Douluo, my clone Groudon

Chapter 368 Regular Players, Substitution in Combat
After the selection process ended, Xuanzi disappeared immediately.

Jiang Nannan stood silently on the sidelines, watching Wang Dong celebrate his inclusion in the reserve team roster. A sense of loss, like an icy tide, seeped into her heart little by little.

"As expected... it's still the same. What good is high innate soul power? The Soft Bone Rabbit is still just a Soft Bone Rabbit. No matter how strong the Invincible Golden Body is, Xu Sanshi's defense is more comprehensive and more in line with the team... Elder Xuan's choice was right. It's just... I'm not reconciled."

She pressed her lips tightly together, her nails digging deep into her palms, using the pain to suppress her surging emotions.

"Nannan!" Xu Sanshi rushed to her side immediately, his face full of anxiety and heartache. "Don't listen to Elder Xuan, he was... he was..."

He wanted to offer comfort, but couldn't find the right words. Xuanzi's words, though cruel, pointed out the truth.

Jiang Nannan turned her head slightly to avoid his burning gaze, her voice trembling slightly:

"Xu Sanshi, that's enough. Elder Xuan wasn't wrong, it's just that my strength isn't enough." She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound calm. "Congratulations on being selected."

Gula happened to pass by, his gaze calmly sweeping over the man and woman caught in the delicate atmosphere.

"The Xuanming Sect's awakening ceremony... Ha, it requires a woman of extraordinary talent to 'sacrifice' herself to awaken the Xuanwu bloodline. This method of inheritance is both laughable and pathetic. No wonder Xu Sanshi is so obsessed with her. But what does it have to do with me?"

He didn't stop, heading straight for the forging room. Compared to these entanglements, the Soul Forging Ice Extreme Divine Crystal and the preparations for the upcoming competition were his main concerns.

The next day, the seven members of the reserve team—Gula, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou—were taken by Xuanzi to the inner courtyard's dedicated training ground.

The seven regular team members were already waiting there, their powerful auras spreading out without any attempt to conceal themselves. They introduced themselves, giving everyone a preliminary impression:

Captain Ma Xiaotao, with the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, is a level 68 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Emperor. Vice Captain Dai Yueheng, with the White Tiger Martial Soul, is a level 64 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Emperor.

The agility-based War Soul King is Xixi, the support-based War Soul King is Gongyang Mo, the control-based War Soul King is Yao Haoxuan, the power-based War Soul King is Chen Zifeng, and the control-based War Soul King is Ling Luochen.

Xuanzi took a swig of wine, gnawed on a chicken leg, and mumbled, "You all know each other now? To help you kids get to know each other quickly, we'll split into two teams and have a match. Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, you two will be captains, and you can choose your own teammates."

A glint of fire flashed in Ma Xiaotao's eyes. Without hesitation, she pointed at Huo Yuhao first: "You, come here."

She often worked with Huo Yuhao to extinguish the evil flames of the Evil Phoenix, and was very familiar with him. However, she did not forget Huo Yuhao's almost cheat-like mental detection sharing ability, which was a godsend in team battles.

Dai Yueheng's gaze swept over Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Gula. Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi had enormous potential and were destined to become Title Douluo in the future, making them targets that the White Tiger Duke's Mansion needed to win over. But Gula... could this ultimate flame suppress Ma Xiaotao's raging evil fire?

This thought instantly took over. "Gula," Dai Yueheng said in a deep voice, wanting to see the power of the ultimate fire with his own eyes.

Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow and immediately pointed at Bei Bei, sensing that she was a four-ring Soul Master.

Huo Yuhao hurriedly lowered his voice and said, "Wang Dong and I have a martial soul fusion skill."

Ma Xiaotao immediately changed the direction of her finger, pointing at Wang Dong, "You."

Xuanzi heard Huo Yuhao's reminder but didn't take it seriously. Shrek Academy students should have this competitive spirit.

Dai Yueheng did not hesitate to choose to compensate for the lack of defense: "Xu Sanshi".

Next, Ma Xiaotao pointed to Beibei. She had heard of the name "Twin Stars of the Foreign Languages ​​Department" before, mainly because she knew Beibei and Xu Sanshi before.

Dai Yueheng's gaze fell on Xiao Xiao and He Caitou. Both of them were support-type, but one had twin martial souls and the other was a level four soul master.

"Xiao Xiao." Their control system is relatively weak, but the Three Lives Soul-Suppressing Cauldron can make up for it to some extent.

When it was Ma Xiaotao's turn, she glanced at the remaining He Caitou, nodded, and He Caitou went to stand in front of her.

Then there are the regular players.

Dai Yueheng knew that Ma Xiaotao had chosen Huo Yuhao, the ultimate ice element, and had given up Ling Luochen.

Gongyang Mo, who was the first to be chosen, is a support-type character. His Rainbow Dragon Martial Soul is known as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda among Beast Martial Souls. His support abilities are similar, and both of them cannot break through the limitations of Soul Saint.

