Straightening Out the Imperial Fighting Team! Full Disclosure of Their Profiles-Who's Really in Charge?

North of the main campus of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

There was an isolated area enclosed by towering walls and barriers, known as the Imperial Fighting Training Camp. It housed the finest Mimicry Training Grounds in the entire academy, the most luxurious lounges, and its own dedicated medical team and nutritionists.

This was the territory of the Imperial Fighting Team, the pride of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Today, the atmosphere in the training camp was somewhat tense.

Four people were already seated around a large oval table in the spacious tactical conference room.

Naturally, the person at the head of the table was the current captain of the Imperial Fighting Team, Yu Tianlei, known as the "Thunderous Mad Lion." He lounged in his chair, idly playing with a coin wreathed in lightning. His expression was calm, but his eyes held a hint of anticipation, as if he were waiting for a show.

On either side of him sat two men and two women.

On the left sat a pair of nearly identical twin brothers. They were powerfully built, with dark skin, and gave off the steady presence of mountains. Taciturn, they silently polished the shields in their hands.

On the right sat two young men with very different expressions. One was slender, with delicate, handsome features. He gently fanned himself with a feather fan, his eyes full of pride. The other wore black, his eyes sinister and his nails long and sharp. He impatiently tapped his fingers on the table.

"Captain, aren't those three 'transfer students' being a little too high and mighty?"

The delicate-looking young man finally lost patience. He snapped his fan shut, his voice full of discontent. "Sure, they won the selection match, but they're only at reserve-team level. Is it really proper to make us first-stringers wait for them?"

"Exactly." The black-clad young man gave a cold snort. "I hear they're only ten? A ten-year-old Soul Grandmaster may be talented, but this is the Imperial Fighting Team's first squad! We're representing the empire! Adding three little brats who've barely been weaned, and even pushing aside the substitute Teacher Qin Ming had already picked—I, Osler, am the first to object."

Yu Tianlei stopped fiddling with the coin and slapped it onto the table with a crackle of lightning.

"Object?"

He raised his eyes and glanced at the two of them. "Osler, Yu Feng. If either of you could kick a thirty-eight-rank Soul Elder into submission at ten, I'd make the whole team wait for you, too."

"This..."

Yu Feng, the delicate-looking young man, was at a loss for words, but quickly retorted, "That Mad Rhino was careless! Besides, I heard that Yu Tianyu used some kind of secret technique. In a proper Soul Fighting Arena, experience and teamwork are what matter!"

"Exactly!" Osler chimed in. "And one of those girls can only use poison, while the other is purely a support. When it comes to a real fight, we'll have to protect them. How are we supposed to lead a team with three deadweights?"

Just as the two were grumbling—

"Boom!"

The conference room's heavy redwood doors were kicked open.

Sunlight spilled through the entrance, illuminating three tall, slender figures.

"Deadweights?"

The young man at the front walked in against the light, his hands in his pockets. He wore a tailored black combat uniform with gold patterns. Tall and straight-backed, he had a mocking glint in his mismatched eyes, along with an air of unshakable authority.

"I thought I heard someone at the door calling me a deadweight."

Yu Tianyu's gaze swept across the room before settling on Osler. "Black panther, was that you?"

Behind him, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling entered on either side.

Dugu Yan had changed into the Imperial Fighting Team uniform today—a short, dark-green skirt—which made her look even more lively and alluring. Hearing Osler's words, she immediately summoned her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul. Purple poison curled around her fingertips as she sneered, "We'll find out who's a deadweight when we fight. Some people might not even be able to withstand a single breath of my poison."

Ye Lingling said nothing, but the petals of the Nine Heart Begonia in her hand had already begun to spin. The chilly killing intent she emanated lowered the temperature in the conference room by several degrees.

"Yu Tianyu!"

Osler shot to his feet, the phantom of a Ghost Leopard flickering behind him. "Don't get too cocky! This is the Imperial Fighting Team, not your playhouse! Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you have the captain backing you!"

"I've never needed anyone to back me up."

Yu Tianyu strode to the far end of the conference table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, even propping his legs up on the table.

"If you think I'm not qualified, and that the three of us got in through connections, it's simple."

