A week had passed since Tang Yin secured his place as a substitute on the team.
Over the course of that week, the atmosphere at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team's training grounds had changed in subtle ways.
Tang Yin had officially taken part in several team tactical drills, though only as a substitute, observing and practicing some basic coordination.
But his calm judgment, precise timing, and especially his astonishing speed and keen understanding of the rhythm of battle had forced the team members who had once looked down on him to reassess this "newcomer" who was only at level thirty.
As captain, Yu Tianheng's attitude toward Tang Yin had gradually shifted from scrutiny to approval.
Ye Lingling went without saying; she remained an outsider, and the others no longer singled her out during training.
The only one whose attitude remained unmistakable was the vice-captain, Dugu Yan.
She still couldn't stand Tang Yin.
Whenever training required her to coordinate with him, she would keep a cold face and act as if she were simply going through the motions, ready to call it a day as soon as the task was done.
When their eyes occasionally met, her emerald snake pupils still held lingering anger and a trace of frustration she could hardly conceal.
One evening, after a full day of training, everyone gathered at Qin Ming's summons.
"After several days of discussion with Lan Yin, we've made an initial selection of the Soul Beasts we'll be hunting this time. Meet at the school gate at eight tomorrow morning."
Qin Ming surveyed the young people before him, each with their own distinctive features, then paused.
"This trip is not only to hunt a Soul Beast for Lan Yin, but also to put your recent training to the test in real combat.