Ma Xiaotao immediately guessed Dai Yueheng's sinister intentions. She and Ling Luochen had a long-standing feud in the inner courtyard. Ma Xiaotao ignored her and pointed to Xixi, who was of the agility-based class: "Xixi."

This is clearly aimed at Gongyang Mo, the only support player in Dai Yueheng's team.

Gongyang Mo watched as Xixi made a throat-slitting gesture towards him, and could only give a helpless bitter smile: "Little Xixi, be gentle with me."

Xixi smiled softly, without answering.

Dai Yueheng then chose Yao Haoxuan, who combines defense and control: "Yao Haoxuan." Ma Xiaotao chose Chen Zifeng, who is an offensive player: "Chen Zifeng."

In the end, only Ling Luochen remained. She stood there all alone, her face as cold as ice.

Dai Yueheng hesitated for a moment, then said, "Ling Luochen."

Ling Luochen was inwardly furious: "Dai Yueheng... your choice of me was out of desperation. Just because Huo Yuhao is with Ma Xiaotao? Ultimate Ice? Hmph, I'll see what makes a little brat from the second ring think he can outdo me!"

With an air of defiant indifference, she silently stood at the back of Dai Yueheng's group.

Looking at the opposing lineup, especially Gula, Ma Xiaotao's eyes burned with fighting spirit: "Ultimate Fire? Heh, let me see what's so great about it!"

Gula felt her gaze and calmly replied, "As you wish."

Xuanzi waved his hand lazily: "Begin!"

"Whoosh!" He Caitou was the fastest, his cigars flying as he accurately tossed them to his teammates, catching three cigars in one bite. On the other side, Gongyang Mo's body instantly erupted with dazzling seven-colored light.

"Crimson Power!"

"The Soul of Orange!"

"Speed ​​of Yellow!"

"Green Royal Guard!"

"The Flourishing of Azure!"

Five powerful beams of light precisely struck each member of Dai Yueheng's team. Gula felt the surging power within him and nodded slightly.

"As expected of the Rainbow Dragon Martial Soul, its amplification effect is indeed domineering, almost comparable to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Unfortunately, its inherent limitations restrict it."

The battle broke out instantly.

Ling Luochen, radiating a chilling rage and enveloped in icy mist, aimed directly at Huo Yuhao. She was determined to prove that her ice was no less formidable than that so-called ultimate ice.

Meanwhile, Ma Xiaotao, like a burning meteor, swept towards Gula with a scorching storm, determined to test the power of the Ultimate Flame firsthand. "Let me see just how powerful the Ultimate Flame really is!" Ma Xiaotao shouted, her third soul ring flashing as Phoenix Roar Strike, accompanied by a terrifying sonic boom and raging flames, hurtled towards Gula.

Gula's eyes narrowed, and the Sun Angel Martial Soul instantly possessed him. Golden-red flames flowed across his body, radiating a sacred yet scorching aura. A pressure originating from his bloodline instantly descended upon Ma Xiaotao.

"Uh!"

Ma Xiaotao let out a muffled groan, her forward momentum slightly halted, and the raging evil fire within her seemed to have encountered its natural enemy, showing signs of being suppressed and tamed.

The Fiery Phoenix Martial Soul let out a defiant shriek, seemingly resisting the majesty of the higher-level flame.

"Hmph! That's all!"

Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth, stubbornly urging her soul power to resist the oppressive feeling. She increased her soul power output, making the phoenix flames even more intense, attempting to push back.

The two instantly engaged in battle. Gula did not unleash his Sun Domain, but instead used his soul power, amplified by Gongyang Mo, which was equivalent to that of a Soul Master.

Flames in his hand coalesced into a longsword, his swordplay exquisite, perfectly blending the weight of the earth and stars with a touch of the lightness of the sky he had just grasped.

Ma Xiaotao became increasingly frightened and frustrated as the fight progressed.

Her fire attacks, as soon as they got close to Gula, were directly assimilated and devoured by the terrifying high temperature of the extreme fire, greatly reducing their power.

Her physical attacks, whether claw strikes or wing slashes, are always dodged or rendered immune by the elemental form of the Gura Angel after she is possessed.

Gula's swordsmanship was like an impenetrable wall, impenetrable to any attack, and he could always deflect her ferocious offensive with minimal cost.

"Damn it, break it!"

Ma Xiaotao roared, her fourth soul ring flashed, and Phoenix Piercing Cloud Strike was activated, her speed increased sharply, and she transformed into a line of fire in an attempt to break through Gula's defense.

Gula swayed slightly, like a willow catkin in the wind. His light and agile movements, imbued with the spirit of the sky, allowed him to narrowly avoid a fatal blow. He then swung his sword at Ma Xiaotao's ribs, forcing her to defend herself.

"Damn it, I can't hit him, and I can't burn him. This guy is as slippery as an eel, yet his defense is so tough. All my attacks are completely countered by him. Unless I exhaust his soul power, I have no chance of winning."

