Chapter 186: Control Type Suppressing Agile Attack Type?

Never underestimate the Soul Douluo; the Tian Dou Imperial Family's Soul Douluo‑ranked elites are truly as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. On the surface, the only Soul Douluo are the three councilors of the Tian Dou Royal Academy and the Grand Marshal—Ge Long. Even the hidden Soul Douluo could not number more than a handful.

For this reason, Snow Night Emperor usually turns a blind eye to Prince Snow Star's misdeeds. After all, the royal family's top‑tier combat power is limited. Prince Snow Star can act so recklessly largely because he has brought a Title Douluo‑ranked devotee—Dugubo—to the royal house.

Although Dugubo himself does not admit being a devotee of the Tian Dou Imperial Family, outsiders already regard him as such.

Thus, Snow Night Emperor instantly recognized Yu Tianyun's importance. He thought of binding Yu Tianyun tightly to the Tian Dou Empire's royal war chariot.

Regardless of Yu Tianyun's innate talent, based on the value shown so far, as long as Yu Tianyun is closely linked to the Tian Dou Imperial Family, the family will rise one day.

Putting aside the Soul Douluo‑ranked forces, just the Title Douluo alone would add three more to the Tian Dou Imperial Family! (Those three Title Douluo are Yu Yuanzhen, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong. Snow Night and his allies are unaware that the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect has added two more Title Douluo.) Moreover, Dugubo, who was already close to them, will become even closer to the royal family because of Yu Tianyun.

Although Snow Night Emperor knows that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is working hard to make this happen and has already achieved some results—Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect has begun cooperating with the Tian Dou Imperial Family, no longer staying obstinately neutral, but openly supporting the family.

However, these collaborations are still not solid; the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect could end the partnership at any time. Therefore, Snow Night Emperor wants to do something else to further deepen the ties.

Yu Yuanzhen once said his little grandson is a perpetual flirt, so Snow Night Emperor decided to cater to his taste by sending Yu Tianyun a group of diverse beauties, even his own daughter—Princess Xue Ke—if needed. He's not afraid the target has a hobby; he's afraid he has none, because without a hobby Snow Night Emperor would have no opening.

Thinking of this, Snow Night Emperor felt elated. As for whether Lan Ba Academy truly despises the Tian Dou Royal Academy, he doesn't really care. For a competent emperor, tangible benefits always outweigh face‑saving.

Nevertheless, Snow Night Emperor also understands that these ideas cannot be rushed; such matters must be pursued step by step, lest haste make him appear inferior.

On the other side, Saras frowned, "Weren't we supposed to discuss Lan Ba Academy's strength? Why are we suddenly talking about Yu Yuanzhen's grandson?"

Saras looked at Yu Yuanzhen and couldn't help asking, "Lord Yu, could you tell me how strong your sect's Lan Ba Academy contestants are?"

Saras's remark instantly drew the attention of everyone in the front rows of the VIP seats. Snow Night Emperor didn't mind, but with Saras as the outspoken one asking, he was naturally willing to listen. He then put his thoughts aside and turned to Yu Yuanzhen.

However, Yu Yuanzhen is also selective. He clearly wouldn't give Saras any face. Yu Yuanzhen glanced at Saras, lifted his tea cup and took a sip, then said coolly, "Want to know?"

Saras waited for ages; receiving that line, he felt irritated but dared not erupt. Everyone knows members of the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect have hot tempers; he wouldn't bet that Yu Yuanzhen, in a rage, would execute him on the spot. For the Spirit Hall's Jin Hun Coin, a true Soul Douluo strongman wouldn't foolishly risk his life.

If he were facing Ning Fengzhi, he could trade barbs, but against Yu Yuanzhen he dared not act rashly. So he forced a thin smile and said, "Of course I want to know, and I think everyone here does too. Please, Lord Yu, enlighten us."

Then…

Saras then realized Yu Yuanzhen was staring at him as if he were a fool.

Immediately, Yu Yuanzhen's calm voice sounded again, "Want to know? Then watch the match properly! It's about to start."

"Uh…"

Saras's old face darkened instantly. Yu Yuanzhen had left him speechless, and since the match was indeed about to begin, they would soon learn the strength of the Lan Ba Academy's female participants.

Nevertheless, he was truly angry! He muttered under his breath, "Damn it, this old bastard is too overbearing! Wait, old bastard, when the Soul Hunt operation comes, we'll see if you still swagger."

