For your information —
{Preliminary Round: Round-Robin Format
28 teams participated in the tournament,
Each team faced every other team once,
Points are awarded for wins only,
That means each team fought 27 matches,
The top five teams with the best win-loss records advanced to the finals.}
The Next Day…
Inside the Lanba Team's waiting room, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Liu Erlong were discussing strategy for their upcoming match.
Tang Yin leaned back, arms folded, pondering. He already knew what was coming. According to the original timeline, Salas would tamper with the tournament bracket.
Their next opponent? The Elephant Armored Tribe—renowned for their overwhelming defense and brute strength. A perfect stage to glorify Martial Soul Hall.
Liu Erlong spoke up, worry lining her brows. "The Elephant Armored Tribe ranks sixth among the Seven Great Tribes. With their hereditary Martial Soul—Diamond Mammoth—they're basically walking fortresses. A frontal attack won't be easy. What's the plan, Tang Yin?"
Qin Ming added, his expression grim, "Three of their seven members are Soul Ancestors. Their defense is close to Soul King level, and their attack power is monstrous even among Soul Ancestors. This match won't be simple."
Tang Yin frowned. I could crush these guys like chickens, he thought, but for the girls, fighting them head-on would be tough. Then, inspiration struck.
A wicked grin curled his lips. "They're strong, sure. But strong doesn't mean smart. They're slow. We use that against them."
Zhu Zhuqing immediately perked up. She was the fastest on the team after Tang Yin, and she knew exactly what he meant.
"We dodge everything," Tang Yin said firmly.
"Their attack means nothing if it never connects. We'll single them out, one by one, and overwhelm them with combined force. It doesn't matter how high their defense is, a concentrated barrage will break anyone. Let's crush them in under three minutes."
The tension in the room eased. Practical. Ruthless. Effective. The girls nodded in unison. They were here to win—not win pretty.
Their match was scheduled for the first round of the day, and before heading out, Tang Yin strolled over to the betting booth and casually placed a large bet on Lanba Team.
Tournament rules allowed betting on one's own team—but not the opponent.
In the VIP stands, Bone Douluo sat beside Ning Fengzhi, keeping him company today. His gaze landed on Hu Yan Zhen, the Elephant Tribe's patriarch, and a sly grin spread across his face.
Gu Rong snickered, whispering to Fengzhi, "Heh. That old bastard actually showed up. Guess he's in for a good face-slapping when that brat smashes his son!"
Despite Bone Douluo's legendary defense, the Elephant Armored Tribe had long looked down on him. Their open loyalty to Martial Soul Hall only deepened the bad blood.
The host's voice thundered through the arena:
"Now, for the first round of today's matches—let's welcome the Seven Dragons of Lanba and the Elephant Armored Team!"
Lanba's team stepped onto the stage to deafening cheers. Tang Yin and his beauties were already fan favorites, their undeniable strength and charm winning hearts fast.
From the opposite side, seven giants emerged, each over two meters tall. The arena floor trembled with their steps. At the front was their captain, Hu Yan Li, soul power level 43, son of Hu Yan Zhen, his unique forehead tattoo glowing faintly.
Hu Yan Zhen, seated beside Salas, nodded proudly.
Tang Yin scoffed at their hulking figures. "They ever think about slimming down? You've already got the highest defense and attack—why make yourself a bigger target?"
The countdown began.
Both teams released their Martial Souls. The stage cracked beneath Hu Yan Li's feet as he began a dramatic stomping ritual to awaken his Diamond Mammoth.
Tang Yin, unimpressed, casually summoned his Blue Silver King, letting the vine coil around his arm.
"Match start!" the host announced as the audience roared with energy.
In a flash, Ning Rongrong activated her buffs on Tang Yin and the girls. Ye Lingling, however, held back from buffing as per Tang Yin's instructions—her Martial Soul evolution was still a secret.
Dai Mubai and Tai Long received no buffs —part of Tang yin's plan to conserve soul power.
Tang Yin's second soul ring lit up.
"Cloud Vine Binding!"
