Early in the morning, while the darkness of night had yet to fade, Fang Lin rose early as usual.
Seven days had passed since the Heaven Dou Tournament ended. The training ground had long since been restored to its original state, so he no longer needed to do his morning training outside his dormitory.
He took his newly custom-made iron essence inner armor, wrist guards, and leg guards from his Soul Tool and put them on one by one. A long saber materialized, and he began practicing: diagonal chops, horizontal sweeps, upward slashes... Every strike was fierce, and across the vast training ground, nothing could be heard but the long saber slicing through the air.
Even with his body strengthened by Whale Gelatin, the hundred-kilogram load was still somewhat taxing. After half an hour, beads of sweat the size of beans dotted Fang Lin's forehead.
After finishing his saber practice, he ran three more laps and was completely exhausted.
Dragging his heavy legs to the washroom, he filled a wooden tub with hot water, tore open a packet, and poured in the herbs for his medicinal bath before sitting in the water.
The Bone Strength Body-Tempering Medicinal Potion was normally used by Soul Masters at the Soul Elder rank or above to temper their bodies. After taking Whale Gelatin, Fang Lin had found that his previous potion had lost too much of its effectiveness, so he had switched to a new one.
The morning sun rose, the brown color of the potion faded, and a faint ringing sounded outside.
It was the assembly signal set by Teacher Qin Ming.
Fang Lin quickly got up and dressed. On the way, he took a piece of dried meat from his ring and popped it into his mouth. Once again, he had no time for breakfast.
After Fang Lin and the others became reserve members of the Imperial Fighting Team, their school registrations were adjusted so that they all came under Qin Ming's instruction. Their dormitories were also moved together to make training more convenient.
Qin Ming was already standing in the center of the training field. Before him stood Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng, two male students with bronze-colored skin, and a slender blue-haired girl. The two boys both had rugged, square features and broad faces, as though they had been carved from the same mold. Both looked a little simple and honest.
Fang Lin had just taken his place when Yu Feng came strolling in late as well, chewing on something just like him.
Qin Ming's gaze swept over the two, and he frowned. "If you're late again, I'll dock a month of your allowances."
The words had quite an effect. Both Fang Lin and Yu Feng's faces tightened. A Heaven Dou Imperial Team member's monthly allowance was two hundred Gold Soul Coins; losing a month's worth was no different from losing their lives. The former was saving up to buy Whale Gelatin, while the latter... nobody knew why, but he was short of money too.
Once the two had taken their places, Qin Ming cleared his throat.
"Remember today's assembly time. From now on, you must be here when the bell rings. Some of you may already know one another, while others may be meeting for the first time, but from now on, you'll be teammates on the same team. The first thing to do today is to become as familiar with one another as possible and get to know each other."
Qin Ming's words gave Fang Lin the odd feeling that he was back at a group training session for a university club. As expected, the next part was for everyone to introduce themselves.
Fang Lin knew Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others. The only ones he had never met were the Shi Brothers and Ye Lingling.
No, to be precise, it was only the Shi Brothers. Seeing her today, Fang Lin finally confirmed that the blue-haired girl he had met at Begonia Studio was indeed Ye Lingling.
"My name is Shi Mo. My Martial Soul is the Black Tortoise. I'm a level twenty-seven Defense System Battle Soul Master."
"My name is Shi Mo. My Martial Soul is the Black Tortoise. I'm a level twenty-six Defense System Battle Soul Master."
Both of them spoke in deep, muffled voices. Everyone thought the brothers were twins, but Shi Mo was actually a year older, though his younger brother was a little more talented.
When it was Ye Lingling's turn, her voice was cool and clear, and she spoke at a brisk pace:
"Ye Lingling. My Martial Soul is the Nine Heart Begonia. I'm a level twenty-four Healing System Tool Soul Master."
Ye Lingling wore a black veil over her face, but it did little to conceal it. A careful look was enough to make out her features beneath the veil: delicate and lovely, with a small, soft face that contrasted slightly with the icy air she gave off.
