Gongyang Mo and Xi Xi were both quite strong among the freshmen. Gongyang Mo's Soul Power Level was close to that of a thirtieth-level Soul Elder, while Xi Xi was the weakest, still several levels short of becoming a Soul Elder.
"Are there any impressive freshmen this year?" Bei Bei asked.
"There's a freshman named Dai Yueheng. His Martial Soul is the White Tiger, and his Soul Power is close to level thirty. His two teammates, Chen Zifeng and Ling Luochеn, are also quite strong."
Though Ma Xiaotao said this, she didn't seem particularly concerned. Her Soul Power Level was already high, and she had one more Soul Ring than the others. She could practically consider first place in this year's Freshman Tournament already hers.
"Good thing Dai Yueheng and that girl from the Zhu Clan didn't resonate with each other's Martial Souls. Otherwise, even Xiaotao would have a hard time standing against their Martial Soul Fusion Skill," Gongyang Mo said with a grin, leaning closer.
Ma Xiaotao arched a delicate brow. A ball of dark red flame ignited in her palm, and she said with some distaste, "Stay five meters away from me, or don't blame me for burning all your hair off!"
Gongyang Mo's already handsome, slightly feminine face suddenly turned pale. As if fleeing for his life, he hurriedly put distance between himself and Ma Xiaotao.
"You have to come watch the tournament in a few days! Then you'll get to see your big sister show off!" Ma Xiaotao gave Bei Bei's shoulder a forceful slap with her fair hand, looking downright threatening.
"Of course," Bei Bei replied without refusing.
"Hehe, I asked you here for another reason, too. You're going to be my sparring partner." Ma Xiaotao grabbed Bei Bei and laughed.
"Huh? Me?" Bei Bei pointed at himself, sensing trouble ahead. "Don't you have teammates? Have them train with you! It'll help you build teamwork, too!"
"Xi Xi's an Agility Attack type. Her Soul Power is low, and her attacks aren't especially strong, so she can't put much pressure on me. And Gongyang Mo is a delicate little support type," Ma Xiaotao said with a beaming smile. "Your big sister doesn't have many friends, so of course I thought of you for this wonderful opportunity!"
Gongyang Mo and Xi Xi didn't say much. Clearly, the four of them had already reached an understanding, though it was uncertain whether Ma Xiaotao had used force to persuade them.
The four of them went to a small grove.
Ma Xiaotao walked to the other side and took her stance, looking eager to get started.
Meanwhile, the other three formed a circle. Bei Bei began, "Let's introduce our abilities first. I'm a level twenty-three Power Attack System Battle Soul Grandmaster, and my Martial Soul is the Radiant Sacred Dragon."
Gongyang Mo followed up. "You really are a genius, little brother! I'm a level twenty-nine Support System Soul Grandmaster, and my Martial Soul is the Rainbow Dragon!"
Xi Xi spoke softly, seeming somewhat taciturn. "Level twenty-six. Agility Attack System. My Martial Soul is the Lightning Leopard."
"This is our first time working together, and we don't know each other very well. I'll take the lead in attacking, Xi Xi will support me, and Gongyang Mo, you focus on assisting us." Bei Bei took charge of the team without hesitation and laid out their plan.
Although Gongyang Mo had the highest Soul Power Level, he was a support type and could only provide assistance. Xi Xi wasn't the sort to fight for control, so Bei Bei naturally ended up in command.
"Are you done yet?" Ma Xiaotao saw them whispering among themselves and impatiently urged them on.
"We can start." Bei Bei went to the front, while Xi Xi and Gongyang Mo stood behind him.
Ma Xiaotao possessed her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, dark red flames blazing all over her. Three Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—rose beneath her feet.
The scorching flames instantly raised the temperature around them. Under the Phoenix Fire, even the air began to ripple.
A soaring dragon's roar rang from Bei Bei's mouth. A dazzling golden light burst from his forehead, turning into streaks of golden lightning that coiled around him. A platinum-colored dragon scale appeared between his brows, faint lightning flickering across it.
Two purple Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath his feet and encircled his body.
Ma Xiaotao had already seen Bei Bei's Soul Ring Configuration and wasn't particularly surprised.
However, Gongyang Mo and Xi Xi stared at this utterly unconventional configuration, their jaws dropping.
"First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fire Line!"
"Second Soul Skill, Bathing Fire Phoenix!"
The two Soul Rings beneath Ma Xiaotao's feet lit up one after another. A surging wave of Phoenix Fire erupted from her body, and the golden-red flames blazing around her shot toward the sky as all her attributes increased.
A thick stream of golden-red fire blasted from her mouth and hurtled toward Bei Bei and the others.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and support me!" Bei Bei shouted at Gongyang Mo behind him.
At the call, Gongyang Mo snapped out of his daze and immediately used Martial Soul Possession.
A pair of broad wings spread from his back, formed from a dazzling rainbow that shimmered with seven crystalline colors.
Two yellow Soul Rings appeared around him. He used his first Soul Skill, Crimson Power, and second Soul Skill, Orange Soul.
A red and an orange ring settled above Bei Bei's head. He felt his strength and Soul Power surge considerably.
"First Soul Skill, Radiant Dragon Claw!"
Golden lightning gathered around Bei Bei's arm, forming a massive dragon claw that swept toward the oncoming pillar of fire.
The violent golden lightning and dark red flames collided, triggering a tremendous explosion.
Seizing the chance, Xi Xi possessed her Lightning Leopard Martial Soul and transformed into a streak of purple lightning, attacking Ma Xiaotao from the side.
How could Ma Xiaotao give her the opportunity? The purple Soul Ring beneath her feet flashed, and a pair of flaming wings spread from her back, a brilliant phoenix tail trailing behind her.
This was her third Soul Skill, Phoenix Wings Soaring.
The skill let Ma Xiaotao fly, doubling the power of her Phoenix Fire and increasing its range by fifty percent.
Ma Xiaotao flew into the air, dodging Xi Xi's attack.
Her wings beat fiercely, and she dived toward Xi Xi, the blazing dark red flames swallowing the surrounding space in an instant.
Xi Xi was astonishingly fast. She was little more than a purple blur, nimbly slipping around the encircling flames.
Not far away, Bei Bei joined in and struck out with another golden lightning dragon claw!
The claw tore through the air as golden lightning raged wildly, accompanied by a piercing whistle that made one's heart tremble.
Ma Xiaotao swept her flaming wings together in front of her, blocking Bei Bei's attack.
However, Bei Bei's golden lightning carried the purifying power of light, which could dissolve an enemy's Soul Power. Ma Xiaotao felt part of her wings vanish as the attack struck.
Ma Xiaotao's heart jolted. Her dark red flaming wings spread again, and her Soul Rings flashed one after another as she charged toward Bei Bei and Gongyang Mo.
Without Gongyang Mo's support, Bei Bei, with only two Soul Rings, wouldn't have been able to unleash such power.
When Gongyang Mo saw Ma Xiaotao flying toward them, he panicked. He didn't want Ma Xiaotao to beat him black and blue.
Bei Bei shouted to Xi Xi, who was farther away, "Xi Xi, let's attack together!"