Chapter 194: Tianshui vs. Divine Wind
The thirteenth round of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament preliminaries was underway today.
The number of spectators at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena had increased by nearly a third compared to usual. In this society of Douluo where women had little status, brothels opened and operated freely, most of that additional third were naturally men—primarily drawn by the pretty young girls of Tianshui Academy.
Of course, some had also come for the Soul Master duels. Although the outcome was somewhat predictable, the strength of Divine Wind Academy still piqued many spectators' curiosity.
So far, Divine Wind Academy had lost only once—to Blazing Fire Academy—ranking second among the twenty-eight advanced soul master academies. First place was still held by the undefeated Tianshui Team and Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Second Team.
Divine Wind Academy's captain, Feng Xiaotian, had thus far only used his first and second soul skills. His third and fourth abilities remained a mystery.
In their duels, Divine Wind Academy usually relied on wind to blow their opponents off the platform, seemingly hiding their true power on purpose.
In the Tianshui Team's rest area, Qian Renxue and Shui Bing'er were coordinating tactics specifically against Divine Wind Academy. They were simply too strong.
Aside from the Heaven Dou Second Team, no other teams needed to be taken seriously. Therefore, they devised a strategy to beat their opponent with limited strength, intentionally restricting themselves.
Qian Renxue's self-imposed limit was that during team battles, she would not use the Eight Spider Lance spirit bone, the Blue Silver Domain, or her fifth spirit skill, the Blue Silver Overlord Spear. She would play the role of a pure control-type soul master.
"Divine Wind Academy's captain Feng Xiaotian is a level-44 power-attack-type Soul Ancestor. His third and fourth skills are unknown. I predict that during the match, he'll immediately use the abilities he's been hiding. At that time, I'll do everything I can to control him and keep everyone on the platform," said Qian Renxue.
Shui Yue'er stretched with a seductive curve and said, "With my brother-in-law supporting me from behind, I'll charge forward with all I've got."
"Ouch!"
Just as she finished, she covered her head—Shui Bing'er had smacked her.
"Why'd you hit me, sis?" Shui Yue'er asked with a pout.
"You tell me. We're about to compete and you're still thinking of nonsense," Shui Bing'er scolded her with a playful glare. Noticing Qian Renxue's frown, she asked, "Xiao Chuan, what's troubling you?"
Qian Renxue frowned slightly. "I'm just thinking—Feng Xiaotian has a mutated Gale Twin-Headed Wolf spirit and was a genius born with full innate spirit power. Why is his cultivation so slow? He's only level 44 now. Is there something strange about his spirit?"
At level 44, Feng Xiaotian's cultivation was considered high among Soul Ancestors in the Heaven Dou division. But given his age of 24 and innate talent, it was actually unimpressive.
Shui Bing'er chuckled lightly. "That's quite normal. He keeps running over to Blazing Fire Academy trying to win Huo Wu's heart. He's wasted a lot of training time."
Most advanced soul master academies had morning classes teaching spirit knowledge, and students could spend the rest of their time as they pleased—either cultivating or just enjoying life. It all depended on their choices.
"That's right! Feng Xiaotian's 'simp reputation' even reached us at Tianshui Academy. Some students privately gave him a nickname: Feng 'Simp' Tian," said Yu Hairou with a giggle, setting off a wave of laughter among the others. Judging by their expressions, everyone had heard about it.
Qian Renxue also smiled slightly. His father's words were clearly correct—love might bring joy, but everything else about it was a liability: physical drain, wasted time, career delay.
If Feng Xiaotian had dedicated himself to cultivation, with his talent and age, he would have easily reached Soul King by now.
Of course, Qian Renxue also felt a little sorry for Feng Xiaotian. Backed by Element City's powerful Feng Clan, he was destined to become clan leader. But he wasn't from the Spirit Hall, so it didn't concern him.
"Next round, center stage: Tianshui Academy versus Divine Wind Academy," the host announced loudly, calling the teams to enter.
The center arena, which offered the best viewing angles, was naturally reserved for matches featuring the Four Element Academies and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Second Team. That's what drew the audience and earned the arena more gold soul coins.
"You have one minute to release your spirits!"
Tianshui Academy assumed a standard triangle formation. Divine Wind Academy, however, used a triangle-plus-square setup. They had no control-type soul masters, but two support-types.
Divine Wind Academy fielded three Soul Ancestors. Besides Feng Xiaotian, the other two had rare flying bird-type spirits—one was a power-type Split Sky Eagle, and the other an agility-type Cloud-Piercing Bird.
Their two Soul Elders had Gale Demon Wolf and Gale Reindeer spirits.
The two support-type soul masters wielded spirits resembling green whirlwinds, similar to Blazing Fire Academy's Fire Cloud and Fire Rain Mars spirits.
As the match began, the two Soul Ancestors instantly lunged toward Shui Bing'er, activating their third rings. Shui Bing'er didn't hold back—her second ring glowed as her Ice Ring Armor activated.
At the same time, Feng Xiaotian activated his second ring, and both support-types activated their second rings too. The green light converged into a terrifying emerald current from the sky and merged into Feng Xiaotian.
He accelerated rapidly, trailing green light behind him. At an unbelievable speed, he slipped past the four Tianshui girls and went straight for Qian Renxue. The girls were too shocked to react.
He's coming for me? That speed—how could it be possible even with three support buffs? Could the mutated Gale Twin-Headed Wolf have both power and agility modes?
Qian Renxue's eyes turned gold-purple, and her hands became jade-colored. The Purple Demon Eye and Mysterious Jade Hand activated.
This was Divine Wind Academy's tactic—stall Shui Bing'er, and in those few seconds, pour all support-type soul skills into Feng Xiaotian. With his previously unrevealed spirit mutation combining power and speed, they aimed to knock Qian Renxue off the platform.
Control-type and healing-type soul masters were usually weak in close combat.
If Qian Renxue was eliminated and the Blue Silver Emperor's powerful control removed, Feng Xiaotian could use his Gale Wolf's Thirty-Six Slash to hold off Shui Bing'er while his teammates blew the rest of Tianshui's team off the platform. That was their shot at defeating the stronger team.
Feng Xiaotian's strategy was flawless, enhanced by the element of surprise. Unfortunately, Qian Renxue was no ordinary soul master. When it came to melee combat, his past life's experience guarding Tang Sect gave him the edge over almost anyone.
And in terms of physique, ever since awakening the Blue Silver Emperor and being infused with immense life force, he wasn't inferior to Feng Xiaotian either.
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