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With the elimination of the two agility-type soul masters from the Imperial Team, Ning Rongrong and Oscar at the backline were now completely safe.
The two stood in place, providing enhancements for their teammates, while Ning Tianchen and the other four pressed forward.
At this point, the roles of offense and defense had reversed.
The formation of the four members at the backline of the Imperial Team remained unchanged. Yu Tianheng wanted to retreat to his teammates' side but found his path blocked.
Facing the combined assault of five people, even though Yu Tianheng fought with all his might, he couldn't withstand the pressure.
His thigh was pierced by the Seven Kill Sword, and deep wounds were carved into his hands by butterfly blades.
In the end, Ning Tianchen delivered a kick to his face, sending him flying off the stage.
"Tianheng!" Dugu Yan's eyes widened in anger, her voice trembling with unbridled fury.
"Yanzi, don't use that move!" Qin Ming shouted urgently from below the arena.
Yu Tianheng was only injured. After treatment, a few days of rest would see him recover without issue.
However, Dugu Yan's Azure Phosphorus Purple Poison was difficult even for her to control. If she killed any disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Dugu Yan was consumed by rage, unable to hear Qin Ming's warning.
Step by step, she advanced, her voice low and deliberate. "Dare to harm Tianheng, and I'll make you pay with your lives!"
Beneath her feet, her third purple soul ring suddenly began to glow.
"Third soul skill, Azure Phosphorus Purple Poison."
The Azure Phosphorus Snake unleashed a cloud of purple poison mist, followed by an overwhelming stench that made onlookers gag.
"This is exactly what we've been waiting for." A faint smile appeared on Ning Tianchen's lips as he immediately retrieved a bottle of realgar wine from his soul-guidance device, prepared beforehand.
The rest of the Seven Treasures team quickly retreated to the backline.
As Ning Tianchen hurled the realgar wine into the air, he also tossed out a fire starter.
The alcohol vapors from the high-proof liquor ignited upon contact with the flame.
In an instant, a fiery mist formed, rapidly mixing with the purple poison mist.
Although the Azure Phosphorus Snake Poison was somewhat resistant to flames, ordinary-level fire alone wouldn't neutralize it.
However, this flame, fueled by burning alcohol, merged with the poison mist and triggered a violent combustion.
"It's impossible… absolutely impossible. How could you possibly counter my Azure Phosphorus Purple Poison?" Dugu Yan stood frozen in place, her eyes flashing with disbelief, her emotions in turmoil for a long time.
Her once invincible Azure Phosphorus Purple Poison, which even Soul Kings feared, had been so easily neutralized.
Qin Ming, watching from below, gaped in shock. He had intended to interrupt the match but hadn't even reached the referee before the Azure Phosphorus Purple Poison was neutralized?
Having lost their prized trump card and suffered the loss of three key members, the Imperial Team no longer had any hope of turning the tide.
"We concede," Shi Mo said, his voice filled with frustration and resentment.
How could a newly formed team possibly defeat them?
If not for the suppression of Dugu Yan's Azure Phosphorus Purple Poison, the scales of victory would surely have tipped in their favor.
Of course, they would never know that Ning Tianchen possessed a God's-eye view of the situation.
He was not only familiar with each of their abilities but also deeply understood their tactics.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a round of applause to the Seven Treasures team for their victory in this team spirit duel! The Seven Treasures team is just a newly formed group, yet they managed to triumph over a seasoned powerhouse…"
As the Seven Treasures team walked into the competitor's passage, the host's voice gradually faded away.
After securing their first spirit duel victory, smiles lit up everyone's faces, and their steps became noticeably lighter.
"The seemingly invincible Imperial Team isn't all that impressive after all," Ning Rongrong said with a soft laugh, covering her mouth.
She intended to take this opportunity to belittle the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family. As for the others on the Imperial Team, she paid little attention.
Ning Tianchen reminded them, "The reason the Imperial Team lost to us wasn't just because of our teamwork—it was mainly due to their underestimation of us. If we follow in their footsteps, we too will lose in future duels."
Chen Huayu chimed in, "Victory without arrogance, defeat without despair—I should remember this well."
"Little brother, you're absolutely right. Big Sister approves of you," Yu Die said lazily, her voice carrying a unique charm.
Chen Huayu's body stiffened momentarily, and he quickly hid behind Oscar.
---
Upon returning to the lounge, everyone was surprised to see Ke Jie's arrival.
"Hehe, I was merely curious about your performance, so I came to watch the duel. Beating the Imperial Team is quite an achievement. It seems the training I gave you this afternoon had some effect."
"You clearly set us up intentionally—what kind of training is that?" Ning Rongrong muttered quietly.
Ke Jie chuckled awkwardly but politely, then turned his gaze to Ning Tianchen, asking curiously, "Tianchen, how did you know the tactics the Imperial Team would use?"
Sun Buyu had already informed him of the results of their earlier deductions.
After observing the match, Ke Jie noticed that all of the Imperial Team's tactics seemed to unfold exactly as Ning Tianchen had predicted.
Was it skill or coincidence?
Ning Tianchen naturally didn't reveal the truth, explaining instead, "The Imperial Team has been famous in the Tiantou Grand Spirit Arena for a long time. In the past, their tactics in duels were limited to just a few sets. I analyzed their tactical arrangements and added my own insights. I didn't expect that the tactics they chose would align perfectly with my predictions."
This explanation was entirely plausible, and Ke Jie couldn't find any flaws in it.
"To overcome a stronger opponent proves that your coordination and tactical planning are impeccable. However, there were still some minor mistakes."
After pausing briefly, he pointed out each person's shortcomings.
"Tianchen, your performance was undoubtedly outstanding. But the way you lured Yu Tianheng into the encirclement was too common. Only someone as foolish as him would fall for it. Any veteran of the Grand Spirit Arena wouldn't be so easily deceived."
"Yu Die, Cai Die, you activated your martial souls too early. If you had waited until the enemy's agility-type soul masters advanced, catching them off guard could have ended the duel much sooner."
---
Inside the Imperial Team's lounge, Yu Tianheng and the others had been treated by the healing-type soul master and were now fine.
Each of them sat silently on the couch, their spirits low.
"What's this? Before the match, you all strutted around like you'd already won. Now, why the silence?" Qin Ming lectured sternly.
The Imperial Team wasn't lacking in ambition, but they had grown complacent after years of smooth sailing, becoming arrogant and overconfident.
This defeat in the spirit duel had brought them crashing back to reality.
"Teacher Qin, my impulsiveness was to blame for this duel's outcome," Oslo volunteered, taking responsibility.
"Your recklessness was only part of the problem," Qin Ming said, glancing at him.
The biggest issue lay in their initial deployment.
If Yu Tianheng decided to press forward against the opponent, the four members at the backline should have advanced to support him instead of waiting until he was surrounded to react.
With the front and backlines disconnected, failure had become inevitable.
At this moment, Dugu Yan stared blankly, replaying the scene of her Azure Phosphorus Purple Poison being neutralized over and over in her mind.
Yu Tianheng fell into self-doubt, muttering repeatedly, "Is the Seven Kill Sword martial soul really that strong?"
His grandfather had managed to fight evenly against Jian Dao Chenxin despite being a level lower. His soul power level was higher than Jian Dao Tianchen's, yet he wasn't able to defeat him. Could it be that something was wrong with his cultivation?
Seeing the expressions of the main and vice-captains, Qin Ming helplessly furrowed his brows.
Next, he needed to figure out how to help them overcome the shadow of this defeat.
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