He pointed first at Osler, then at Yu Feng.

"You two, take me on together."

"If you can last three minutes against me, I'll take these two and leave the Imperial Fighting Team. I'll even give up the captain's seat."

"But if you lose..."

Yu Tianyu's eyes turned cold. "From now on, in this team, when I say east, you don't go west. When I say kill, you don't hand me a knife."

"Arrogant!"

Yu Feng was riled up, too. The feather fan in his hand transformed into two wind blades. "Captain! He brought this on himself! Don't say we're picking on a newcomer!"

Yu Tianlei, who had been watching the show, smiled faintly and stood aside. "Since Tianyu proposed it, I'll referee. But keep it controlled. Don't cripple anyone—we'll be going to Suotuo City for an exchange in a few months."

"Don't worry."

Yu Tianyu stood and rolled his neck. "I know my limits. Lingling, no need to heal anyone. Just watch."

"Okay." Ye Lingling obediently nodded and stepped aside.

In the center of the training ground.

Yu Tianyu stood alone, facing Yu Feng and Osler, who had already summoned their Martial Souls.

Yu Feng: a thirty-first-rank Agility Attack Soul Elder with the Wind Bell Bird Martial Soul. Osler: a thirty-second-rank Agility Attack Soul Elder with the Ghost Leopard Martial Soul.

Both were speed-based experts with excellent teamwork.

"Attack!"

Osler gave a low shout and turned into a black blur. Using the Ghost Leopard's traits, he raced across the ground, trying to find Yu Tianyu's blind spot.

Yu Feng spread his wings and took to the air.

"First Spirit Skill: Wing Blade!"

Two razor-sharp wind blades swooped down from above, aiming straight for Yu Tianyu's shoulders.

One attacked from above, the other from below—a three-dimensional pincer attack.

An ordinary Power Attack Spirit Master would have been thrown into disarray by a kite-fighting tactic like this, used by two Agility Attack Spirit Masters working together.

But Yu Tianyu simply stood there without even lifting his eyelids.

"Speed?"

"Compared to lightning and fire, you're as slow as snails."

Just as the wind blades were about to hit him—

"Zzzzt—"

Yu Tianyu's left leg bent slightly. Purple-black poison mist mixed with a faint blue electric arc and exploded in an instant.

"Poison Dragon's—Crash Kick!" (a variant of Spiral Jaw)

He didn't kick at Yu Feng in the air or Osler on the ground.

He planted his foot directly on the ground!

"Boom!!!"

Terrifying force mixed with waves of poisonous air and erupted outward from him.

The ground cracked, and shards of rock flew everywhere.

Osler, racing across the ground, turned pale. His vaunted speed was useless against this all-around AOE attack.

"Pfft!"

The wave of poisonous air sent Osler flying. He screamed as he was hurled more than ten meters away, corrosive purple poison clinging to his body.

"What?!" Yu Feng cried in shock from the air.

But it wasn't over.

Using the recoil from his stomp, Yu Tianyu shot upward like a cannonball!

He was even faster than Yu Feng, who had wings!

"Trying to fly?"

Yu Tianyu appeared above Yu Feng in an instant. He clasped his hands together as scarlet Dragon Flame compressed wildly around his fists.

"Get—down here!"

"Fire Dragon's—Iron Hammer!!!"

He brought both fists crashing down.

Yu Feng barely managed to shield his head with his wings.

"Thud!"

Yu Feng felt as if a mountain had smashed into him. His wings broke instantly, and he plunged toward the ground like a kite with its string cut.

"Crash!"

He hit the ground and left a large crater.

From the beginning of the fight to the end, not even ten seconds had passed.

Two Agility Attack Soul Elders above rank thirty had been taken out in one move.

Yu Tianyu landed lightly, brushed the dust from his hands, and looked at the two groaning in the crater. "Three minutes? Looks like I overestimated you."

The entire arena fell silent.

Even Shi Mo and Shi Mo, the twin brothers who had remained silent all along, stared wide-eyed at each other. Both saw shock in the other's eyes.

That explosive power, those instincts—they were nothing like what you'd expect from a ten-year-old child!