Before Hu Yan Li could blink, vines erupted and wrapped around him, binding him head to toe. He struggled but couldn't break free instantly.
The Five Dragons vanished.
Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track activated—Tang Yin and the girls flashed across the stage like phantoms.
In perfect unison, they struck.
Meng Yiran summoned sharp earthen spears and launched them at Hu Yan Li.
Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling—both support-type Soul Masters—struck with their hardened Jade Hands.
Zhu Zhuqing unleashed her Hell Hundred Claws, boosted in strength by the jade hands, delivering a whirlwind of strikes.
Tang Yin, his physical strength terrifying due to his Body Martial Soul, unleashed a single punch infused with soul power— powerful enough to rival even a Soul King's strike.
The other Elephant Tribe members were too slow. They could only watch in horror as their captain was pulverized.
Hu Yan Zhen roared in fury, his voice booming through the arena as the stands trembled.
"Cowards! Is this what Lanba teaches?!"
Salas remained silent. The Lanba Team hadn't broken a single rule.
Ning Fengzhi responded coolly, "That's called strategy, Sect Master Hu Yan Zhen. Seven versus seven—your Elephant Armored Team just don't know how to use their heads."
Even Emperor Xue Ye nodded in approval.
Bone Douluo, Gu Rong, was visibly impressed by Ning Rongrong's combat prowess. "She's striking like a war-type Soul Ancestor now," he said with a proud grin. Then he chuckled to himself, "That brat's generous to his friends."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Not friends—his women," he corrected silently.
Elsewhere in the stands, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, narrowed her eyes. Seeing so many beautiful girls gathered around Tang Yin stirred something strange in her chest.
I'm prettier than all of them combined… Wait, what am I thinking?! He hasn't even seen my true self yet!
On the stage, Hu Yan Li went down in record time.
The rest of the Elephant Team lost all coordination, running around like headless chickens as Tang Yin and the girls eliminated them one by one.
Dai Mubai and Tai Long just ran back and forth, doing absolutely nothing.
The audience roared. They didn't care about tactics—only results. The Seven Dragons of Lanba had crushed one of the most feared teams.
Hu Yan Zhen was fuming, having shattered the armrest of his chair. Salas, beside him, narrowed his eyes, a sinister smile curling his lips.
So fast… but still no match for a Soul King. They will catch the Pope's attention for sure. After the finals, I'll make sure Martial Soul Hall gets their secret skill. I can already smell the reward for my contribution—maybe even a 10,000-year soul bone...
The match ended without a hint of suspense. The Seven Dragons of Lanba secured a decisive victory, their fanbase growing louder and more devoted with each win.
From this point on, Tang Yin planned to only step in against strong opponents—choosing instead to focus on something far more rewarding: making a fortune through betting.
Over the next eight days, Lanba Team remained undefeated—Ten rounds in a row, and still counting.
While many teams began to lose hope, a few remained resolute.
Huo Wu of Blazing Academy burned with an intense desire to challenge Tang Yin and the formidable Seven Dragons of Lanba.
Feng Xiaotian of Godwind Academy clenched his fists, jealousy burning hot as he watched Huo Wu's attention fixate on another man.
Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er from Tianshui Academy remained confident in their strength—they still had a hidden ace up their sleeves.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianxin of Thunderclap Academy steeled himself, eager to prove his strength against the undisputed Team.
Tang Yin, for his part, enjoyed the growing fame and admiration. Fame, fortune, power, beauty—what else is this strength and reincarnation for?
He kept gambling—and kept winning. His streak didn't go unnoticed.
But he wasn't worried. With Ning Rongrong by his side, everyone knew he was connected to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
One afternoon, while gambling as usual, he felt a malicious gaze pierce through the crowd. Activating his telepathy, he pinpointed the source—a familiar figure he had been seeking.
An old man with an insidious aura.
Shi Nian—Vice Dean of Canghui Academy. A dangerous wolf with a Spiritual Martial Soul, lurking in the shadows and preying on young, talented Soul Masters.
And… he possessed a valuable soul bone.
Tang Yin's smile slowly widened.
Jackpot.