After returning to the hotel, Wang Yan gathered everyone in the meeting room.
"After watching the match between Thousand Spirits Academy and Righteous Heaven Academy, what are your thoughts?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over Beibei and the rest of the reserve team.
"As for Thousand Spirits Academy, Xu Sanshi and I should be able to secure a victory without needing Ziyang and the others to step in," Beibei replied confidently. "Whether it's a one-on-one match, a pair battle, or a team fight, we've got it covered."
His firm statement and self-assured smile caught some of the others by surprise. Zhu Ziyang looked into Beibei's eyes and could faintly guess the source of that confidence.
"But when it comes to Righteous Heaven Academy," Xu Sanshi added, "neither Beibei nor I can guarantee a win. At the very least, we'll need help from one of the main team members."
"Oh? And why is that?" Wang Yan asked, both surprised and curious. He hadn't expected that Beibei and Xu Sanshi were still hiding something. Naturally, he wanted to know what it was.
"Well..." Beibei paused in thought before answering. "Actually, Ziyang and Nannan already know this. After the two of them joined the inner court, Xu Sanshi and I were designated by Dean Yan Shaozhe as members of the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils, and we'll be their teammates in the next tournament."
"I know," Zhu Ziyang nodded.
Wang Yan, however, was clearly caught off guard. Then, a gleam of pleasant surprise appeared in his eyes. Being handpicked by Dean Yan Shaozhe to become the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils meant that both Beibei and Xu Sanshi possessed qualities that even Dean Yan held in high regard.
"That means there's something special about you two, doesn't it?" he asked with anticipation.
"Exactly. The reason we were chosen is because both Beibei and I possess bloodline powers," Xu Sanshi explained.
"Bloodline power? What kind of ability is that?" Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao all wore puzzled expressions. It was the first time they'd heard of such a concept.
"It's related to the origin of martial souls. It's hard to explain fully, but you can think of it this way — bloodline power can enhance, even evolve martial souls," Wang Yan said, his interest deepening. "Go on, Sanshi."
"Alright. Ziyang and Nannan know that my martial soul used to be the Black Tortoise Shell Shield. But now, it's the Xuanwu Shield. That's because I awakened the bloodline of the divine beast Xuanwu using a secret technique from my clan. That's what evolved my martial soul."
"The divine beast Xuanwu?!" Both Wang Yan and Ma Xiaotao exclaimed, visibly shocked. "You're a descendant of the Black Tortoise Sect?"
"Yes." Xu Sanshi nodded. "And I possess the strongest concentration of the Xuanwu bloodline in the history of the Black Tortoise Sect. At my current strength, once I fully activate my bloodline, I can match a newly advanced Soul King. When I reach the seven-ring Soul Sage level, my martial soul will evolve completely into a true divine beast martial soul — the Xuanwu. That's why Dean Yan chose me."
"An evolved Xuanwu after seven rings..." Wang Yan took several steps forward, his eyes burning with excitement. "The Xuanwu is one of the legendary divine beast martial souls. It has water element control on par with the ultimate water attribute and unparalleled defense. Its potential may even surpass Elder Xuan's. No wonder Dean Yan selected you!"
"Teacher Wang, is Senior Xu's Xuanwu bloodline really that powerful?" Wang Dong asked skeptically.
"Yes." Wang Yan nodded. "You all know Elder Xuan, right? Do you remember his martial soul?"
"Uhh…" Wang Dong hesitated, then answered vaguely, "Something like a divine bull?"
"It's the Taotie Divine Bull," Huo Yuhao interjected, rolling his eyes.
"Correct. Elder Xuan's martial soul contains the bloodline of the divine beast Taotie," Wang Yan explained. "Both Taotie and Xuanwu are ancient divine beasts from the Douluo Continent. But unlike Xu Sanshi, who still has room for evolution, Elder Xuan's martial soul was already the Taotie Divine Bull when he was born. Without a miraculous opportunity, it can't evolve into a true Taotie."
"Even so, Elder Xuan still reached Rank 98 as a Super Douluo and may yet break through to Rank 99 as an Ultimate Douluo. Now do you all understand what the Xuanwu martial soul means for Xu Sanshi?"
