Let Me Enjoy the Experience Alone

On the side of the Main Selection Team, Captain Ma Rulong spoke first.

"Ma Rulong, level 65, martial soul Big-Headed Spirit Ape, quasi-level 7 Soul Engineer."

"Lin Xi, level 55, level 5 defensive Soul Engineer."

The one speaking was a sturdy young man who looked perfectly suited to stand on the front line and soak up damage for his teammates.

"Mika, level 56, level 5 Soul Engineer."

"Xiao Xiafeng, level 52 food-system Soul King, martial soul Steamed Bun, level 5 Soul Engineer, specializes in the soul-guided artillery style."

The little chubby guy scratched his head, smiling somewhat shyly.

"Chen Fei, level 55 agility-attack system Soul King, martial soul Flash Bird, specializes in long-range suppression fire."

"Chen An, level 54 agility-attack system Soul King, martial soul Flash Bird, specializes in close-quarters burst damage."

The twin brothers spoke in unison, their movements nearly identical.

"Li Yan, level 51 power-attack system Soul King, martial soul Separation Fire, level 5 Soul Engineer."

With the Main Selection Team's introductions finished, it was the reserve team's turn.

Xiao Hongchen stepped forward, his tone remaining indifferent.

"Xiao Hongchen, level 59 power-attack system battle Soul King, martial soul Three-Legged Golden Toad, level 7 Soul Engineer."

Yes, he was already a level 7 Soul Engineer. In fact, his own Soul Tool was already above level 7; using Thousand Refinement metal as a material significantly reduced the difficulty of crafting it.

The expressions on the faces of the Main Selection Team members froze simultaneously. Level 59? A level 7 Soul Engineer?! You call this a reserve team? With this configuration, they could solo most academies out there.

Meng Hongchen took over with a beaming smile:

"Meng Hongchen, level 52 power-attack system Soul King, martial soul Vermilion Clear Ice Toad, level 5 melee Soul Engineer."

"Ye Guyi, level 52 power-attack system Soul King, level 5 melee Soul Engineer."

"Xu Tianzhen, level 46 power-attack system battle Soul Ancestor, martial soul Sun."

Xu Tianzhen lifted her chin, refusing to be outdone.

"Nana, level 42 agility-attack system Soul Ancestor, martial soul Ghost, level 4 melee Soul Engineer."

"Lan Xiu, level 45 control-system Soul Ancestor, martial soul Spiritual Power, level 4 Soul Engineer."

The elegant-looking youth nodded slightly, resembling a young nobleman.

"Shi Xing, level 38 power-attack system Soul Elder, level 3 Soul Engineer..."

The last youth was clearly a bit nervous, his voice much quieter. After all, he had the lowest level of everyone present; standing among this group of monsters, he felt like a rookie who had stumbled into a high-level match.

After the introductions, the members of the Main Selection Team looked at each other, their expressions gradually turning strange.

Three Soul Kings, three Soul Ancestors—this configuration before the age of fifteen...

By the time the next tournament arrived, wouldn't these people all be Soul Emperors?

Jing Hongchen stood in the center, scanning the field, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good. Next, the two teams will have a sparring match. The rules are simple."

He paused, a meaningful smile suddenly tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"If the Main Selection Team can hold out for twenty minutes without being defeated by the reserve team, you win."

Lin Xi was the first to lose his composure.

"Hall Master, did you say that backward?"

"No," Jing Hongchen said flatly.

The Main Selection Team: "?"

Question marks instantly filled the air.

Come on, man, we have a full team of Soul Kings and a Soul Emperor!

Even though the other side was heaven-defying, based on the surface data, their own side was still significantly stronger.

The way he said that made it sound like they were the challengers.

Jing Hongchen couldn't be bothered to explain, simply looking at Ma Rulong.

"If you can't even hold out for twenty minutes,"

"Then for this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, Xiao Hongchen will have full authority over tactical arrangements."

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of everyone on the Main Selection Team changed.

They had been training together for years, and everyone was hoping to prove themselves on the tournament stage.

If Xiao Hongchen were to take over the tactics, their chances to compete would inevitably be reduced, which was unacceptable for those who only had one chance to participate in the tournament.

Ma Rulong nodded heavily.

"Understood."

The two teams slowly moved to opposite sides of the training ground, and the Main Selection Team had already entered their combat state.

