Imperial Fighting Team vs. Eight Desolations Battle Team (1)
Just then, a piece of news ignited the entire Great Soul Arena:
The Imperial Fighting Team's first team match will begin tonight. Their opponent is not the Iron Soul Fighter Team, but the veteran powerhouse team at the Bronze Soul Fighter level - the Eight Desolations Battle Team.
A challenge beyond your level!
As soon as the news broke, tickets for that evening sold out within half an hour. All 12,000 seats in the main Soul Fighting Arena were filled, and even standing room tickets were being resold for three times the original price.
The betting area was packed with people. The odds for the Eight Desolations Battle Team were 1 to 1.1, while the odds for the Imperial Fighting Team were as high as 1 to 5. Almost everyone thought that these young geniuses from the Heaven Dou Academy were going to suffer a big defeat this time.
After all, the Eight Desolations Battle Team is no ordinary team.
The top-tier luxury suite, number one in the Soul Fighting Arena, with a soft fox fur carpet laid out in front of the floor-to-ceiling crystal windows.
Xue Qinghe sat on a soft chair by the window, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe. His face was gentle and refined, with a faint smile on his lips. His fingertips lightly caressed a mutton-fat jade cup. Behind him stood two black-clad attendants, their auras restrained, clearly experts.
"Your Highness, the Eight Desolations Battle Team is in position, and the Imperial Fighting Team is also in the waiting area," the attendant reported in a low voice, bowing.
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the brightly lit Soul Fighting Stage below. His voice was clear and gentle. "Well arranged. I'd like to see if this young genius, who's been rumored to be a legend, really has any skill."
He is the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, in charge of some affairs of the Imperial Soul Master Association. These days, he has heard many reports from his subordinates about a genius boy with a Ten Thousand Year Third Soul Ring who has appeared in the Great Soul Arena. He is twelve years old, level thirty-seven, and is also proficient in spatial Soul Skill.
His overly perfect resume, however, aroused his suspicion. Was he truly a prodigy, or merely a carefully crafted facade by the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?
This cross-level challenge was arranged by him at the Great Soul Arena. The Eight Desolations Battle Team is the backbone of the Bronze Soul Fighter, with a balanced lineup and rich combat experience, making it a perfect test.
True gold fears no fire. If he can even defeat the Bahuang, then this Lin Chen is worth meeting in person, and perhaps even... bringing under his command.
"Your Highness, should I report the information on the Eight Desolations Battle Team to you again?" the attendant asked.
Xue Qinghe slightly raised his hand. "Speak."
"The Eight Desolations Battle Team's captain, Xi Ba, is a level 39 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder with the Martial Soul Rhino-Horned Tyrant Dragon Horn Tyrannosaurus. He has 570 Bronze Soul Fighter points and is known for his impact power; few of his level can withstand three of his Rhinoceros Rhino Horn Charge. The vice-captain, Yan Ling'er, is a level 37 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder with the Martial Soul Fire Flame Fox. She is fast and possesses outstanding fire element abilities."
Team members: Fu Yun, a level 36 Support System Battle Soul Elder, with the Martial Soul Dragon-Patterned Frog, specializing in group defense enhancement and Soul Power recovery; Man Xun, a level 35 Defense System Battle Soul Elder, with the Martial Soul Rock Rock Turtle, possessing solid defense and serving as the front-line shield of the Bahuang; Ni Aos, a level 33 Agility Attack System, with the Martial Soul Tiger Head Hook; Chui Laowu, a level 33 power-type Power Attack System, with the Martial Soul Wolf Fang Hammer; and Bing Mei, a level 31 Control System, with the Martial Soul Ice Crystal Charm Spirit, specializing in ice-type control.
The attendant paused, then added, "The Eight Desolations Battle Team has only been around for a year and has achieved nine consecutive victories. They have a wealth of combat experience, and all of them are rogue Soul Master who have fought their way through the Star Dou Great Forest. They are ruthless and have excellent teamwork."
