As the preliminary rounds approached, it was about time to meet the team members, so this time, Lin Fan didn't refuse.
"Alright, I'll take you there," said Teacher Yin Shu. "After all, this is a seven-man team competition. No matter how strong you are, you can't compete alone."
He led Lin Fan out of the teacher's office and toward Liu Erlong's residence.
However, Lin Fan didn't see Tang San and the others—instead, he found Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji having tea outside the wooden house.
Yu Xiaogang wasn't present; it was clear he was with the students.
"Dean, Vice Dean—Lin Xuan is here," Yin Shu reported.
"Lin Xuan? Who's that?" Flender glanced at the cold and aloof youth behind Yin Shu, puzzled.
"Ah! I forgot to mention it, Boss Flender," Liu Erlong suddenly stood up. "He's Lin Xuan, one of the former members of Blue Tyrant's team."
After all, Lin Fan had only shown up once, and since Liu Erlong had been preoccupied with Yu Xiaogang and the others, she had forgotten all about their previous arrangement.
"Greetings," Lin Fan, now Lin Xuan, gave a cold and brief nod.
"Since he's a member of the team, just count him in as a substitute," Flender said after a glance.
"Zhao Wuji, take him to find Xiaogang and the others at the back."
"Substitute? They should be the ones substituting for me," Lin Fan said with displeasure.
"Boss Flender—" Liu Erlong began to speak, but she was interrupted by familiar voices coming from behind the wooden house.
"After so much training, it's finally time to fight!"
"Yeah, let's rest up and then crush it in the prelims!"
Soon, Lin Fan saw Yu Xiaogang leading a group of ten students toward the house.
Among them were three unfamiliar faces—obviously substitute members originally from Blue Tyrant Academy.
"Who's this guy?" Yu Xiaogang asked Liu Erlong as he noticed Lin Xuan.
"Xiaogang, let me introduce him—he's part of the team. He joined before you arrived. His name is Lin Xuan," Liu Erlong explained.
"Team member? But our lineup is already full. I've planned all the tactics with seven main players and three substitutes. We can't just drop someone now," Yu Xiaogang frowned.
"That's my oversight—I forgot about Lin Xuan," Liu Erlong apologized.
"Then just drop one of them. Doesn't matter which," Lin Xuan said coldly.
"Whoa, Boss Dai, this guy's got an attitude," Ma Hongjun chimed in. "How can he say to just drop one of us like that?"
"Hey, you're Lin Xuan, right? Newcomers should know their place," Ma Hongjun scoffed, walking up to him. "Call me Fat Bro, and maybe you'll earn a spot as our water boy."
"Vice Dean, your academy is worse than I expected. With trash like him, are you planning to get eliminated in the first round?" Lin Xuan sneered at Liu Erlong.
Liu Erlong was speechless. She had no idea where Lin Xuan had come from and didn't know how to respond.
"Who are you calling trash? Want me to show you what your Fat Bro can do?" Ma Hongjun growled and threw a punch at Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan casually caught his fist and lightly squeezed—Ma Hongjun's face contorted in pain.
"Owwww!"
"Fatty!" Dai Mubai rushed forward to help and threw a punch at Lin Xuan as well.
Lin Xuan released Ma Hongjun's hand and responded with a palm strike to Dai Mubai's chest, sending him flying back.
"Pathetic. No self-awareness," Lin Xuan said coldly. "If that's all you've got, then just accept your place as my substitutes."
"Trash should know their place."
"You're looking to die! White Tiger Possession!" Dai Mubai roared, activating his Martial Soul—he was a Level 41 Soul Ancestor.
"Evil Fire Phoenix Possession!" Ma Hongjun, now a Level 35 Soul Elder, followed suit.
Both of them charged at Lin Xuan with their Martial Souls fully activated.
But Lin Xuan unleashed a blood-red sword aura in response, sending both of them flying and coughing up blood.
"How… how is that possible?! Tang San, did you see how he attacked?" Xiao Wu gasped.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun weren't weak by any means—yet they were instantly overwhelmed.
"No. His speed was incredible," Tang San replied with a shake of his head.
"I saw a bit," Zhu Zhuqing stepped up. "It was sword aura from his sword Martial Soul that knocked them back."
"Sword aura?" Tang San blinked.
"Yes. The teacher said that anyone who can release sword aura without using soul skills is extraordinary," Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
"If that's sword aura, then his cultivation or swordsmanship must be extremely high. My Sword Grandpa experienced something like that once," said Ning Rongrong.
Lin Xuan held the Slaughter Sword, its aura chilling.
"You misunderstand," he said. "I didn't call them trash. I meant all of you. You've probably never even seen blood spilled in battle."
"If you weren't team members, I would've already claimed your lives."
"Such terrifying killing intent… What kind of Martial Soul is that?" Yu Xiaogang studied Lin Xuan with furrowed brows. He had never seen this Martial Soul before.
"Let's go together," Dai Mubai said through clenched teeth.
"That's enough. You're not his match," Liu Erlong stepped between them.
"He's a Level 53 Soul King," she revealed.
"Soul King?!" everyone gasped.
None of the student teams they'd encountered so far had a Soul King on their roster.
Lin Xuan had deliberately leaked a trace of his soul power while using his sword aura earlier, just enough for Flender and the others to detect his level.
"Xiaogang, we have too many auxiliary-type soul masters. Maybe we can swap out Jiangzhu," Liu Erlong suggested.
She then turned to the gentle girl and asked, "Jiangzhu, you're a healing-type soul master. You can still assist from the sidelines after battles. What do you think?"
"I have no objection. I'll follow the Dean's arrangements," Jiangzhu nodded.
"Then it's settled. Lin Xuan, you may have Soul King strength, but you must still follow my tactical arrangements," Yu Xiaogang said.
"Tactics are meaningless in the face of overwhelming power. Strength is what truly matters. I trust only in my sword, not in your so-called strategies."
"When the battle starts, just assign six teammates to accompany me onstage. We'll make it quick."
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is somewhat useful, it has three support skills, all focused on me. That'll be enough."
Lin Xuan's tone remained cold.
Indeed, the auxiliary abilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda couldn't be underestimated.
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened—he hated anyone who disrupted his carefully laid plans.
"When the championship is yours, I want no part of the glory. I only want the reward to complete my clan's trial. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered showing up."
"I'll tell you this: based on my intel, Spirit Hall's team has three Soul Kings, four Soul Ancestors above Level 45, and two Soul Kings with a Martial Soul Fusion Technique."
"I honestly don't know where you kids get your confidence."
Lin Xuan's words were like cold water, dousing any arrogance in the group. Then he closed his eyes and said no more.
"What did you say?! Three Soul Kings and a Fusion Technique? Spirit Hall can't be that strong!" Yu Xiaogang was shocked.
Everyone else looked at Lin Xuan in stunned silence.