"Yu Tianheng. My Martial Soul is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. I'm a level twenty-seven Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
"I'm Dugu Yan. My Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent. I'm a level twenty-six Control-Type Battle Spirit Master."
"I'm Yu Feng. My Martial Soul is the Wind Chime Bird. I'm a level twenty-four Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master and also a Flight System Soul Master. I like tasty food."
After the others had spoken in turn, it was Fang Lin's turn. He rather regretted not going before Yu Feng. That boy just had to be quick with his mouth.
"Fang Lin. My Martial Soul is the Iron Saber. I'm a level twenty-eight Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
The last person always drew a little more attention. Ye Lingling in particular let her gaze linger on Fang Lin for a few extra seconds. She seemed both surprised and curious, an unusual expression appearing in her blue eyes.
Fang Lin kept his eyes straight ahead and waited for Teacher Qin Ming's next instruction, looking every bit the well-behaved student.
Qin Ming glanced around, his expression betraying neither happiness nor anger.
"Getting to know each other is your first lesson. It seems you'll need to spend some more time on it."
Everyone looked puzzled, but Qin Ming offered no explanation and continued:
"Power Attack System, Control System, Defense System, Agility Attack System, Healing System, Auxiliary System, and Food System: these seven are the common types of Soul Masters. The first four can be collectively called Battle Soul Masters, while the last three can be collectively called Auxiliary Soul Masters. Different types of Soul Masters have different roles in team Soul Fighting."
"In the next lesson, you'll learn how Soul Masters in different roles act through group matches. Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, step forward."
The two named stepped forward, and Qin Ming then called out the Shi Mo Brothers and Ye Lingling.
"In team Soul Fighting, Defense System Soul Masters are the barrier protecting the rear line. They are responsible for blocking all kinds of advances by the other side, whether from Power Attack, Agility Attack System, or even Control System Soul Masters."
"Yu Tianheng and Yu Feng, your task is to break through the Shi Mo Brothers' defense within the time it takes an incense stick to burn. You succeed as long as you touch Ye Lingling. Conversely, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, your task is to protect Ye Lingling."
"Teacher Qin, why is there a time limit of one incense stick?" Yu Tianheng frowned. The Black Tortoise was one of the top Defense System Martial Souls. How could breaking through within the time it took an incense stick to burn be easy, especially when there were two of them?
Qin Ming gave him an indifferent glance. "I'm simulating a team Soul Fighting scenario for you. In a seven-on-seven match, your teammates would also be facing a fierce attack from the other side. At that point, it comes down to who breaks through first."
Yu Tianheng said no more. He turned and quietly discussed tactics with Yu Feng.
"The best way is for me to draw both their attention while you look for an opening to break through. We can't give Ye Lingling a chance to heal them."
In the arena, Defense System Soul Masters were the bane of Agility Attack System Soul Masters. Yu Feng had no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation. Taking that into account, Yu Tianheng decided to fight both of them himself and create an opportunity for Yu Feng.
But that would also put Yu Tianheng under sharply increased pressure. The Black Tortoise Martial Soul was not only adept at defense; its strength was also extremely formidable. If their combined attacks defeated him, Yu Feng would have no choice but to concede.
Under a tree on the other side, Shi Mo and the other two were also discussing tactics. Surprisingly, Ye Lingling was the one taking the lead.
"They have an Agility Attack System Soul Master, so he'll definitely look for a way to launch a surprise attack from the flank. Shi Mo, you'll need to focus on holding off Yu Tianheng's attacks. Shi Mo, support him from behind and deal with Yu Feng at the same time."
"No problem. We'll definitely keep you safe." The brothers spoke almost in unison, their words full of confidence.
Fang Lin and Dugu Yan found a place to sit together and guessed which side would win. In this clash between spear and shield, both sides had their own plans; it remained to be seen whose tactics could be carried out successfully.