The five members of the Holy Light Team gathered and underwent initial practice in the simulated training ground of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Ling Ye's command ability, Zhu Zhuqing's elusive attacks, Dugu Yan's poisonous crowd control, Ning Rongrong's extreme amplification, and Ye Lingling's stable treatment have initially demonstrated a powerful synergy.
However, after inspecting a training session, Qian Renxue made a suggestion: "Mr. Ling, although the team is strong, the five-person configuration is ultimately too weak. The competition system is complex, and there will inevitably be round-robin matches or unexpected casualties. According to convention, a formal team should have seven members, plus one or two substitutes. Why not find two more reliable people to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, and also to enrich the tactical options?"
After a moment's thought, Ling Ye agreed.
Qian Renxue's words made sense, and he already had two suitable targets in mind.
His first target was the Botanical Academy, located in a small town west of Tiandou City.
According to intelligence, there is a gifted girl named Yao Zi there whose martial soul is the extremely rare Demon Vine (a fan-made alteration), and she has extremely strong control over it.
However, due to the dark nature of his martial soul, he was not highly regarded in the academy, and his personality was somewhat withdrawn.
Ling Ye took Ning Rongrong with him.
The dean of the College of Plant Sciences was flattered to hear that Ling Ye and Ning Rongrong had arrived together.
Ling Ye stated his purpose directly: he wanted to meet Yao Zi.
When Yao Zi was brought in, Ling Ye's eyes lit up.
The girl was tall and slender with healthy wheat-colored skin and eyes that held a hint of wildness and wariness, like a rose with thorns.
"Miss Yao Zi, would you be interested in joining my team to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament?" Ling Ye asked directly.
Yao Zi paused for a moment, scrutinized Ling Ye, and said in a cold tone, "My martial soul is the Demon Vine, which many people consider evil. Does your team dare to take it?"
Ling Ye smiled, but did not answer. Instead, he released a trace of the Holy Spirit Martial Soul's aura.
That pure and vast life energy instantly caused Yao Zi's demonic vine martial soul to resonate intensely and submit!
She was shocked to discover that her martial spirit, which was considered "dark," was filled with longing as if it had seen a king in the face of this aura!
"In my world, there are no evil martial spirits, only masters who don't know how to use them." Ling Ye concealed his aura and said calmly, "Your demonic vine has boundless potential, but it lacks proper guidance and powerful partners. Join us, and you will see a whole new world."
Ning Rongrong also spoke up at the right time, tempting her with the amplification effect of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda: "Sister Yao Zi, with your control ability combined with my amplification, you will definitely shine in the competition!"
Looking into Ling Ye's deep and confident eyes, feeling the aura that had made her heart flutter and yearn for him, and then looking at Ning Rongrong's sincere smile, the ice in Yao Zi's heart melted instantly.
She nodded emphatically: "Okay! I'll join!"
Ling Ye immediately helped her hunt down a suitable four-thousand-year-old ghost vine soul beast as her fourth soul ring, greatly increasing her control ability and raising her soul power to level 41.
The second objective, however, is somewhat tricky.
Ling Ye set his sights on Hu Yanxuan, a talented young girl from a collateral branch of the Elephant Armor Sect.
The Elephant Armor Sect is renowned for its defensive capabilities, and Hu Yanxuan is one of its best members. Her martial soul is a mutated diamond mammoth, which boasts astonishing defensive power and a certain degree of impact strength.
However, the Elephant Armor Sect is one of the four lower sects and has close ties with the Spirit Hall, making it extremely difficult to poach its members.
Ling Ye didn't go directly to their door, but chose a clever opportunity.
Through Qian Renxue's intelligence network, he learned that Hu Yanxuan, being from a collateral branch, was often ostracized by the direct disciples within the sect, causing her great distress.
Once, when Hu Yanxuan was training alone, she happened to encounter several of her direct disciples deliberately making things difficult for her.