The conference room grew quiet again.

This time, though, Yu Feng and Osler had to be helped back to their seats. Ye Lingling gave each of them a wave of healing light. They were still in pain, but no longer seriously hurt. They looked at Yu Tianyu with undisguised fear.

"Anyone else still object?"

Yu Tianyu sat in the vice-captain's seat—which was, in practice, the seat of honor—and glanced around the room.

Nobody spoke. Even Yu Tianlei watched him with a smiling expression that seemed to say, "You're in charge."

"Good."

Yu Tianyu pulled out a sheet of parchment and slapped it onto the table.

"Since no one has any objections, the Imperial Fighting Team is officially reorganized as of today. To prepare for the upcoming Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament—and to avoid embarrassing ourselves in Suotuo City—we need to reassign our positions and tactics."

"Here's the new official team roster."

At Yu Tianyu's words, everyone's attention focused on the sheet of paper.

[Imperial Fighting Team · Final Roster]

1. Captain: Yu Tianlei (specially retained student at Heaven Dou Royal Academy / core fighter)

Age: 19

Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon (top-tier Beast Martial Soul)

Rank: 43, Power Attack Battle Soul Ancestor

Soul Ring Configuration: yellow, yellow, purple, purple

Role: Frontline assault, lightning burst damage, spiritual leader.

Yu Tianyu's evaluation: "A little thickheaded, but he hits hard enough. He can take a beating and dish one out when it counts, making him the team's bedrock."

2. Vice-captain / tactical core: Yu Tianyu (the heart of the team)

Age: 10

Martial Soul: Dragon Slayer Magic (mutated, all attributes / secretly a Twin Martial Soul)

Rank: 29, Power Attack Soul Grandmaster (on the verge of breaking through rank 30)

Soul Ring Configuration: yellow, purple

Role: Free agent, all-around damage dealer, defense breaker, commander.

Self-evaluation: "Don't ask me what position I play. Wherever I'm needed, I'll wipe out the enemy. My specialty is taking care of their toughest opponents."

3. Control-type core: Dugu Yan

Age: 14

Martial Soul: Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor (evolving with Yu Tianyu's help)

Rank: 38, Control-type Battle Soul Elder

Soul Ring Configuration: yellow, yellow, purple

Role: Poison-based crowd control, weakening the entire enemy team, secondary attacker.

Yu Tianyu's evaluation: "Be careful not to poison your own teammates when you use your poison. At crucial moments, you can combine your skills with mine."

4. Support-type core: Ye Lingling

Age: 10

Martial Soul: Nine Heart Begonia (top-tier healing)

Rank: 26, Support Soul Grandmaster

Soul Ring Configuration: yellow, yellow

Role: Team-wide healing, stamina support, last line of defense.

Yu Tianyu's evaluation: "As long as she has Soul Power, we won't die. The entire team must protect her above all else, no exceptions."

5. Dual shields / defense: Shi Mo & Shi Mo

Age: 16

Martial Soul: Black Tortoise (top-tier defensive Beast Martial Soul)

Rank: 37 / 36, Defense-type Battle Soul Elders

Soul Ring Configuration: yellow, yellow, purple

Role: Tanks, protect the back row, divide the battlefield.

Yu Tianyu's evaluation: "You're tough, but not agile enough. I'll put you through special training next and turn you into turtles that can bite."

6. Agility Attack / reconnaissance: Yu Feng

Age: 15

Martial Soul: Wind Bell Bird

Rank: 32, Agility Attack Battle Soul Elder

Soul Ring Configuration: yellow, yellow, purple

Role: Aerial reconnaissance, harassment, attacking the back row.

Yu Tianyu's evaluation: "All flash, no substance. Stop flying so high and making yourself a target. Practice low-altitude ambushes instead."

7. Agility Attack / assault: Osler

Age: 15

Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard

Level: Rank 32 Agility-type Battle Soul Elder

Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple

Role: Ground-based harassment and finishing off weakened opponents.

Yu Tianyu's assessment: "You've got speed, but your attacks feel like tickles. I'll teach you how to sharpen those claws."

After the roster was read out, the atmosphere in the meeting room changed.

