Chapter 37: The Imperial Fighting Team Arrives
The private viewing room fell into a moment of curious silence after Ning Rongrong's mysterious comment about the Imperial Fighting Team's secret weapon.
"Nine-Heart Begonia?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes narrowed with genuine confusion. For someone who prided himself on being the foremost expert in spirit theory, admitting ignorance felt like a small wound to his ego. "I've studied thousands of martial souls across the continent, yet I've never encountered detailed information about this one."
He wasn't alone in his puzzlement. Flender, Zhao Wuji, and even the Grandmaster exchanged uncertain glances.
Zhao Wuji leaned forward. "Rongrong, you seem to know something special about this spirit. Canyiu tell us?"
Ning Rongrong felt a small spark of satisfaction at finally having everyone's undivided attention.
She smoothed her hair with deliberate slowness, clearly enjoying the moment of importance. Her eyes gleamed with the pleasure of possessing rare knowledge.
However, her gaze drifted to Chen Sheng, who remained sprawled across the soft sofa with complete indifference, casually eating red grapes from a small jade plate. He didn't even glance up at her explanation. His shoulders were relaxed, his expression serene—as if nothing she was about to say held any particular interest.
Hmph! That stinky Brother Sheng must have known already, Ning Rongrong thought with a mix of annoyance and admiration.
She didn't persist in her moment of drama and instead explained directly, "The Nine-Heart Begonia is an extremely rare and special spirit! Unlike ordinary martial souls that can be awakened by multiple people across generations, this one is passed down through a single lineage with only one successor in each generation. It's the rarest spirit on the entire Douluo Continent."
"One person per generation?" the Grandmaster murmured, his interest clearly piqued. "That's... extraordinary."
"My father, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, once told me that the Nine-Heart Begonia is simply a miracle among spirits," Ning Rongrong continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Even he, with his vast knowledge of support-type spirits, calls it a miracle. That alone should tell you how special it is."
Flender's expression shifted from curiosity to concern. "How powerful is this spirit exactly?"
"That's where it gets interesting," Ning Rongrong said, and for once, there was no smugness in her voice—only genuine respect for the spirit she was describing. "The Nine-Heart Begonia is incredibly powerful, but in an unusual way. No matter how many spirit rings it possesses, it only has one main spirit ability."
"Only one ability?" Zhao Wuji frowned.
"Not at all," Ning Rongrong shook her head firmly. "That single ability is full-team healing. And not just any healing—it's an area-wide, healing that covers all teammates simultaneously. The healing intensity is controlled entirely by the spirit master's will. As long as their spirit power isn't depleted, the healing never stops."
The room grew noticeably colder.
"What you're saying..." the Grandmaster's voice was quiet, "is that as long as this spirit master is alive and conscious, your entire team can theoretically never be defeated?"
"Essentially, yes," Ning Rongrong confirmed. "With a Nine-Heart Begonia spirit master present, it's almost impossible for teammates to die in combat. No matter what injuries they sustain, the healing keeps them fighting."
An uncomfortable silence followed.
Chen Sheng turned another grape over in his fingers, completely unbothered by the growing tension in the room. While others' anxiety levels climbed like mercury in summer heat, he continued eating with the relaxed composure of someone watching clouds drift across the sky.
Zhao Wuji noticed his calm demeanor and shot him a questioning look. "Chen Sheng, shouldn't you be more concerned? The Imperial Fighting Team now seems significantly more dangerous."
"Hmm?" Chen Sheng glanced up, as if noticing the conversation for the first time, though his eyes held the knowing glint of someone who had been listening all along. "Dangerous? To whom exactly?"
The question hung in the air like a suspended blade.
Flender's lips twitched slightly. After all the matches he'd witnessed, he understood what Chen Sheng was implying. Still, he couldn't help but ask, "You mean...?"
"I mean what I said," Chen Sheng returned to his red dates with casual indifference. "Dangerous is a relative term. For most teams in the Spirit Arena, yes, the Nine-Heart Begonia would be nearly unstoppable. For us? It's simply another interesting variable to account for."
The Grandmaster opened his mouth to respond, then closed it. There was nothing he could say. Chen Sheng's record spoke for itself—he had never failed to dominate every confrontation he'd entered.
Yet doubt still gnawed at the edges of his confidence. Nearly invincible healing combined with strong fighters... could even Chen Sheng overwhelm that?
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The private viewing rooms of the Soul Arena were separated from the main stage by one-way crystal glass—a premium feature that allowed wealthy patrons to observe matches without being seen. The rooms were filled with deep-pocketed VIPs who cared little for cheering or fan enthusiasm; they were here for profit, their interests entirely focused on match results and the gold coins they could win through betting.
The main arena was far more impressive than the branch fields where Shrek had fought the Raging Bulls. Here, the stage was larger, the lighting more elaborate, and the atmosphere thick with anticipation from hundreds of spectators.
The Shrek group entered their assigned VIP room: Chen Sheng, the Grandmaster, Flender, and Zhao Wuji. Through the crystal glass, they had a perfect, unobstructed view of the arena below.
Chen Sheng immediately claimed the most comfortable sofa, spreading out with the ease of someone who belonged nowhere else. A servant had brought him a plate of delicacies—red grapes, preserved fruits, and light pastries—which he picked at with leisurely interest.
The Grandmaster remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the arena. Flender and Zhao Wuji stood slightly closer to the glass, monitoring the crowd's energy and reactions.
After a while, arena was transforming. Massive doors on both sides began to open with silent, hydraulic precision. The crowd's energy surged in waves of anticipation, the sound building like distant thunder.
