In a temporarily allocated training ground in the rear area of Soto Grand Spirit Arena, the atmosphere was tense and heavy. The air was filled with the scent of sweat and fine dust stirred up by Soul Power fluctuations. Led by Yu Tianheng, the four members of the Royal Fight Team—Yu Tianheng, Shimo, Shimó, and Li Qiuyao—were conducting final tactical drills with the three remaining core members of the Berserker Team: Captain Crazy Rhino, Vice Captain Spider Woman, and the support-type Wishful Plate Spirit Master.
Qin Ming stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, his sharp eyes observing every coordination on the field. He occasionally called out instructions: "Tianheng, be more decisive with your charge timing! Shimo, Shimó, protect the flanks and don't give control-type Soul Masters any openings! Qiuyao, be more flexible with your positioning and provide support!"
Marco stood quietly in a more distant corner, leaning against the wall, his calm gaze fixed on the training session. His presence was like a stabilizing anchor, giving Yu Tianheng and the others confidence. Occasionally, when obvious coordination issues arose, he would speak briefly, pinpointing the key problems with concise yet sharp remarks.
The seven had too little time to develop true synergy, relying more on individual strength and the simple tactical framework established by Qin Ming. The core strategy featured Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Crazy Rhino's Rhino Spirit as the dual spearheads for frontal assault, with the Shimo brothers' Black Tortoise Turtle responsible for flank defense and control. Spider Woman utilized her Spider Web for long-range harassment and restriction, while Li Qiuyao relied on her unique Martial Soul for maneuvering and support, with Ruyi Pan providing necessary auxiliary boosts from the rear. This was a relatively balanced offensive-defensive formation that heavily depended on individual performance.
"Time is too tight," Qin Ming said as he approached Marco, speaking quietly. "This is the best we can do. The rest depends on their performance in the moment."
Marco nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on the sweating figures of Yu Tianheng and Li Qiuyao on the field. "It's enough. Facing such opponents is valuable experience for them. Winning or losing isn't important."Meanwhile, in the shabby dormitory area where the Shrek Seven Devils were staying, the atmosphere had become somewhat subtle due to a challenge letter they had just received."
"What? The Berserker Team is challenging us again?" Dai Mubai took the official notice from the Spirit Arena from Oscar, who was responsible for receiving information, his rugged face filled with disbelief. "Are these guys addicted to losing? It's only been a few days! Are their injuries even fully healed?"Xiao Wu bounced over, her long scorpion braid swinging, her pretty face full of ease." "Maybe they're not convinced, thinking we were just lucky last time!" We'll just have to beat them up again!"
Ma Hongjun chuckled, rubbing his hands together. "Looks like this fat master's Phoenix Flames are back in business! Perfect timing for some action!"
Oscar's eyes gleamed as he began calculating: "The betting odds for this match will definitely be interesting. We might make a big profit!"
Though Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, confidence shone in their eyes. The lingering momentum from their recent victory over a strong opponent had left the entire team in high spirits.
However, Yu Xiaogang (Grandmaster), who had been silently studying another document at the corner table, was frowning more and more deeply. Flender and Zhao Wuji also stood behind him, their expressions not as relaxed as their disciples'.
"Something's wrong," the Grandmaster spoke gravely, his voice low but instantly capturing everyone's attention. He raised the document in his hand—the detailed participant list for this "Berserker Team" provided by the Soul Arena along with the challenge letter. "Look for yourselves. Four members have been replaced in this lineup."
Tang San was the first to take the list, with Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the others immediately gathering around him. When their eyes scanned the four unfamiliar names and their accompanying information on the list, the relaxed atmosphere in the dormitory instantly froze.
On the list, besides the three familiar members—Crazy Rhino (Martial Soul: Rhino), Spider Woman (Martial Soul: Crypt Demon Spider), and Ruyi Pan (Martial Soul: Ruyi Pan)—the information of the other four members was clearly listed:
Yu Tianheng, Level 39 Power Attack System Battle Soul Venerable, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Shimò, Level 38 Defense System Battle Soul Venerable, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise Turtle.
Shímó, Level 38 Defense System Battle Soul Venerable, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise Turtle.
Li Qiuyao, Level 21... Martial Soul: Unknown.
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?!" Dai Mubai's voice was grave, filled with disbelief and shock. "The number one beast Martial Soul in the world? How could it appear on the Berserker Team's list?"
As the possessor of the top-tier beast Martial Soul White Tiger, he understood better than anyone the weight and terror represented by the name Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Tang San's expression also turned extremely serious, his gaze fixed tightly on the words "Black Tortoise Turtle": "And the Black Tortoise Turtle... this is a top-tier defensive beast Martial Soul with extremely formidable defensive capabilities!"
He instantly realized that if their opponents truly possessed these two top-tier Martial Souls, the difficulty of this soul battle would far exceed their previous one.
