Chapter 155

Wang Yan said in a low voice:

"I originally thought there was nothing worth noting, but when I reviewed all the previous matches of the Ri Yue Di Guo Soul Master Academy, I suddenly noticed something off about them."

Xu San Shi frowned and said, "What's off about it? I think their participation rate isn't high either; probably the main team is afraid these two kids will hold them back."

Wang Yan explained seriously:

"Shi's words also make sense; if our main team were full, Wang Dong and Zhou Sichen wouldn't get many chances to play. But have you considered that, aside from Meng Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen, who is both a reserve team member and the reserve team captain, could really have such a low appearance rate?"

One sentence awakened the dreamers, and everyone suddenly came to their senses.

Indeed, saying that makes it too abnormal.

In many matches during the early stage of this competition, the Ri Yue Di Guo Soul Master Academy's performance was not as eye-catching as Shilake Academy's, because they repeatedly sent reserve team members to substitute for main team members in the early round-robin.

However, unlike Shilake Academy's reluctant move, their action was mostly to prepare for later matches.

Having reserve team members stand in for main team members in battle not only lets them practice in advance for the next competition, but also effectively hides the main team's information; it is a tactic favored by most academies with some strength.

Therefore, during the competition, sending out reserve team members to hide strength when facing much weaker teams has become a common method, and it is not unheard of for weaker teams to exploit the arrogance of stronger teams to achieve an upset victory.

As a top-tier strong team, the Ri Yue Di Guo Soul Master Academy has a high appearance rate for its reserve team members, after all, even if a reserve member makes a mistake, the formidable main team members can help them recover the situation.

This would normally be quite normal, but against this backdrop, the absurdly low appearance rates of Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen seem very strange.

If they were merely ordinary reserve members, it would be fine, but the problem is that Xiao Hongchen is the reserve team captain, obviously the strongest among them, yet his appearance rate is even lower than that of an ordinary reserve member, which is clearly unreasonable.

Wang Yan said in a low voice:

"Moreover, look at Xiao Hongchen's few appearance records—they are basically against opponents far weaker than him, so his strength cannot be displayed; this guy is definitely hiding his cards."

Saying this, he reminded: "Right, do you still remember when we ran into the Ri Yue Di Guo Soul Master Academy while going downstairs to eat lunch the day before yesterday? Think about it—Xiao Hongchen stood in second place, just after the main team captain Ma Rulong; even if he is the reserve team captain, that is highly abnormal. Normally, a reserve team captain, no matter how high their status, should be placed after the main team's vice-captain. Moreover, when he spoke, the other members, though their eyes showed dissatisfaction, none dared to interrupt him, clearly indicating he holds an extraordinary position in the team, something a mere reserve team captain's identity could not confer."

After Wang Yan's reminder, everyone recalled the scene and, upon careful thought, found that what Wang Yan said was indeed correct.

In the entire confrontation, aside from Meng Hongchen, as his sister, quietly whispering a sentence to Xiao Hongchen, other team members, although some showed displeasure, none dared to interject.

The Soul Master World has always revered strength, and this is even more true among competing teams; Xiao Hongchen can make numerous proud and arrogant participants dare to be angry but not speak out, perhaps due to his identity, but his strength factor absolutely cannot be ignored.

Dai Yaoheng frowned and asked, "So, Teacher, do you mean that person is the second strongest in the Ri Yue Di Guo Soul Master Academy?"

Upon saying that, he felt it somewhat surreal in his heart; Xiao Hongchen, a reserve team member, being stronger than several main team members is truly against common sense.

Wang Yan shook his head. "I can't say, given the lack of information about them; I can only confirm they will definitely appear formally in the finals and then give us a big surprise. As for how strong their actual ability is, I also can't say, but I need to remind you, Dai Yaoheng, a preparatory-team member who can rank second in strength among the main team at their age is a genius, and we have one too."

Upon hearing Wang Yan say that, Dai Yaoheng felt a sudden chill.

Yes, we also have similar talents on our side; Huo Yutong is a nearby example.

One could say that even if all of Shilake Academy's main team members were present, the combination of Huo Yutong and Tang Wulin would certainly advance to the finals, and these two prodigies joining forces are truly stronger than that Soul Emperor–level captain.

As for these two children's current ages, one is only twelve, and the other is even just ten.

If they can possess such strength, then the older Hongchen siblings might not be incapable either, after all, talent is not exclusive to Shilake Academy; the Ri Yue Di Guo also has its own geniuses.

Dai Yaoheng, convinced, asked:

"Teacher Wang, do you think there's anything else about this brother-sister pair we need to pay special attention to?"

"Almost nothing." Wang Yan sighed, "The Ri Yue Di Guo Soul Master Academy indeed hides its cards deeply; even if it weren't for Xiao Hongchen's provocation two days ago, I might not have guessed that that person is their trump card."

Bei Bei's eyes lit up, and he immediately grasped the key point.

"'Almost none'? That means there is still something."

If Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen truly are talents matching Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong, then their information is of utmost importance.

Even if it is merely a superficial piece of information that seems unrelated, it could directly affect the outcome of the match.

"Well, although it's just speculation." Wang Yan said solemnly, "I suspect they have a Soul Fusion Technique; you must be careful when they release their Soul Fusion Technique, for if they possess one, it would absolutely be a terrifying skill capable of threatening Yaoheng."

Everyone looked at each other, and suddenly everything became clear.

Exactly, when talking about what trump cards siblings might have, the first thing that comes to mind is a Soul Fusion Technique.

Shilake Academy also has such a pair, and they are even in the same year as Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong—namely, the twin sisters Lan Ruoruo and Lan Susu.

Their Soul Fusion Technique left a deep impression on Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong, and even their attempt at performing a Soul Fusion was inspired by that sister pair.

The power of a Soul Fusion Technique varies with the degree of fusion, but no matter what, one plus one being greater than two is inevitable.

If this brother-sister pair could have Soul King–level strength, then their Soul Fusion Technique would very likely approach the level of a Soul Saint.

(End of chapter)