Xue Qinghe nodded, his smile unchanged, "Yes. On paper, they are indeed superior in every aspect. In terms of level, experience, and teamwork, apart from Lin Chen and Yu Tianheng, the rest of the Imperial Fighting Team are a step behind." He put down his jade cup and looked towards the waiting area.
That's what makes it interesting.
If it's a one-sided, crushing victory, what's there to watch?
The atmosphere in the waiting area was somewhat tense.
Qin Ming stood before the crowd, holding the Eight Desolations Battle Team's information, his expression solemn. "Is the situation clear? The entire opposing team is at the Soul Elder level, with their captain at level 39, just one step away from becoming Soul Ancestor. They have rich combat experience and a fierce fighting style; this will be a tough fight."
"So what if it's hard to fight? We'll just give up?" Yu Tianheng spoke first, lightning crackling at his fingertips, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. "So what if he's level 39? I, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, am not afraid of his Rhino-Horned Tyrant Dragon."
"Exactly! They have more experience, and our teamwork isn't bad either." Dugu Yan curled her lip, twirling a wisp of poisonous mist between her fingertips.
The Shi Mo and Shi Mo brothers patted their chests in unison. "Leave the front row to us! We guarantee we'll hold it!"
Qin Ming gestured for everyone to be quiet, then looked at Lin Chen: "Lin Chen, you're the captain, what do you think?"
All eyes turned to them.
Lin Chen sat on the bench, his fingertips lightly tapping his knee, his expression calm. "On paper, we are indeed at a disadvantage. But the Bahuang are not without flaws."
He stood up, walked to the tactical map, and pointed at it. "Their core is the impact of the Rhino-Horned Tyrant Dragon, combined with Fu Yun's amplification and Bing Mei's control. One charges, one controls, and one supports, advancing layer by layer. Their playstyle is very stable, but also rather slow."
"My tactics are simple." He glanced at everyone. "Shi Mo and Shi Mo, you two hold the front line. Don't try to counterattack, just hold the line and withstand the first wave of the Rhino-Horned Tyrant Dragon's charge. Tian Heng, hold Xi Ba head-on and prevent him from getting ahead. Yanzi, use poison mist to suppress from the flanks and prevent Yan Ling'er from easily flanking. Lingling, stay in the center and prioritize healing the front line. Don't waste your Soul Power. Xiao Wu, roam around and keep an eye on the enemy Bing Mei. Don't let her safely unleash her control Soul Skill."
Finally, he paused, then said confidently, "I'll control the battlefield and find opportunities to take down their support and crowd control. Once we break through their support and crowd control, no matter how strong their front line is, it's useless."
In just a few simple sentences, the logic is clear and the division of labor is well-defined.
Everyone nodded, instantly feeling reassured.
Qin Ming nodded secretly.
Lin Chen's tactic struck at the Achilles' heel of the Bahuang. A team that relies on offensive power is vulnerable once its backline support is eliminated; its frontline becomes a toothless tiger.
"Remember, safety first," Qin Ming concluded. "If you really can't take it anymore, just admit defeat. Losing one game is nothing. Don't push yourself and get injured; it's not worth it."
"Understood, Teacher Qin!" everyone responded in unison.
Just then, the host's loud voice came over the loudspeaker. "Next up is tonight's main event - the team cross-level challenge! Please welcome the Bronze Soul Fighter level powerhouse, the Eight Desolations Battle Team!" As soon as the voice fell, seven figures walked out of the west passage.
The leader, a man eight feet tall with dark skin and a burly build like an iron tower, was none other than Captain Xi Ba. He was shirtless, with a rhinoceros head tattooed on his chest, and the ground trembled slightly when he walked. Behind him were six men, each with a refined aura, sharp eyes, and a fierce aura honed by years of fighting.
The seven stepped onto the Soul Fighting Stage, their three Soul Ring —yellow, yellow, and purple—lighting up simultaneously. The overwhelming pressure of the level 39 Xi Ba spread out, and the entire audience erupted in a thunderous cheer.