"And there's a Great Spirit Master with an unknown Martial Soul... This... this isn't the original Berserker Team at all!"Ning Rongrong covered her mouth in surprise, keenly sensing the unusualness within it.
Xiao Wu looked at the list, her large eyes filled with confusion." She tugged at Ning Rongrong's sleeve beside her and asked quietly, "Rongrong, do you know these people? Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon... it sounds very powerful. Is it stronger than Boss Dai's White Tiger?"
At that moment, Ning Rongrong seemed to suddenly remember something. The relaxed expression on her delicate face faded, replaced by a rare seriousness and disbelief. Pointing at the names on the list, her voice carried a barely noticeable tremble: "Yu Tianheng, Shimò, Shímó... These... these are members of the current Royal Fight Team from the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy! Why would they appear here and join the Berserker Team?" She paused, as if considering an even more astonishing possibility, her voice rising slightly, "Could it be... could it be that Brother Marco has also come to Suotuo City?"
"Brother Marco?" Ma Hongjun and Oscar asked in unison, looking completely bewildered. "Who's that? Is he famous?" Zhu Zhuqing also looked at Ning Rongrong, her cool eyes filled with clear inquiry.
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath, steadying herself before explaining to her companions in her clear voice, "Marco is currently the most prominent genius among the younger generation in the Heavenly Dou Empire, and arguably the entire continent! Many hail him as the 'Number One Genius of the Continent!' Even the Spirit Hall has publicly praised his talent, recognizing his limitless potential!"
She paused briefly before continuing, "He possesses the top-tier Beast Martial Soul Azure Flame Undying Phoenix and has Innate Full Spirit Power! The most terrifying aspect is his cultivation speed... Rumors say he's only sixteen this year, yet his Soul Power might have... already broken through to the Soul Emperor realm! Of course, these are just rumors and haven't been fully confirmed, but even if he hasn't reached Soul Emperor, he's absolutely among the top existences among Soul Kings!"
"A sixteen-year-old Soul Emperor?!"
"How... how is that possible?!"
"Azure Flame Undying Phoenix? That's the legendary top-tier flying-type Beast Martial Soul!"
Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai all turned pale with shock, their faces filled with disbelief. Tang San's heart also shook violently. Though he considered himself having lived two lives and never slacking in cultivation, even possessing supreme skills like the Profound Heaven Skill, a sixteen-year-old Soul Emperor... this completely exceeded the limits of his imagination, making him feel an unprecedented pressure.
Dai Mubai forced himself to calm down, frowning as he asked, "Rongrong, even if this Marco is so powerful, what does this have to do with our upcoming match?"
Ning Rongrong explained with a grave expression, "It matters greatly! Yu Tianheng, Shimo, and Shimó are precisely the core members of the Royal Fight Team representing the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy in this year's Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament! And Brother Marco, though he might not participate in the tournament due to possibly exceeding the requirements, has always been the soul of this team, their captain and spiritual leader! If he has come to Suotuo City, then the appearance of Royal Fight Team members here, replacing the Berserker Team to challenge us, all makes perfect sense!"
Flender adjusted his glasses, glancing at Yu Xiaogang beside him with a complex light flashing in his eyes. Zhao Wuji crossed his arms and said in his rough voice, "Well now, things have gotten lively. We've stirred up a hornet's nest."
The entire dormitory fell into silence. What they had thought was an ordinary revenge match had instantly become complicated, with their opponents transformed into the genius team of the empire's top academy, possibly backed by the legendary "Number One Genius of the Continent!"
Master Yu Xiaogang remained silent for a moment before slowly raising his head. His gaze swept over each of his solemn-faced disciples like an eagle's, and he said in a deep voice, "Now do you understand? This soul fight is far more complex and difficult than we imagined. The Berserker Team was probably just a decoy. Our true opponents are the elites of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's Royal Fight Team, and behind them, there might even be deeper purposes."
He rose to his feet, his tone resolute and carrying an unquestionable authority: "Cast aside all underestimation and complacency! For these three days, cease all other activities—everyone enters combat readiness! Analyze each opponent's Martial Soul and potential tactics meticulously, and formulate multiple contingency plans! Three days from now, let us give it our all and see just how formidable this 'new Berserker Team,' disguised as elites from the Royal Fight Team, truly is! And let certain individuals see that we, the Shrek Seven Devils, are not to be trifled with!"
The Shrek Seven Devils exchanged glances, each seeing unprecedented gravity in the others' eyes, but even more so, a blazing fighting spirit and unyielding resolve ignited within them. What was initially thought to be a straightforward revenge battle had instantly escalated into a direct confrontation with the empire's top geniuses! And the name lurking in the shadows—"Marco"—hung like a heavy cloud over the impending duel, yet it also fiercely fueled the Shrek Seven Devils' determination.
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