"First Soul Skill: Molten Flame Fist!"
Lin Mu leaped into the air, concentrating the intense Qilin Fire into his right fist. He unleashed a heavy punch downward, the air screaming as it superheated.
The next moment, the flames expanded into a gigantic, roaring fist of lava. It collided with Qin Ming's oncoming pillar of fire, instantly detonating the Soul Emperor's attack upon contact.
BOOM!!
With a deafening explosion, the entire arena floor buckled. At the epicenter, a crater several meters deep was gouged into the stone, sending glowing embers flying in every direction. The shockwave forced Qin Ming back several meters, his feet carving grooves into the ground as he struggled to stay upright. In contrast, Lin Mu landed gracefully, standing perfectly unmoved amidst the smoke.
"That... was just his first Soul Skill?" Qin Ming wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, a bitter sense of reality washing over him. His sixth Soul Skill, his strongest move, had been neutralized by his opponent's first soul skill, as if the two were worlds apart.
Seeing that Qin Ming had lost his will to continue, Lin Mu deactivated his armor fusion.
Since his Martial Soul's evolution into the Fire Qilin, the suppression Lin Mu exerted over fire-attribute Martial Souls had become absolute. With the divine quality of the Qilin Fire, even a hundred-year Soul Skill could rival or surpass the power of a ten-thousand-year skill when elemental suppression was factored in. It was a complete and utter crushing of Qin Ming's foundation.
"Your strength far surpasses mine. I accept this defeat wholeheartedly," Qin Ming said, taking a deep breath to steady his shaken spirit. He clasped his hands in a formal salute. He had known the gap existed once the rings were revealed, but experiencing the sheer density of Lin Mu's power was a different matter entirely.
In the entire academy, perhaps only the three Board Members could truly claim to be Lin Mu's peers.
"Teacher Qin, you are too modest," Lin Mu replied, returning the salute with a nod.
Xue Qinghe and the three Board Members finally recovered from their shock and descended from the spectator stands.
"Your Soul Rings and raw power have truly broadened our horizons! It is a profound honor for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to have you join our ranks," Meng Shenji said, his tone filled with unprecedented solemnity.
This wasn't just a teacher the Crown Prince had recruited; this was the future of the Empire's military might. A ten-thousand-year fourth ring and a hundred-thousand-year seventh ring? Once he reached the Titled Douluo rank, he would be a peerless powerhouse capable of suppressing an entire era.
"Your talent is unparalleled. You possess the clear potential of a Super Douluo," Bai Baoshan and Zhilin echoed, their eyes filled with genuine admiration.
"The Board Members are too kind. My strength is still insignificant," Lin Mu said calmly, unaffected by the flattery.
At this moment, Xue Qinghe stepped forward, a gentle smile on his face, though a glint of shrewdness lurked in his eyes. "Brother Lin, it would be a waste of your talents to merely be a general teacher. Why not take command of the Royal Fighting Team? With your guidance, they might finally secure victory in the upcoming Continental Soul Master Tournament."
The Board Members' eyes lit up. With a powerhouse like Lin Mu personally coaching them, the team's growth would be astronomical.
"His Highness is absolutely right! Lord Lin Mu, we officially entrust the Royal Fighting Team to you!" Meng Shenji declared.
Qin Ming stepped forward as well, speaking solemnly. "Only you are qualified to lead them. I am more than willing to serve as your vice-leader to help manage the daily affairs."
Lin Mu's mind raced. He had already planned to integrate Tang San and Xiao Wu into the team. He knew that the grand prize for the tournament, three high-level Soul Bone, was something he couldn't pass up. Coaching them himself would maximize the odds of winning those rewards.
"Since Your Highness and the Board trust me, I will not refuse." Lin Mu's expression turned serious. "However, regarding my Soul Ring configuration and the details of my duel with Teacher Qin, I expect strict secrecy. This information must not be publicized."
The others immediately understood. Such a monstrous configuration would attract dangerous attention from other major forces, specifically the Spirit Hall.
"Brother Lin, rest assured. This matter stays between us," Xue Qinghe promised solemnly. The others followed suit, swearing an oath of silence.
Two days later, at the elite training grounds of the Royal Fighting Team.
The seven core members, led by Yu Tianheng, were undergoing their usual drills. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached. They looked up to see a young man walking toward them, flanked by two younger students in academy uniforms.
To their shock, the person walking beside the stranger was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe himself.
At the back of the group, Ye Lingling, dressed in her signature black attire with long blue hair, froze. The moment Lin Mu appeared, her cold, aloof demeanor shattered. Her clear eyes fixed on him, filled with undisguised joy and relief. The "Six-Year Agreement" was finally being fulfilled.
Qin Ming stepped forward and announced loudly:
"Let me introduce your new superior. This is Teacher Lin Mu. From today onward, he will take over as the Head Leader of the Royal Fighting Team, responsible for all training and tactical arrangements. I will remain as his vice-leader."
The seven members were stunned. The man before them looked barely older than themselves. At that age, he should be a student, not a coach replacing a Soul Emperor like Qin Ming.
Yu Tianheng, the captain and scion of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, stepped forward with a furrowed brow. "Teacher Qin, you have led us with excellent results. Why the sudden change? And who is this person to replace you?"
He glared at Lin Mu, convinced the man was merely a silver spear tip, someone who had used a connection with the Crown Prince to steal a prestigious position.
Lin Mu's gaze swept over Yu Tianheng, indifferent and cold. "Nearly twenty years old, and still only at Level 39? And this is the captain of the Royal Fighting Team? No wonder the academy hasn't won a championship in years."
The training ground went deathly silent. Yu Tianheng's face flushed a deep, angry red.