One Against Five

Yu Tianheng's face flushed crimson, his fists clenched with audible cracks, his chest heaving violently. He glanced at Lin Ming, then at the people beside him. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

He was indeed the strongest among them, but he was no fool.

Their last clash was still fresh in his mind. Lin Ming had defeated him with a single spear strike, leaving him no chance to fight back.

Now, Lin Ming's Soul Power aura was clearly stronger than before. Though he had yet to break through to Soul Ancestor, his unhurried composure made Yu Tianheng feel even less certain.

Even if all five attacked together, he had no confidence in certain victory.

"What? Scared?" Lin Ming chuckled softly. To Yu Tianheng, that smile was more piercing than a blade.

"Or do you not even have the courage to fight? Can you only stand here and talk big, relying on Teacher Qin's favoritism to use such underhanded methods to squeeze people out?"

"You!"

Yu Tianheng was finally completely enraged. He had kept enduring, kept restraining himself, but Lin Ming's words had struck directly at what he cared about most—his pride.

He was the direct heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the favored genius of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. After throwing his weight around the academy for so many years, he had never been humiliated so openly before.

"Fine!" Yu Tianheng practically ground the words out through clenched teeth. "You said it! When you lose and kneel to beg for mercy, don't blame me for bullying the young!"

Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Osler, and Yu Feng also stepped forward one after another, glaring murderously at Lin Ming.

Though they were somewhat uneasy inside, being pointed at and called trash by a freshman in front of so many people was an insult they could not swallow.

Besides, there were five of them against one. Even a rotating assault could wear him down. They refused to believe Lin Ming had three heads and six arms and could withstand all five of them joining forces.

Qin Ming's expression turned livid. His lips moved as though he wanted to stop this farce, but he swallowed the words before they could leave his mouth. He knew that things had reached a point beyond what he, as a teacher, could suppress. Yu

Tianheng and the others needed to vent their anger, and Lin Ming's arrogance also needed to be taught a harsh lesson by reality.

With a grim expression, he said, "If you insist on fighting, I won't stop you. But let me make this clear first: no one is allowed to strike to kill. Otherwise, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Yet as he spoke, there was an almost imperceptible bias in his tone.

Deep down, he felt that although Lin Ming had defeated Yu Tianheng with one spear strike in their previous match, it had been somewhat unexpected. In a real fight, one person against five would be doomed to lose no matter what.

It was not that he truly wanted to see Lin Ming beaten badly. He simply felt that this young man was too arrogant. Taking the edge off him and making him understand the importance of teamwork would not necessarily be a bad thing.

Naturally, Lin Ming could hear the implication in Qin Ming's words, but he could not be bothered to argue.

He rolled his wrist, his gaze as calm as still water, as though the five Soul Elders and Soul Ancestors before him were merely five wooden stakes.

"Come on. Let's find somewhere spacious."

He headed toward the center of the plaza at an unhurried pace, not even showing any intention of summoning the Heaven-Piercing Divine Spear from his back.

Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan exchanged a glance. Though somewhat worried, they both knew Lin Ming's temperament. He was not the reckless sort. Since he dared say such things, he must have his reasons.

Thus, neither girl tried to stop him. They merely retreated silently to one side, leaving an open space for everyone.

Yu Tianheng led the other four into a line, and their Martial Souls were released one after another.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—Yu Tianheng.

Black Tortoise ×2—Shi Mo, Shi Mo.

Ghost Wolf—Osler.

Wind Chime Bird—Yu Feng.

Five powerful Soul Power auras erupted at the same time, pressing toward the same target.

Yu Tianheng's fifth Soul Ring lit up, electricity coiling around his body as his imposing aura surged.

His body began to swell and transform. Blue-violet scales emerged, two dragon horns grew from his head, his arms turned into savage dragon claws, golden light flickering as lightning raced through them.

He stared coldly at Lin Ming, his voice booming like thunder. "Lin Ming, since you insist on being arrogant, I'll show you what true strength is."