Dai Mubai Knelt! Lin Tian Crushed Everything!

Lin Tian withdrew his right hand.

Dai Mubai's body pitched forward, his hands braced against the cracked stone slabs.

He had already lost the strength to continue fighting.

Lin Tian turned and walked off the Soul Battle Platform.

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan immediately followed.

Yan glanced at Dai Mubai on the Soul Battle Platform.

"Captain, that was quick."

"He was too weak."

Lin Tian did not look back.

Hu Liena watched his retreating figure, a smile in her eyes.

"That soul skill was powerful."

"Netherworld Mountain-Splitter was best suited for close combat."

"As long as it hit, it could directly disrupt the opponent's Soul Power circulation."

Lin Tian nodded.

"Dai Mubai's defense was decent enough."

Yan's steps faltered.

Dai Mubai had already been beaten to his knees and forced to surrender, yet Lin Tian only described him as decent enough.

Inside the rest area.

The Spirit Hall Academy team members gathered around Lin Tian.

Xie Yue looked toward the Soul Battle Platform.

"Captain, Shrek won't let this go easily."

"Whatever they want to do, let them."

Lin Tian accepted the waterskin Hu Liena handed him.

"As long as we meet them in the arena, defeat them all."

"Alright."

Hu Liena nodded.

Elsewhere.

Dai Mubai was carried off the Soul Battle Platform by the staff.

His legs still could not exert any strength.

His White Tiger Martial Soul had been suppressed by the Nine Nether Beast and had yet to recover.

Yu Xiaogang hurried over.

"Dai Mubai, why didn't you continue fighting?"

Dai Mubai looked up at him.

"I already lost."

"You only fell into a disadvantage temporarily."

"You've never personally endured that kind of power."

Dai Mubai pressed his palm against the ground.

"If I kept fighting, he would cripple me."

Yu Xiaogang's expression changed.

He wanted to continue reprimanding him, but seeing Dai Mubai's pale face, he ultimately said nothing.

Tang San walked over to Dai Mubai.

"Boss Dai, how are your injuries?"

"My Soul Power can't circulate for now, and my chest still hurts."

Ye Lingling approached from the side, releasing the healing light of the Nine-Heart Begonia.

Pinkish-white petals descended onto Dai Mubai.

His injuries gradually recovered.

Yet the destructive force that had entered his body never fully dispersed.

Tang San looked toward the entrance to the Soul Battle Platform.

Lin Tian had already disappeared.

"The next time we face him, we can't let him get close."

Yu Xiaogang said gravely, "Tang San, you must restrict his movements."

"I'll find a way."

Tang San lowered his head and looked at his palm.

The Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul emerged between his fingers.

At that moment, he seriously regarded Lin Tian as a true opponent for the first time.

Meanwhile, the spectators in the spirit arena were still discussing the battle.

Four black Soul Rings.

The Nine Nether Beast Martial Soul.

A single punch that dealt heavy damage.

Then he pinned Dai Mubai to the Soul Battle Platform and forced him to kneel and surrender.

Lin Tian's name soon spread throughout the entire Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.

Spirit Hall Academy.

Outside the rest area.

Night had already fallen.

The lights in the spirit arena went out one after another, while the clamor of departing spectators still drifted from afar.

Lin Tian stepped out of the room.

He had changed into a clean black robe, golden patterns extending down from the lapels, while the belt at his waist neatly cinched his broad frame.

Hu Liena stood beneath the corridor.

She was not wearing the academy uniform.

A white long dress clung to her body as it fell, draped with a thin black gauze outer robe. The hem just reached her ankles, revealing a pair of delicate white embroidered shoes.

The night breeze blew in from beyond the corridor.

She raised a hand to hold down the strands of hair blown loose by the wind. Her light brown hair slipped through her fingers and fell over her shoulders to her chest.

Sensing Lin Tian's arrival, Hu Liena turned around.

"Have you finished cultivating?"

"Mm."

Lin Tian walked up to her.

"Why aren't you resting yet?"

"I was waiting for you."

Hu Liena looked at him, a faint smile in her eyes.

"In today's match, you beat Dai Mubai far too badly."

"He asked to cleanse the house himself."

Lin Tian's expression remained calm.

"Since he stepped onto the Soul Battle Platform, he should bear the consequences."

"You really don't care at all what Shrek thinks."

"What they think has nothing to do with me."

Hu Liena did not continue the topic.

Her gaze settled on Lin Tian as she gave him a careful look.

"What about your injuries?"

"I wasn't injured."

"I meant your clothes."

She reached out and lightly brushed Lin Tian's shoulder.

A bit of dust from the Soul Battle Platform had stained it.

Hu Liena brushed the dust away with her fingertips. The gesture was natural, but her fingers did not withdraw at once.

The black robe hugged Lin Tian's shoulders, its fabric conveying the broad, solid contours beneath.