If there had been doubt and dissatisfaction before, now there was awe and anticipation. Yu Tianyu had not only proven himself through his strength; his assessments of everyone's roles had also been incisive, demonstrating exceptional tactical acumen.

"This is our new lineup."

Yu Tianyu pointed at the roster. "It looks impressive, but I see holes everywhere."

"Shi Mo, Shi Mo, you rely too much on your tortoise-shell defense. If you face an opponent with strong penetrating power, like me, you'll be sitting ducks. Starting tomorrow, the two of you are coming with me to train beneath the waterfall. You'll withstand the water pressure without using your Martial Souls."

The Shi Brothers exchanged a glance and nodded glumly.

"Yu Feng, Osler. You two work together terribly. One of you is in the sky, the other on the ground, and there's no coordination at all. Starting tomorrow, you'll work as a pair and go catch rabbits in Sunset Forest. You're not allowed to eat until you've caught a hundred."

"Catch rabbits?" The two stared at him in surprise.

"That's right. It's the best way to train your reaction speed and coordinated flanking."

Finally, Yu Tianyu looked at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.

"As for the three of us..."

"We're going to practice a 'Trinity' fusion skill."

"It won't be a true Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but I want my fire to take advantage of Yan Yan's wind and poison, while Lingling's healing lands precisely in the second before we get hurt."

"That will take absolute trust and perfect understanding."

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling nodded firmly.

"All right."

Yu Tianyu rose to his feet, his aura surging like a rainbow.

"We have three months before we go to the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City for the exchange. In these three months, I'll show you what 'hell' means."

"I don't want the Imperial Fighting Team to be a bunch of useless fools who rely on their ranks to bully other teams."

"Is that clear?!"

"Crystal clear!"

The whole team stood and roared in unison. Even Yu Feng and Osler, who had been the most resistant earlier, were fired up now.

In this world, where the strong ruled, every Spirit Master dreamed of following a powerful leader—even if that leader was only the vice-captain.

Late that night, in the Imperial Fighting Training Camp dormitory.

Yu Tianyu had just finished planning the day's training and was about to rest.

Knock, knock.

Someone gently rapped on the door.

When he opened it, Ye Lingling stood there in a plain white nightgown, her long hair loose around her shoulders. She held a steaming bowl of medicinal soup.

"This was made with a leaf from the Immortal Herb you gave me..."

Ye Lingling lowered her head shyly. "Sister Yan said you'd been mentally exhausted today, so she asked me to bring it to you."

"Why didn't she come herself?" Yu Tianyu asked with a smile as he took the bowl.

"She's studying the poison art you taught her... She said she wanted to surprise you." Ye Lingling's voice was soft.

Yu Tianyu felt warmth spread through his heart.

This was his harem: one who could wreak havoc on the battlefield, and one who was gentle and caring behind the scenes.

"Come in."

Yu Tianyu drew Ye Lingling into the room and closed the door behind them.

"It'd be a waste for me to drink all this myself. You're a support-type Spirit Master, and your constitution is weak. Have some too."

"But..."

"No buts."

Yu Tianyu held her in his arms. Sharing a spoon, they savored a rare moment of tenderness on that quiet night.

"Lingling."

"Hmm?"

"After this trip to Suotuo City, I'll bring back a third Spirit Ring."

Yu Tianyu gazed at the moonlight outside the window, ambition glinting in his eyes. "Then I'll give you both a real Future. A Future where we won't have to care what anyone else thinks."

While the Imperial Fighting Team was preparing for battle,

far away in Suotuo City,

at Shrek Academy,

a young man with a short-cropped haircut and the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist stood in the training yard, practicing Hidden Weapons against a wooden post.

"Little San, take a break," a girl with rabbit ears said as she hopped over.

"No, Xiao Wu."

Tang San wiped the sweat from his brow. A glint of Purple Demon Eye shone in his eyes. "I keep feeling that a huge threat is drawing near. If we don't work hard, we could lose badly."

The gears of fate had finally begun to turn.

The first clash between Dragon Slayer Mage Yu Tianyu and the Child of the Plane, Tang San, was about to unfold at the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City.

And this time, Yu Tianyu would rewrite the script.