A standard team battle allowed only seven members on the field at once.
If Lü Buliang wanted to participate, someone had to be benched. The moment this issue was raised, everyone instinctively turned to Oslo.
"Come on, guys! Why are you all looking at me?" Oslo panicked as he saw everyone's gaze land on him. Turning to his best friend, he protested, "Yufeng! Weren't we always in this together? Why are you siding with Lü Buliang now? We're both agility-type fighters—we've got synergy in battle! You really want to bench me and let him take my place?"
"Of course," Yufeng replied bluntly. "Lü Buliang is two levels higher than you, and his Shadow Martial Soul can function as an agility-type. Not only can he fight alongside me in an agility role, but he also pairs well with Lingling and Yan for control and support. If we don't bench you, then who else?"
"Obviously, we should bench you!" Oslo immediately turned on him, jabbing a finger at his chest. "We're both agility-type Soul Masters and the same level! If we're talking synergy, my Ghost Leopard Martial Soul is a better match with his Shadow Martial Soul! Why should I be the one to sit out instead of you?"
"Because I can fly." Yufeng smirked. "My Wind Bell Bird Martial Soul isn't just fast—it lets me fight in the air, which is a massive advantage for the team."
Oslo opened his mouth, then closed it. He had no counterargument. He turned to Ye Lingling with pleading eyes. "Lingling, don't forget—I'm the one who always protects you during battle. I'm the only one who looks out for your safety first. Are you really okay with benching me?"
Ye Lingling glanced at Lü Buliang and answered coolly, "He can protect me too."
Lü Buliang met her gaze and nodded with a polite smile.
At that moment, Oslo felt utterly betrayed. He had fought so hard to keep Ye Lingling in the team, yet now he was the one getting sidelined?
Seeing his pitiful expression, Lü Buliang patted him sympathetically on the shoulder. "Oslo, don't be upset. Even a pair of old socks or a used tissue has its purpose. Just because you're sitting out this round doesn't mean you're useless. Try to see the bigger picture."
"Screw the bigger picture!" Oslo swatted Lü Buliang's hand away, sulking. "Lü Buliang, I see right through you! You keep secretly training behind our backs, then suddenly surpass us when we're not looking. Every time we fight, you win effortlessly. And not only that—you're so damn violent! Every time we spar, you beat us half to death! You're a smiling devil. Why are you so difficult to deal with?"
Lü Buliang sighed dramatically. "Oslo, if you think I'm difficult, maybe you should reflect on your own choices. Even Lingling, whom I once beat up, gets along with me just fine now."
Oslo turned to look at Ye Lingling. She averted her gaze and said nothing.
"Oslo, let Lü Buliang take this one," Yu Tianheng said. "After the team battle, if we still have enough Soul Power, I'll team up with you for a two-on-two fight."
Oslo hesitated, glancing at Lü Buliang again. After a moment of silence, he sighed in defeat. "Fine. Since you're new, I'll let you have this match. But tomorrow's team battle—I'm playing."
Lü Buliang nodded. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me," Oslo huffed. "This is the Royal Battle Team's first official match. I just want to maximize our chances of winning. With you in the lineup, we have a better shot. Don't mess this up!"
Lü Buliang grinned. "Lose? Not a chance."
With their lineup finalized, the seven fighters placed their hands together in a stacked formation. With fiery determination, they shouted in unison, "Royal Battle Team, victory!"
...
After signing up for their team match, the Royal Battle Team waited in the lounge. Within a minute, they were matched with an opponent.
This was the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena—the largest gathering place for Soul Masters in the empire. But more than that, it was a haven for nobles who loved gambling and blood sports. Even the newcomer division's team battles drew significant attention. Among the spectators were high-ranking noble families, wealthy merchants, and sect leaders scouting for talent.
In District 13, five team battles were scheduled. The Royal Battle Team's match was the third. Since this was a standard team battle, both sides had seven members, and everyone was above rank 30.
Their opponent was a team called Mirror Battle Team—also a newly registered group with an Iron-level team badge. However, their lineup was a textbook combination of agility, control, support, and power.
…
Inside a private viewing box overlooking District 13's battle arenas, the Royal Battle Team reviewed their opponent's data.
"Mirror Battle Team," Yu Tianheng read from the dossier provided by the arena's management. "Their lowest-ranked member is level 37. Their highest is level 39. Every single one of them has optimal Soul Ring configurations. And their Martial Souls… all mirror-related?"
"What the hell? There's no way they're newbies!" Yufeng exclaimed. "Level 37 minimum, optimized Soul Rings, and perfectly synchronized Martial Souls? This Mirror Battle Team was obviously handpicked and assembled by noble families! This isn't just some casual squad—these guys were built to dominate the arena and make money."
"You're absolutely right," Yu Tianheng nodded. "Compared to us, Mirror Battle Team has a level advantage. Their Soul Ring setups match ours, and their Martial Souls are highly synergized. I didn't expect our first match to be against a noble-sponsored squad."
"I thought being a Soul Master was already a prestigious and lucrative career," Lü Buliang mused. "Why would these people work with noble families to make money in the arena?"
"In a way, the success of a Great Spirit Arena determines a city's strength," Yu Tianheng explained. "The empire actively encourages Soul Masters to gather in the capital. Any Soul Master who makes a name for themselves here will attract the empire's attention. Instead of joining the empire as an unknown minor noble, these people aim to build their reputation first—so the empire comes to them. That way, they earn a higher noble title and enjoy better treatment."
Yu Tianheng continued, "The nobles and merchants see this opportunity and invest heavily in forming elite teams. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. The Soul Masters get financial backing and well-matched teammates, increasing their chances of winning. Every victory earns them not just prize money but also fame. Once they're famous, powerful sects will compete to recruit them. At that point, the benefits they receive far exceed what they'd get by immediately becoming minor nobles."
Oslo folded his arms. "So this is why I said ranking up quickly in Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena is way harder than in other cities. The nobles and merchants are rigging the system. And now, we're up against one of their teams."
Yu Tianheng glanced at the dossier again. "From their data, I can tell these guys aren't just strong—they have some seriously weird teamwork. The fact that all seven of them have mirror-based Martial Souls proves it."
Lü Buliang flipped through the dossier himself. Though the information was vague, the listed Martial Souls offered valuable insight.
"Captain," Shi Mo asked, "can we win?"
Yu Tianheng was silent for a moment before his gaze turned resolute. "Why not? We may be at a disadvantage in certain areas, but our Martial Souls are superior. And don't forget—we have Lü Buliang's Shadow Martial Soul and Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia. We have offense. We have healing. Why would we lose?"
"Exactly," Dugu Yan added. "This is the Royal Battle Team's first official match. We have to win."
Oslo, though benched, still felt a surge of team spirit. "Lü Buliang, you've been quiet. You usually have a speech for everything. Don't you have something to say to inspire us?"
Lü Buliang set the dossier down and pointed to one of the data sheets. "Look at this. Mirror Battle Team's captain—rank 39 Power Attack Soul Elder. Martial Soul: Mirror Shadow Dragon."
His expression grew serious.
"I remember Dean Zhulin mentioning this before. The Mirror Shadow Dragon is an ancient-bloodline Beast Martial Soul with both spatial and shadow attributes. It can move between shadows and manipulate reflections like a second reality."
Lü Buliang narrowed his eyes.
"This match… might be tougher than we thought."
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