The Imperial Fighting Team's Defeat, Yu Tianlin's Invitation

The referee's raised right hand slashed down sharply.

"Begin!"

The Imperial Fighting Team completed their formation almost instantly. The brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo simultaneously unleashed their Black Tortoise Turtle Martial Souls. Two Black Tortoise Shields crossed in the center of the arena, forming an impregnable line of defense.

Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul coiled beside Shi Mo. Dark green venomous mist slowly spilled from the serpent's mouth, spreading into a thin poisonous barrier behind the shield wall. She was Dugu Bo's granddaughter and, aside from Yu Tianheng, the most troublesome member of the Imperial Fighting Team.

Her poison might not have been as tyrannical as Dugu Bo's, but in a clash between Soul Masters of the same rank, even the slightest contact was enough to affect the course of the entire battle.

Yu Feng and Osler stood on either flank, their Wind Bell Bird and Ghost Leopard Martial Souls flickering in and out of sight beside the shield wall. Yu Tianheng stood at the very front of the formation, lightning from his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul dancing across his shoulders as he prepared to charge head-on at any moment.

Ye Lingling stood at the very rear of the team. The Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul bloomed in her palm, pale pink petals slowly spinning as rings of gentle light enveloped each teammate. As long as she remained standing, the Imperial Fighting Team had the confidence to keep fighting.

"Shi Mo and Shi Mo, hold the center. Dugu Yan, seal the left flank with poison mist. Yu Feng and Osler, support from the right. Probe them first. Don't rush in." Yu Tianheng's orders were brief and forceful.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo nodded together, slamming their Black Tortoise Shields into the ground. The cracked patterns on the shields lit up with green light. Dugu Yan lightly tapped the Jade Phosphorous Serpent's head, and poisonous mist flowed from her fingertips toward the left flank, leaving behind a dark green corrosive trail across the arena floor.

Yu Tianlin stood in the center of the Ji Ni Tai Mei Team, his expression hidden beneath the Withered Wood Mask.

"Lei Li, engage them head-on. Push the shield wall forward three steps. Lei Dong, seal off the poison mist on the left with a web. Qing Luo, send vines around to the rear from the right. Yu Xiaolou, protect Lei Jiu. Yu Tianxin, cut through the center once their poison mist disperses."

The Ji Ni Tai Mei Team moved at once. Lei Li raised his Thunder Turtle Shield, and its surface abruptly expanded as it pressed straight into the Imperial Fighting Team's defensive line. Shi Mo and Shi Mo exerted force at the same time. When their two Black Tortoise Shields collided with the Thunder Turtle Shield, a dull boom erupted across the arena. All three shields shuddered violently, yet none of them gave so much as half a step.

Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison mist spread from the left flank. The dark green fog rolled along the arena floor, corroding tiny pits into the surface wherever it passed.

Lei Dong's spiderweb descended at the same time. Dozens of strands of Thunder Spider Silk intertwined into a net, arcs of electricity crackling across them. The instant the poison mist struck the web, it was dispersed by lightning. The dark green fog was torn apart by electric light into countless tiny fragments that drifted in every direction.

Dugu Yan's poison mist poured out without end. Fresh clouds continuously spewed from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent's fangs, repeatedly clashing with Lei Dong's web in midair. Neither side could overpower the other.

On the right flank, Qing Luo's Dragon Scale Tulip Vine had already bypassed the Black Tortoise Shield defense. Dark golden vines silently crept along the edge of the arena before pouncing toward Ye Lingling in the Imperial Fighting Team's rear line.

Osler's Ghost Leopard Martial Soul intercepted the vines from the flank. His leopard claws, wrapped in ghostly Soul Power, slashed toward them, but Qing Luo's vines were far tougher than ordinary plant-type Martial Souls. The Ghost Leopard needed three consecutive strikes to sever even one vine, while more surged up from beneath the ground, forcing Osler to abandon offense and switch to defense.

"The probing is over." Yu Tianlin's voice suddenly rang out, calm and clear. "Everyone, attack with everything you have."

