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Inside the Seven Treasures team's training room.
Ke Jie gathered everyone to discuss the tournament tactics.
"Principal Ke, may I ask what your title is?" Ning Tianchen asked curiously upon seeing him.
Not only him, but the rest of the Seven Treasures team also cast curious glances at Ke Jie.
Ke Jie laughed heartily. "You're quite thoughtful. My martial soul is the Celestial Chessboard, and my title takes the first two characters of my martial soul—Tianqiong Douluo."
"Regarding my breakthrough, please keep it a secret for now and don't reveal it to anyone."
Although they didn't understand the reason, everyone still nodded in agreement.
After a pause, Ke Jie continued, "The rules of the inter-academy exchange tournament are basically the same as the Soul Masters Tournament. What you need to pay attention to is that this tournament will consist of both team soul battles and one-on-one arena matches."
The rules of the arena matches were essentially the same as the advancement rounds of the Soul Masters Tournament.
Each side would send out seven members for one-on-one soul battles. The winner would remain on the stage to face the next challenger until one side defeated all seven opponents, securing victory.
"The inter-academy exchange tournament adopts a points system. Winning a team soul battle earns ten points, while defeating an opponent in the one-on-one challenge earns one point. The top three teams will receive gold spirit coin rewards."
"I know you're not short on money, but this exchange tournament is also an opportunity to showcase the academy's strength. For the sake of the academy, I hope you can give it your all."
After hearing the rules of the arena matches, Feng Xiaotian couldn't help but glance at Ning Tianchen. "How about we compete to see who can achieve a clean sweep of seven opponents first?"
Before Ning Tianchen could agree, Ke Jie interjected, "You two will go on last. The inter-academy exchange tournament isn't the main event—you need to save your strength for the Soul Masters Tournament. This time, give others more opportunities."
The academies were familiar with each other. Sweeping seven opponents in front of everyone would be like trampling on the other academy's dignity.
According to Ning Fengzhi's plan, the inter-academy exchange tournament would henceforth be hosted by Seven Treasures Academy.
If they offended other academies now, those academies might not participate in the next tournament.
Chen Huayu couldn't help but ask, "Principal, our team only has eight people. Excluding Oscar and Young Miss, we only have six people eligible for the one-on-one arena matches. Shouldn't we find a few substitutes from within the academy?"
Ke Jie casually replied, "With Tianchen and Xiaotian as your safety net, aren't six of you enough?"
After absorbing the immortal herbs, the overall strength of the Seven Treasures team had increased significantly, leaving other academy teams far behind.
Ke Jie's decision to hold Ning Tianchen and Feng Xiaotian back was based on his knowledge that both of them possessed the ability to sweep seven opponents.
After discussing the arena matches, Ke Jie moved on to talk about the team battles.
"In the past, the inter-academy exchange tournament was a small-scale competition privately organized by the Four Elements Academies and Tiandou Imperial Academy. This year is different—we're turning it into a grand event within Tiandou City."
"At that time, many students from outside the academy will come to watch the soul battles. If we reveal all our trump cards, we'll be at a disadvantage when the Soul Masters Tournament begins. So, just use the four basic tactics I've devised for you—there's no need to expose any other tactics."
"Not only you, but the other academy teams will most likely refrain from using their trump cards as well."
"After the tournament begins, I'll be busy maintaining order in the academy, so Teacher Sun will accompany you to the competition."
Sun Buyu was tactful and meticulous in his work. After such a long time, Ke Jie was quite satisfied with him.
Finally, he added, "As for specific tactics during the matches, Tianchen will handle the arrangements. This afternoon, I've arranged for four Soul King-level teachers to act as sparring partners. Your task is to use your tactics to defeat them."
"This sparring session will also serve as your warm-up before the tournament."
With that, Ke Jie immediately headed to the principal's office.
Since Seven Treasures Academy was hosting this exchange tournament, there was much for Ke Jie, as principal, to attend to.
After he left, everyone's gaze naturally turned to Ning Tianchen.
After spending so much time together, everyone had heard bits and pieces about how the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family had wronged him and Ning Rongrong in the past.
"Boss, what do you plan to do? Since Principal Ke won't be able to closely monitor our matches, why not use an aggressive fast-attack tactic?" Chen Huayu was somewhat rebellious, and the others shared his sentiment.
Ning Tianchen, of course, wouldn't let Thunderclap Academy off easily. He said, "We'll decide during the match. First, we need to observe their starting positions before making arrangements."
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That afternoon, the Seven Treasures team faced the four Soul King-level teachers without showing any fear.
The two core members of the team, Ning Tianchen and Feng Xiaotian, performed exceptionally well.
The four teachers were part of a hastily assembled team, so their coordination wasn't very smooth. In the end, the Seven Treasures team successfully defeated them through their seamless teamwork.
During the sparring session, Feng Xiaotian even unleashed his Gale Wolf Fifty-Four Consecutive Slashes.
After the session ended, Ning Tianchen patted his shoulder. "Xiaotian, impressive! I didn't expect your self-created soul skill to progress so quickly. If I sparred with you, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to withstand the Fifty-Four Consecutive Slashes."
Ke Jie was extremely familiar with the Chaotic Windsplitting Hammer Technique. Through reverse research, he applied his theoretical findings to Feng Xiaotian, significantly improving the latter's progress in cultivating self-created soul skills.
Feng Xiaotian gave a bitter smile. "Without a teacher, I wouldn't have progressed so rapidly. Tianchen, there's something I'd like to discuss with you privately. What do you think?"
Ning Tianchen chuckled. "Just say it directly. We're all classmates here—no need to hide anything."
Feng Xiaotian sighed and sat on the grass nearby. "During the inter-academy exchange tournament, when facing Blazing Academy, could we avoid humiliating them too badly?"
"Huh?" The Seven Treasures team was astonished.
They didn't know anyone from Blazing Academy—why would they hold back for them?
Ning Tianchen, however, guessed some of the reasons.
Even though Feng Xiaotian had joined the Seven Treasures team, he hadn't cut ties with Huo Wu. During team breaks, he often visited Blazing Academy to meet her privately.
"Vice-captain, do you have something on your mind?" Yu Die blinked curiously.
Feng Xiaotian openly admitted his relationship with Huo Wu.
"Haven't you all been asking me why my soul power level improved so slowly over the past few years?"
At first, he trained in self-created soul skills purely because he thought his talent was extraordinary and should set him apart from ordinary geniuses.
Later, he met Huo Wu at a family banquet.
Initially, he had struggled greatly with cultivating self-created soul skills and was on the verge of giving up.
One day, he casually asked Huo Wu about her expectations for her future partner. She replied that he must be a genius strong enough to possess self-created soul skills.
From that moment on, Feng Xiaotian became deeply entrenched in the path of cultivating self-created soul skills.
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