The Imperial Fighting Team

At dawn, Jiang Baiyu rose and stretched, loosening his limbs. After washing up, he began the Herb-Gathering Steps and practiced the Herb-Gathering Art. In his mind, Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica gave off a faint glow.

"Morning, senior brother." Zhu Zhuqing's clear voice came from nearby. She had risen early too and was following the same steps as she absorbed Soul Power.

Yesterday, they had given the courtyard a quick tidy, put the Medicine Garden in order, and arranged everything inside the house. Su Wu had left early to attend to other matters, so the two had eaten a little and gone to rest.

The Blue Silver Emperor was giving off a faint fragrance.

After training, they took a short break, then prepared to report to Skyreach Class, the academy's most prestigious class, as arranged.

The academy had said they could skip some basic lessons. But Jiang Baiyu had been a top student in his previous life, and out of respect for the teachers—and to meet his classmates—he still intended to show up first thing in the morning.

Skyreach Class stood deep within the academy, where spiritual energy was far denser than elsewhere. Everyone admitted was among the Heaven Dou Empire's finest young talents. Every member of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's ace squad, the Imperial Fighting Team, came from this class.

The classroom was spacious and bright. There were few students, but each gave off a notable ripple of Soul Power.

The two stepped inside, and the chatter died away. Everyone stared at them. Word had spread after the teachers in the Academic Affairs Office exclaimed over a nine-year-old level-twenty-two Soul Grandmaster and a nine-year-old level-thirty Soul Elder. By now, practically the whole academy knew.

Jiang Baiyu and Zhu Zhuqing, dressed in pale yellow Heaven Dou uniforms, calmly looked back at them.

A gentle, soothing aura of plants surrounded Jiang Baiyu. Zhu Zhuqing stood beside him, cool and reserved. Both were delicate-featured; rather than peerless geniuses, they looked like a younger brother and sister from next door.

After all, admission to Skyreach Class required students to reach level twenty-five by age twelve. Nearly everyone present was at least three years older than Jiang Baiyu and Zhu Zhuqing.

The students were friendly. An older girl came over, took the two by the hand, and helped them find empty seats in a well-lit spot.

Jiang Baiyu and Zhu Zhuqing thanked her politely. The girl blushed and smiled as she patted their heads. They're both so adorable! she squealed inwardly.

They had barely sat down when several figures entered the classroom one after another.

The boy leading them stood tall, with long blue-black hair and the unmistakable pride of a great clan in his eyes. Tiny sparks of blue-violet lightning crackled around him. He was Yu Tianheng, young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and captain of the Imperial Fighting Team.

Dugu Yan followed at an unhurried pace, dressed in an emerald-green gown, her beautiful face full of defiance. Her green eyes swept over the room. Beside her walked Ye Lingling, quiet beneath black clothes and a black veil, her long blue hair falling like a waterfall.

Behind them came the Shi Brothers, the sturdy, broad-built Shi Mo and Shi Mo, walking shoulder to shoulder. Their steady, formidable defensive aura washed over the room. Yu Feng moved with a light step in close-fitting clothes, while Osler's sharp gaze locked straight onto Jiang Baiyu and Zhu Zhuqing.

All seven original members of the Imperial Fighting Team had arrived.

Yu Tianheng stepped forward. Flecks of blue-violet lightning glimmered between his strands of hair, but he tempered his clan-bred pride as his gaze settled on Jiang Baiyu and Zhu Zhuqing. His voice rang clear.

"You're Jiang Baiyu and Zhu Zhuqing, the new transfers to Skyreach Class? We heard what happened at the Education Committee. A Soul Elder at nine—that's impressive. At your age, I definitely couldn't have beaten you. I'm Yu Tianheng, from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. My Soul Power is level thirty-one."

He neither went out of his way to be friendly nor acted arrogant or difficult. He regarded them as equals, measuring their strength.

Dugu Yan stood to one side with her arms folded, her green skirt swaying slightly. A teasing smile touched her lips.

"I'm Dugu Yan. My Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent, and I'm level thirty. A level-thirty Soul Elder at nine really is remarkable. I'd like to see what you can do in practical combat class."

Her words held a talented girl's competitive spirit, not malice. She simply wanted to test herself against them.

With her close friend having spoken, Ye Lingling said quietly, "Ye Lingling. Nine-Hearted Begonia. Level twenty-nine."

The sturdy Shi Mo brothers exchanged a glance. One spoke in a deep, booming voice.

"Shi Mo! Black Tortoise, level thirty!"

"Shi Mo! Black Tortoise, level thirty!" The other gave his name and level, and a heavy wave of earth-aspected defensive Soul Power stirred around the brothers.

Yu Feng, delicate-featured and dressed for action, said, "Yu Feng. Wind Chime Bird, level thirty. I look forward to sparring with you."

Osler was even briefer. "Osler. Ghost Leopard, level twenty-nine."

Every member of the Imperial Fighting Team had introduced themselves.

When everyone turned to him, Jiang Baiyu rose slightly. His expression was gentle, and the vitality of plants flowed around him as he answered calmly.

"Jiang Baiyu. Shennong Cauldron Martial Soul, level thirty Soul Power. I look forward to learning from you all."

Zhu Zhuqing rose beside him. A cold glimmer flashed through her eyes, and she spoke in a cool, clipped voice.

"Zhu Zhuqing. Hell Spirit Cat, level twenty-two Soul Power."

Their confirmed levels caused an uproar. Yu Tianheng, the oldest, was a full five years older than Jiang Baiyu, and even Ye Lingling, the youngest, was nearly four years older. Yet Jiang Baiyu's Soul Power was almost on par with theirs.

Yu Tianheng nodded, the blue lightning fading.

"Skyreach Class isn't like an ordinary class. We don't just sit and listen to theory; we often train in groups through live combat. Now that you're here, we're bound to face each other. When that happens, I hope you'll give it everything you've got."

Dugu Yan lifted her chin. "You'd better not disappoint us."

"Of course." Jiang Baiyu smiled.

"Then welcome to Heaven Dou Royal Academy." Yu Tianheng held out his hand. With that gesture, the tension dissolved, and the atmosphere turned warm at once.

"Thanks." Jiang Baiyu shook it. Yu Tianheng had a strong grip, but he made no attempt to squeeze. Not a bad person.

Everyone took their seats.

Footsteps sounded at the door. A young man in a dark teaching robe entered at an unhurried pace. He was handsome and composed, his Soul Power held in check. It was Qin Ming.

He stepped up to the lectern and looked at Jiang Baiyu and Zhu Zhuqing. "Welcome, you two. I'm Qin Ming, the lead instructor responsible for advanced theory and cultivation systems in Skyreach Class."

The room fell silent. Every student sat up straight, eyes fixed on the lectern.

"Most academies teach you to absorb Soul Rings, hone your Soul Skills, and fight. But today I want to talk about something you may have overlooked—your Martial Souls themselves."