Ling Ye "happened" to pass by, but did not immediately take action. Instead, he appeared like a god descending to earth when Hu Yanxuan was surrounded and in a sorry state, filled with humiliation and despair.
He didn't even use his martial spirit; relying solely on his physical strength and exquisite movement techniques, he easily repelled the Elephant Armor Sect disciples who were at the Soul Sect level, and saved Hu Yanxuan.
Hu Yanxuan was stunned when she saw the man who had suddenly appeared. He was powerful and handsome.
Ling Ye didn't say much, but simply handed her a bottle of healing medicine and said calmly, "Your talent is good, but it's a pity that your talent has been wasted. A true strong person should not be confined by sectarian prejudices."
These words deeply wounded Hu Yanxuan's heart.
Ling Ye then demonstrated combat skills far beyond her comprehension and unique insights into defensive Soul Masters, while also hinting at the power and free spirit of the Holy Light Team.
After struggling internally for a long time, Hu Yanxuan's desire for power and dissatisfaction with the status quo ultimately overwhelmed her concerns about the sect.
She gritted her teeth and said, "I...I'm willing to go with you! But I need to become stronger!"
Ling Ye smiled with satisfaction and helped her hunt down a soul ring from a ten-thousand-year-old Ironclad Dragon Turtle, raising her defense to another level and bringing her soul power to level 42.
Although the process attracted an even stronger ten-thousand-year-old soul beast, it was still no match for Ling Ye. Instead, it made Hu Yanxuan even more awe and devoted to his strength.
At this point, all seven official members of the Holy Light Team have been assembled.
Captain: Ling Ye, Level 62 Control-type Battle Soul Emperor (ostensibly Soul King), Martial Soul: Holy Spirit Puni.
Team member: Zhu Zhuqing, Level 42 Agility-Attack Type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Netherworld Cat (Mutated).
Team member: Dugu Yan, Level 43 Power Attack Type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Azure Phosphorous Sacred Dragon.
Team member: Ning Rongrong, Level 41 Support-type Weapon Soul Master, Martial Soul: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Team member: Ye Lingling, Level 40 Healing-type Spirit Master, Spirit: Nine-Hearted Begonia.
Team member: Yao Zi, Level 41 Control-type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Demon Vine.
Team member: Hu Yanxuan, Level 42 Defense-type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Diamond Mammoth (Mutated).
All of them were Soul Masters or above, and their Martial Souls were all rare, powerful, or even mutated and evolved. The lineup was so luxurious that it was breathtaking!
Ling Ye began more rigorous and targeted team cohesion training.
He designed several tactics based on each person's characteristics:
Quick Attack Build: Ning Rongrong provides buffs, Zhu Zhuqing uses Shadow Strike to instantly kill the core enemy, Dugu Yan uses Poison Mist for crowd control, and Ling Ye coordinates the overall strategy.
Defensive counter-attack strategy: Hu Yanxuan is in the front row, Yao Ziyao uses her magic vines to restrict movement, Ye Lingling heals, and Ling Ye, Dugu Yan, and Zhu Zhuqing wait for an opportunity to unleash their power.
Consumption Flow: Dugu Yan and Yao Zi's dual area control and poison consumption, Ye Lingling's maintenance, and Ling Ye's precise kill.
Although the team members initially had some minor frictions due to personality differences, they quickly developed a tacit understanding under the influence of Ling Ye's absolute strength and personal charm. They all admired this unfathomable captain, and subtle feelings also began to grow in their daily interactions.
With the tournament about to begin, the Holy Light Team, though not yet officially revealed, has already attracted the attention of some top forces through certain channels.
Inside the Spirit Hall, in the Papal Palace.
Bibi Dong looked at the vague information about the Holy Light Team in her hand, especially that familiar name, and a very complex cold light flashed in her beautiful eyes.
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament... Ling Ye... what exactly do you want to do?" She gently stroked the sleeping Dong Ye in her arms and murmured to herself, "This time, I'll see just how much of a storm you can stir up on this stage!"
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