiaotao hadn't caught on.

"Xixi and Ling Luochеn." There was nothing wrong with Dai Yueheng's choice, either. One could take out the enemy's back line, while the other could control the whole battlefield.

"Chen Zifeng." Power Attack against Agility Attack.

Dai Yueheng chuckled. "I choose junior. I can't very well leave him to be the last one picked, can I?"

Mu Xuanheng raised an eyebrow. Whether or not Dai Yueheng was a schemer, as the original story claimed, at least he knew how to treat people.

The things he'd said to Huo Yuhao showed that he could set aside his personal feelings and act like a good senior.

Yan Shaozhe was even more frustrated. Ma Xiaotao had passed up Mu Xuanheng twice!

Yao Haoxuan, the only one left, gave a wry smile. "Then I'll join the captain's team. Watch out, everyone."

The teams were chosen:

Ma Xiaotao's team: Ma Xiaotao, Gongyang Mo, Yao Haoxuan

Dai Yueheng's team: Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochеn, Xixi, Mu Xuanheng

Yan Shaozhe took on the role of referee. "Take your positions. The match begins now!"

At his signal, everyone activated their Martial Souls.

But no one moved. Every one of them looked at Mu Xuanheng.

One yellow, one purple, and two orange Soul Rings floated around him.

"So they really are orange," Xixi remarked. "I've never seen Soul Rings that color before."

"Senior, we're having a real match, not putting on a show." Mu Xuanheng's mouth twitched. How did they have time to admire his Soul Rings?

"It's my first time seeing them, so I'm curious. Don't worry, it won't affect how hard I fight."

As she spoke, she darted away from her spot, looking for a chance to strike and finish the fight.

"Gongyang Mo, Yao Haoxuan, boost me!"

The two Soul Kings' Soul Skills immediately strengthened Ma Xiaotao. "Let me show you how powerful I am when I can go all out! Second Soul Skill, Bathing Fire Phoenix! Third Soul Skill, Phoenix Wing Soaring!"

With two of her own enhancement skills and two more from her teammates, Ma Xiaotao was now unleashing her full power.

Dai Yueheng said, "Be careful, junior. With Captain Ma Xiaotao boosted like this, don't let her knock you out in one move."

As a Soul Emperor himself, Dai Yueheng activated his own enhancement skills. "First Soul Skill, White Tiger Protection Barrier! Third Soul Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation! Fifth Soul Skill, White Tiger Demon God Transformation!"

His first, third, and fifth Soul Rings lit up. He was the linchpin holding back Ma Xiaotao.

"Be careful, junior. I'm not a support-type Soul Master; I'm a Control Support Soul Master." Yao Haoxuan unleashed a Soul Skill, weakening Mu Xuanheng.

Chen Zifeng, with an enhancement on him, went after Mu Xuanheng.

"Junior Mu Xuanheng, I'm your opponent now."

Ling Luochеn said, "Did you ask me? First Soul Skill, Ice Staff!" A staff appeared, increasing her control over ice.

She didn't go to help Dai Yueheng hold back Ma Xiaotao. Instead, she chose to help him fend off Chen Zifeng. Evidently, she thought he couldn't beat Chen Zifeng.

Once an opening appeared, the whole team could easily fall into trouble.

"Senior, since you've come after me, aren't you worried about something happening to the two support-type Soul Masters behind you?"

As an Agility Attack Soul King, that was exactly what Xixi was there to do.

"Is that so? Too bad the captain still has enough strength to stop you from breaking through."

Streams of Phoenix Fire Line blocked Xixi's attack.

The situation looked grim. Dai Yueheng was also struggling to hold on, a consequence of having no support-type Soul Master on his side.

Support could greatly amplify the strongest member of a team.

Mu Xuanheng told Ling Luochеn to help Dai Yueheng. The main tank couldn't go down; if he did, Ma Xiaotao could easily sweep the field.

Ling Luochеn frowned. "Can you handle it?"

"Of course."

Taotie roared, and Gongyang Mo's enhancement faltered for an instant.

His Rainbow Dragon had been suppressed.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, senior. Phantom Dragon Claw!"

Chen Zifeng broke through the ranged claw attack with his Soul Chasing Sword, and several elemental attacks followed right behind.

The scorching fire carried the wind with it, just as Chen Zifeng had expected.

That battle had been one of the few actual fights they'd seen, and word of it had spread quickly through Shrek.

His long sword swept out, breaking through the fire and wind. "Junior, show me everything you've got. Let me see just how strong you really are!"