Ma Rulong whispered his tactical arrangements as the other six gathered in a circle, stacking their palms together.

"Victory!"

On the other side.

Meng Hongchen poked Xiao Hongchen.

"Brother, say a few words too."

"There's no need for that."

The next instant, a massive metallic roar suddenly erupted.

A humanoid Mecha Soldier, standing over three meters tall, was slowly released by Xiao Hongchen from his storage Soul Tool.

Everyone's gaze was drawn to the metallic creation.

The Mecha Soldier was crafted from an interwoven blend of silver-gray and gilded gold, its entire body covered in streamlined armor with sharp, towering shoulder guards that resembled the wings of a war falcon. Six feather-like propulsion wings unfolded on its back, their edges shimmering with pale golden soul-guiding patterns.

At the core of its chest, a golden energy ring rotated slowly, emitting a low hum.

The entire Mecha Soldier stood there like a war machine awakened from ancient mythology, its oppressive presence dialed to the maximum.

The chest armor split to the sides, and Xiao Hongchen leaped inside.

Click, click, click.

The armor sealed shut, and golden mechanical eyes slowly opened. Xiao Hongchen flexed the mechanical arms, finding them as nimble as his own.

The only drawback was that while inside the Mecha Soldier, his fifth soul skill became useless, which left him somewhat disgruntled since he had mastered "Idle Death Gamble" to perfection.

"Let me show you all the results of my research this past year."

Meng Hongchen's eyes lit up.

Although she had seen the blueprints long ago, seeing the actual machine activate still gave her an indescribable sense of shock.

Xiao Hongchen said smugly:

"How about it? Is your brother cool or what? I told you to get a set too, but you didn't want one. Regretting it now?"

Meng Hongchen curled her lip.

"Tch, it's just average. And stop bragging, brother; building this one nearly fried your brain, didn't it?"

That stung, little sister.

Only he knew the bitterness of this past year.

Xiao Hongchen used the mechanical arm to scratch his head, looking somewhat comical.

Xu Tianzhen, however, had eyes that were already shining brightly.

"Brother Xiao! I want one too!"

She looked at the Mecha Soldier, her eyes sparkling just like Xiao Hongchen's did when he saw a limited-edition figurine.

So, she didn't hate Soul Tools; she just hated the ugly ones.

"I told you not to call me that."

Xiao Hongchen felt a headache coming on. Ever since this little princess transferred here, her clinginess had reached astronomical levels.

At least Ji Juechen only sought him out when his sword intent flared up.

Xu Tianzhen, on the other hand, was online 24/7, specializing in real-time tracking.

Xu Tianzhen wasn't annoyed at all; instead, she blinked with a sweet smile.

"Once Brother Xiao agrees to date me, you can have me call you whatever you want~"

She even threw a flirtatious wink for good measure.

Xiao Hongchen: "?"

No.

With your figure, wouldn't it be better to stick to the sweet girl route? Why must you force a challenge on the succubus version?

Ye Guyi, standing nearby, remained expressionless, but a cold thought emerged in her mind: Little slut.

However, on the other side of the Training Ground, the atmosphere had completely soured.

After the members of the Main Selection Team recovered from their initial shock, their emotions quickly shifted into rage.

They had been there making passionate oaths, while the other side was chatting and flirting, not even sparing them a glance.

The damage was minimal, but the insult was immense.

Mika was the first to lose his patience, letting out a low shout:

"Brothers, activate your Martial Souls!"

Soul rings rose in succession.

A large number of Soul Tool cannons were raised in unison, energy began to converge, and low hums rose one after another, instantly filling the air with an oppressive tension.

Ma Rulong, however, remained very calm, for he was the only one who had truly fought a fierce battle against Xiao Hongchen.

Only after crossing blades did they realize just how absurd this monster truly was.

Inside the Mecha Soldier, Xiao Hongchen slowly raised his head; he could clearly feel the fluctuations of Soul Power rushing toward him from the opposite side.

The next second, he suddenly spoke.

"Don't move."

Meng Hongchen and the others were stunned for a moment.

"Let me enjoy the experience alone."

It seemed he intended to face the firepower of the Main Selection Team all by himself.

The members of the Preliminary Selection Team exchanged glances, then tactfully retreated to the sides of the Training Ground.

Believe first, then believe again.