Pre-match Preparations

After breakfast, Qian Yun learned from Bibi Dong that the Imperial Fighting Team was currently on a tour of spirit fighting within the Heaven Dou Empire and was expected to arrive at the Spirit Fighting Arena in Martial Soul City in three days.

Naturally, the friendly exchange between Qian Yun and the Imperial Fighting Team led by Qin Ming was scheduled to take place at the Martial Soul City Spirit Fighting Arena in three days.

Although the two sides were nominally holding a friendly exchange, everyone knew that this match would inevitably determine who was superior!

However, because Qian Yun's side did not have enough people, there was no plan to have both sides line up for a full-scale battle. Instead, Qian Yun would enter the arena as a free agent to directly challenge the members of the Imperial Fighting Team.

Although he would not reveal his identity, Qian Yun believed that with Qin Ming's discernment, he would likely guess his background, which would satisfy the goals of both parties.

Qian Yun had no objections to this arrangement by Bibi Dong. Although this would very likely lead to a gauntlet-style series of matches, he had come with the intention of challenging the Imperial Fighting Team without suffering a single defeat, so why fear the battle?

After returning to his residence, Qian Yun obtained the current files on the Imperial Fighting Team:

Captain: Yu Tianheng, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Level 24 Power Attack System Spirit Master, Spirit Ring configuration: two yellow.

Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan, Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent, Level 23 Control System Spirit Master, Spirit Ring configuration: two yellow.

Member: Shi Mo, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise Turtle, Level 22 Defense System Spirit Master, Spirit Ring: two yellow.

Member: Shi Mo, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise Turtle, Level 22 Defense System Spirit Master, Spirit Ring: two yellow.

Member: Yu Feng, Martial Soul: Wind-Bell Bird, Level 22 Agility Attack System Spirit Master, Spirit Ring: two yellow.

Member: Osler, Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard, Level 22 Agility Attack System Spirit Master, Spirit Ring: two yellow.

Member: Ye Lingling, Martial Soul: Nine-Heart Begonia, Level 20 Support System Tool Spirit Master, Spirit Ring: two yellow.

Qian Yun looked through them roughly; it was no different from what he had expected. Finally, he set Ye Lingling's file aside. Since it was decided to be a gauntlet, this support-type spirit master was naturally out of consideration.

The remaining two turtles, one leopard, and one little bird... hmm...

Qian Yun leaned back in his chair with their files in hand, thinking for a long time before finally placing them in the same pile as Ye Lingling.

In this way, the only ones he needed to pay attention to in the end were Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan!

The strength of Yu Tianheng's Martial Soul went without saying; one slip-up could lead to a total failure.

Dugu Yan's methods were even more bizarre and unpredictable. Facing such troublesome opponents, Qian Yun gradually formed a plan in his mind.

After a while, Qian Yun looked at the pile of files on the table and took a sip of hot tea. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart; it wasn't easy for Qin Ming to bring so many eccentrics together into one team, and looking at the personnel configuration, one couldn't find a single flaw.

There was offense and defense, crowd control and support, and even the recovery ability that most teams lacked. Such a configuration, even without the blessing of the members' powerful Martial Souls, would be a strong and comprehensive team.

Undoubtedly, the current Imperial Fighting Team was the embodiment of Qin Ming's philosophy. Perhaps in his eyes, his advanced concepts and the conservative faction led by Martial Soul Hall were like the difference between tradition and reform.

Thinking of this, Qian Yun shook his head and muttered to himself, "Then let us conservatives show you the storm of the old era."

Meanwhile, in a hotel near Martial Soul City in the Heaven Dou Empire, Bibi Dong's reply was placed on Qin Ming's desk.

In front of the desk, Qin Ming, who had an ordinary appearance but wore simple and clean clothes, held the letter paper in his warm, large hands. His eyes were bright, and as he carefully read the contents of the letter, a smile remained on his lips.

"It seems that the Pope also recognizes my theory; Martial Soul Hall is not as stubborn as I thought." After reading the letter, Qin Ming carefully folded it and put it back into the envelope.

Afterward, he stood up and walked toward another room. He felt Bibi Dong's recognition of his philosophy, but he also read the underlying intent for battle.

Therefore, he had to prepare himself to defend his dignity.

In the lounge for the Imperial Fighting Team members, the petite Ye Lingling sat on a soft sofa, holding a fat orange cat in her arms, her other hand slowly grooming its fur.

Her small black leather shoes dangled in the air, swinging leisurely. Her expression remained tranquil, like a snow lotus on a high mountain.

The members of the Imperial Fighting Team sat in groups of two or three in the room. Ye Lingling appeared as calm as water, but she quietly pricked up her ears to listen to the movements behind her.

