Liuying's combat style is bold and unrestrained, prioritizing efficiency.
While others, to varying degrees, hold back out of consideration for their teammates, even Xue Nu and Gu Yuena do the same, Liuying has no such concept.
Her focus is solely on the target, ignoring everything else.
Only Liuxing can make her show any restraint.
Of course, this trait has been tempered significantly over the past month of training.
Therefore, Elder Ma is very grateful that Xiao Hongchen declined the position of team captain.
Otherwise, his role as captain might have been in name only.
It's truly hard to keep these people in check!
Every member of the reserve team is strong-willed and has a distinct personal style.
It's only thanks to Liuxing that they've been able to come together, barely forming a cohesive unit.
At least on the surface, they now look like a team.
...
At the training grounds of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Liuxing and the others were in the midst of training.
Liuxing stood to the side, observing his teammates as they sparred in pairs.
Xiao Hongchen was being thoroughly beaten by Liuying.
His ability to control metal and manipulate soul tools was completely countered by Liuying's Ultimate Fire.
If Liuying hadn't been holding back, Xiao Hongchen would already be lying on the ground.
Xue Nu was also sparring with Meng Hongchen.
Both possessed ice attributes, but Xue Nu's Ultimate Ice perfectly suppressed Meng Hongchen.
Additionally, Meng Hongchen's Ice Toad Poison had no effect on Xue Nu.
Like her brother, she was struggling, her face flushed with frustration.
Meanwhile, the match between Gu Yuena and Ye Guyi was much more evenly matched.
The Silver Dragon Spear clashed with Ye Guyi's Angelic Holy Sword, sending sword beams and spear lights flying in all directions.
Elder Ma, who had just arrived at the training grounds, nodded in satisfaction.
He wasn't sure if this year's main team could defeat Shrek Academy, but he was certain that in the next tournament, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy would emerge victorious.
"Alright, everyone, stop training and gather here," Elder Ma clapped his hands and called out.
As soon as he spoke, everyone stopped what they were doing. Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen breathed a sigh of relief.
Being so thoroughly countered was torture, and continuing would have been pure misery.
"You've all performed very well during this period. I've seen your hard work and progress. Training ends here for now. Follow me," Elder Ma first praised the group, then led them away from the training grounds and deeper into the soul tool research area.
Soon, they arrived at the center of the testing zone.
A building that looked unremarkable on the outside but was located at the heart of the soul tool testing zone came into view.
At the entrance of this building stood a well-equipped squad of soul engineers.
From their auras, Liuxing sensed danger.
To give him such a feeling, they had to be at least Soul Sages.
In other words, this was a squad of at least Level 7 soul engineers.
Located at the core of the testing zone, guarded by high-level soul engineers, Liuxing glanced at Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
Meng Hongchen blinked at him, and Liuxing understood.
This was undoubtedly the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
Only the Illustrious Virtue Hall could warrant such treatment, with high-level soul engineers serving as guards.
Although the Illustrious Virtue Hall was a sacred place for all soul engineers in the Sun Moon Empire, unfortunately, none of the seven members of Liuxing's team were pure soul engineers or had any particular reverence for it.
They didn't feel that entering this place was some great honor.
At the same time, Elder Ma stepped forward and took out a golden token engraved with sun and moon patterns.
The guard at the entrance took the token and inserted it into a detection soul tool.
"Ding! Elder Token."
A mechanical voice sounded, and the guard retrieved the token, respectfully handing it back to Elder Ma.
With Elder Ma leading the way, they easily passed through the inspection and entered the building.
After passing through several more checkpoints, they finally officially entered the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
Under Elder Ma's guidance, they took a soul tool elevator straight to an underground training field.
When Liuxing and the others arrived at the underground training field, there were already people training inside.
Like Liuxing's team, there were seven of them.
Judging by their uniforms and mature appearances, it was clear that they were the main team representing the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in this year's tournament.
"Elder Ma, you're back?"
"The ones behind Elder Ma must be the reserve team juniors and sisters, right?"
"I heard they're incredibly strong this year, the strongest reserve team in the history of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy!"
"Those junior sisters look quite pretty, but are they really as strong as you say?"
"Hmph! No matter how strong they are, can they be stronger than me?"
"..."
While Liuxing was observing the main team members, they were also discussing the reserve team.
The seven of them chatted back and forth, not bothering to lower their voices.
Their conversation echoed clearly throughout the training field.
Hearing their comments, whether it was Xue Nu, Gu Yuena, or Liuxing, they all frowned slightly.
In Liuxing's eyes, only the leader of the main team was worth noting.
The others were merely there because their age happened to fit the requirements. Many of them couldn't even defeat Xiao Hongchen or Meng Hongchen.
Who gave them the confidence to comment so freely?
Xiao Hongchen also felt disdainful. Compared to Liuxing, he was more familiar with these main team members.
In his opinion, apart from the captain, Ma Rulong, the rest were just fillers.
If it weren't for the fact that the reserve team was too young, these people wouldn't even have made the main team.
Although he felt disdainful, Xiao Hongchen, who had tempered his arrogance, didn't show it.
After all, they were future teammates who would represent the academy together in the tournament.
It was necessary to save some face for them.
"Quiet!"
Elder Ma frowned and barked sternly.
As soon as he spoke, the main team members immediately fell silent.
The entire underground training room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"Now, there is only one month left before the start of the new Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament. I believe you've all guessed it, yes, the fourteen of you are the main and reserve teams for this year's competition. Starting today, the two teams will train together."
"First, to let you get to know each other, and second, to allow both teams to adapt. Because no one knows what unexpected situations might arise during the competition, the reserve team may also have to step in."
