In Soto City, finding a training ground is difficult, and team battle training has its own set of rules, requiring sparring partners.
The matter of Soul Fighting had already been discussed with Dean Flander that morning; after all, the four of them were students, and their actions required the dean's approval.
Flander's teaching style not only didn't discourage them from causing trouble, but actually encouraged them to do so.
He readily agreed to this arrangement, which offered advantages, benefits, and improved combat experience, and even specially invited Lu Qibin, a Soul Emperor specializing in control-type battle spirits and possessing a deep understanding of team battles, to provide guidance.
The Xiang family members, of course, wanted to see how strong the external reinforcements Xiang Chengxian had found were. Initially, Xiang Chengxian had rejected all the reinforcements they had brought, looking down on them entirely, especially since two of them were Soul Masters.
"Chengxian, is this the team you found? How strong are they?"
a young man asked, with a boy about the same age as Dai Mubai standing beside him.
Although almost four years had passed, Ma Hongjun still clearly remembered these two people: Xiang Chengsheng and Xiang Chengwang, who had nearly killed him, Ma Ming, and Ma Ping when he obtained his first spirit ring.
Xiang Chengxian didn't want to pay any attention to her cousin. If she hadn't grown up to become a spirit master with considerable talent and strength, Xiang Chengsheng probably wouldn't even remember that he had ever bullied such a cousin.
Xiang Chengsheng looked down on Ma Hongjun and the others with an arrogant air, showing no respect whatsoever for guests. She didn't think Xiang Chengxian could find outside help that was stronger than those found through family connections.
Just as Xiang Chengxian was about to reply, Ma Hongjun pulled her aside and spoke first.
"How strong are they? Why don't we try and see?"
Ma Hongjun said flippantly, looking at Xiang Chengsheng with amusement.
"Oh, that makes sense. Chengwang, why don't you go and try it with him?" Xiang Chengsheng's lips curled up, looking both disdainful and interested. Four years had passed, and Ma Hongjun had changed drastically due to the evil fire; Xiang Chengsheng didn't recognize him.
Xiang Chengwang obediently stepped forward, but Ma Hongjun quickly gestured for him to stop.
"If he's going to test me, forget it. He wasn't my match four years ago, let alone now.
Here's what you do, Mubai, go ahead. Let him try, show him what a real tiger is."
Xiang Chengwang looked bewildered; he didn't recognize Ma Hongjun either.
"Do I know you?"
"You don't even remember? Looks like the wound on your hand has healed. You don't recognize me, but you should recognize this spear."
Ma Hongjun summoned the Dragon Soul Spear, coldly mocking.
"It's you!"
"It's you!"
"That's right, it's me. So you don't need to test my strength. Xiang Chengsheng, come on, four years have passed. I want to test your strength."
Ma Hongjun raised his spear, pointing it at Xiang Chengsheng.
Dai Mubai already knew about the feud between Ma Hongjun and the two brothers. Seeing Ma Hongjun stirring things up, he understood and didn't give Xiang Chengwang a chance to back down.
"Come on, please give me your pointers!"
Xiang Chengxian was still unaware of what was going on; she hadn't expected that Ma Hongjun and these two had a past conflict.
The battlefield was slowly cleared, and the four stood in the middle. Xiang Chengsheng and Xiang Chengwang's expressions changed, showing surprise, anger, and curiosity.
"Are you sure you want to challenge me?" Xiang Chengwang said with a wicked smile.
Soul rings appeared on Ma Hongjun's silver spear: yellow, purple, and purple!
"Yes, stop talking nonsense, you're like a woman, you're not a eunuch!"
Undoubtedly, the yellow and purple rings would cause a stir, but Xiang Chengsheng was already enraged. He activated his Black Tiger Possession, and four soul rings rose from beneath his feet.
Yellow, yellow, and purple!
On the other side, Dai Mubai and Xiang Chengwang also completed their Martial Soul Possession, both with three soul rings: yellow, yellow, and purple!
The tension between the two sides had already ignited after the arena was cleared.
The area was already filled with members of the Xiang family, as well as an inconspicuous old man, Lu Qibin.
The battle was about to begin, with Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai making the first move.
The first spirit ring shone, and the Dragon Soul Spear thrust straight out. Xiang Chengsheng slapped down with his palm, the immense force deflecting the spear tip.
Then, with his other hand, he extended a tiger claw, aiming for Ma Hongjun's head.
Using the Phoenix Playing with a Hundred Birds technique, Ma Hongjun easily dodged the claw attack, followed by a Hundred Birds Whirlwind, piercing Ma Hongjun's ribs.
Although he was one spirit ring behind, Ma Hongjun was confident in the fight. He already understood the Black Tiger Martial Soul quite well, and with the third spirit ring, his confidence was even stronger.
Xiang Chengsheng dared not be careless. Something unpredictable was bound to happen. He had never seen, let alone heard of, such a combination of yellow and purple spirit rings before. Coupled with Ma Hongjun's confident aura, he became even more cautious.
While Ma Hongjun was known for his impulsive and volatile temper, he was also skilled in combat and experienced; he wasn't stupid.
Xiang Chengsheng immediately activated his third spirit ring.
"Void-Piercing Claw."
Black claw light flashed in bursts. With the speed boost from his first spirit ring, Ma Hongjun quickly used the Phoenix Playing with a Hundred Birds technique to dodge.
The Void-Piercing Claw attack could break through a distance in space, its attack somewhat unpredictable. Ma Hongjun was still caught, but his body was already covered in dragon scales, and the claw couldn't pierce the scales' defense.
It was time to showcase his newly acquired soul skill.
Ma Hongjun's third soul ring lit up, a bright purple that danced back and forth on the Dragon Soul Spear, while the blue dark patterns on the spear also lit up.