A single figure floated into the center of the arena, her white dove wings catching the brilliant light of the magical illumination spheres above.
Her name was Doudou, the host of the main stage, and she was as renowned for her beauty as she was for her role in hosting the most prestigious matches in the Soul Arena.
Her figure was perfectly proportioned, her face delicate and striking, and the way she moved through the air with those pristine white wings created an almost ethereal impression. Even through the barrier of the glass, her graceful presence captivated the crowd.
"Welcome, honored guests and distinguished spectators," Doudou's voice rang out clear and melodious, amplified by some kind of sound-amplification spirit tool, "to the main stage championship match of the day! We have an exceptionally interesting confrontation today."
She gestured toward the left entrance. "Presenting the Shrek Seven Devils—a team that has been turning heads in the Spirit Arena with their recent ascent through the rankings!"
The crowd cheered, though the sound was somewhat muted. Shrek was still relatively unknown outside their recent victories against the Raging Bulls.
"And on the right," Doudou continued, her voice taking on a note of respect, "we have the Imperial Fighting Team, official representatives of the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial academy, led by the formidable Captain Yu Tianheng!"
The crowd's reaction was immediate and thunderous. The Imperial Fighting Team was legendary, the pride of Heaven Dou City itself.
Both teams emerged from their respective entrances, walking toward the center of the arena stage.
The moment was charged with electricity—invisible auras beginning to form around each fighter, though no martial souls had been released yet.
On Shrek's side: Chen Sheng, Xiao Wu, Tang San, Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.
On the Imperial side: Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Shi Mo (and his identical twin), Yu Feng, Ao Siluo, and their coach.
But it was the coach that caught Flender and Zhao Wuji's attention.
"Old Zhao, look who that is?" Flender's voice carried a note of surprised recognition.
Zhao Wuji squinted, then his face broke into a genuine smile. "Oh, it's young Qin! Is he coaching the Imperial team? Then I feel much better about this match."
The Grandmaster turned to them with confusion written across his features. "You know the Imperial Fighting Team's coach?"
Zhao Wuji chuckled warmly. "That young man's name is Qin Ming. He's a graduate of our Shrek Academy! I didn't expect to encounter him here, and as an instructor for the Imperial Fighting Team no less. The world truly is small."
Flender added, his pride evident, "Qin Ming is thirty-four years old this year. With his talent, he should have already broken through to the Soul Emperor rank. To think one of our former students is now coaching the most prestigious team in Heaven Dou City!"
"A thirty-four-year-old Soul Emperor?"
The Grandmaster's eyebrows rose slightly. He had previously made calculations that Tang San and his companions might reach Titled Douluo before age fifty—but that was a theoretical estimate based on their current trajectory and assuming optimal conditions.
A thirty-four-year-old Soul Emperor, however, was something far more concrete. Such talent was rare indeed. Someone of Qin Ming's caliber could very well reach Soul Douluo before turning fifty, and had a genuine chance of challenging for Titled Douluo status in the future.
"Yes," Flender said with transparent pride, "he's a product of our academy's teachings. When our current students graduate, they'll carry the Shrek name to even greater heights."
Zhao Wuji nodded, visibly proud. "Having a potential future Titled Douluo as an alumnus reflects well on our academy's methods."
The Grandmaster paused, then spoke with calm certainty. "Qin Ming's talent is indeed astonishing. However, compared to Xiao San and the others, he still falls short. Our students have far greater potential."
Flender's mouth twitched upward. "What are you so confident about, Grandmaster? Xiao San and the others are also students of our Shrek Academy. When they graduate and go out into the world, everyone will know they came from my academy! That reflection of glory will shine far brighter than Qin Ming's achievements."
It was a playful jab, though the competitive undercurrent was unmistakable.
The Grandmaster fell silent, unable to respond effectively to Flender's logic.
The way academy staff and instructors competed for credit while their students fought was a very human ritual.
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Doudou descended slightly, her white dove wings catching the light as she addressed both teams. "You have one minute to summon your martial souls. You may only attack after I announce the start of the match. The fight continues until one side surrenders, is completely defeated, or falls off the arena stage. Are both teams ready?"
Both captains—Chen Sheng Shrek and Yu Tianheng for the Imperial Team—nodded their acknowledgment.
The countdown began.
It started slowly at first, then accelerated. The teams separated, moving to their respective sides of the arena. And then, as the final seconds approached, the entire arena seemed to hold its breath.
The Imperial Fighting Team released their martial souls.
Even Doudou, experienced as she was in hosting arena matches, had to rise higher into the air. The collective power of seven spirit masters, particularly one with a dragon-type martial soul, created a spiritual pressure that was almost tangible.
In the VIP room, Flender leaned closer to the glass, his expression serious.
Zhao Wuji's usual humor had vanished entirely.
The Grandmaster's eyes narrowed as he calculated, measured, and assessed.
"The Imperial Fighting Team is stronger than we initially assessed," the Grandmaster murmured quietly. "Their coordination is excellent, and their lineup shows careful strategic planning. Particularly that Ye Lingling with the Nine-Heart Begonia—with her support, they can sustain indefinitely."
"Indeed," Flender agreed grimly. "This won't be an easy victory for our students."
Below them, on the arena, the two teams faced each other. The spiritual pressure was so thick it seemed to have weight. Chen Sheng released his Ancient White Tiger, and his companions were also ready for battle.
Doudou's hand rose, preparing to announce the start of the match.
And in that moment, just as the final martial soul releases settled and the arena reached its peak of tension.
Chen Sheng expression remained completely unchanged, unimpressed, and utterly confident.
The match was about to begin.
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