"Xiao Qi, you won't try to turn us down now, will you?"
"No, wait—you're the captain now~"
Dugu Yan chuckled beside him, the corners of her eyes curving with mischief as she teased him affectionately.
"Sis Yanyan, stop teasing me. Just call me what you did before,
or drop the 'little brother' and call me Xiao Qi, like Grandpa does. That'd be perfect."
Chen Jieqi rubbed his forehead helplessly. His clear, youthful eyes were full of wry amusement; the composure he'd shown moments ago had vanished completely.
"Not a chance. You're still a little squirt, after all."
Dugu Yan deliberately drew out the words and lightly poked his cheek.
"Little brother Xiao Qi~"
That soft, affectionate nickname left Chen Jieqi utterly helpless. He could only turn his head to dodge her finger, though the corners of his mouth still lifted.
Yu Feng, Osler, and the Shi Mo brothers could barely contain their laughter. Their faces turned red from holding it in, and even Yu Tianheng, who had only just recovered, couldn't help smiling.
No one had expected that the composed captain who had just crushed his opponent with overwhelming force in the Soul Fighting Arena would be so flustered by Dugu Yan in private. Nor had they expected their usually aloof and forceful "big sis" to act so affectionately and playfully.
The tense atmosphere left by the Soul Fighting match melted away amid their teasing. Everyone found themselves getting along more easily, and the distance between them seemed to shrink.
Regardless of what the others thought, Chen Jieqi stepped forward, his voice steady and ringing with conviction:
"Since you all trust me so much, let's move forward together and give it our all. We'll win the Soul Master Tournament and reach the pinnacle of the Soul Master world!"
"Win the championship, reach the pinnacle!"
Dugu Yan was the first to raise her arm in answer, her voice clear and resolute.
"Win the championship, reach the pinnacle!"
Yu Feng and Osler joined in right after her, their voices brimming with burning anticipation.
"Win the championship, reach the pinnacle!"
The Shi Mo brothers roared, their voices as deep as drums.
"Win the championship, reach the pinnacle!"
Even Yu Tianheng, now recovering well, raised his head and joined the chant.
There wasn't a trace of defeat in his expression—only complete respect for overwhelming strength and an ambition that had been kindled anew. With a captain like this, perhaps they really could reach heights they'd never dared imagine.
Ye Lingling didn't shout along, but the bright light in her eyes showed that she shared everyone's resolve.
Qin Ming stood just outside the circle and didn't interrupt.
Looking at the spirited young men and women before him, he seemed to glimpse their future selves breaking through Spirit Hall's monopoly. The approval in his eyes only grew stronger.
Just then, a sincere voice, rough-edged but full of strength, broke the quiet that followed their pledge.
Osler stepped forward, looked earnestly at Dugu Yan, and called out, "Even though you've given the captaincy to Captain Chen, you'll always be our big sis!"
His words were like a pebble dropped into a lake, sending ripples through the group.
Everyone turned to look at Osler, and even Chen Jieqi turned slightly, a flicker of approval in his eyes.
Yu Feng stood frozen in place. Normally quick-witted and sharp, he now felt deeply frustrated.
He hadn't thought of such a gracious and heartfelt thing to say, and Osler had beaten him to it.
Just as he was racking his brain for a way to "make up for it,"
the Shi Mo brothers—usually the most taciturn of them all, their voices as muffled as their words—seemed to have suddenly found their tongues. They shouted in unison:
"Same here!"
"Same here!"
Their voices were deep and steady, yet filled with the warmest approval.
Yu Feng stared at them, dumbfounded, his eyes wide. He couldn't help thinking, Well, would you look at that. Even the two quietest guys got their words in before me!
He snapped out of it and hurried forward, clasping his hands toward Dugu Yan.
"Big sis!
I, Yu Feng, may not be good with words, but my 'loyalty' to you is as clear as the sun and moon!
Point me wherever you want, and I'll fight wherever you point—no questions asked!"
The blunt declaration of "loyalty" made Chen Jieqi smile.
At the back of the group, Ye Lingling stood alone, beautiful and aloof. She said nothing, only gazing warmly at Dugu Yan.
The two were as close as sisters. A single glance said more than a thousand words. They didn't need to speak to show their unwavering support.
At the edge of the circle, Yu Tianheng looked at Dugu Yan with complicated feelings.
He knew perfectly well that he only lost to Dugu Yan because he hadn't yet reached the Soul Ancestor rank.
