"Three Education Committee Members, Qin Ming has brought Lü Buliang."
Hearing the voice outside the office, Meng Shenji immediately got up and opened the door, "Teacher Qin, you've come at just the right time. Please come in first."
Qin Ming bowed respectfully to Meng Shenji, walked into the office, and then bowed respectfully to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin. Lü Buliang, who was following behind him, mimicked Qin Ming's actions.
After closing the door, discussions resumed inside the office.
"Teacher Qin, is this the commoner student with special admissions qualifications you mentioned?" The gaze of Zhi Lin, one of the Three Education Committee Members, fell on Lü Buliang, and he asked, puzzled, "I heard you had him join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's first team as a Support System Soul Master. The spirit power of a Support System Soul Master tends to be gentler. Judging from the spirit power fluctuations on him, he doesn't seem like a Support System Soul Master."
Qin Ming nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Lü Buliang is a Battle Spirit Master. However, as the information describes, due to the unique nature of his Shadow Spirit, his Spirit Abilities can be used not only on himself but also on enemies or teammates. In a team battle, he is not only a Battle Spirit Master but can also serve a support role."
"The first team already has Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia Spirit for support, but the Three Education Committee Members also know that while the Nine Heart Begonia Spirit's healing ability is formidable, its limitations are too great. Therefore, I want to recruit a Support System Soul Master for the first team who can enhance their team battle capabilities, so that in the Elite Competition three years from now, the first team can have an astonishing performance."
Meng Shenji said with relief, "Teacher Qin always prioritizes the academy's honor in everything he does. You've truly worked hard."
Qin Ming smiled faintly, "I didn't have the opportunity to participate in the Elite Competition before, which is a lifelong regret. If my efforts can lead to good results for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's first team, it would fulfill my wish."
"Teacher Qin, I understand Lü Buliang's situation now." Meng Shenji patted Qin Ming's shoulder, "Don't worry, this old man isn't senile; I can still tell the difference between gold and silver. Lü Buliang indeed has unique aspects in his Spirit talent. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has approved his special admissions qualification, and the three of us have also approved it."
Upon hearing this, Lü Buliang was overjoyed and bowed respectfully to the important figures, "Thank you, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Three Education Committee Members."
"Wait. There's one more thing I want to clarify." Zhi Lin, one of the Three Education Committee Members, suddenly stood up, looked at Lü Buliang, and said seriously, "Your Spirit talent is indeed unique, but I don't know about your Spirit Master talent. I want to test your strength."
"How do you want to test me?" Lü Buliang asked.
Zhi Lin's serious face suddenly broke into a smile, "Let's test your performance in combat."
Qin Ming eagerly interjected, "Committee Member Zhi Lin, I don't think you need to test him. This morning, I asked Teacher Shi Gao to give Tian Heng and the other seven a practical combat guidance lesson. They're probably still dueling on the training ground. Later, I will replace Ye Lingling with Lü Buliang in her support position to fight another match against Teacher Shi Gao."
"If you want to understand Lü Buliang's performance in combat, you might as well go to the training ground to watch. This way, you can not only see Lü Buliang's performance in battle but also how his support effect in the team differs from Ye Lingling's support."
"Excellent, excellent." Meng Shenji responded, "The three of us happen to be free."
"I'll go watch too." Crown Prince Xue Qinghe looked at Lü Buliang and said, "The Shadow Spirit is quite interesting; who knows what astonishing performance it might have."
"Then let's go." Zhi Lin, with his hands behind his back, was the first to walk out of the office.
The others also left the office and hurried towards the training ground.
"— —"
Training ground, center.
On the Soul Duel Stage.
Shi Gao and Yu Tianheng's group of seven were engaged in a practical sparring session.
After more than ten minutes of combat, Shi Gao, as previously agreed, did not use his Spirit or Spirit Abilities. He just stood quietly in place, giving off an unshakeable feeling.
No matter how Yu Tianheng and the others attacked, they couldn't injure him in the slightest. Everyone's full-strength attack only made Shi Gao retreat a few steps, with no signs of injury on his body.
Instead, Yu Tianheng and the others, who initiated the offense, were left covered in wounds from the powerful defensive shockwaves.
Fortunately, with Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia healing, Yu Tianheng and the others were able to fight without fear of injury, maintaining their highest combat Spirit and physical condition.
However, spirit power would eventually run out. If they couldn't injure Shi Gao before Ye Lingling's spirit power was depleted, then this practical battle would be decided.
A few minutes later, Yu Tianheng and the others launched a continuous siege against Shi Gao, but were once again left battered and bruised by the terrifying defensive shockwaves.
Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia Spirit was released, providing full-range healing.