Elder Ma turned to Liuxing and the others and said, "This time, you will participate as the reserve team, supporting the main team. When facing weaker opponents, you will be the ones to take the stage. This will help better conceal the identities and strengths of our main team members."
"Elder Ma, if these are the main team members, then with all due respect, they're not up to the task. Let us handle the matches instead."
Gu Yuena took a step forward, lifting her chin.
Her voice was clear and melodious, like the sound of heavenly music, but it plunged the entire underground training field into dead silence.
Liuxing's mouth twitched. He had known that the main team's earlier comments would provoke someone. Gu Yuena's provocation was within his expectations.
"What did you say?"
"Who are you saying isn't up to the task?"
"Don't think just because you're a girl, you can provoke us so brazenly."
"This is too much. I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"
After the silence came an eruption of anger like a volcano.
No one could tolerate Gu Yuena's provocation. What did she mean by saying they weren't up to the task?
Weren't they all geniuses? Weren't they all elites handpicked from tens of thousands of students at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been selected as main team members to represent the academy.
Two of the main team members, visibly furious, stepped forward toward Gu Yuena, clearly intending to take action.
Liuxing's figure flashed, and he instantly positioned himself in front of Gu Yuena.
A cold aura emanated from him, pressing down on the two main team members.
At the same time, Liuying, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Xue Nu, and Ye Guyi also stepped forward, their eyes locked on the two hot-tempered main team members who were ready to fight at the slightest provocation.
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, with tensions reaching a boiling point—
"Stop!"
A tall, burly young man with short hair and a face that bore a five or six out of ten resemblance to Elder Ma roared, stopping the other main team members who were also preparing to step forward.
"Captain!"
"Captain, they—"
Captain Ma Rulong clearly held significant authority among the main team members.
Despite their burning anger, the main team members stopped and looked at Ma Rulong.
"Li Yan, Michael, come back!"
Ma Rulong barked a command, and the two furious main team members, though visibly resentful, glanced at Gu Yuena a few more times before reluctantly obeying their captain and returning to the main team.
Ma Rulong turned to Gu Yuena and said sternly, "My team members were rude first, and I apologize on their behalf. But whether we are competent or not is not for you to judge. You will need to pay for your words."
Ma Rulong knew that his team members were indeed at fault for criticizing the reserve team, but that didn't give Gu Yuena the right to insult them.
As the captain of the main team, he needed to make sure Gu Yuena paid the price for her reckless words.
Gu Yuena sneered, curious to see how the other side would make her pay.
Aside from the main team captain, she didn't take any of the other main team members seriously. In reality she didn't even take him seriously.
Liuxing grabbed Gu Yuena's hand to prevent her from saying anything more provocative.
Gu Yuena's prideful nature had already caused trouble when the main team members criticized them.
Even if Gu Yuena hadn't provoked them, either Xue Nu or Xiao Hongchen would have stirred things up.
Although Liuxing also looked down on the main team members, they were still seniors from the same academy, and from a standpoint, they were comrades.
He didn't want to escalate the conflict further.
Similarly, Ma Rulong, the main team captain, also restrained his team members to prevent the situation from worsening.
Old Ma raised his tobacco pipe, took a deep puff, and watched coldly without intervening.
In the past, such conflicts between the main team and the reserve team were rare because the age and cultivation gap between them was too large.
This was the first time he had seen the reserve team provoke the main team.
However, every student present was headstrong.
If he forcefully suppressed the matter, it might temporarily resolve the issue, but it would remain a hidden problem.
Moreover, he wanted to see how Liuxing and Ma Rulong, the two captains, would handle the situation.
"I am the reserve team captain, Liuxing. What price do you want my team member to pay?"
Liuxing held Gu Yuena's hand to prevent her from further provocation and looked at Ma Rulong, speaking in a deep voice.
Ma Rulong's pupils contracted slightly as he glanced at Xiao Hongchen.
He had originally thought Xiao Hongchen was the reserve team captain.
He knew Xiao Hongchen, as they were both members of the Illustrious Virtue Hall and often crossed paths.
He was well aware of Xiao Hongchen's strength and pride, and even he didn't dare to underestimate him.
Yet, such a proud and powerful figure like Xiao Hongchen wasn't the captain?
Ma Rulong gave Liuxing a deep look and said solemnly, "Ma Rulong, captain of the main team. Since your team member looks down on us, let's settle this with strength."
"Are you saying we should fight?"
Liuxing narrowed his eyes.
"Let your team member and mine have a fair one-on-one duel. Let me see what gives her the confidence to say such things!"
Ma Rulong nodded. Although this might seem like bullying, since his team members were around eighteen or nineteen years old, all at least Soul King level, while the reserve team members were clearly much younger and likely not as strong, a one-on-one duel would be unfair.
"Fine, let's fight."
Before Liuxing could respond, Gu Yuena pulled her hand free from his grip and fearlessly looked at Ma Rulong.
Hearing this, Ma Rulong was somewhat impressed by Gu Yuena.
Though her words were harsh, at least she had courage.
"Good, a fair one-on-one fight. Regardless of the outcome, this matter ends here."
Ma Rulong looked at his team members.
"Alright, we'll follow the captain's orders."
The main team members thought it over.
This way, they could teach the disrespectful girl a lesson without escalating the situation.
After all, they were seniors, and it wouldn't be good to bully the juniors too much.
"In that case, why not have a full team duel? One-on-one, seven matches."
Liuxing's eyes burned as he looked at Ma Rulong.
Ma Rulong, hearing this, gave Liuxing a deep look.
"That's fine. A fight is better than any training. It will help you understand each other better."
Old Ma finally spoke up at this moment.
Ma Rulong looked at Old Ma in confusion.
A full team duel between the main team and the reserve team?
Wasn't that just bullying?