Once he became a Soul Ancestor, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's overwhelming might could turn the tables, even if his Soul Power was a few levels lower. The outcome would be anyone's guess.
Besides, his Martial Soul was special. His Dragon Transformation grew more fearsome as he advanced.
And since he was a year older than Dugu Yan, he had always called her "Yanzi," with a familiar warmth.
That name showed his absolute confidence in the Martial Soul and potential he'd inherited as a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. It also concealed a small, unspoken hope he kept to himself.
As one of the clan's core third-generation disciples, Yu Tianheng had rarely faced a true rival among his peers, let alone a female Soul Master.
But now he had met Dugu Yan: a female Soul Master his age, stronger and more brilliant than he was. The gap between them hadn't dulled his pride; instead, it had made him fall for her.
That was why he didn't call her "big sis" like the others. He would simply bide his time, waiting until he surpassed her so he could confess his feelings with his head held high.
"All right, I understand how you all feel."
Dugu Yan raised a hand to quiet the group, her tone lazy but carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"Even though I've stepped down as captain, Yu Tianheng will still be vice-captain.
As for me, I'll just take care of being aloof and beautiful, like Lingling."
She raised an eyebrow and swept her gaze across the group, her voice clear.
"Who's in favor? Anyone against it?"
"I'm in favor!"
Yu Feng was the first to answer loudly.
Osler and the Shi Mo brothers nodded as well, and even Ye Lingling gave a slight nod.
In their hearts, Dugu Yan would always be the "big sis" who could command the room, whether or not she was captain. Making Yu Tianheng vice-captain was just a natural choice.
Yu Tianheng stepped forward, brow furrowed, his tone tinged with bitterness but earnest.
"Yanzi, you don't need to protect my pride.
I really am weaker than you right now, and weaker than Captain Chen, too.
You should be vice-captain... I'd be the one who could accept that without reservation!"
"Yu Tianheng, stop it. Don't flatter yourself—I'm just lazy!"
Dugu Yan folded her arms across her chest, drew her shoulders back slightly, and tilted her head. She gave him a sidelong glance, her final words carrying a hint of casual threat.
"Or are you saying you want to object?"
"Hm?"
That quiet hum made Yu Tianheng's scalp prickle. He swallowed the refusal that had been on the tip of his tongue and could only say, "I'm in favor!"
Dugu Yan smiled in satisfaction, a glimmer of mischief flashing in her eyes.
She paused, then leaned toward Yu Tianheng's ear and added in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Besides, I don't want to wait until you get stronger and then have you try to take the captaincy from me. Better to keep you tied down as vice-captain now, before you start getting any ideas."
Yu Tianheng's ears turned red at once. Looking at Dugu Yan's mischievous smile, he could only nod firmly.
"I understand, Yanzi."
Watching them, Chen Jieqi smiled warmly.
"Sis Yanyan made the right call. Brother Yu's ability to break through the enemy's defenses is exactly what our team needs most."
"Now that we've decided, let's rest and have something to eat. Then we'll review the Soul Fighting match and help everyone get familiar with one another's abilities as soon as possible."
Qin Ming stepped in at the right moment, his gentle tone bringing their little interlude to a smooth close.
"All right, Teacher Qin Ming."
Everyone answered together.
Qin Ming had never interfered in the team's internal affairs. In the Soul Master world, strength spoke for itself; the stronger you were, the more weight your words carried.
His job was to guide the team's cultivation, help everyone develop the right principles, and make fair calls when it mattered.
Warm sunlight streamed through the windows along the classroom corridor, casting long shadows over the group. Talking and laughing, they made their way toward the cafeteria.
Before long, the enticing aroma of food wafted over from the cafeteria.
The Shi Mo brothers' eyes lit up. They hurried ahead first, cheering in their deep, rumbling voices.
Osler shook his head with a helpless smile and quickly followed. Yu Feng carefully helped the somewhat tired Yu Tianheng along, murmuring a few words to him.
Dugu Yan walked beside Chen Jieqi, trading the occasional quip with him. Their soft laughter drifted on the breeze. No one knew exactly what they were saying, but the easy warmth between them seemed to soften even the afternoon sunlight.
As always, Ye Lingling quietly followed behind everyone, keeping an unhurried pace.
The outcome of one Soul Fighting match was only a brief interlude on the road to growth.
And amid the lively laughter and playful banter, the group drew closer without even realizing it. In the cozy warmth of the cafeteria, a true Imperial Fighting Team was quietly taking shape.