Kaiyuan Academy had its own cafeteria, divided into free and paid sections.
However, the official formation of the First Battle Team was such a memorable event that casually eating in the school cafeteria simply wouldn't do.
In the evening, two luxuriously modest carriages set off from the lakeside and headed toward the center of Tian Dou City, to a restaurant rumored to be extremely high-end.
The carriage was quite spacious, almost akin to an RV.
After departure,
Nangong Lingyun looked at the eight battle team members—especially Ning Rongrong, whose smile had returned after recovering from the morning's blow—and said:
"The cultivation philosophy and training method of the Kaiyuan Sect are completely different from all the current soul master academies, clans, and even the Spirit Hall.
Some of you have either trained at the academy or under my guidance, or you come from notable backgrounds and have at least heard rumors.
But there's something harsh I must say up front—whether you really want to join this team, I hope you'll carefully weigh the pros and cons before making a decision."
As soon as he finished speaking, two firm voices rang out.
Xiao Wu shouted excitedly:
"Brother Yun, wherever you go, I go."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flashed coldly:
"As long as I can grow stronger, I'm willing to pay any price. Any."
Huo Wu, Jing Ling, Jerry, and the Si siblings Yuan Siling and Yuan Siyun all chimed in, scrambling to show their determination like they were afraid of being too slow.
Ning Rongrong had originally wanted to speak,
But she was slightly stunned by the blazing, intense looks in their eyes.
Nangong Lingyun flicked Xiao Wu's forehead.
"Don't rush. I'm not done talking."
Ignoring Xiao Wu's protest, he continued:
"You should know, the soul master world currently has two mainstream concepts for martial soul development—balanced and extreme.
However, whether it's the balanced or extreme school, they only target the martial soul itself.
The former aims to compensate for martial soul weaknesses, while the latter seeks to push its strongest trait to the limit.
Only the Kaiyuan Sect takes a different path—factoring in soul power and the soul master themselves for comprehensive development.
In other words,
when attaching spirit rings, we no longer just consider how far they can develop or evolve the martial soul.
We also evaluate how the target soul beast enhances physique, mental strength, purifies soul power, and whether its skills match the new tactical system, etc.
The goal is simple—four words: self-created soul skills—or in other terms, combat technique development.
Take Xiao Wu as an example:
According to mainstream theory, the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit should enhance speed, charm, flexibility, and similar traits to make her stronger.
But three of her four spirit rings instead passively enhance an underlying trait—vibration—and most active skills are amplification types, along with a unique weapon summoning skill.
She then rigorously trained in hand-to-hand combat, using the martial soul as a booster, and attacking/defending with her own body and soul power."
Nangong Lingyun swept his gaze across everyone in the carriage, his tone growing serious.
"The reason I want you to think hard before choosing is exactly this.
If this path works, it could lead to power far beyond traditional schools—even auxiliary types might rival battle-type soul masters.
Take Jerry for instance: he's already training in the Soul Arena, with a record of eleven wins and four losses.
And don't forget, his martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, often facing opponents with levels 39 or 40 while he's only level 32.
But if we fail or give up midway, then our martial soul development path could end up far worse than the mainstream.
Because the core function of those skills would be useless to you.
Even Title Douluos can only have nine spirit rings—adding the wrong one can be catastrophic.
Moreover, developing combat techniques is extremely arduous and painful—
not just physically, but mentally.
You might need to wake up before sunrise to train, and still be studying martial soul theory after dark, skipping meals and sleep.
To improve control of soul power by even a fraction, you'll train one move endlessly, experiencing failure over and over.
To test and refine combat techniques, you'll brawl on the Soul Arena stage, often ending up bruised and bloody.
You'll suffer countless mental breakdowns—feel hopeless, question yourself, your life, even the world."
After speaking,
Nangong Lingyun, as if predicting the future, raised his hand and covered Xiao Wu's mouth just as she opened it.
"You may carefully weigh the pros and cons, question your innermost thoughts, ask yourselves if you truly have the will, determination, and desire.
You can also consult teachers, friends, or family. Study Xiao Wu and Jerry's intel reports. Give me your answer tomorrow morning.
If you have questions, now's the time to ask."
"Can auxiliary types really rival battle soul masters?"
Ning Rongrong's eyes also flared with the same intense desire as the others earlier.
It was practically common knowledge to target auxiliaries first in team fights.
Yet auxiliaries were often the most fragile and weakest—especially in the bizarre world of Douluo, where they were practically useless.
At least in Naruto, medical ninjas could still use transformation techniques, throw shuriken, or use explosive tags. In Douluo, they could only run—no basic attacks at all.
"Wanting to match a battle soul master with equal soul power and martial soul quality—like having Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda fight Clear Sky Hammer or Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—is obviously difficult.
But with proper development, enough talent, and willpower, a Soul Emperor can beat a Soul King, a Soul Ancestor can beat a Soul Sect—and no longer be as fragile as typical support types.
Both soul power and the human body have endless potential. It's just a matter of excavation."
"That's more than enough. I'm in."
Ning Rongrong was so excited her face turned red without realizing it.
The lack of combat ability in support types was Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's biggest worry.
Even with two Title Douluos, they never felt at ease.
She couldn't help but dream:
If I could become the first support-type to defeat a battle soul master, father and both grandfathers would surely be overjoyed.
Nangong Lingyun smiled and shook his head.
"I said tomorrow morning—no going back once you're in. Think it through.
Especially you. Do you even know what real suffering is?"
"Don't look down on me. I can handle it!"
Ning Rongrong pumped her fists.
Nangong Lingyun smirked.
Let's hope you remember these words later. Don't end up crying too hard, alright?
He couldn't help but feel a wicked thrill—Such a pretty little girl… one punch should make her cry for a long time, right?
With everyone dreaming of the future,
The carriages soon arrived at the restaurant entrance.
As Nangong Lingyun stepped off, a flash of surprise flickered in his eyes—Ning Rongrong was equally stunned.
Not far ahead stood three smiling figures.
....
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