Seeing Saras being feigned at by Yu Yuanzhen, the others in the VIP seats couldn't help but grin, yet they forced themselves to suppress laughter. After all, Saras represents the Spirit Hall; they are not Yu Yuanzhen and dare not easily offend Saras.

"Cough, cough!" At this moment, Chen Xin could no longer hold back, coughed to relieve his suppressed laughter, thinking, "Didn't expect this old dragon to be so amusing."

Saras immediately looked over, but upon seeing Chen Xin, he wilted again, "This one is also not easy to handle; just wait, the Soul Hunt operation, your Qi Bao Liu Li Sect won't be left out!" Thus, he silently cursed those who mocked him.

Only Ning Fengzhi and Snow Night Emperor kept a normal expression. Both have long held high positions and constantly dealt with major forces, having long mastered the ability to remain unmoved before a mountain collapse. This minor joke wouldn't unsettle them. Afterwards, everyone's attention on the VIP seats returned to the arena.

The chief referee, though seeing Lan Ba Academy's intention, followed the rules and asked aloud, "Lan Ba Academy, what's going on?"

"Nothing, we five will fight their seven," Zhu Zhuyun said calmly, "Referee, start right away!"

"Are you sure you want to do this?" the referee couldn't help asking again, adding, "This is a 7‑vs‑7 team battle!"

In previous continental Elite Soul Master Academy team battles, the format has always been 7‑vs‑7. Although there's no rule forbidding fewer players, no team has ever done this. Each team has substitutes, so even if a main player is unavailable, they can be replaced.

If a team truly lacks players, they usually forfeit. For Lan Ba Academy, which clearly had enough people yet fielded only five, anyone would see it as an insult, and this is the first time such a thing has occurred in the tournament's history.

The referee, though surprised, kept asking mainly due to his own stance; after all, he is loyal to the Tian Dou Empire's royal house, and Lan Ba Academy's actions, in his view, damage the imperial image.

"We are sure!" Zhu Zhuyun's voice rose a bit; she thought the referee was being overly verbose.

"Both sides, prepare. Preliminary round, first match, officially begin," the referee said reluctantly; since they had already declared only five participants, he had to issue the command.

As vice‑captain, Zhu Zhuyun glanced at the Tian Dou Royal Academy members, then raised both hands to her chest and shouted, "Sisters, unleash your martial souls. Spirit Cat, possess you!"

At that moment, both sides almost simultaneously activated their martial souls, and the Soul Rings appeared before everyone's eyes. Instantly, the arena was filled only with gasps.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—five Soul Rings dazzled on Zhu Zhuyun. On her opposite side, Yang Ruolin and Zhu Zhuqing each released two yellow and two purple Soul Rings, four in total.

One strong‑attack type and two agile‑attack type Soul Masters exuded a fierce aura, matching the opponents without inferiority. Bai Chenxiang and Ye Lingling each released two yellow and two purple Soul Rings. All five displayed optimal Soul Ring ratios.

Of course, what shocked and even horrified the audience most was Zhu Zhuyun's fifth Soul Ring.

Black, a color that is normally inconspicuous, yet anyone with a bit of Soul Master knowledge knows what it signifies.

At that moment, not only the audience but also the VIP seats erupted in exclamations. Who could have imagined that in the very first preliminary match they'd witness a ten‑thousand‑year Soul Ring on the stage?

Now they finally understand why Yu Yuanzhen is so confident, and it's not a slight against the Tian Dou Royal Academy's team—indeed it isn't! One Soul King, four Soul Ancestors versus three Soul Sects and four Soul Venerables; that's not a slight at all, it's a great honor!

Snow Night Emperor's eyes glittered, a dazzling light flashing from within as he murmured, "So that's it."

At that moment, he thought that the five Lan Ba Academy contestants—Yu Yuanzhen's granddaughters‑in‑law—were all so outstanding; his little grandson must be even more exceptional. This sparked Snow Night Emperor's deeper interest in Yu Tianyun, whom he now regarded as a potential Title Douluo seed, despite never having met him.

Thus, he resolved even more firmly to win over Yu Tianyun.

Snow Night Emperor could think of this, so others naturally could too. Meanwhile, Prince Snow Star, shocked, furrowed his brows. He had learned from Xue Bing that Xue Bing offended Yu Tianyun, and that Yu Tianyun is now extremely close to Xue Qinghe, which greatly troubled him. If his elder brother—Snow Night Emperor—found out, his days with Xue Bing would become even harder.

