Yu Tianheng let the lightning fade from his arm. The air around him was still buzzing with static electricity.
"My first skill is Thunder Claw," Yu Tianheng explained.
"It enhances my strength by 100% and adds lightning damage. My second skill is Thunderbolt, a ranged attack."
"My third skill, Thunder Fury, is a state of Dragonization. My strength and lightning power increase by another 100%, but it consumes a lot of soul power."
Arthev nodded. "Standard high-output offense. Your lightning creates a magnetic field. If I use my iron sand, I can ground your attacks, as I demonstrated before. But if we are on the same team, I can use the sand to conduct your lightning to specific targets. We can increase your range."
Yu Tianheng's eyes lit up. He hadn't thought of that. "You can guide my lightning?"
"Physics," Arthev said simply. "Electricity follows the path of least resistance. I can create the path."
Qin Ming nodded in approval. "Next. Dugu Yan."
Dugu Yan stepped forward. Her green eyes were sharp. She released her martial soul.
"Jade Phosphor Serpent," she said.
"Control system. First skill: Bi-Phosphor Serpent Restraint. It paralyzes the enemy. Second skill: Jade Phosphor Mist. It blocks vision and senses. Third skill..."
She paused, looking at Arthev.
"Jade Phosphor Violet Poison," she finished. "It is a potent neurotoxin. It melts armor and destroys nerves."
"It is acidic," Arthev noted. "My water can dilute it, but it can also spread it. If you release the mist, I can use a water vortex to expand the radius, turning a local cloud into a stadium-wide hazard. However, we need to make sure our team has the antidote beforehand."
Dugu Yan smirked. "I always carry antidotes."
Next were the Graphite Brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo. They were twins with the Black Tortoise martial soul.
"Defense system," the older brother grunted. "We can summon tortoise shells. We can use them as shields or throw them like spinning blades. Our defense is the highest in the academy."
"Physical defense is high," Arthev analyzed.
"But you lack mobility. I can use my wood roots to anchor you, preventing enemies from knocking you back. Or I can use my sand to create ramps for your spinning shells."
The brothers looked at each other and nodded. They liked the sound of that.
Then, a slender man with dark hair stepped up. This was Osler.
"Agility Attack System," Osler said quickly.
"Martial Soul: Black Leopard. I focus on speed and assassination. I can create shadow clones illusions, not real ones, to confuse the enemy while I strike from the blind spot."
"Speed is good," Arthev said. "But linear speed is predictable. My sensory perception is 360 degrees. I can signal you exactly when the enemy blinks or shifts their weight. You won't just be fast, you will be unblockable."
Osler looked skeptical but intrigued.
Yu Feng, the handsome youth who had been meditating earlier, stood up. A pair of brown wings sprouted from his back.
"Agility Attack System, Aerial specialist," Yu Feng said.
"Martial Soul: Brown-tailed Swift. I scout from above and dive-bomb enemies. My wings are sharp enough to cut stone."
"Air superiority," Arthev commented. "My sand can create platforms in the air. You won't have to land to rest. You can stay airborne indefinitely."
Finally, it was Ye Lingling's turn.
She stepped forward. Unlike the others, she didn't look aggressive. She held a beautiful, pink-and-white flower in her hands.
"Support System," she said softly. "Martial Soul: Nine Heart Begonia."
The rest of the team already knew her, but they listened anyway. Usually, the Nine Heart Begonia only had one ability: Healing.
"My first two rings are purely healing," Lingling explained. "Range healing and focused rapid regeneration."
Then, her expression turned serious. She activated her third soul ring. It was a deep, vibrant purple, bordering on black.
"Third Soul Skill: Reflective Petal Rain."
The flower in her hand dispersed into hundreds of glowing petals. They swirled around her like a storm.
"This is not a healing skill," Lingling said.
"Or rather, not directly. These petals attach to enemies within range. They drain the target's physical stamina and soul power. That stolen energy is then filtered and transferred to me and my allies."
Yu Tianheng's jaw dropped slightly. "A drain skill? On a Nine Heart Begonia?"
