The Emperor Xue Ye left with a satisfied smile. In the reception room, only the three members of the Education Committee and Lin Yang remained.
Meng Shenji patted Lin Yang on the shoulder. "Lin Yang, don't worry. Just treat it as training. If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll accommodate your requests as much as possible."
Lin Yang shook his head. Since he had decided to participate, he naturally aimed for the final prize. Even if the soul bone was useless to him, it was still a ten-thousand-year soul bone. In the past, he could only look at them but never obtain one. Now that the chance had finally come, how could he let the duck in his mouth fly into someone else's bowl?
"There are three members from the Education Committee here, but what happened to Teacher Qin…?"
Zhi Lin smiled and lightly patted Hu Xu's shoulder. "Let me explain. I don't think Xiaoming will refuse. He truly recognizes your ability."
"I want to meet the members of Team 1."
Meng Shenji agreed without hesitation. "I'll take you there personally. Team 1 has no match today."
Soon, in the first training ground, Lin Yang met the members of Team 1 and their leader.
"Lin Yang, allow me to introduce you. This is the leader of the Heavenly Dou Team, Tang Nian," Meng Shenji said, pointing to a middle-aged man. "He is also one of the eight senior Heavenly Dou-level teachers at our academy."
Originally, the academy only had seven Heavenly Dou-level teachers. After Qin Ming advanced to Soul Emperor, he officially became the eighth.
Lin Yang nodded lightly. "Teacher Tang!"
Tang Nian glanced at Lin Yang but paid him no attention. Instead, he turned to Meng Shenji. "Chairman Meng, what's going on…?"
Meng Shenji spoke calmly, "This is Lin Yang. He's here to join the team and participate in the finals."
Upon hearing this, not only did Tang Nian's expression change, but so did the expressions of the team members behind him. They stared at Lin Yang with doubt and resentment.
"No!" At this moment, Tang Nian no longer cared about Meng Shenji's status and emotionally objected. "The Education Committee replacing a player during a match is a major taboo and violates academy rules!
"How are we supposed to explain this to the team if we just throw anyone in? And if we lose the match, how are we supposed to explain it to His Majesty?"
Meng Shenji's expression remained unchanged as he said in a low voice, "This is His Majesty's will."
Just moments ago, Tang Nian had been incredibly excited. Now it felt as if his breath was stuck in his throat. He muttered blankly, his eyes vacant. "Why… how could this happen?"
"In truth, His Majesty felt that the current team has almost no chance of defeating the Spirit Hall, so he exceptionally permitted Lin Yang's addition."
"Him?" Tang Nian's sharp gaze turned to Lin Yang, filled with disbelief. He didn't know Lin Yang. Aside from the three Education Committee members and Qin Ming, who directly managed the reserves, few other teachers or students knew much about Lin Yang's background.
"Lin Yang," Meng Shenji turned and looked at him. "The rest is up to you."
Lin Yang nodded lightly, stepped forward, and four soul rings appeared beneath his feet—two yellow and two purple.
Soul Ancestor?
Tang Nian's expression shifted slightly.
Ignoring the changing expressions around him, Lin Yang declared loudly, "My name is Lin Yang. I am the upcoming reserve member of the Heavenly Dou Team. My Martial Soul is the Nichirin Blade, and I am a Level 48 Combat Soul Master."
Boom!
It felt as if thunder had exploded in Tang Nian's and the team members' heads, sending chills down their spines.
What did he just say? Level 48? And he's a reserve player? His soul power is even higher than the team captain's. What exactly is a reserve like you doing here?
"Well, does anyone have anything to say?" Lin Yang asked.
At this point, Tang Nian stepped forward with determination. "Your Excellency, our team members have worked together for many years and our teamwork is perfect. If this student Lin suddenly joins, I'm worried it will disrupt the synergy with the other members…"
Tang Nian didn't finish, but his intention was clear. No matter how strong an individual player is, it's still just personal strength. The finals depend on the entire team's power.
"Isn't that simple?" Meng Shenji said casually. "Just make Lin Yang the captain."
"What?" Not only was Tang Nian shocked, but Zhao Yu, the current captain, also wore a grim expression.
He never expected the newcomer to aim for the captain position.
Just as Tang Nian was about to speak, Lin Yang stepped forward. "I know what you're thinking, and I'm quite angry about it too… but none of that matters.
"I'll give you a chance right now." Lin Yang raised one finger and stared at each team member. "You can come at me one by one or all together.
"If I lose, I'll leave immediately and never bother you again. If I win, you must properly follow both the academy's instructions and mine. Deal?"
The team members fell into chaos and exchanged bewildered looks.
What is this? Is he challenging all seven of us alone? This guy must be crazy.
Even at Level 48, challenging seven people is impossible. This isn't just provocation—it's outright humiliation.
In an instant, the entire team was filled with indignation. If glares could hurt, Lin Yang would have been riddled with holes.
However, Lin Yang didn't even raise his eyelids and remained calm. He had anticipated this situation before arriving. He didn't have time to talk to each person individually, befriend them, or earn their approval. The only thing needed during the competition period was for them to temporarily listen to him.
The simplest way… was to completely suppress them.
The corner of Meng Shenji's mouth twitched. This was the first time he had seen Lin Yang act so arrogantly. But that was fine too. Young people should have the spirit of youth. Always acting like an old man isn't good.
"All together?" Lin Yang gestured with his finger, his expression still calm.
The opposing players' faces turned pitch black.
Arrogant! Extremely arrogant!
"Captain, what are we waiting for?" one team member shouted. "Didn't you see him stepping on our faces?"
"Yes!"
"Captain, if you won't go, I will. I can't take it anymore."
Team leader Zhao Yu was also furious. Ignoring everything else, he gave the order…
"Excellent!"
In an instant, all seven moved at once. Wisely, they didn't choose one-on-one fights and instead charged together.
Leading the charge was naturally Zhao Yu, the power attack-type Soul Master whose Martial Soul was a long spear. With a light flick of the spear tip, a cold light shot toward Lin Yang like lightning.
At the same time, the agility-type Soul Master had already turned into an afterimage, flanking from the side.
"The Seven Treasures are named: First, Soul; Second, Power; Third, Speed!"
Beams of light shot out from the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda and accurately landed above each person's head. The 30% amplification greatly enhanced everyone's strength, speed, and soul power.
A dangerous smile appeared on Lin Yang's lips. "You've got guts!"
...