Amidst their numerous injuries, Yu Tianheng's group of seven received healing, their injuries recovered. Just as they were about to muster their strength for another attack, Ye Lingling collapsed behind them.
After nearly half an hour of combat, her Nine Heart Begonia Spirit had healed her teammates too many times, which led to her spirit power being depleted, and she knelt weakly on the ground.
Dugu Yan was the first to notice Ye Lingling's condition and rushed to help her up.
Seeing this, Yu Tianheng and the others also gave up fighting, looking at Ye Lingling with concern.
The team's combat style was entirely based on Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia Spirit. With the Nine Heart Begonia Spirit present, even serious injuries could be instantly recovered, and even exhaustion could be immediately restored to full health.
Therefore, Yu Tianheng and the others could fight recklessly, without needing to consider how to conserve their stamina.
When Ye Lingling lost her combat ability and could no longer support her teammates, the team's flaws were completely exposed.
Without Ye Lingling's support, the others had no one to rely on, and defeat was only a matter of time.
As the captain, as the pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, it was such an unwilling, helpless, and shameful thing to have to concede defeat to the enemy on behalf of his teammates. But Yu Tianheng still accepted reality, suppressing the unwillingness in his heart, and said to Shi Gao, "Teacher Shi, we lost this practical combat lesson."
Upon hearing this, Shi Gao retracted the green aura that surrounded his body, which was the spirit power energy of his Black Tortoise Turtle Spirit.
After half an hour of combat, facing the continuous siege of high-quality Spirits like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Black Tortoise Turtle, Ghost Leopard, Jade Phosphorous Serpent, and Wind Chime Bird, Shi Gao not only hadn't consumed any spirit power but didn't even have a single bruise on his body.
Looking at Yu Tianheng and the others, who were dejected and low-spirited, Shi Gao shook his head in disappointment and reprimanded, "I haven't trained you for two months, and it seems you haven't grown at all. Do you few really deserve to be called the pride of Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Don't make people laugh their heads off."
"I said, if you fail the practical combat, you'll carry a turtle shell and run a hundred laps around the training ground. Your performance makes me very dissatisfied, so this time the turtle shell's weight will be doubled. Ye Lingling is no exception; everyone must be punished."
"Teacher Shi Gao, wait." The sudden voice attracted everyone's attention.
Shi Gao and Yu Tianheng and the others looked over, and the arrivals were none other than the Three Education Committee Members and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
In addition, Qin Ming and Lü Buliang followed behind.
The person who interrupted Shi Gao was Meng Shenji. In a single breath, the Three Education Committee Members appeared below the Soul Duel Stage. Zhi Lin, one of the Three Education Committee Members, looked at Yu Tianheng's group of seven who had conceded defeat, sighing inwardly. It was indeed as Qin Ming had said: the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's first team's combat style was too monotonous. Once they lost Ye Lingling's healing support, the entire team would become a mess, and there were also certain flaws in their teamwork.
Furthermore, the Nine Heart Begonia could only restore stamina, not spirit power. Against a powerful opponent, no amount of stamina could do more than delay defeat. It simply couldn't turn the tide for the team or reverse the situation.
Yu Tianheng and the others' defeated and disheveled appearance also sparked Zhi Lin's interest. He wanted to see what changes would occur if Ye Lingling's position was replaced by Lü Buliang.
"Three Education Committee Members, and Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince? Why have you all come?" Shi Gao wondered, could it be that his corporal punishment of the students was just discovered?
Meng Shenji chuckled, "Teacher Shi Gao, we've come to observe the battle. I heard you're going to fight Yu Tianheng and the others again later, but the support position won't be Ye Lingling, but this new student who just joined the academy."
Upon hearing this, Shi Gao looked in the direction Meng Shenji was gesturing, and a unfamiliar face came into view, "This—"
Shi Gao scratched his head, "Chief Meng, won't the result be the same? With Ye Lingling's support, Yu Tianheng and the others have endless stamina and don't have to worry about getting injured. In a prolonged battle, they might even have a chance to injure me. If it's another Support System Soul Master, I'm afraid they wouldn't last a few minutes against me."
Lü Buliang smiled, "How will you know without trying?"
"You're quite arrogant for a new student." Shi Gao's eyes on Lü Buliang became a bit more serious. He crossed his arms and snorted coldly, "Alright then. Let's do it. After you lose, no matter if you're a Support System Soul Master or not, you'll have to carry a heavy turtle shell and run a hundred laps around the training ground."
Qin Ming patted Lü Buliang's shoulder, encouraging him, "Perform well."
"Don't worry, Teacher Qin, I won't disappoint you."
With that, Lü Buliang, bearing the gaze of everyone, walked up the steps onto the Soul Duel Stage.