Yu Tianheng, who still had a youthful air on the sofa, looked at the purple-haired girl with her arms crossed at the other end of the sofa with some hesitation. He clenched his fists and finally, as if he had gathered his courage, said to Dugu Yan, "Classmate Yan, I was wrong."

Dugu Yan crossed her arms and crossed her legs, only glancing at him indifferently upon hearing this.

Seeing her reaction, Yu Tianheng struck while the iron was hot, leaning over to her side to look at her flawless face, saying in a low voice, "Classmate Yan, I was really wrong. Can you please not ignore me?"

Dugu Yan finally let out a muffled hum and said, "Then tell me, where were you wrong?"

Yu Tianheng was stunned. Right, where was I wrong?

His eyes quietly turned to the other side of the sofa, glancing for help at Osler, who was reading a novel with great interest.

Osler felt a headache coming on when he saw this, but he still gave him a subtle hand gesture.

Yu Tianheng understood immediately. He lowered his head in grievance and said, "I was wrong everywhere."

Dugu Yan was about to say something else when Yu Feng, who had been lying at the door crack peeking out, suddenly jumped up. He hurriedly made a shushing gesture to the relaxed crowd and said, "Shh, quiet, quiet, the teacher is coming."

Hearing this, everyone hurriedly began to tidy up. Dugu Yan put down her legs, and Osler swept the snack crumbs on the floor under the sofa while putting away his novel.

After a flurry of activity, Qin Ming pushed open the door.

He looked at everyone sitting upright in the room, nodded in acknowledgment, and then walked in front of them. Holding an envelope between his index and middle fingers, his first words were, "Girls, boys. The Pope has replied to my letter!"

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this; after all, they had all witnessed Qin Ming's near-suicidal actions a few days ago.

The lively Yu Feng was the first to chime in, "Teacher, what did the Pope say?"

A warm smile remained on Qin Ming's face. "First, the Pope affirmed our teaching philosophy. Second..."

At this point, his tone carried an irrepressible excitement, "She accepted our invitation for a spirit fight, and the time is set for three days from now at the Martial Soul City Spirit Fighting Arena!"

"Great!" Dugu Yan clapped her hands and said excitedly, "I've long heard of the power of Martial Soul Hall. This time, we must learn from them properly and see if the Spirit Masters of Martial Soul Hall are truly as powerful as the rumors say."

Hearing her words, everyone couldn't help but nod.

Yu Feng chimed in at this moment, "Exactly! Ever since we started participating in soul fights outside, we haven't encountered any decent opponents among our peers. Perhaps this Martial Soul Hall team will be able to give us a good run for our money."

Looking at the excited team members in the room, Qin Ming shook his head and said, "I'm afraid you will be disappointed this time."

Yu Hengtian frowned and asked, "Teacher, is it possible that the team sent by Martial Soul Hall is not of the same rank as us?"

"No, Martial Soul Hall did indeed invite us to participate in a soul fight, but they only sent one person!"

As the vice-captain of the Imperial Fighting Team, Dugu Yan finally reacted, "An individual match?"

Qin Ming nodded slowly.

Having received confirmation from their teacher, Dugu Yan felt a tightness in her chest, and her breathing hitched, "Could it be that he wants to sweep all seven of us?!"

As the words "sweep all seven" were spoken, the excitement in everyone's hearts gradually faded, replaced by unconcealable indignation.

Observing the changes in everyone's expressions, a glint flashed in Qin Ming's bright and deep eyes, "I am afraid that is indeed the case."

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

"His Holiness the Pope is clearly looking down on us."

"Exactly, exactly..."

For a moment, everyone was chattering away, expressing their anger.

Seeing this, Qin Ming shook his head. These team members were still just children, after all, and far from being composed. "Alright, everyone. Regardless of how you feel inside, we must turn our grief and indignation into strength and do our best to win the match beautifully, right?"

The group looked at each other and agreed with Qin Ming's words. No matter what, they had to win the match first before they had any right to discuss anything else!

"Teacher, we will definitely be able to win the match." At this moment, Yu Hengtian, as the captain, stepped forward to assure Qin Ming.

Looking at the team members whose fighting spirit had been ignited, Qin Ming's gaze swept across each of their faces, "I have never doubted your abilities and determination. But at the same time, we must be prepared for every battle we fight! Therefore, regarding this special situation, I am making the following arrangements..."

On the other side, Qian Yun also began his preparations. After all, achieving a sweep of seven is not easy, especially against the formidable Imperial Fighting Team.

He summoned his servants and ordered them to find him several minerals called "Thunder-Attracting Stones," instructing them to forge the found "Thunder-Attracting Stones" into the shape of spears within three days. He also specifically emphasized that they must be able to be easily inserted into stone floor tiles.

After doing all this, Qian Yun quietly began to cultivate, waiting for the arrival of the third day.