Journey to Heaven Dou City

The others also gathered around, exchanging greetings and small talk.

Qin Ming stepped forward and clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"This battle was mainly meant to give you a more accurate understanding of your own strength, while also letting you experience the gap between yourselves and truly top-tier geniuses.

"I've mentioned Spirit Hall's Golden Generation to you more than once. Their average age is about the same as yours, yet they have already broken through to the Soul King realm.

"Among all of you, only Cao Benqi possesses such talent.

"Today, even when you joined forces, you were no match for Benqi. If you truly encountered Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, how could you possibly win?

"So, over the next year, you must train even more seriously and diligently!

"If you can't reach Soul King, then breaking through to a few more Soul Ancestors would still be good!"

Based on the current situation, Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan were certain to break through to Soul Ancestor before the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament arrived a year later.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo also had a strong chance.

However, Yu Feng and Ye Lingling would likely find it difficult to break through to Soul Ancestor.

Qin Ming's final remark had actually been directed at the two Shi Mo brothers.

After hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. No one felt dissatisfied by Qin Ming's reprimand.

What a joke. Qin Ming's teaching ability was already exceptional.

Moreover, he had broken through to become a Soul Emperor at thirty-four, making him the second-youngest Soul Emperor in history. Everyone admired and respected such strength; naturally, no one would oppose him.

"Alright, let's review today's battle first. I'll point out the problems in each of your fights."

At Qin Ming's command, everyone returned to the quiet cultivation room.

Qin Ming possessed extensive theoretical knowledge, and his practical combat experience far surpassed Yu Tianheng and the others. Combined with his formidable strength—

He was able to identify, one by one, problems that Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others had failed to notice, helping them improve.

Of course, Ning Chen was not included among them.

His strength far surpassed those of his peers, and even Qin Ming could find no fault in the combat techniques he displayed.

Qin Ming's only expectation for him was that he would break through to Soul King before the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament began.

After pointing out everyone's problems and giving them time to absorb them, Qin Ming clapped his hands again, drawing their attention once more.

"Alright, that's enough about today's problems. Next, I'm going to announce something regarding the training arrangements for the coming year."

Everyone perked up and looked toward Qin Ming.

"Book learning can only take you so far. I've taught you nearly all the theory you need. What you lack is real combat experience." Qin Ming's gaze swept over them.

"So I've decided that, starting tomorrow, every member of Emperor Team will be stationed at Heaven Dou City's Great Soul Arena and participate in practical combat assessments under the name Emperor Team."

"The goal is for all three categories—individual matches, two-person matches, and team matches—to reach the Silver Soul level before the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament begins."

As soon as he said this, everyone reacted differently. Fighting spirit ignited in Yu Tianheng's eyes, while Dugu Yan licked her lips with an interested expression.

The Shi Mo brothers exchanged a glance and silently nodded, while Yu Feng looked eager to give it a try.

Only Ye Lingling frowned slightly, seemingly troubled by the prospect of frequent battles, but she did not voice any objection.

Ning Chen's eyes also lit up slightly. It was finally happening?

The gears of fate had begun to turn. He just did not know whether Emperor Team would still face the Shrek Seven Devils this time.

Qin Ming continued, "You all understand the Great Soul Arena's point system. You begin with an Iron Soul badge and zero points.

"Win an individual match, and you gain one point.

"Lose a match, and you lose one point.

"Achieve a winning streak of five matches or more, and you receive bonus points.

"You need one hundred points to advance from Iron Soul to Copper Soul, and one thousand points to advance from Copper Soul to Silver Soul.

"You only have one year. The task won't be easy."

"Of course, considering the overall balance of the team, regarding team matches..." Qin Ming looked at Ning Chen. "Cao Benqi, you won't participate for now."

Ning Chen raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Your strength far exceeds everyone else's. If you participate in team matches, they will lose the purpose of tempering the team's coordination," Qin Ming explained.

"Unless you encounter an exceptionally strong opposing team, Osler will replace you in team matches and fight alongside the other six."

Osler froze for a moment, then nodded firmly. A trace of gratitude flashed through his eyes.

As a substitute member, he had always worried about lacking practical combat opportunities before the tournament. Qin Ming's arrangement undoubtedly gave him valuable room to train.

"But for the two-person matches," Qin Ming changed direction and looked at Ning Chen and Ye Lingling.

"Cao Benqi, you and Ye Lingling will form a team and participate in the two-person matches.

"And you must register for Soul Ancestor-level two-person matches."

Ye Lingling was slightly stunned, then immediately understood Qin Ming's intention.

She was the only pure Support-type Soul Master on the team and had the weakest frontal combat ability. Pairing her with Cao Benqi, the strongest member, was both protection and a way to force her to grow quickly under pressure.

Ning Chen glanced at Ye Lingling and nodded. "Alright."

Ye Lingling also replied softly, "I'll do my best to cooperate."

"For the individual matches, everyone will register separately. There are no restrictions on level; act within your capabilities," Qin Ming concluded.

"Starting tomorrow, Emperor Team will officially be stationed at Heaven Dou City's Great Soul Arena.

"I hope that, one year from now, when each of you walks out of the Soul Arena, you'll all be wearing Silver Soul badges on your chests."

"Any questions?"

"No!"

Everyone answered in unison, their voices loud and clear.

Qin Ming nodded in satisfaction. "Good. That's all for today. Go back and get some proper rest.

"Gather at the training ground early tomorrow morning."

A day passed in the blink of an eye.

The next morning, at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy training ground.

By the time everyone arrived, Qin Ming was already waiting in the middle of the field.

He had changed into neat, fitted training clothes. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he wasted no words and simply waved his hand.

"Let's go."

The group of nine left Heaven Dou Royal Academy through its mountain gate and headed down the mountain road toward Heaven Dou City.

The morning light was faint, and the thin mountain mist had yet to disperse. In the distance, Heaven Dou City's outline appeared and vanished within the fog, its towering walls glimmering with a pale golden sheen beneath the rising sun.

No one took a carriage.

On Douluo Continent, soul beasts were difficult to tame, so the horses used to pull carriages were ordinary horses at most carrying a trace of soul beast bloodline.

Such horses were extremely fast to ordinary people, but to Soul Masters—especially those above the Soul Grandmaster level—they were somewhat slow.

Unless they were traveling a long distance and needed to conserve their strength, Soul Masters rarely traveled by carriage.

Naturally, Qin Ming and the others were no exception.

By the time they reached Heaven Dou City, the sun had only just risen higher.

The city gates had long since opened. Merchants and travelers streamed in and out without end, and the cries of vendors mixed with the sounds of carts and horses, forming a lively atmosphere of city life.