Chapter 184: The Pressure on the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One?" Upon hearing that the opponent was the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One, the women of Lan Ba Academy couldn't help but wear strange expressions.

"It can't be that coincidental, can it?" Duguyan frowned slightly, his tone full of doubt.

"It's definitely not a coincidence; there's definitely something fishy." Ning Rongrong said angrily, a flash of anger appearing on her delicate face.

"It was probably Saras who deliberately sowed discord between the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire. Still, we'll meet eventually, and the Snow Night Emperor shouldn't be so easily provoked." Zhu Zhu Yun added from beside, her elegant brows slightly furrowed, a thoughtful look in her eyes.

They all generally have impressive backgrounds and roughly understand the conflicts among the Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire, and the Upper Three Sects, and they strongly agreed with Zhu Zhu Yun's words.

"Whatever! As long as we keep winning, that's all that matters." Duguyan didn't think too much; such petty tricks meant nothing to them. He then turned his head to Ye Lingling and said, "Lingling, you go first in this opening match; after all, they were once our teammates, so if you accidentally hurt them, you can treat them in time."

"Mm." Ye Lingling nodded slightly, a trace of determination flashing in her clear eyes, then looked at Ning Rongrong and said, "Rongrong, I'll go first."

"Sister Lingling, you go. There are plenty of matches later, and there will be a time when I show up." Ning Rongrong linked arms with Ye Lingling, smiling.

"Alright, the first match of the first round of the preliminaries is about to start: the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One versus the Lan Ba Academy team. All competing students, please exit. The two teams about to compete, prepare yourselves; the match will officially begin in one hour." At this moment, Saras's voice came through the amplified Soul Conductor.

Then all the competing teams returned to the rest area. Although they had no matches today, they still stayed, intending to closely observe the two teams' battles, gauge their strength, and be prepared when they face them.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the other side for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One grew rather solemn.

"Damn, this is clearly cheating." Yu Xiao Gang's expression darkened; while introducing the Lan Ba Academy, he had already seen Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhu Yun, and Ning Rongrong. Though he didn't spot his nephew Yu Tianyun, he suspected Yu Tianyun was also in the Lan Ba Academy's lineup.

"Xiao Gang, keep your voice down. The walls have ears! We can't afford to offend the Spirit Hall." Fland hurriedly warned, secretly relieved, "Luckily we're in a private room."

Because the Heaven Dou Royal Academy symbolizes the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family, its treatment naturally differs from ordinary academies, and it does not rest in the rest area.

The reason people from Shilake joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was that Qin Ming, leading the restructured Royal Dou Battle Team to Soto City's Great Dou Soul Arena for a Dou Soul competition, deliberately visited Shilake Xueyuan to see Fland and others.

After learning about Shilake Xueyuan's situation, Qin Ming extended an invitation, and Yu Xiao Gang immediately accepted on behalf of Fland.

When the Shilake party arrived at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, they faced no obstruction or provocation from Snow Avalanche and others as in the original timeline, and they joined the academy smoothly.

This is because Snow Avalanche, after being brutally beaten by Yu Tianyun once, developed a psychological scar; he no longer dares to lurk at the entrance of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and can't even lift his 'head'.

Yu Xiao Gang clenched his fists, his face still grim, but he ultimately refrained from further insults.

"Lan Ba Academy? A student of Er Long Mei?..." Seeing Yu Xiao Gang fall silent, Fland's attention clearly shifted elsewhere, muttering to himself.

At this moment, Yu Xiao Gang stared at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One before him, his expression extremely solemn. The team now had nine members: four former members of the Royal Dou Battle Team and five from Shilake Xueyuan.

The current members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One are: Captain: Dai Mubai, martial soul: White Tiger, Level 41 Strong Attack-type Battle Soul Master; Vice‑captain: Tang San, martial soul: Blue Silver Grass, Level 36 Control-type Battle Soul Master; Member: Shi Mo, martial soul: Mystic Tortoise, Level 41 Defense-type Battle Soul Master; Member: Shi Mo, martial soul: Mystic Tortoise, Level 41 Defense-type Battle Soul Master; Member: Yu Feng, martial soul: Wind Chime Bird, Level 39 Agile Attack-type Battle Soul Master; Member: Ao Si Luo, martial soul: Ghost Leopard, Level 39 Agile Attack-type Battle Soul Master; Member: Xiao Wu, martial soul: Soft Bone Enchanting Rabbit, Level 37 Strong Attack-type Battle Soul Master; Member: Oscar, martial soul: Sausage, Level 35 Food-type Vessel Soul Master; Member: Ma Hongjun, martial soul: Evil Fire Phoenix, Level 34 Strong Attack-type Battle Soul Master.