She glanced up at him, then quickly looked away.

"Your clothes are damaged. Have someone bring you a new set tomorrow."

"It's only dust."

"The captain's clothes can't be too casual."

Hu Liena withdrew her hand.

"You represent Spirit Hall Academy."

"Do you care about the academy's reputation, or do you care about me?"

Lin Tian looked at her.

Hu Liena's steps paused.

She did not avoid Lin Tian's gaze.

"Both."

As those two words fell, the corridor fell quiet.

Hu Liena's attire tonight differed from her usual appearance.

The white dress outlined her slender waist. Its collar was not high, revealing a stretch of fair neck. The black gauze outer robe swayed lightly with her movements, making her complexion appear even more luminous.

Standing under the lamplight, her brows and eyes seemed far gentler than they did during the day.

Lin Tian glanced at the embroidered shoes on her feet.

"How long have you been waiting outside in that outfit?"

"Not long."

"Are your feet cold?"

"Are you worried about me?"

"I just don't want a team member to be unable to compete tomorrow."

Hu Liena pressed her lips together.

"Then should I thank the captain?"

"You can."

"Would one word of thanks be enough?"

Lin Tian did not answer.

Hu Liena stepped forward.

The distance between them narrowed to no more than an arm's length.

She tilted her face upward, and her black outer robe slipped slightly off her shoulder. The neckline of her white dress revealed more in turn, her delicate collarbones clearly visible beneath the lamplight.

"Is this enough?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I just want to see whether the captain has ever truly cared about me."

Hu Liena raised her hand, her fingertips landing on the belt around Lin Tian's waist.

She did not undo it. She merely touched it lightly before naturally withdrawing her hand.

"Today, on the Soul Battle Platform, you kept standing in front."

"I said everyone would stand behind me."

"I know."

Hu Liena raised her eyes.

"But seeing you face seven soul masters alone, I still worried."

"Those people couldn't hurt me."

"I know you're strong."

Her fingers gathered the edge of the black gauze, lightly winding it once.

"In the first team battle, you defeated Heaven Dou Royal Academy by yourself."

"Today, you made Dai Mubai kneel on the Soul Battle Platform and surrender."

"The entire academy is talking about you."

Lin Tian lowered his gaze to look at her.

"Are you talking about me too?"

"I don't need to discuss you with anyone else."

Hu Liena walked to his side.

"I can see you every day."

The hem of her dress brushed against Lin Tian's robe.

"From the first day you entered the academy, you have kept growing stronger."

"At first, the three of us wanted to catch up to you."

"Later, we realized that even following behind you required all our strength."

Lin Tian looked ahead.

"As long as you keep cultivating, you'll catch up sooner or later."

"I'll continue cultivating."

Hu Liena stopped in her tracks.

"But I also want to know what it feels like to stand by your side."

After saying that, she reached out and linked her arm through Lin Tian's.

Her fair arm pressed against his black sleeve, its softness faintly perceptible through the fabric.

Lin Tian lowered his head and glanced at it.

Hu Liena did not let go.

Her figure had matured further than it had two years ago, with a slender waist and long, graceful legs.

Her white dress swayed gently with her steps, her ankles appearing and disappearing beneath the hem.

"Captain, walk with me for a while."

"Where to?"

"The training grounds."

"Now?"

"There's no one there."

Lin Tian did not refuse.

The two of them walked toward the training grounds along the corridor.

Hu Liena kept her arm linked with his the entire time.

She walked slowly, occasionally letting her shoulder brush lightly against Lin Tian's.

Only a few Soul Power lamps remained lit within the training grounds.

Their light fell upon the empty stone platform and illuminated a wooden crate placed in the corner.

Lin Tian released Hu Liena's hand and walked over to the crate.

"What's inside?"

"I had it sent over from Heaven Dou City."

Hu Liena came to the side of the crate.

She bent down and opened the lid.

Beneath the black silk cloth lay several neatly arranged pale golden gelatinous blocks.

Their surfaces carried a gentle sheen, and upon drawing close, one could sense a peculiar energy within them.

"Whale Rubber?"

Hu Liena's eyes brightened slightly when she saw the items in the crate.

"When did you buy these?"

"Today."

Lin Tian took out a piece of Whale Rubber and weighed it in his palm.

"Things from the auction house don't come cheap."

"Will it help with cultivation?"

"It can strengthen the body and increase the rate at which Soul Power is absorbed."

Lin Tian exerted force with his fingers.

A shallow mark immediately appeared on the surface of the Whale Rubber.

"However, the energy inside is extremely violent."

Hu Liena looked at him.

"You're planning to use it now?"

"Mm."

"Do I need to leave?"

"There's no need."

Lin Tian placed the Whale Rubber on the stone platform.

"You can try it too."

Hu Liena froze for a moment.

"I can too?"

Hu Liena looked at the Whale Rubber on the platform, then at Lin Tian.