A strong sense of frustration and anger surged within Ma Xiaotao, almost igniting her. She had never encountered an opponent who was so self-controlled.

On the other side, Ling Luochen's situation was even more dire.

When her icy mist approached Huo Yuhao, it seemed to encounter its nemesis, instantly becoming sluggish and weak.

Huo Yuhao didn't even need to attack. The cold aura naturally emitted by his Extreme Ice Martial Soul suppressed her ice element, which was a five-ring control-type Soul King, to the point that she could barely lift her head and could not exert even one or two tenths of her strength!
"Ice and Snow Protection!" Ling Luochen gritted his teeth and released his defensive soul skill, a thick layer of ice armor covering his entire body.

"Mental interference! Soul impact!"

A purple light flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes.

"Flanking Guillotine!" Wang Dong seized the opportunity, and the wings of the Goddess of Light Butterfly unleashed dazzling blades of light.

With the perfect coordination of Huo Yuhao's shared mental detection, Wang Dong's attack precisely struck the flaws exposed by Ling Luochen due to the interference of Huo Yuhao's mental impact.

"boom!"

The ice armor shattered, and Ling Luochen groaned as he flew backward, his face pale, his defeat already evident.

On Dai Yueheng's side, he was engaged in a fierce battle with his old teammates Xixi and Chen Zifeng. They knew each other too well, making the fight extremely close and evenly matched.

But when he caught sight of Ling Luochen being suppressed by Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong without any chance to fight back, and Ma Xiaotao being tightly entangled by Gula and unable to break free, he relaxed.

As expected, without Ma Xiaotao, the strongest firepower point, to restrain them, Huo Yuhao's team, despite their excellent teamwork, was no match for Dai Yueheng, the sixth-ring White Tiger Soul Emperor, whose full power was unleashed. Bei Bei, He Caitou, Xiao Xiao, and the others were simply unable to withstand it.

Dai Yueheng, like a tiger among sheep, forcefully tore through Huo Yuhao's team's defenses.

Ultimately, Dai Yueheng's team won the match thanks to Gula's successful restraint of Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng's unstoppable offensive power, and Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's successful suppression of Ling Luochen's established advantage.

"Stop." Xuanzi called for a halt at the right moment, his expression clearly showing dissatisfaction.

Ma Xiaotao abruptly stopped, her chest heaving violently as she stared intently at Gula, who had already withdrawn his martial spirit and whose aura was calm. Her beautiful phoenix eyes were practically spitting fire.

She lost, and lost in utter frustration! It wasn't because she was weaker, but because she was completely outmatched by her opponent, which was even harder for her to accept than being defeated outright.

"Gula, you..." Ma Xiaotao was so angry that she couldn't even finish her sentence, wishing she could pounce on him and tear his calm face to shreds.

Fire-attribute Soul Masters are known for their bad tempers, and Ma Xiaotao, having been tormented by evil fire since childhood, has an even more fiery temper. She is known as the Flame Witch in the Inner Court, and few dare to provoke her.

But Gula merely glanced at her, his eyes seeming to say, "That's the truth."

Xuanzi finished the last bite of his chicken leg, wiped the grease from his mouth, and casually commented, "Terrible teamwork, especially among the starting players, who were playing like individual players."

"Don't think you're invincible. Team battles test the teamwork and skill coordination between members."

"Dai Yueheng's team won because Gula could counter Ma Xiaotao and because of Dai Yueheng's own impact. Ma Xiaotao's team lost because after their core player was restricted, the others couldn't stop the opponent's strong point."

"Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong did a good job suppressing Ling Luochen. Ling Luochen, you need to overcome the suppression in your martial soul as soon as possible. Alright, that's all for today. Tomorrow we'll regroup and continue practicing and refining our teamwork."

"The opponents you face in the tournament won't give you the chance to fight one-on-one like you do today." He emphasized the word "teamwork," his gaze lingering on Gula for a moment.

After saying this, Xuanzi threw away the bone: "From now on, you will train on your own. If you get injured, find someone to treat you. I won't be watching over you anymore."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xuanzi disappeared, probably off to find something to eat again.

Ma Xiaotao snorted heavily, glared fiercely at Gula, turned and left, her back view burning with anger.

Ling Luochen silently with a cold expression left the stage, his obsession with the ultimate ice growing even stronger.

Dai Yueheng looked at Gula with a complex expression. Gula's strength and the effectiveness of the restraint far exceeded his expectations, which pleased him, but also made him feel a little envious and jealous.

Gula ignored all gazes and turned to leave. The confrontation was over, and he had gained more than enough.

I gained a more intuitive understanding of the evil fire characteristics of Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix, and the newly comprehended Sky Artistic Conception was verified in actual combat.

Next, it's time to go back and continue his soul forging endeavors. As for the Soul Master Competition, it was merely something that Gula was interested in that happened during the competition.

(End of this chapter)