"You're saying Senior Xu might become a Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo?!" Xiao Xiao couldn't help but gasp, her mouth hanging open in awe.
"Yes. As long as he doesn't fall in battle, that's almost guaranteed," Wang Yan confirmed, a hint of emotion in his voice. "And actually, quite a few among us have that same potential.
"Ziyang, with his dual ultimate martial souls; Xiaotao with her ultimate fire; and Yuhao with his ultimate ice — all of them are destined to become Ultimate Douluo. Nannan with her Lunar Jade Rabbit martial soul, and Sanshi with his Xuanwu bloodline — they both have an eighty percent chance as well. Honestly, I must have done something good in a past life to witness your rise with my own eyes!"
"Beibei, if you were selected along with Sanshi, I assume your bloodline is nothing to scoff at either?" he asked.
"Yes," Beibei nodded. "I possess the Light Holy Dragon bloodline. When fully activated, my strength is comparable to a newly advanced Soul King. Like Sanshi, when I reach the seventh ring, my martial soul will evolve into the Light Holy Dragon."
"The Light Holy Dragon?!" Wang Yan was stunned. "That explains it! Everything makes sense now!"
Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan looked at Beibei, then at Zhu Ziyang. When Ziyang nodded, understanding dawned on their faces.
"With a Light Holy Dragon martial soul, Beibei is not just likely — he's guaranteed to become a Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo," Wang Yan said.
"Then by your logic, aren't the rest of us just kind of... left behind?" Tang Ya said with a wry smile.
"Exactly!" Wang Dong added, clearly unhappy. "Why can't Sister Tang Ya, Xiao Xiao, Senior He Caitou, and I become Ultimate Douluo too?"
"I hate to discourage you, but I have to be honest," Wang Yan said seriously. "Between Rank 98 and 99 lies an insurmountable chasm. Nearly 99% of Super Douluo never cross it. To do so, you either need an unimaginable stroke of fortune — or an extraordinary martial soul."
"All Ultimate Douluo in history without exception have possessed top-tier, or even super-tier martial souls. It's widely accepted on the continent: only the most elite martial souls can reach that level."
"Isn't that just martial soul elitism?" Tang Ya protested. "If that's the case, aren't we soul masters no better than soul beasts?"
"It may not sound pleasant, but it's the truth," Ma Xiaotao replied. "Tang Ya, you're from the Tang Sect — you of all people should understand the importance of martial souls."
"Fine... you're right," Tang Ya sighed. She turned to Beibei and said, "Beibei, when you become an Ultimate Douluo, you better not forget the Tang Sect!"
"You're too much..." Beibei laughed helplessly. "I'm the Tang Sect's senior brother, remember? Besides, what Teacher Wang said isn't absolute. Theoretically, anyone can become an Ultimate Douluo."
"Exactly — theoretically!" Tang Ya teased.
"But what about my Radiant Butterfly Goddess?" Wang Dong insisted. "Isn't it rare and powerful? Why can't I break through to Rank 99?"
"While rare, your martial soul still falls short of being classified as a super martial soul," Wang Yan said, shaking his head.
"Then the Clear Sky Hammer definitely counts, right?" Wang Dong pressed, a glint in his eye.
"Of course. The Clear Sky Hammer is one of the legendary super martial souls. Multiple Clear Sky Douluo throughout history have reached Ultimate Douluo level using it," Wang Yan replied, not realizing what Wang Dong was implying.
"Wang Dong, are you saying...?" Ma Xiaotao's eyes narrowed, catching the implication.
"Heh, that's right — I'm from the Clear Sky Sect!" Wang Dong lifted his chin proudly, like a triumphant swan.
"You're from the Clear Sky Sect?" Tang Ya blinked. Unpleasant memories surged within her.
"Uhh, Teacher Tang Ya... That elder who refused to help the Tang Sect has already been dealt with by the clan. Besides, I joined the Tang Sect myself! Please don't hold a grudge!" Wang Dong quickly added.
"Fine. Since you voluntarily joined the Tang Sect, I'll forgive the Clear Sky Sect!" Tang Ya declared generously, as if representing the Tang Sect's historical honor in pardoning the once-glorious Clear Sky Clan.
Everyone in the room couldn't help but find the scene bizarre — and hilariously absurd.
(End of Chapter)
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