"Alright, reserve team first. Introductions."
Elder Xuan's gaze swept across the group. "And don't hold back—especially the soul guide."
All eyes turned to He Caitou.
Clearly, Xuan's comment had been aimed directly at him.
He Caitou scratched the back of his head, suddenly feeling like he'd been put under a spotlight. He glanced around nervously, looking for backup.
Chen Junting stepped in with a smile.
"Senior He, since everyone's so interested in your martial soul, why don't you go first?"
He Caitou paused, then looked around. His teammates were watching him with quiet encouragement. His nerves settled.
"He Caitou," he began. "Fifth-year, Soul Guidance Department. Fourth-level soul engineer. Martial soul: Cigar. Cultivation: Rank 41."
Cigar?!
Several inner courtyard students blinked, baffled.
"A food-type soul master?" one of them asked, eyeing his tall, muscular build. "Seriously?"
He Caitou didn't blame them. With his size, most people assumed he was an assault type.
"What effects do your soul skills have?"
Gong Yangmo leaned in, clearly intrigued.
"Uh—focus enhancement, strength boost, defense enhancement, reduced soul power consumption. According to Elder Xuan, about 10% effectiveness."
The crowd stirred.
A food-type that boosts stats like that?
Someone muttered, "He's a monster… no worse than Oscar's ancestor ten thousand years ago."
Elder Xuan took a smug sip from his gourd.
You feel that sting, don't you? he thought. You all wanted him in the Martial Soul Department too.
He bit down on his roast chicken to hide the grin spreading across his face.
"Alright, sword boy," Xuan said, pointing at Chen Junting. "From highest to lowest soul power. You, then that girl, then the rest."
Chen Junting stepped forward, his voice calm and direct.
"Chen Junting. Second-year, Martial Soul Department. Martial soul: Seven Killing Sword. Rank 46. Assault type."
Next was Ning Tian, ever poised and gentle.
"Ning Tian. Second-year, Martial Soul Department. Martial soul: Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda. Rank 45. Support type."
Gasps rippled through the senior group.
Soul Sect level? And still in their second year?
They exchanged glances. These two… they might become Soul Saints before graduation.
The rest followed.
"Xu Sanshi. Fifth-year. Martial soul: Xuanming Turtle. Rank 43. Defense type."
"Beibei. Fifth-year. Martial soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Rank 42. Assault type."
"Jiang Nannan. Fifth-year. Martial soul: Soft Bone Rabbit. Rank 41. Agility type."
The inner courtyard nodded, faces neutral.
Then came the younger three.
"Wu Feng. Second-year. Martial soul: Red Dragon. Rank 33. Assault type."
A few seniors raised their brows. Another fire dragon user? A mini Ma Xiaotao, maybe.
"Huo Yuhao. Second-year. Twin martial souls: Spirit Eye and Ice Jade Scorpion. Rank 32. Control/assault hybrid. Third-level soul engineer."
"Wang Dong. Second-year. Twin martial souls: Light Goddess Butterfly and Clear Sky Hammer. Rank 31. Assault type."
Initially unimpressed, the inner courtyard's interest perked up.
Twin martial spirits?
Clear Sky Hammer? Ultimate Ice?
Their smiles stiffened.
These kids are monsters in the making.
After everyone finished, Elder Xuan turned to Ma Xiaotao.
"Xiaotao, your turn."
The inner courtyard team introduced themselves:
Ma Xiaotao: Fire Phoenix, Rank 68, assault type.
Dai Yuheng: White Tiger, Rank 64, assault type.
Gong Yangmo: Rainbow Dragon, Rank 59, support type.
Ling Luochen: Ice Elemental Staff, Rank 58, control type.
Chen Zifeng: Chasing Soul Sword, Rank 58, assault type.
Xixi.....
----
When Ma Xiaotao's cultivation level was revealed, nearly everyone in the reserve team sucked in a breath.
Level 68? That's ridiculous!
Chen Junting wasn't surprised. He knew she'd resolved her inner fire demons during the holiday by using the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, freeing her to cultivate without restraint.
"Alright, enough chatter," Elder Xuan barked. "Time for a friendly match. Reinforce your familiarity with each other."
He laid out the teams.
Ma Xiaotao leads one team.
Dai Yuheng leads the other.
Each can pick teammates.
Wu Feng and He Caitou are benched for now.
Xiaotao gets two regulars, but no priority.
Dai gets three regulars.
Selections alternate between regular and reserve team members.
With a flash, Elder Xuan vanished, leaving the draft to begin.
Dai Yuheng smirked.
"Captain," he said, emphasizing the word as he looked at Ma Xiaotao, "I'll go first. I pick Gong Yangmo… and Ning Tian."
The choice hit hard.
Ma Xiaotao clenched her jaw. He's going for support first. He's trying to bridge our power gap with top-tier boosts.
And it worked.
He'd sabotaged her whole plan.
"Your pick, Xiaotao," Dai said, smug.
She scanned the crowd and grabbed Yao Haoxuan. Then, with a smirk, pointed at Huo Yuhao.
"I want him."
Dai Yuheng's expression twisted.
Damn. She countered perfectly. With Huo Yuhao's Ultimate Ice, Ling Luochen's control is now useless.
Time for his next move.
"I choose Chen Junting," he said.
As he debated his next pick, Chen Junting leaned close.
"Senior, I suggest picking Ling Luochen."
Dai paused.
"Are you sure? With Yuhao on her team, her spirit's suppressed. You were the one who exploited that last time."
Chen Junting nodded.
"That's why she's the key."
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(End of Chapter)
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