Though this strength is formidable, Yu Xiao Gang lost all confidence as soon as he thought of his nephew.

Yu Xiao Gang considered abandoning the match, but this was only the first round, and they represented the face of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family. Though he had left his clan, abandoning the opening match would give others a pretext, making them think he favored the Lan Ba Academy, tarnishing his family's reputation and causing him to be misunderstood by the world.

Yu Xiao Gang's mood was extremely conflicted; seeing the students staring at him, he hesitated briefly, then said gravely, "I think you all know your first opponent is strong. You basically have no chance of winning. You now have two options."

After a pause, Yu Xiao Gang said bitterly, "First, you can preserve your strength and field at most two Soul Ancestors. After all, the top six teams in preliminary points advance to the promotion matches and finals; with your strength you'll definitely get in. Second, you can send your full main lineup, but your chance of winning will still be low and your strength will be fully exposed. I personally recommend the first option."

In Yu Xiao Gang's view, this match was a certain loss, so there was no need to reveal all strength; losing one match wouldn't matter.

At this moment, the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team One glanced at each other; they each knew, to varying degrees, information about the Lan Ba Academy participants.

The original Royal Dou Battle Team members knew Duguyan's terrifying power, and several from Shilake also knew how frighteningly strong Yu Tianyun was.

After hearing Yu Xiao Gang's words, they fell into contemplation.

Dai Mubai and Tang San exchanged a glance, and both remained silent.

Beside them, Ma Hongjun couldn't help but say, "Why don't we just give up; either side we can't beat."

Oscar sneered at him, "Fatty, are you a pig brain? We represent the royal family's face; losing the first match, where do you put the royal face?"

"So getting beaten up is comfortable for you?" Ma Hongjun retorted.

Oscar shook his head, sighed, and didn't want to talk to such a fool.

Dai Mubai looked at Tang San and asked, "Xiao San, what do you think? You're the core of the team, so the decision is yours." Tang San frowned slightly, pondered, then said slowly, "The teacher's analysis has some merit; our chance of winning this match is indeed small. But abandoning outright or preserving strength could also bring negative effects. First, this is the first preliminary match; we represent the royal family, and showing excessive cowardice could damage the royal reputation. Second, we only have a rough understanding of Lan Ba Academy's strength, which may not mean we have no chance at all."

Oscar nodded beside them, agreeing, "I think Xiao San is right; we can't be cowardly before the battle. Even if we lose, we shouldn't lose disgracefully; we must show the audience our fighting spirit and strength."

Ma Hongjun scratched his head and said, "But they're really strong. I haven't met Duguyan, but from what Yu Feng said, she became a Soul King two years ago; her poison isn't a joke, and also…"

At this point, Ma Hongjun's voice grew weaker, "And Yu Tianyun—you all know how formidable he is; now he's definitely even stronger."

Xiao Wu let out a light hum, "What's there to fear? We're not lacking. We have San Ge's control, Dai's strong attack, Shi Mo and Shi Mo's defense, plus Oscar's sausage support; we might not lose."

When Dai Mubai heard Yu Tianyun, he recalled his fiancée being taken away by him and now in Lan Ba Academy; a fierce fire rose in his chest, his eyes flashing coldly, and he declared magnanimously, "Exactly, we must not retreat. Even if we lose, we must display our style."

Tang San, remembering Yu Tianyun, felt a hidden resentment and said again, "Since everyone has decided to fight, we'll go out with the strongest lineup."

Then Tang San's gaze turned to Yu Xiao Gang, who had been watching him, and he said firmly, "Teacher, we understand both scenarios you described, but we are unwilling to concede easily. If we can't even get past this hurdle, how can we talk about winning the championship? So we will not only fight, we will bring our full strength to the battle."

Yu Xiao Gang now understood that if they could defeat Lan Ba Academy, they might have a chance at the final championship. But if they cowered before the fight, they would already lose momentum when facing Lan Ba Academy again.

