Starting with Ma Xiaotao's introduction. Aside from the main team from the original work—Xixi, Chen Zifeng, Yao Haoxuan, Ling Luochen, Dai Yueheng, and Gongyang Mo—most of the inner court disciples sent by Yan Shaozhe were unfamiliar to him.

The strength of these disciples was generally around the Soul King level.

Both Xixi and Yao Haoxuan had only recently advanced to Soul King, clearly a tier below Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng.

"All right, Xiao Wen, your turn to introduce yourself," Yan Shaozhe said with a smile.

Although Su Wen hadn't officially enrolled, and Xian Lin'er hadn't given up on recruiting him, Yan Shaozhe already considered Su Wen a core disciple of the Martial Soul Department.

As he finished speaking, many disciples looked over curiously.

Especially Xixi, Yao Haoxuan, and a few others—they'd only heard stories about Su Wen in the inner court but were seeing him for the first time today.

"Su Wen, level thirty Summoning-type Soul Elder," Su Wen replied with a brilliant smile.

Everyone: "..."

"Uh, junior, can I ask, what the heck is a Summoning-type?" Yao Haoxuan raised his hand, utterly confused.

"It means summoning soul beasts, of course," Su Wen explained.

"It's not that…"

Yao Haoxuan's mouth twitched.

He understood every word, but together it made no sense.

He'd never even heard of this Summoning-type…

"He's telling the truth," Yan Shaozhe couldn't hide his smile.

"After he hunts his third soul ring in Star Dou Forest, heh… you'll all be in for a surprise."

This special training would last a month.

So, with the trip to Star Dou Forest in two days, Yan Shaozhe would still call the two over again—today was just to get familiar; the real training would start when Ma Xiaotao and Su Wen returned.

"Huh?"

Hearing Yan Shaozhe's endorsement, everyone's previously casual expressions instantly turned to shock.

As the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe's authority even surpassed Elder Xuan's—no one doubted his word…

"Just talking about soul power, a ten-year-old Soul Elder—never seen that in my life!" Chen Zifeng even let out a rare curse.

Ling Luochen gave Su Wen a glance, as if calculating something.

"All right, let's begin," said Yan Shaozhe, waving his hand.

"Teams will be redistributed—Dai Yueheng and Xiaotao each lead a team."

"I want Su Wen!" Ma Xiaotao chimed in excitedly.

"No, Su Wen's on our team for the first round," Ling Luochen stepped forward, grabbing Su Wen's sleeve.

"Since we're rotating, Su Wen can't stay on just one team, right?"

"..." Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth, glaring at her former bestie, lips moving silently.

Ling Luochen stayed calm.

So for the first round, Su Wen was on a team with Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, and others.

Dai Yueheng felt a headache coming on—he'd have to assign someone to protect Su Wen. With a level thirty little guy, so fragile, the other team would have to be extra careful…

Wasn't he just adding trouble?

The lineups were mixed.

Retreating to the far side, Su Wen stood with Ling Luochen. Before obtaining his third soul skill, he'd have to rely on Ling Luochen, a Soul King, to bring out his value.

"Buff me," Ling Luochen turned, her crystal-clear eyes soft as she looked at Su Wen.

"Got it," Su Wen nodded.

The two had interacted over the years.

But Ling Luochen always snuck around like a thief, afraid Ma Xiaotao would find out. Who'd have thought she'd drop the act today? Maybe these fake besties would finally break up for good.

"Begin!"

With Yan Shaozhe's announcement—

Both sides moved at once.

Ma Xiaotao, wreathed in flames, transformed into a fire phoenix and charged straight at Su Wen and his team.

As the strongest on the field, her pressure was immense.

Su Wen was facing the full force of Ma Xiaotao for the first time. The heat was intense, sweat dripping down his forehead.

But soon, a cool, slippery sensation slid onto his hand.

He saw Ling Luochen in front of him suddenly take his hand, their fingers interlacing.

Seeing the usually icy Ling Luochen flash a dazzling smile, Su Wen was stunned—she could smile?

"Hurry and buff me, what are you spacing out for?" Ling Luochen blushed, pouting.

"Oh, oh…"

Su Wen nodded.

Ripples spread through the air as Ice Emperor's figure materialized. Instantly, the entire arena was filled with intense cold, frost forming on the surface—even Ma Xiaotao's phoenix flames were suppressed.

Seeing the two holding hands—

Ma Xiaotao's pretty face twisted in anger, gritting her teeth: "Ling Luochen!!!"

She'd been stolen from!

So infuriating!

"What's going on? Luochen's ice is so strong today? She's actually suppressing Xiaotao?" Yao Haoxuan gasped.

"No, it's Su Wen… That's the Ice Jade Scorpion, Ultimate Ice! He has an Ultimate Attribute?!!"

Everyone knew how terrifying ultimate attributes were.

Ma Xiaotao's main strength came from her phoenix flames, but even those were only "pseudo-ultimate"—still a step below the real thing.

"So that's it!"

Everyone understood.

If Ling Luochen's ice could reach the ultimate attribute, and as a control type, her boost to the team would be enormous—absolutely terrifying.

Su Wen was a key factor in deciding victory!

If he joined Ma Xiaotao, Ultimate Ice would completely outclass all normal ice elements—tilting the balance instantly.

"Ice Staff!"

"Ice Armor!"

Two yellow soul rings rose from under Ling Luochen's feet.

Her eyes sparkled.

Ultimate attribute experience card—even if only for a few minutes, it felt amazing…

She could clearly feel how much stronger these two basic skills became when imbued with Ultimate Ice.

A qualitative leap—three or four times stronger at least…

"Hahaha, sorry, Sister Xiaotao!" Yao Haoxuan, covered in ice armor and puffed up like a snowball, charged straight at Ma Xiaotao.

Normally, he'd have to avoid her flames, but now—with the ultimate ice attribute—he completely suppressed Ma Xiaotao.

So he had to go for it—what a rare chance.

"Damn it!"

Ma Xiaotao cursed.

Now even random nobodies dared to provoke her?

"Fifth soul skill, Phoenix Cloud Piercer!"

A dense, pitch-black soul ring rose from her feet.

The air rippled around her.

Ma Xiaotao's flames gathered, forming a three-to-four-meter-long phoenix shadow. Her beautiful eyes locked on Yao Haoxuan: "Go to hell!"

"Is this necessary, big sis? Taking it this far!"

Yao Haoxuan turned pale.

He frantically tried to retreat.

The fifth soul skill—this was Ma Xiaotao's full power. Even with ultimate ice armor, he couldn't withstand it!

He dared not joke around anymore…

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Advanced chapter here: p-atreon.com/Sajaboyzzz

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