Chapter 105: An Unconventional Team

As for the people Qian Renxue had painstakingly recruited from the Spirit Hall and arranged into the Heaven Dou Royal Spirit Academy, they were now covered in wounds. Two of the primary combatants were in an even worse state, struggling even to stand. The tournament, meanwhile, was set to begin in just two days.

"Don't worry," Lin An said dismissively. "Just let them go out there to make up the numbers. I can handle all the spirit masters on my own."

"I naturally believe in you, but... sigh, never mind. It is my fault for not stopping you. I knew they were no match for you, yet I insisted on seeing if they could force you to reveal your true strength." Qian Renxue smiled helplessly; at this point, she had no choice but to accept the outcome.

Afterward, Qian Renxue hosted a banquet for Lin An, who enjoyed himself thoroughly. As for Huang Yixiao and the others, they were not so fortunate and were sent off by Qian Renxue to recuperate. At the very least, they needed to be able to walk onto the stage rather than be carried when the match arrived.

However, Qian Renxue had underestimated Lin An. Even when the official tournament started, the group basically had to support one another just to reach the arena, becoming a laughingstock for many of the other spirit master academies.

"Is this the team organized by the First Prince, Xue Qinghe? They’re absurd! Did they overtrain last night and injure themselves?"

"Whoever draws this team will surely advance to the next round without any suspense. I think the referee should just disqualify them now to save them from further injury; they might not be able to get out of bed for a month otherwise."

"It’s my first time seeing anyone compete in a spirit master tournament while already injured."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, most of it ridiculing Prince Xue Qinghe. The team representing the Heaven Dou Royal Spirit Academy was not the only one there. While this tournament was organized by the spirit master academies within the Heaven Dou Empire, the Royal Academy typically fielded four or five teams, including those organized by other princes or dukes.

In just a few short years, the successive, mysterious deaths of princes had caused panic among the royal family. Even princes as young as five or six were being helped by their mothers to seek out powerful spirit masters to pave their future. Even the Emperor of Heaven Dou frowned at the sight. Xue Qinghe was the prince he valued most; he often handled matters with great competence. Yet, knowing the Emperor was watching, the fact that he sent such a team to the stage left him puzzled.

"Could he be feigning weakness to tell the other princes he has no intention of vying for the throne?"

He soon shook his head. He knew his son well; the boy had long coveted the throne. He even suspected that the deaths of the other princes in recent years were related to Xue Qinghe. Seeing him act this way now, even the Emperor found it impossible to decipher his motives.

Xue Qinghe's team was not the first to compete, but they had to play their match today. If they lost in the first round, it would be a heavy blow to Xue Qinghe’s prestige. The first match was intense, and ultimately, the Heaven Dou Royal Spirit Academy team narrowly won. Next, it was the turn of Xue Qinghe's group.

Lin An walked onto the field first, followed by Shi Wenjing, Huang Yixiao, and the others, who trudged onto the stage with great difficulty, leaning on each other for support. Had it not been for Xue Qinghe’s insistence, they would have likely returned home long ago. After all, it was Lin An who had beaten them into this state; having to stand on the stage alongside him now was an incredibly agonizing experience for them.

"Is this the best the Heaven Dou Royal Spirit Academy has to offer? They don't even respect the most fundamental code between spirit masters. You have no right to stand on this stage."

The opposing team came from a province under the Heaven Dou Empire. Their strength was quite formidable; even the regular teams from the Royal Academy would have to treat them with caution. Seeing this team—fractured and disharmonious, with five out of six members severely injured and openly hostile toward the only one who wasn't—they couldn't conceive of a way to lose. To suggest that the one uninjured spirit master could solo their elite team was clearly impossible. This was not a one-on-one duel; no matter how strong an individual was, they could not possibly defeat an entire team.

"Just concede. We don't want to fight a team like this; it’s a disgrace. If you leave now, you can at least save some face!" Hu Xiao said, his face full of mockery.

"Heh, you really think you have the victory in the bag? When you get slapped in the face later, I’m afraid you won't even have the strength to cry," Huang Yixiao retorted, loathing the man before him. If not for the fact that they had lost their combat effectiveness because of Lin An, he would have shown this team the true meaning of power. But as things stood, they could do nothing.

"Hurry up and start! What good does stalling do? Will your injuries heal if you wait?"

"Exactly! There’s no suspense left in this match; you might as well forfeit!"

"We want to see the next match!"

Seeing that the stage had been quiet for so long, the audience grew impatient.

"See? Even the crowd doesn't think you stand a chance," Hu Xiao laughed.

"Don't waste time. Since they’re being stubborn and won't concede, let's just send them back to rest for a few months!" another opponent sneered.

"Fine by me. Go back and get some rest!"

With that, Hu Xiao summoned his spirit, and his spirit rings lit up. Seeing that the battle was finally beginning, Lin An walked directly in front of Huang Yixiao, curious to see what strength this arrogant team possessed compared to them.

Huang Yixiao breathed a sigh of relief as Lin An stepped in front of them. They had been worried that Lin An would watch them get knocked off the stage before stepping in to save the day single-handedly. Thinking back, if they hadn't provoked Lin An, they wouldn't be in this position, and they couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

"Trying to take us all on by yourself? That’s far too arrogant!" Seeing that the others made no move and only Lin An blocked their path, Hu Xiao sneered. They must be making a desperate, final struggle.