Yu Tianxin's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul roared toward the heavens as the aura of a Soul Ancestor erupted without restraint. His fourth soul ring lit up, and Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Dash activated. A lightning dragon descended from the air and charged directly at the Imperial Fighting Team.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo simultaneously activated defensive soul skills, crossing their Black Tortoise Shields into a green barrier. Yu Tianxin's Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Dash slammed head-on into the shields. Their surfaces shook violently, and Shi Mo's palm split open on impact, blood dripping down the edge of his shield.

Lei Jiu brought both hammers down, unleashing Thunder Drum Inspiration at full power. The lightning around Yu Tianxin surged explosively under the enhancement. His first soul skill, Thunder Dragon Claw, immediately crashed into the Black Tortoise Shield. Shi Mo could no longer hold on. He was blasted back three steps, his Black Tortoise Shield tilting aside and opening a gap in the defense.

Shi Mo hurried to fill the opening, but before he could face Yu Tianxin, Lei Dong's Thunder Spider Poison Sting struck his shoulder precisely from the flank. The toxin entered his body, drastically slowing the circulation of his Soul Power. His face turned pale as he staggered backward.

Yu Tianxin seized the chance to break into the Imperial Fighting Team's middle line. Yu Feng and Osler attacked from both flanks at once. The Wind Bell Bird's speed and the Ghost Leopard's unpredictable movements crossed through the air and across the ground, trying to seal off Yu Tianxin's path forward.

But Yu Tianxin's target was Dugu Yan. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison mist was the Imperial Fighting Team's most effective means of area suppression. As long as Dugu Yan was taken down, their defense would lose the poisonous barrier on its left flank.

Thunder Dragon Claw tore through the poison mist. Dugu Yan retreated quickly, but Yu Tianxin was faster. His palm struck her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul. Dugu Yan gave a muffled groan as her Martial Soul was jolted back into her body. She stumbled back several steps, and the supply of poison mist was cut off instantly.

With the poison barrier gone, the left flank completely collapsed. Qing Luo's Dragon Scale Tulip Vine surged into the rear line from the side, Thorn Bind wrapping around Ye Lingling's wrist. The petals of the Nine Heart Begonia trembled violently as the healing chain was forcibly interrupted. Yu Xiaolou darted out from behind the shield wall, and his Blue Lightning Dog lunged at Osler, driving him back from the flank.

Lei Li pressed forward, using the Thunder Turtle Shield to force Shi Mo and Shi Mo completely out to the edge of the defensive line. The two figures were driven back again and again by the shield, and the defense was torn apart entirely.

On the arena, everyone in the Imperial Fighting Team except Yu Tianheng had been forced to the edge. Dugu Yan's poison mist was firmly suppressed by Lei Dong. Ye Lingling's healing chain had been interrupted by Qing Luo. Shi Mo and Shi Mo's defense had been torn apart by Yu Tianxin and Lei Li. Under the combined suppression of Yu Xiaolou and Lei Dong, Yu Feng and Osler were steadily driven back.

Yu Tianheng was still holding on. His Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul was unleashed at full strength, and his third soul skill, Thunder Fury, struck out again and again. He withstood Yu Tianxin's attacks without retreating, but all of his teammates had already lost their positions in battle.

Facing the Ji Ni Tai Mei Team's formation alone, Yu Tianheng lasted less than ten breaths. After Yu Tianxin forced him back with a strike, he stepped on the spider silk Lei Dong had laid down in advance. The electric shock paralyzed him, making his body falter. Yu Tianxin immediately closed in, his dragon claw stopping less than half an inch from Yu Tianheng's throat.

"Sigh!" Yu Tianheng let out a sigh. He withdrew his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, turned toward the referee, and raised his right hand. "The Imperial Fighting Team concedes."

The referee lowered his arm. "The Ji Ni Tai Mei Team wins!"

The Imperial Fighting Team retreated to the edge of the arena. Yu Tianheng helped the injured Dugu Yan to her feet, while Ye Lingling gave everyone healing begonia petals. Just as they were about to leave, Yu Tianlin stepped down from the arena and stopped before Yu Tianheng. His voice beneath the Withered Wood Mask was calm and candid.

"Brother Tianheng, would you honor me with a conversation in the lounge?"