Ma Hongjun's third soul skill was also related to these blue dark patterns. The tip of the Dragon Soul Spear was already wet, covered with a layer of water mist, turning into a deep blue spearhead.
"Water Spear!"
This was Ma Hongjun's third soul skill, a single word: Water.
The Dragon Soul Spear was aimed at Xiang Chengsheng's face, swung horizontally, and the water mist at the spearhead dispersed, spreading towards Xiang Chengsheng. This was the Dragon Water Mist, which had blinding and paralyzing effects.
Xiang Chengsheng was cautious, not daring to touch the water mist, and retreated.
The water mist separated the two, and after spreading out, they could no longer see each other.
Ma Hongjun shook the spear against the misty water, and the moisture at the spear tip instantly condensed into a droplet.
The blue patterns on the shaft, under the influence of his soul power, also transformed into droplets of water that flowed towards the spear tip.
With Ma Hongjun's shake, the droplet shot out.
Caught off guard, Xiang Chengsheng was struck by the blue droplet, which entered his body. He tried to block it, but unsurprisingly, the droplet merged into his arm.
At this moment, Ma Hongjun activated his second soul ring, and the Dragon Soul Spear pierced through the misty water before him, reaching Xiang Chengsheng.
"Explode!"
A powerful force exploded forward, along with the droplet that had just entered Xiang Chengsheng's body.
This was the effect of Ma Hongjun's second and third soul powers combined; the water droplets could be controlled by his soul power and exploded when needed. It
was similar to the parasitic effect of the Ghost Vine.
However, with the added explosive effect of the second soul ring, the power increased several times over.
Xiang Chengsheng's chest and arm were mangled by the exploding water droplet, a bloody mess, blood splattering everywhere.
"Ah!"
Xiang Chengsheng screamed madly as his fourth soul ring lit up.
"Black Tiger Demon God Transformation!"
Unexpectedly, Xiang Chengsheng only acquired the soul skill in his fourth soul ring, while Xiang Chengxian had obtained it in his third. However, it seemed Xiang Chengsheng's baleful aura wasn't as strong as Xiang Chengxian's, resulting in a much weaker power boost.
Seeing this soul skill, Ma Hongjun smiled. Although Demon God Transformation comprehensively enhanced strength, Ma Hongjun knew it all too well. Even if Xiang Chengsheng's soul power was ten levels higher than his, his Phoenix Playing with a Hundred Birds technique would allow him to match Xiang Chengsheng in speed and agility. Furthermore, the defense provided by the baleful aura was useless against the water gun's penetrating attacks.
Combined with the defense of the Flood Dragon Scales, Xiang Chengsheng's defeat was inevitable.
To properly experience the third soul skill, Ma Hongjun manipulated the water gun, creating different shapes of water depending on his swing.
The blue dark patterns on the gun shaft continuously converted his soul power into water.
Under the third soul skill, it was essentially a gun that constantly spewed water.
With each thrust of the spear, water shot into Xiang Chengsheng's body from the spear tip.
Water can manifest in two forms: hard and soft. Unlike most water-attribute soul masters who use it for healing and restraint, Ma Hongjun's water gun is more about attack and control.
Xiang Chengsheng's appearance grew increasingly grotesque, and he became more and more deranged. The more water was injected into his body, the looser his skin became—a slow-acting attack, like boiling a frog in lukewarm water. The soft water also carried a certain degree of toxicity.
His body began to numb, his speed gradually decreased, and his blood, diluted by the water, flowed from his wounds. At this moment, Xiang Chengsheng resembled a scalded child, his skin wrinkled and blood flowing everywhere.
With a swing of the Dragon Soul Spear, a mist of water enveloped the deranged Xiang Chengsheng, causing blindness.
Ma Hongjun transformed the spear into a club, striking Xiang Chengsheng's festering skin like a lashing blow to a naughty child.
His screams were distorted; Xiang Chengsheng was now unrecognizable, his appearance terrifying.
"Enough!"
On the other side, Xiang Chengwang was no match for Dai Mubai either; Black Tiger had already been pinned to the ground and pounded by White Tiger.
An old man jumped out, already possessed by Black Tiger, and repelled Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai.
Six spirit rings rose from beneath the old man's feet: yellow, purple, and black.
Two black and white chess pieces appeared between the old man and Ma Hongjun, and two more appeared behind the old man.
"Are you, an elder, interfering in a fight between juniors?"
Lu Qibin walked over, also adorned with six spirit rings: yellow, purple, and black.
The Xiang family was astonished; they hadn't expected this unassuming old man who had come along to be a Spirit Emperor.
Finally, the Grand Elder intervened, ordering someone to take Xiang Chengsheng away for treatment. After witnessing the strength of Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, the family's spirit battle affairs were entirely entrusted to Xiang Chengxian, while Lu Qibin took over the training free of charge. For
the next seven days, no one from the Xiang family bothered them; the training ground was given to them.
Xiang Chengwang became obedient, doing whatever was asked during training, behaving very well.
The methods Ma Hongjun displayed when fighting Xiang Chengsheng, coupled with the lingering trauma he had experienced when facing Ma Hongjun before, instilled in him a strong sense of fear towards Ma Hongjun.
The training proceeded smoothly. Lu Qibin provided crucial guidance, and Ma Hongjun, having previously been trained by the "devil" Chu Tianye, was already familiar with team battles. While Xiang Chengxian was nominally the team leader, Ma Hongjun was actually in charge of strategizing.
Good team relationships greatly improved coordination in team battles, and after Xiang Chengwang became more compliant, the entire team became much more harmonious.
The seven days of training yielded rapid progress, with their teamwork improving quickly.
Now, they just awaited the Soul Battle!
(End of Chapter)