"In the Grand Soul Arena, the two sides in a soul battle are always matched within the same level of strength. This is easy to understand in one-on-one battles—Soul Elder versus Soul Elder, Great Soul Master versus Great Soul Master.
However, when the battle format becomes team battles or two-on-two soul battles, the judgment of 'same level' is determined by taking the highest level in the team. In other words, if a Great Soul Master and a Soul Elder form a team to compete, the Grand Soul Arena will automatically recognize the team's overall strength as Soul Elder level.
Taking this into account, when choosing our two-on-two soul battle partners, it's best not to team up across levels. Otherwise, we'll very likely be at a serious disadvantage."
——————
Just as everyone began choosing partners, Dai Mubai timely reminded them of the Grand Soul Arena's battle rules.
"I'll team up with Third Brother. We're both Soul Elders, and a control-type paired with a strong attack-type is a very suitable combination."
As soon as Dai Mubai finished speaking, Xiao Wu struck first and directly claimed Tang San—one of the strongest fighters—for herself.
Of course, even if Xiao Wu hadn't done so, no one would have competed with her for Tang San anyway. The first group was thus decided.
Just as everyone was about to continue this pairing game, Oscar's somewhat flustered voice suddenly rang out:
"Wait a second—Master said that soul tool combat will take place in the virtual combat room. Does that mean we won't be allowed to use soul tools at all when fighting in the Grand Soul Arena?"
Faced with this question, everyone very tacitly turned their gazes toward Tang San. Master was his teacher, so this kind of interpretation was naturally something to ask him.
Under Oscar's slightly nervous stare, Tang San slowly nodded and said, "Based on my understanding of Teacher, that should be the case. Not only soul tools—my hidden weapons won't be allowed either."
"Then doesn't that mean whoever teams up with me in two-on-two soul battles will basically be fighting one-on-two?" Oscar muttered.
Then, as if suddenly possessed by a drama king, Oscar immediately put on a pitiful expression and looked at Dai Mubai:
"Boss Dai, you can't abandon me! If you don't team up with me for two-on-two soul battles, the others won't be able to carry me at all! If I rely only on team battles, who knows how long it'll take before I get a Silver Soul Badge!"
When Oscar couldn't use soul tools, he truly had almost no direct combat ability. He had to find a powerful teammate to carry him—otherwise, winning in two-on-two battles would be impossible.
In previous soul battles, Oscar's two-on-two partner had always been Fatty Ma Hongjun. Back then, Oscar could use a defensive soul tool, and with it, he was still able to contribute in battle—at the very least, allowing Ma Hongjun to focus on the enemy.
On top of that, Fatty's martial soul was genuinely strong. With Oscar's sausage support, crossing levels in combat before level thirty wasn't a problem at all.
However, level thirty was a major threshold in a soul master's cultivation. After obtaining a thousand-year soul ring, a soul master's combat strength would increase dramatically. At that point, the modest boosts from Oscar's sausages alone were absolutely insufficient to allow Ma Hongjun—still only a Great Soul Master—to fight one-on-two against Soul Elders. As such, Ma Hongjun was no longer suitable as Oscar's two-on-two partner.
Looking at Oscar's watery, tear-filled eyes, the muscles at the corner of Dai Mubai's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
In truth, Dai Mubai had originally planned to invite Zhu Zhuqing to be his two-on-two partner. But he suspected that if he dared refuse Oscar right now, this guy might actually start crying on the spot.
Unable to stand Oscar's expression any longer, Dai Mubai could only change his original plan and nod in agreement to Oscar's request.
The moment Dai Mubai agreed, Oscar—now guaranteed victory—immediately retracted the tears that had been on the verge of falling, as if the Oscar who had just been groveling for acceptance had never existed at all.
Heartache—this was the message Ao Siqin read from Dai Mubai's expression.
"Just treat it as poverty alleviation. I can't let this guy slow down our progress on the training mission," Dai Mubai silently comforted himself in his heart.
With Oscar settled, Ning Rongrong—also a support-type and similarly a drag in combat power—let her gaze sweep over Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing before decisively hugging Zhu Zhuqing beside her.
