NOVEL WEB Chapter 149: Chapter 149
"Xiaotian, you're rushing in too hastily. Don't forget, we are a team." Yu Tianheng and the others followed suit, and soon, the seven members of the Emperor Team stood ready for battle
In this match, the primary offensive spirit masters were Jun Tianlin and Yu Tianheng, the defensive backbone was formed by the Shi brothers, while agility-based attacks were handled by Osler and Yufeng. Finally,control based was entrusted to Huanyin
Notably, Ye Lingling, the auxiliary-type spirit master, did not participate in this match. This decision highlighted the Emperor Team's intent to focus entirely on offense.
On the other side, the Elephant Armored Academy fielded seven towering figures, each weighing over 200 kilograms. They were all defense-type spirit masters—an extreme specialization that defined the Elephant Armored Clan.
"Master Huyan, the largest among them must be your grandson, Huyan Li, correct?" Ning Fengzhi inquired, directing his gaze at the central figure of Elephant Armored Academy.
"That's right. Huyan Li is the most outstanding disciple of the younger generation in my Elephant Armored Clan. His talent even surpasses mine in my youth. I'm counting on him to become our clan's first Titled Douluo." Huyan Zhen's voice boomed like a great bell, loud enough for the entire VIP section to hear—including Prince Xue Xing, Meng Shenji, and the rest of the Education Committee.
Emperor Xue Ye smiled slightly "It is indeed a cause for celebration that Sect Master Huyan has such a promising successor."
"Your Majesty, I appreciate your kind words. Our goal this year is to reach the top three in the finals, defeating all opponents except for your empire's Royal Academy and Spirit Hall Academy." Though Huyan Zhen's words sounded humble but they carried an air of arrogance.
He was fully aware that they would likely lose this match. However, since multiple academies could advance past the preliminaries, his focus wasn't on winning but on ensuring his team's progression. After all, defeating either the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Sword Lord or the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation was an insurmountable challenge for any academy.
"Hello, everyone! I am your host, Doudou, and I'll be guiding you through this competition!" A beautiful female spirit master with delicate wings hovered in the air, her voice ringing across the venue "The first match of the preliminary round is about to begin. Both teams, please release your spirits and prepare!"
At her announcement, all seven members of Elephant Armored Academy activated their martial spirits simultaneously. Each possessed the formidable Diamond Mammoth spirit. Among them, three were Spirit Ancestors and four were Spirit Elders, all boasting optimal spirit ring configurations. Their leader, Huyan Li, stood at an impressive level 43.
While such a lineup was formidable against most teams, it paled in comparison to the Emperor Team. Yu Tianheng, acting as captain, raised his voice "Let's begin! Spirit Possession—Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"
A massive dark blue dragon soared into the air, its piercing gaze fixed on the seven mammoths below, unshaken by their presence.
Behind him, the Ghost Leopard, Black Tortoise, Wind Chime Bird, and Seven-Stringed Guqin spirits manifested in succession. Compared to the Elephant Armored Academy's single-minded approach, the Emperor Team's diverse lineup boasted strength in every category.
More importantly, every member was at the Spirit Ancestor level, with even Huanyin—the weakest among them—having recently reached level 40.
"The Emperor Team truly lives up to its reputation. Even with Dugu Yan, Nine Hearts Flowering Apple Ye Lingling, and Bone Douluo's disciple Gu Ran absent, their remaining strength is terrifying" Flender commented gravely
At that moment, Jun Tianlin raised the Demon Sword, and five soul rings appeared around him: one yellow, two purple, and two black. The sight caused many in the audience to gasp in shock.
Rumors had long circulated that the Sword Lord of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had absorbed spirit rings of higher levels and including a thousand-year-old second ring. However, seeing his fourth ring at the ten-thousand-year level was an even greater shock. If that was the case, his fifth ring was unlikely to be a mere twelve-thousand-year standard spirit ring.
'He has indeed reached the Spirit King level, but judging by his soul power fluctuations, he's around level 52' Salas observed, his expression unreadable 'It seems he only recently broke through, aided by the excess soul power from his high-level spirit rings.'
However, Salas' assessment was entirely off. Thanks to Jun Tianlin's million-year-old spirit bone, he could perfectly conceal his true level, allowing him to reveal only what he wanted others to perceive. Unless someone surpassed level 95, they would never be able to see through his disguise.
Since the Spirit Master Competition forbade the use of external objects, the Shushan Talisman was restricted. But spirit bones were allowed within the rules, giving Jun Tianlin an advantage without breaking any guidelines.
Seeing that both teams were ready, Doudou raised her voice "Let the battle begin!"
"First Spirit Skill—Iron Wall!"
The moment she finished speaking, all seven members of Elephant Armored Academy activated their first spirit skill, enhancing their already formidable defense. They formed a solid wall and began advancing toward the Emperor Team.
This was the Elephant Armored Clan's signature strategy—using their sheer size, immense strength, and near-impenetrable defenses to steadily pressure their opponents.
Their approach was slow, but their hulking forms and overwhelming presence were enough to intimidate any ordinary opponent.
Typically, when their opponents faced such an advance, they would either retreat or launch an early offensive. However, the Emperor Team remained utterly still, as if waiting for something.
This made Huyan Li, who excelled at defensive counterattacks, frown in frustration "If they won't move, then we'll target Jun Tianlin! Everyone, use your third spirit skills to crush him!"
His grandfather's instructions had been clear—winning wasn't the objective; forcing Jun Tianlin to reveal his full strength was.
Up in the stands, Salas shot Huyan Zhen a bemused look "Is this fool really your grandson?"
Huyan Zhen sighed, rubbing his forehead "Huyan Li has great cultivation talent, but he lacks intelligence. He could've simply activated his skill without announcing his target! Now he's just given Jun Tianlin time to prepare."
Yu Tianheng couldn't help but laugh "If they're going to be this predictable, we won't hold back! Shi Mo, defend Jun Tianlin! Osler, Yufeng, disrupt their formation! Senior Sister Huanyin, get ready!"
Huanyin nodded and placing her fingers on her guqin strings, waiting for the perfect moment.
The Shi brothers engaged two of the Elephant Armored Academy's Spirit Masters, while Osler and Yufeng kept the next two occupied. This left only Huyan Li, whose massive Diamond Mammoth form stomped forward and ready to crush Jun Tianlin beneath its colossal hooves.
"Boom!"
The ground trembled violently as Huyan Li's front legs slammed down, shaking the entire arena.
"Boss! Are you alright?" Ma Hongjun shouted worriedly from the stands.
Ning Rongrong, however, smiled confidently "Don't worry. That little attack is nothing to Brother Jian."
As the dust settled, the crowd could finally see the outcome—Huyan Li's giant hooves were firmly planted on the ground, but they had stopped moving.
Jun Tianlin stood beneath them, holding them up with both hands. His posture was relaxed and as if he hadn't exerted any effort at all.