"Tianheng, don't be careless. I just received information that Shen An has broken through to the Soul Elder level. He will temporarily form a team to face you all tonight."
A middle-aged man walked in from the door, and the seven people in the room immediately stood up. This was the second youngest Soul Emperor registered with the Spirit Hall, and also their teacher.
The middle-aged man was named Qin Ming, a 34-year-old Soul Emperor, and the goal of every member of the Imperial Combat Team.
Yu Tianheng's eyes flashed with hidden anger: "Teacher Qin, are you saying that just because he formed a temporary team, he thinks he can defeat us?"
"What does he take us for, a baby team? That's way too arrogant!"
Qin Ming's eyes flickered: "Indeed, but you must not be careless. Shen An is a true genius."
Dugu Yan chuckled: "Teacher Qin, even a genius can't match us just after reaching the Soul Elder level. Not to mention Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, he probably can't even withstand my first soul skill."
Qin Ming snorted coldly: "Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit. As the vice-captain, how can you be so careless?"
Dugu Yan stuck out her tongue and didn't dare to speak anymore. Qin Ming was not only their teacher but also the goal they were chasing.
Qin Ming said seriously: "As your teacher, I must remind you that Shen An's second soul ring is a thousand-year one. That means you are facing a Soul Elder with one yellow and two purple soul rings!"
"What? One yellow and two purple!"
Yu Tianheng and the other six looked at Qin Ming in disbelief. Everyone in the soul master world knew that the best configuration for a Soul Elder was two yellow and one purple soul rings. But this Shen An had actually broken this limit, which was shocking.
"Being able to absorb a soul ring beyond the normal limits means his martial soul quality is definitely not below mine. No wonder he's called the most powerful soul master," Yu Tianheng murmured.
"Just be mentally prepared. It's just a higher soul ring age. You have an absolute advantage in soul power and perfect teamwork. The team battle won't be a problem."
"Alright, take the afternoon off and prepare for tonight's battle."
As soon as Qin Ming finished speaking, he left. To be honest, he was also surprised by Shen An's soul ring age, but team battles in the Spirit Arena focused more on teamwork, which couldn't be compensated by individual strength alone.
He still had absolute confidence in his Emperor Team.
Yu Tianheng's eyes flickered as he watched Qin Ming's departing figure. Just a team battle? That's not what I want. Even in a one-on-one battle, I will defeat him decisively.
I will prove that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul is the strongest.
---
Shen An and Pang Tao had agreed to participate in the Spirit Arena battle at night, so he wasn't in a hurry. He was leisurely watching Tom teach Ye Zi how to make milk tea in a teahouse.
Ye Zi was watching Tom with a serious expression. Tom was wearing a scholar's hat and holding a long pointer, pointing at a blackboard filled with various milk tea recipes.
Ye Zi felt both confused and impressed: "Wow~ So amazing, Teacher Cat. I will study hard."
Ye Zi bowed seriously to Tom, who immediately felt a sense of accomplishment, looking every bit like a good teacher as he pointed here and there.
Shen An found it hilarious, remembering an episode of Tom and Jerry where Tom did the same thing. Once Tom finished teaching Ye Zi, he could completely step back and let her handle things.
Tom was completely immersed in teaching until he noticed Ye Zi dozing off. Instantly, he wiped his face with his white glove, his expression turning stern as he banged on the blackboard, startling Ye Zi awake.
Ye Zi timidly raised her hand: "Sorry, Mr. Cat, I can't read. Could you draw pictures instead?"
Tom's stern expression turned into an awkward smile. He had assumed everyone could read, after all, even a cat like him could.
"Alright, Tom, we're running out of ingredients in the teahouse. Go buy some more, the usual place. I'll take over teaching Ye Zi."
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had gone out to play. For Zhu Zhuqing, this was a rare moment of relaxation. Since Ye Zi wasn't familiar with the area, Shen An had no choice but to send Tom on the errand.
Tom reluctantly put down his pointer, placed his scholar's hat on Shen An's head, and went out to buy the ingredients.
The milk tea recipes were something Tom and Shen An had developed together, so Tom knew exactly where to go. He just needed to bring the money.
-----
"This bracelet is quite pretty, the emerald green color. Don't you think it suits my style?" Dugu Yan said to Ye Lingling, who had long, waterfall-like blue hair and was dressed in black.
"Huh? Lingling, why aren't you responding? Too aloof, aren't you?" Dugu Yan was slightly annoyed. Ye Lingling was always mysterious, and now that they were out shopping, she still wasn't engaging.
Ye Lingling was staring straight ahead, her deep blue eyes showing a rare look of surprise.
She raised her arm and pointed to the right front: "Yanzi, look, how is that cat walking upright? And it's carrying so many things."
Dugu Yan followed Ye Lingling's gaze and her jaw dropped. A blue-furred cat was walking unsteadily, carrying a bunch of items.
Dugu Yan's emerald green eyes sparkled with delight. This cat was just too adorable.
"Let's go, Lingling, follow it. This cat can carry things, so it must have an owner. I want to buy it," Dugu Yan said excitedly, putting down the bracelet.
"But it already has an owner. Isn't it wrong to separate them?" Ye Lingling hesitated.
"Oh, come on, as long as the price is right, the owner will be happy, and so will I. Everyone wins," Dugu Yan said nonchalantly. Whether the owner would sell was something she hadn't considered.
After all, her grandfather was a Titled Douluo and very protective. She had never failed to get what she wanted.
So, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling followed the wobbly Tom to the teahouse.
Dugu Yan strode in confidently. As soon as she entered, a paw tapped her shoulder. She turned around to see an upside-down cat making a face at her.
"Bleh!"
"Ahhh!" Ye Lingling, startled, cried out and stumbled back, losing her balance and falling to the ground.
But Dugu Yan wasn't scared; instead, she was thrilled. What an interesting cat. I must have it.
Her fair hands freely pinched Tom's cheeks, twisting and turning, making it impossible for Tom to keep his grip on the ceiling. The cat fell down.
Using Dugu Yan's hand as a pivot, Tom spun around in a circle.
Dugu Yan, startled, let go. Tom kept spinning in the air before realizing he had no support and landed with a thud.
Dugu Yan, seeing Shen An making milk tea at the counter, said excitedly, "Are you this cat's owner? I want to buy it. Name your price, and I won't haggle."
Shen An looked oddly at Dugu Yan, then at Tom, who shrugged helplessly. He thought,
'Is Tom some kind of femme fatale? Every woman seems to want him. And this girl's arrogant demeanor is just like Ning Rongrong's back then.'
"Ahem, sorry, the cat's not for sale."