Chapter 55 Preparatory National Soul Master Tournament
"It's true what they say, comparisons are the thief of joy."
Oscar looked at Ye Liuyun, who seemed completely unconcerned, and couldn't help but groan:
"Is this what talent is? I refuse to accept it!"
Ma Hongjun also looked on with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
They worked themselves to the bone, but their results were still inferior to those who practiced casually.
...
The special training ended that day.
Yu Xiaogang gathered everyone in the conference room, his expression serious, even somewhat fanatical.
"The three-month intensive training is over."
"I am very satisfied with your performance. But this is just the beginning."
Yu Xiaogang placed his hands on the table, his gaze sweeping intently over the eight teenagers present, and finally revealed his true purpose for coming to Shrek Academy:
"Everything I've done is for that ultimate goal."
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament!"
"I want you to represent Shrek Academy in the battle against the top geniuses of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, and to face Spirit Hall."
These words stirred the blood of Dai Mubai and the others.
The entire continent's stage—that was the dream of every Soul Master!
Seeing the excited expressions on everyone's faces, Yu Xiaogang nodded, then changed the subject:
"However, the competition has a rule that the number of players on stage is limited to seven."
"And now, we have eight people."
The air froze instantly.
Choose seven out of eight.
This meant that someone had to be relegated to a substitute role and lose the opportunity to showcase themselves in the spotlight.
The crowd's gazes shifted between each other, and finally, they all looked at the weakest support class.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar, but most people still looked at Oscar.
Although his soul power level was higher, the percentage increase from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was simply too strong.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, if they were to choose, Oscar would definitely be the substitute.
"Ye Liuyun."
Yu Xiaogang's voice rang out coldly, without the slightest hesitation, directly naming names:
"You'll be a substitute."
The entire audience was stunned.
"Master?"
Dai Mubai was stunned. Although he disliked Ye Liuyun, he had to admit the other party's strength.
They were going to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, facing the best and brightest young talents in the world. Why would they make the number one genius a substitute?
Yu Xiaogang, however, remained unfazed and gave a reason he had already prepared:
"I have my reasons."
He held up one finger and pointed at Ye Liuyun:
"First, teamwork."
"Over the past three months, everyone has seen that Ye Liuyun is aloof and unconventional. Whether it's running or sparring, he always stays outside the team's structure. No matter how strong someone is, if they can't integrate into the team, they are an unstable factor."
Then, he extended his second finger and pointed it at Tang San:
"Second, there is overlap in functions."
"Ye Liuyun is a control type, and Tang San is also a control type."
"A team only needs one brain, one core commander. Tang San's overall vision, tactical skills, and control over the team are all superior to Ye Liuyun's."
"Having two control systems present would actually cause confusion in command."
"For the team's victory, for the unity of tactics."
Yu Xiaogang stared at Ye Liuyun, his eyes filled with an undeniable authority, as if he were issuing a verdict:
"Ye Liuyun, you must make a sacrifice."
These words sounded very dignified and respectable.
It may seem like a tactical maneuver, but it was actually to clear obstacles.
He couldn't allow Ye Liuyun to steal Tang San's thunder.
The two had some overlap in their roles. If Ye Liuyun performed well on the field, Tang San's "leadership aura" would be overshadowed.
This was something the master absolutely could not tolerate.
Hearing this arrangement, Tang San secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he didn't speak, a hint of gratitude for his teacher was evident in his eyes.
If Ye Liuyun were present, it would indeed be difficult for him to gain absolute control of the situation.
The others looked at Ye Liuyun, thinking that this guy, who was usually lazy but was actually very arrogant, would refute them.
However.
After listening to this targeted arrangement, Ye Liuyun nodded.
"OK."
Yu Xiaogang was stunned, and all the persuasive words he had prepared instantly got stuck in his throat.
So cooperative?
Had this sharp-tongued kid changed his ways?
Ye Liuyun really didn't have any ideas, because the time for him to leave was already very close.
"Since there are no objections, then it's settled."
Although Yu Xiaogang found it a bit strange, he had achieved his goal.
He didn't bother to investigate further and immediately began to arrange the next tactical training:
"In the days that followed, Tang San, as the absolute core, will practice the seven-person formation."
He immediately took out a blackboard and drew a detailed tactical formation diagram on it.
"Although we have eight people, only seven can be on the field during a match. In order to ensure the continuity and coordination of our tactics, we will focus our training on the seven players other than Ye Liuyun to create a perfect combat system."
Yu Xiaogang slammed his pointer on the blackboard, his eyes burning with fervor.
"This will be the cornerstone of your future dominance in the tournament. The 3-3-1 strategy, or the 4-2-1 strategy depending on the situation."
"Dai Mubai."
"Here!" Dai Mubai stepped forward, his aura overwhelming.
"You are an offensive type, positioned at the very front of the formation, serving as the team's spearhead and shield. Your mission is to break through the opponent's defenses while simultaneously withstanding frontal assaults."
"Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu."
"Here!"
"You two will take the left and right flanks respectively. Zhu Zhuqing will be responsible for cutting into the back row and disrupting the opponent's support; Xiao Wu will be responsible for supporting Dai Mubai and using her soft skills to disrupt the opponent's formation."
"Ma Hongjun."
"Yes!" the fat man chuckled.
"You will be positioned in the middle rear, responsible for suppressing air fire and protecting the rear."
"Oscar, Ning Rongrong."
"Here."
"You are the heart of the team, positioned at the very back of the formation, protected by everyone. Remember, your safety is key to our continued success."
Finally, Yu Xiaogang's pointer struck the very center of the formation, the core position connecting everyone:
"Tang San."
"Disciple is here." Tang San's gaze was steady, and his back was straight.
"You are the central control system, the 'brain' and 'soul' of the entire team."
"Your Blue Silver Grass must connect everyone and control the rhythm of the entire game. When advancing, you give the orders; when retreating, you provide cover. All team members must unconditionally obey your commands!"
"Yes!"
The three-month intensive training ignited everyone's fighting spirit, and they responded in unison, their shouts resounding through the air.
In this system, everyone's role was clearly defined, and everyone had found their place.
Except for Ye Liuyun.
After arranging the core formation of the seven people, Yu Xiaogang turned his head and glanced at Ye Liuyun, who was sitting on the side with a Blue Silver Grass in his mouth.
A hint of perfunctoriness flashed in his eyes.
"As for Ye Liuyun."
Yu Xiaogang said calmly:
"Your role is—free replacement."
It was also known as a "cure-all".
"In this system, you don't have a fixed position. If Dai Mubai is injured and can't play, you will take the place of the offensive type and go to the front to tank damage; if Zhu Zhuqing is not there, you will go to the flank to harass; if Oscar or Ning Rongrong is absent, you will be responsible for protecting the remaining support in the back row."
Upon hearing this arrangement, a hint of pleasure flashed in Tang San's eyes.
That was where the teacher's brilliance lay.
Wasn't Ye Liuyun strong? Wasn't he all-around capable?
Then let you be "all-powerful" to the very end.
They make you fill in the gaps, make you do the dirty work and hard labor, so that you can never become the core of the tactics, and can only ever be a "patch" that exists to cooperate with the team.
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[end of the chapter]