Douling Advanced Academy

Her two martial souls—the top-tier Azure Luan Martial Soul and the Ice Crystal Butterfly martial soul—were both exceedingly rare in this world. Therefore, when Wang Yan analyzed the situation, he was not overly worried. He believed that with Lin Qianyi's strength, even against a Soul King a level above her, she should be able to stall skillfully and buy more opportunities for the team.

Wang Yan mentioned that their opponent this time was Douling Advanced Soul Master Academy. This academy was renowned far and wide, ranking among the top three of countless institutions. It was a holy ground that had nurtured innumerable outstanding soul masters.

Wang Yan's gaze fell on Lin Qianyi. Her expression was calm, like a secluded pool without a ripple. Wang Yan said gravely, "In this battle, whether the format is one-on-one or two-on-two, as long as they send out a Soul King-level opponent, Qianyi, you will take the field." Lin Qianyi parted her lips slightly, her voice cool and resolute. "Alright, no problem."

Those brief words seemed to show that she had long been fully prepared. She felt no fear toward the coming battle; only a belief in certain victory quietly grew within her.

The time for the match finally arrived. The Star Luo Emperor sat high above the arena, his solemn gaze fixed on Shrek Academy's competition grounds. His eyes held an indescribable anticipation and curiosity, as though he were waiting for a thrilling spectacle to begin.

"Captains of Shrek Academy and Douling Advanced Soul Master Academy, please come onstage to draw lots." The host's booming voice echoed through the arena. Beibei stepped forward first. The opposing captain was a male student of about twenty. Tall and straight, he resembled a drawn sword. Not a trace of emotion showed on his stern face, as cold and aloof as carved ice and jade. The two faced each other silently, and the air itself seemed filled with tension. The drawing ceremony ended simply and swiftly, and the referee immediately announced in a loud voice, "Shrek Academy versus Douling Royal Academy, Team Battle. Both teams, enter the arena."

This result was exactly what Wang Yan had secretly hoped for. Beibei was not on the roster this time; Lin Qianyi had taken his place. Beibei knew that Lin Qianyi was strong enough to handle this challenge. Like him, she was one of the Reserve Team's finest, and both possessed formidable strength. Wang Yan's move was meant to conceal their true strength and catch their opponents off guard.

Both sides stepped onto the fighting stage. Lin Qianyi looked up at Beibei. Beibei patted her shoulder lightly. "Junior Sister, go. Give it your all." Lin Qianyi smiled brightly. "Don't worry, Senior Brother."

At this moment, the members of Shrek Academy and Douling Advanced Soul Master Academy took their positions one after another. Huo Yuhao raised his hands slightly, and his simulated Soul Power fell like radiant light upon Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and Lin Qianyi. In an instant, the three of them underwent a dramatic change in bearing, as if Soul Emperors had descended. Around Huo Yuhao, six hundred-thousand-year soul rings reflected one another, like six brilliant rainbows that dazzled the eye. Lin Qianyi, meanwhile, was surrounded by two purple and four black soul rings. Such a peculiar combination was like the most distinctive gleam in a starry sky—unseen before and utterly shocking. The students watching from both sides below the stage widened their eyes, their disbelief plain to see. The Star Luo Emperor, seated high above, secretly marveled, As expected of Shrek Academy. Every one of them is exceptional! The students of Douling Advanced Soul Master Academy were stunned beyond words. Even their usually composed captain felt ripples stir within his heart, though he quickly concealed the surprise on his face and returned to calm.

Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy's team stood in a unique formation. Their captain, Shen Ce, stood at the very front, his presence seeming capable of smashing through every obstacle. Behind him stood two girls like twin pillars. On the left, Fei Yu Yan's red hair blazed like fire, gleaming with scorching light beneath the sun. On the right, An Leng Ye's black hair cascaded like a waterfall, carrying a chilly air. Both girls were around twenty years old, yet they had already begun to distinguish themselves in the world of soul masters. Behind them stood four muscular boys, like four towering hills—Yang Ming, Song Hu, Bai Chen, and Ye Mao. Each radiated an aura not to be underestimated.

On Shrek Academy's side, Huo Yuhao stood in the center, his eyes deep and resolute. Lin Qianyi stood at the front left. She had carefully designed this formation, deliberately exposing a weakness solely to secure victory. Teacher Wang Yan had once said, "Four shields united make an impregnable fortress; Ice Fire Dual Control, Thousand Machine Spear." She understood the mystery behind those words. Wang Dong guarded the right side, like a dazzling ray of light. Xiao Xiao held the flank, while He Caitou provided the team with a different kind of support. Xu Sanshi stood at the rear like a loyal guardian, and Jiang Nannan stood quietly behind Lin Qianyi, ready to lend support at any moment.

Qianling Team's captain, Shen Ce, wielded the Thousand Machine Spear martial soul, capable of both long-range attacks and close combat, unpredictable in its transformations. Of the two girls, Fei Yu Yan's Blazing Tiger martial soul contained scorching power, as if it could ignite everything around it. An Leng Ye's Frost Demon Bear martial soul surrounded her with a freezing aura. Both were control-type soul masters, known as Ice Fire Dual Control. One cold and one hot, they displayed their unique strengths between ice and flame.

The moment the referee announced the start of the match, both sides gave only brief, courteous salutes before swiftly throwing themselves into battle. Lin Qianyi, He Caitou, Jiang Nannan, and Xu Sanshi launched the first assault, their attacks surging toward the opposition like a tidal wave.

Faced with this sudden attack, the four defensive soul masters on the other side calmly stepped forward and formed a tight formation. Broad and powerfully built, they simultaneously summoned four identical golden shields into their hands—their martial souls, the Spirit Rhino Shields. Each shield gave off a reassuring glow, as though it could withstand every attack in the world.

At the same time, Shen Ce gripped his spear tightly, and his Thousand Strike Spear martial soul appeared in response. Strange patterns flowed across the surface of the spear, which stretched two zhang long, and one could faintly sense the extraordinary power contained within it. The instant he released his martial soul, entirely different lights bloomed on either side behind him: deep, frigid azure ice crystals on the left, and blazing, unrestrained crimson flames on the right. The two elements intertwined into a breathtaking scene, setting off Shen Ce's resolute figure and stirring the heart.

Amid the rapidly shifting battle, Captain Shen Ce launched the first attack. Yet Lin Qianyi remained utterly composed as she instantly unleashed the Luan Phoenix Domain. As the domain spread, an invisible force surged forth like a tide, quietly suppressing the other side's Soul Power.

"Mysterious Nether Swap!" Xu Sanshi's steady voice rang out, and immediately afterward, he exchanged positions with Huo Yuhao.