Moreover, a match against Lan Ba Academy is essentially the final, and even the Spirit Hall's team might not be stronger than Lan Ba Academy.

So he nodded slightly and said, "Then tell me, how do you plan to arrange it?"

Tang San glanced at everyone and said gravely, "Naturally we'll select combatants based on soul power levels: me, Mubai, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Yu Feng, Ao Si Luo, and Oscar."

"Third Brother, I also want to fight." At this moment, Xiao Wu lightly covered her chest's Soul Conductor with one hand, looking at Tang San with a pleading tone.

That Soul Conductor was given to her a few days earlier when Tang Hao suddenly appeared, revealed his identity, and presented it. It is said to be something Tang San's mother wore before reaching maturity, capable of masking the aura of a transformed spirit beast.

Xiao Wu was terrified at the time; she hadn't expected that at six years old she was already being watched, and cold sweat instantly soaked her back.

Yet when she thought of all the moments with Tang San, she felt Tang Hao bore no ill will. Moreover, Tang Hao had let her temporarily leave Tang San and return to the Star Dou Great Forest, which reassured her that he had no ulterior motives. She believed that if Tang Hao had any designs on her Soul Ring or soul bone, he wouldn't have let her leave Tang San.

So Xiao Wu refused Tang Hao's "kindness" and resolutely stayed by Tang San's side. In the end, Tang Hao, helplessly, took out a Soul Conductor that A Yin had once used, gave it to Xiao Wu, and recounted his and A Yin's story, moving Xiao Wu deeply.

Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. Xiao Wu's soul power was only Level 37; aside from himself and Oscar, everyone else had higher levels. He himself was the sole Control-type Battle Soul Master, unlikely to give Xiao Wu a spot, and Oscar was the only support-type Battle Soul Master, so he didn't want Xiao Wu to fight.

Thus, Tang San said gently, "Xiao Wu, Lan Ba Academy is very strong; I'm afraid you might get injured."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Wu stubbornly shook her head, "Third Brother, I'm not afraid of injury. I want to contribute to our team, and I'm confident I can handle them. Besides, my soul power level is higher than Little Oscar's; his soul skill's support may not be better than adding another Battle Soul Master."

Seeing Xiao Wu's determined gaze, Tang San felt a bit wavering, thinking, "Oscar isn't a regular support-type Battle Soul Master; his soul skill boost is minimal. The big sausage only restores a certain state, not very useful in a match. The small sausage is almost useless, and Flying Mushroom Intestine only works against specific opponents and drains soul power heavily; perhaps it's truly less effective than Xiao Wu."

So Tang San cast an awkward glance at Oscar, the meaning obvious.

Oscar instantly understood, feeling a slight discomfort; after all, he was an unprecedented innate full-soul-power food-type prodigy with his own pride. Tang San's gaze clearly thought he was less useful than Xiao Wu, but then he considered Yu Tianyun's terrifying strength, thinking perhaps not fighting was still a good choice.

Oscar smiled and said, "Xiao San, since Xiao Wu is confident, let her take the field; I'll step in later."

Tang San forced out a grateful smile, glanced at Oscar, then said to Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, you must be careful. Let's work together, fight for our honor, and defeat those who stand in our way."

Xiao Wu's face lit up with a brilliant smile as she took Tang San's hand, excitedly saying, "Don't worry, San Ge. We will definitely win, and let the people of Blue Overlord Academy know our strength."

Yu Xiao Gang had no objection to Xiao Wu taking Oscar off the field; after all, Oscar's soul skill sometimes produces miraculous effects, but more often it seems useless, and replacing him with Xiao Wu would instead allow more stable performance.

Of course, he wouldn't directly say such words, but instead encouraged, "Xiao Ao, don't overthink; your soul skill is still useful, it can be effective in certain situations, not letting you play now is to keep you hidden, only at the most appropriate time can you exert greater effect."

Oscar forced a smile and said, "Master, I understand, you don't need to worry."

Yu Xiao Gang gave a slight nod, then said no more.

Afterwards, the seven of them who were to go into battle, Tang San and the others, began to eagerly discuss tactics.

An hour passed quickly, and the Heavenly Fight Royal Academy's first team and the girls of Blue Overlord Academy, led by the staff, began to enter the field. At this moment, the atmosphere on the field was tense and solemn, with everyone anticipating this intense match.

(End of chapter)