Putting the Defiant Troublemakers in Their Place

"Let Zhou Tao see what we're made of!"

Not long after.

Accompanied by Dugu Yan, Zhou Tao met the members of the Imperial Fighting Team.

The Shi Mo brothers, Yu Feng, Osler, and Ye Lingling.

As well as many reserve members.

As for this group.

Zhou Tao actually looked down on some of them.

Ye Lingling was the only one he wanted.

As for the others.

The two Black Tortoise brothers might have some potential.

But Yu Feng and Osler were indeed rather weak.

If they wanted to become effective fighters, they would have to undergo strict training.

Before even meeting them, Zhou Tao had already begun planning how to manage this team.

However.

To Zhou Tao's surprise, this group did not seem to show him the respect they should have when they saw him.

Instead, each of them seemed somewhat dissatisfied with him.

Seeing this, Zhou Tao remained calm and composed.

But he had already formed a plan in his heart.

He wanted to see.

Just what tricks these people intended to pull.

Dugu Yan took the initiative to introduce Zhou Tao to everyone.

"Everyone, this is the new captain of the Imperial Fighting Team."

"From now on, you will follow his command."

"Let's work together and bring glory to the Heaven Dou Empire."

Dugu Yan's enthusiastic introduction did not receive an enthusiastic welcome.

Instead, some gossip began to spread.

"Yanyan, I heard you got together with him."

"That must be so hard on Tianheng."

"What's so great about this kid?"

"Can his family background compare to Tianheng's?"

"He's just a commoner. Even if he has some talent, can his future possibly compare to Tianheng's?"

Their sharp remarks immediately darkened Dugu Yan's expression.

"Tianheng and I are just friends."

"Don't get the wrong idea."

"Zhou Tao may only be a commoner, but he's handsome, smart, and bold. He's the most talented Soul Master I've ever seen. Having a boyfriend like him is an honor for me."

After saying that, Dugu Yan wrapped her arm around Zhou Tao's, looking exceedingly intimate.

The entire place fell silent.

They had intended to drive a wedge between the two of them.

Who would have thought that Dugu Yan had never considered Yu Tianheng at all?

There was no point in bringing the matter up again.

The members of the Imperial Fighting Team fell silent.

However.

Zhou Tao stepped forward, swept his gaze imperiously over everyone, and said:

"I know some of you think I'm too young to shoulder the burden of leading the Imperial Fighting Team."

"How about this? I'll give you a chance to challenge me."

"No matter how many of you there are, you can come at me together. I'll take you all on!"

"Whoever defeats me can be the captain!"

"What do you say?"

He had seen through their little scheme.

Didn't they just want to challenge his authority because they were dissatisfied?

These people had followed Yu Tianheng for so long. It was only natural that they would be unconvinced.

And Zhou Tao's response was simple.

Not convinced?

Then fight!

He would beat them until they were convinced!

Wasn't that simple enough?

In this world.

When all was said and done.

Fists had the final say!

At those words.

The crowd erupted.

"Zhou Tao, do you mean that?"

Yu Feng asked excitedly.

To be honest, he was somewhat unconvinced by Zhou Tao.

He had already learned about how Zhou Tao defeated Yu Tianheng.

He had discovered.

Yu Tianheng's Martial Soul had actually been restrained by Zhou Tao.

Leaving him unable to use his strength.

Moreover.

Zhou Tao's Golden Ancient Tree Martial Soul could only take root in one spot.

It was an extremely clumsy Martial Soul.

To his Wind Bell Bird Martial Soul, the Golden Ancient Tree was undoubtedly a stationary target.

As long as he made good use of his aerial mobility, he might not be unable to defeat Zhou Tao.

He had discussed it with the other team members.

The Shi Mo brothers' Black Tortoises would restrain Zhou Tao.

He would kite Zhou Tao from the side and weaken the Golden Ancient Tree.

And Osler would seize the opportunity to assassinate him.

Working together, they had a good chance of defeating Zhou Tao.

Yesterday, their captain had been brutally beaten by Zhou Tao. As Yu Tianheng's lackeys, they had long been dissatisfied.

Yu Tianheng had already sent word.

As long as they could defeat Zhou Tao, there would be a mysterious gift package for them.

With so many factors combined, they were highly motivated to challenge Zhou Tao.

Now.

Since Zhou Tao had personally said that he welcomed challenges, it was exactly what they wanted.

"Then let's begin."

Yu Feng said proactively.

"Please!"

Everyone moved at once and arrived at an open combat arena.

This was a venue chosen by the Imperial Fighting Team members, giving them ample space to unleash their Martial Souls.

Before long, the match began.

"Shi Mo, level twenty-seven Defense System Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise."

"Shi Mo, level twenty-seven Defense System Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise."

"Yu Feng, level twenty-six Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Wind Bell Bird."

"Osler, level twenty-six Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard."

"Ye Lingling, level twenty-five Support System Soul Master, Martial Soul: Nine Heart Begonia."

All the Imperial Fighting Team members took the field and skillfully formed their formation.

Seeing this, Dugu Yan grew somewhat worried and quietly leaned close to Zhou Tao's ear.

"Zhou Tao, be careful."

"They don't seem to have good intentions."

"You should deal with Ye Lingling first. She's the core of their lineup."

Zhou Tao nodded slightly and smiled. "I know. Don't worry. Just watch how I win."

As long as a Support System Soul Master remained standing, she could heal them.

Therefore, if he wanted to end the battle quickly, he had to defeat Ye Lingling.

But what they did not know was.

Zhou Tao was not merely a Power Attack System Soul Master. He was an all-round Soul Master.

One person was a whole team.

When it came to endurance in battle, he had nothing to fear.

The next moment.

He stepped into the center of the arena.

"Zhou Tao, level twenty-nine Power Attack System Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Golden Ancient Tree."

"Please enlighten me!"

At those words.

The Imperial Fighting Team members moved swiftly.

The Shi Mo brothers quickly activated their Black Tortoise possession, their entire bodies turning into something like iron-shelled turtles. At a glance, they were clearly thick-skinned and durable.

Yu Feng transformed into a birdman and flew into the air. He rapidly flapped his wings, sending sharp Wind Blades hurtling toward Zhou Tao.

Osler transformed into a leopard and quietly slipped to one side, waiting for a chance to strike.

Seeing this, Zhou Tao smiled faintly and stood where he was without moving.

Only in his palm, a towering tree rapidly grew.

The enormous tree swiftly took root in the ground, then sprouted hundreds of aerial roots.

But it did not stop there.

"Second Soul Skill, Golden Earth Dragon Array!"

As Zhou Tao called out the name of his Soul Skill, the Golden Ancient Tree's underground roots rapidly spread out, turning the entire arena into his home ground.

Golden Ancient Trees of the same size grew from one thick root after another.

Within only a few breaths, dozens of Golden Ancient Trees had occupied the entire arena.

And that was not all.

Countless aerial roots rapidly grew, swiftly sealing off the remaining space.

The Imperial Fighting Team members had just been about to charge forward, surround Zhou Tao, and gang up on him.

Yet unexpectedly.

They were instead surrounded by the wildly growing Golden Ancient Trees.

"This Golden Ancient Tree is too bizarre."

"This isn't what Tianheng told us!"

"How are we supposed to fight this?"

Osler complained.

He was an Agility Attack System Soul Master and needed space to maneuver, but the Golden Ancient Tree's roots occupied every inch of ground. With nowhere to evade, he was immediately entangled by hundreds of aerial roots.

He was completely unable to use his strengths.

The others were no better off.