"You'll help me personally?"

"Mm."

She nodded gently.

"Then I'll give it a try."

Lin Tian first took out two pieces of Whale Rubber.

He handed one to Hu Liena and kept the other before himself.

The two sat cross-legged facing each other.

Hu Liena placed the Whale Rubber in her mouth.

It melted as soon as it entered her mouth, and a dense surge of energy swiftly poured down her throat into her body.

Her body tensed slightly.

Beneath her white dress, her slender waist drew in gently. Her previously steady Soul Power suddenly became chaotic, crashing rapidly through her meridians.

Lin Tian activated his Soul Power at the same time.

Azure light rose between them.

The Primordial Chaos Azure Lotus did not fully manifest. It merely scattered a faint layer of divine radiance, pressing the out-of-control energy within Hu Liena back into her meridians.

"Circulate your Soul Power according to your usual route."

"I understand."

Hu Liena closed her eyes.

Beads of sweat seeped across her forehead.

The energy from the Whale Rubber continuously entered her body, like a blazing flame spreading through her meridians. Her cheeks quickly flushed, and her breathing gradually hastened.

Lin Tian did not stop.

He placed his palm against Hu Liena's back shoulder.

Life Force entered her body through his palm.

Hu Liena's body swayed forward slightly.

"Don't move."

"I can endure it."

She bit her lip and continued circulating her Soul Power.

The energy brought by the Whale Rubber was refined bit by bit, transforming into pure Soul Power that entered her dantian.

Hu Liena's aura gradually strengthened.

Her level forty-four Soul Power, which had remained stagnant for a long time, finally advanced a step.

Level forty-five.

She opened her eyes.

Her black dress draped lightly over the edge of the stone platform, while her fair fingers supported her against the ground beneath her.

"I broke through?"

"Your Soul Power rose by one level."

Lin Tian withdrew his hand.

Hu Liena lowered her head to feel the power flowing through her meridians, delight appearing in her eyes.

"Just one piece of Whale Rubber let me break through."

"Your foundation was already sufficient."

"But without you, I wouldn't have dared to try this."

Hu Liena rose to her feet.

Her body was slightly feverish from the cultivation just now, and a faint flush showed through her fair skin. The loose strands of hair over her forehead had been dampened by sweat and clung beside her delicate brows and eyes.

She lifted a hand to arrange her hair, but since the energy in her body had not yet fully stabilized, she swayed slightly.

Lin Tian reached out and supported her by the waist.

Hu Liena naturally leaned into his embrace.

Her soft body pressed against his chest, and a faint fragrance drifted from her hair.

"I'm fine."

"Then stand properly."

"But I don't want to stand properly right now."

Hu Liena raised her arms and wrapped them around Lin Tian's neck.

She leaned in close, her fair face only inches away from his.

"Captain helped me just now."

"How do you plan to thank me?"

"What do you want?"

"Cultivation resources."

Hu Liena let out a soft laugh.

"You really only think about cultivation."

"The stronger I am, the easier it will be to obtain what I want."

"Then what about me?"

Her fingers settled behind Lin Tian's neck and slowly tightened.

"Am I something you want to obtain?"

Lin Tian looked at Hu Liena, who was right before him.

Her eyes were bright, her cheeks still flushed from cultivation. Her white dress was cinched at the waist, clearly outlining her curves. Her black gauze outer robe had slipped down to her arms, revealing a smooth, rounded shoulder.

"You're my teammate."

"Only a teammate?"

"For now."

Hu Liena's eyelashes fluttered lightly.

"For now?"

"We'll talk about the future later."

"You're always like this."

Not only did she not let go, she pressed even closer.

"You never take the initiative, yet you keep making people remember you."

"Why do you remember me?"

"Because you're too strong."

Hu Liena looked up at Lin Tian.

"I grew up in Spirit Hall and have seen many geniuses."

"But not a single one was like you."

"Level forty-five Soul Power, four Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Rings, and two god-tier martial souls."

"When you stood on the Soul Battle Platform, everyone could only watch you."

"I was the same."

Her hand moved from the back of Lin Tian's neck to his chest.

"Do you admire me?"

"Yes."

Hu Liena answered very directly.

"I admire the strong."

"And you're the strongest person of our generation I've ever seen."

"So you're willing to keep standing behind me?"

"I'm willing to stand by your side."

Hu Liena lifted her chin.

"As long as you don't treat me as an ordinary teammate."

Lin Tian's hand still rested at her waist.

"You really aren't an ordinary teammate."

"Then what am I?"

"Hu Liena."

She was stunned for a moment.

"A teammate?"

"And a friend."

A trace of satisfaction flashed through Hu Liena's eyes.

"Can friends embrace like this?"

"You're already embracing me."

"Then you can embrace me back."

Only the glow of the Soul Power lamps remained in the training grounds.

Lin Tian looked at her for a moment, then slowly tightened his arm.