"It is a mutation," Arthev interjected smoothly. "We hunted a Variant Phoenix Crane. It altered the nature of her soul ability. Instead of just giving vitality, she now takes it to give it."
"It makes her a battery," Qin Ming observed, his eyes wide with surprise. "As long as the enemy is fighting, our team has infinite stamina."
Ye Lingling didn't mention her External Spirit Bone wings. That was a secret for the finals, as Arthev had instructed.
"And finally," Qin Ming said, turning to Arthev. "You."
Arthev walked to the center. He didn't flare his aura aggressively. He simply raised his right hand.
"Arthev. Level 35 Control System soul Elder."
"Martial Soul: Elemental Tree."
A small, wooden sapling sprouted from his palm. It looked harmless.
"My innate ability is Wood Release," Arthev lied, using the cover story. "I can manipulate plant growth, creating cages, spikes, barriers, etc . However, my martial soul is unique because it absorbs the elemental properties of the environment."
A purple ring rose from his feet.
"First Soul Skill: Sand Dominion"
The ground beneath him turned into fine sand. It floated up, forming a shield around him.
"I absorbed the essence of a heavy earth soul beast," Arthev explained.
"This gives me Sand Manipulation. I can use it for defense, crushing attacks, or creating structures. It also generates a magnetic field."
He activated his second purple ring.
"Second Soul Skill: White Star Fire."
A ball of blue-white plasma ignited in his hand. The temperature in the arena skyrocketed. Dugu Yan took a step back, feeling the intense heat.
"I absorbed a fire attribute beast," Arthev continued. "This is not normal fire. It is compressed heat energy. It burns through rock and metal. I use it for offense."
Finally, the black ring appeared. The pressure in the arena became heavy, like being underwater.
"Third Soul Skill: Tide of the Abyss."
The blue fire vanished. Water surged from the ground, swirling around the sand.
"Water manipulation," Arthev said. "I can control currents, pressure, and volume. I can use it to drown enemies, dilute poisons, or cushion impacts."
He looked at the stunned team.
"Earth, Fire, Water," Arthev summarized. "Solid, Flame, Liquid. My Elemental Tree allows me to switch between these states to adapt to any situation."
The Royal Team stared at him.
"That's not fair," Osler muttered. "You're a Control System, a Defense System, and a Power Attack System all in one."
"Versatility is the key to survival," Arthev replied calmly. He dismissed his soul rings.
"However, as Teacher Qin said, I will not be using the Fire or Water skills during our sparring. I will rely on Wood and Sand."
Qin Ming stepped forward, breaking the silence.
"You have seen what he can do," Qin Ming told the team. "Arthev is a fortress. He is a cannon. He is a flood."
He paused, letting that settle.
"Your job is not to watch him fight. Your job is to fill the gaps he leaves open."
Silence hung over the arena.
"Now that you have all shared your abilities, you should understand each other better. If something is still unclear, you will figure it out in battle."
Qin Ming turned and pointed toward the arena floor.
"Formation drill. Yu Tianheng. Dugu Yan. Graphite Brothers. Yu Feng. Osler. Ye Lingling."
His finger lowered.
"The seven of you. Versus Arthev."
"Wait," Yu Tianheng frowned. "Seven against one? Even with his strength, that is too much."
"He is restricted," Qin Ming reminded him.
"And you need to learn how to pressure a superior opponent. Arthev will not attack. He will only defend and evade. Your goal is to land one clean hit on him within ten minutes."
Arthev walked to the far end of the arena. He stood with his hands in his pockets.
'Seven on one,' Shukaku chuckled in his mind. 'Flashback to the acorns?'
'These are not acorns,' Arthev noted. 'These are dragon claws and tortoise shells. But the principle remains the same.'
"Begin!" Qin Ming shouted.
Yu Tianheng didn't hesitate. "Thunderbolt!"
A streak of blue lightning shot across the arena.
Arthev didn't move his feet. A wall of sand rose up instantly, intercepting the bolt. The lightning sizzled and vanished into the earth.
"Too slow," Arthev called out. "Osler, flank left. Yu Feng, dive now."
He was already coaching them while fighting them.
The Royal Team gritted their teeth and charged. Training had officially begun.
To be continued....