And Bishop Saras's pallor turned as grim as possible; his hands on his knees clenched involuntarily, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

But he quickly recovered, hurriedly reining in his emotions, and glanced anxiously at Yu Yuanzhen. Seeing Yu Yuanzhen show no reaction, he let out a soft sigh.

He knew Yu Yuanzhen was still sitting beside him; if his murderous intent were detected, Saras would be in serious trouble.

Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi remained calm, after all they already knew each other's cultivation levels.

Compared with Lan Ba Academy, the originally strong Tian Dou Royal Academy team now seemed mediocre. Though they also had optimal Soul Ring ratios, their cultivation was noticeably lower. After all, the lowest‑cultivation member of Lan Ba Academy, Bai Chenxiang, could match the highest‑cultivation member of theirs, Dai Mubai.

They had initially thought the opponent was short two people and felt a bit relieved, but now they couldn't feel any joy.

Especially Dai Mubai; when he saw the Soul Rings on Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing, his pupils involuntarily contracted and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Seeing Zhu Zhuyun's black fifth Soul Ring made his legs tremble slightly.

But this was a match, essentially a battlefield, and zoning out is the greatest taboo. The first to react, Tang San, shouted, "Boss Dai, stay calm! This is a competition; you can't lose composure."

Dai Mubai inhaled deeply, suppressing his shock and unease, and his gaze steadied.

Behind him, Xiao Wu pursed her lips, "It's just a Soul King, what's there to fear…"

"Xiao Wu!" Tang San turned his head toward Xiao Wu, his gaze serious.

Xiao Wu immediately shut her mouth, but thought internally, "That Boss Dai is such a softie."

Dai Mubai naturally heard Xiao Wu's words; the corner of his mouth twitched, a "well" character appeared on his forehead, showing his irritation. He was annoyed but knew the old rabbit was always like this; with no time to dwell, he forced himself to the front line to face Lan Ba Academy.

White Tiger Guard.

White Tiger Diamond Transformation.

Dai Mubai, as soon as he appeared, unleashed his two major amplification soul skills; the powerful amplification gave him some confidence, and he thought his White Tiger martial soul, being a top‑tier martial soul, would not be instantly taken down by Zhu Zhu Yun's high‑level martial soul Nether Spirit Cat.

Even though Zhu Zhu Yun is a Soul King, Dai Mubai should still be able to hold out for a long time.

When Dai Mubai released his soul skill, Tang San also acted, instantly using his Lan Yin Cao Martial Soul to link all his teammates together. Their remaining five teammates also successively released their martial souls.

Only the Shi brothers, standing at the front and forming a crisscross stance with Dai Mubai, seemed like two copper walls of iron, firmly blocking the rear teammates' bodies, with four Soul Rings shining on them.

However, Zhu Zhu Yun didn't even glance at Dai Mubai or the Shi brothers, because her target was not them at all.

She fixed her sharp gaze through the gap, like a cheetah locking onto prey, staring at the four people behind, and finally locking onto Tang San.

Since the opponent has no support‑type Soul Master, the control‑type Soul Master, as the team's core, naturally becomes the primary target.

Don't wonder why agile‑attack‑type Zhu Zhu Yun would focus on control‑type Tang San, because the control type does not counter agile attack; rather, the agile‑attack type should counter the control type a bit.

Yu Xiao Gang once said that control‑type Soul Masters are the strongest in one‑on‑one fights and even counter agile‑attack types. But that view is completely wrong; how much combat experience can a Great Soul Master actually have?

The control type truly only counters the defense type, because defense‑type Soul Masters have low damage and slow speed. When facing a defense‑type Soul Master, a control‑type Soul Master's control soul skill easily lands, and the defense‑type Soul Master finds it hard to break free from the control.

Control‑type Soul Masters actually have slightly better self‑preservation than support‑type Soul Masters, and control‑type Soul Masters are used the most in team battles, so Zhu Zhu Yun's target naturally is Tang San.

Moreover, she has the highest soul power on our side and possesses Soul King cultivation, so she naturally wants to maximize that advantage; why would she voluntarily face two defense‑type Soul Masters?

Although she is confident she can Break Defense, that would undoubtedly waste her advantage and end up being a thankless effort.

(End of chapter)