"Zhuqing, let's team up. You're already level twenty-eight, and with my support, you'll definitely be able to handle one-on-two at the Great Soul Master stage."
"Alright."Zhu Zhuqing's replies were always this clean and decisive. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing successfully formed a team.
"I'm also really strong at the Great Soul Master level! Rongrong, how could you not even give me a chance to speak?"
Standing on the other side of the group, Ma Hongjun looked like a deflated balloon. He clutched his round head with both hands, squatted on the ground, and put on an aggrieved expression, clearly struck by Ning Rongrong's decisive choice.
Seeing Ma Hongjun's exaggerated performance, Ning Rongrong still didn't let go of Zhu Zhuqing's arm. She simply smiled sweetly and said to Ma Hongjun:
"Fourth Brother, if I chose you as my partner, then Zhuqing would have to fight Soul-Elder-level two-on-two battles with Little Ao. Do you really have the heart to let Zhuqing face Soul-Elder-level opponents?
This kind of cross-level battle is obviously more suitable for someone as strong as you, Fourth Brother! And with greater pressure, you might even break through the level-thirty bottleneck sooner."
Honestly speaking, Ao Siqin's expression at this moment was a bit complicated. Emotional intelligence was something that really depended on talent—Ning Rongrong truly earned the affection of her family elders with real ability.
With just a few simple sentences, Ma Hongjun immediately cast aside his disappointment and became full of energy, patting his chest and boasting loudly about his combat strength.
After adjusting his expression, Ao Siqin sighed inwardly. Although he knew it was unlikely, he still hoped that his two-on-two partner would be Zhu Zhuqing rather than Ma Hongjun.
On the surface, Ma Hongjun's overall strength did indeed surpass Zhu Zhuqing's. But what Ao Siqin wanted wasn't overall strength—it was powerful offensive capability. Against Soul-Elder-level opponents, Ma Hongjun's attacks were still somewhat lacking, whereas Zhu Zhuqing's attack power was strong enough.
It was true that as an agility-attack-type soul master, Zhu Zhuqing was naturally weak in defense. Against powerful Soul-Elder opponents, once she was hit, she could easily lose combat capability.
But when Ao Siqin used the Flame Armor Shield in battle, he was fully capable of protecting Zhu Zhuqing. Relying on the Flame Armor Shield's excellent defensive ability, Ao Siqin could turn himself into a steadily advancing fortress. With the fortress as cover, Zhu Zhuqing could fully unleash the high-speed, high-attack advantages of an agility-attack-type soul master.
Combined with Ao Siqin's second soul skill, "Spicy Pepper Beef Burger," which boosted soul power, Zhu Zhuqing could even instantly kill Soul Elders whose defenses weren't outstanding. Ultimate defense paired with ultimate offense—that was the correct choice. Ma Hongjun's more moderate attack power would only drag the battle into a prolonged war of attrition.
Thinking of this, Ao Siqin's expression became complicated once again. If even in two-on-two soul battles he had to fight prolonged battles, wouldn't one-on-one battles be even worse?
After two consecutive attrition battles, Ao Siqin felt that he probably wouldn't have the energy left to participate in team battles.
Still, looking at the little fatty who had already come to stand beside him, Ao Siqin didn't voice any thoughts of changing partners.
Team battles—if he didn't fight, then so be it. Master wasn't letting all eight people fight anyway. Ao Siqin could take the chance to analyze information from below the stage, gather intel, and slack off a bit.
Next came the confirmation of everyone's code names and the names of the two-on-two teams. After discussion, the final code names and team names were as follows:
Evil-Eyed White Tiger — Dai Mubai;Sausage Specialist — Oscar;Flame Rhino Armor — Ao Siqin;Thousand-Hand Shura — Tang San;Evil Fire Phoenix — Ma Hongjun;Soft Bone Charm Rabbit — Xiao Wu;Seven-Treasure Glazed Pagoda — Ning Rongrong;Nether Spirit Cat — Zhu Zhuqing.
Dai Mubai and Oscar's team name: Phantom White Tiger;Tang San and Xiao Wu's team name: Three-Five Combination;Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's team name: Seven-Treasure Spirit Cat;Ao Siqin and Ma Hongjun's team name: Flame Armor Phoenix.
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(End of Chapter)