The Team Members
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After walking along the main path of the academy, they soon arrived at a circular plaza.
"The weather is nice today. How about I take you on a tour of the academy this morning?" Bibi Dong suggested, looking around.
"Saintess, that's not necessary. For me, whether we tour or not makes no difference. Let's just meet the team members," Lin Yongming said calmly.
"Exactly. Look at Xiao Ming's condition. What's so interesting about the academy? It's better to meet the team members early and return to the hotel to train," Lan Yinhuang agreed with Lin Yongming.
"Alright then. I'll take you directly to the training grounds. But be warned, some of them are quite proud and might test Xiao Ming," Bibi Dong explained in advance.
"No problem. Didn't you say they're all Spirit Ancestors?" Lin Yongming replied indifferently, showing no concern.
"True," Bibi Dong nodded, then led them to the right side of the plaza.
Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang followed behind Bibi Dong.
After passing through a corridor and several buildings, they arrived at a circular structure.
"This is the training ground. The simulated environments are built here," Bibi Dong explained, pointing to the building ahead.
"Not bad. It looks like a bird's nest. The maintenance here must cost a fortune every month," Lan Yinhuang commented, nodding in approval.
"Of course. The simulated environments are the most expensive. They require various materials to simulate the conditions suitable for each person's spirit."
"That's why only the most talented students train here," Bibi Dong explained.
"Of course, those who make it into the Spirit Hall team are the elite among elites. They're once-in-a-decade geniuses on the continent."
"So, within the academy, the Spirit Hall team gets the most resources."
"Let's go. By now, the five of them are probably already in the training room," Bibi Dong said, leading the way into the building.
Since the building was circular, they walked halfway around the corridor before stopping in front of a large room.
"Xiao Ming, this is the Spirit Hall team's training room. It's about 500 square meters, with three independently built simulated environments inside," Bibi Dong explained, then pushed the door open.
"Saintess!"
"Saintess!"
As they entered the room, three people—two men and one woman—immediately stepped forward to greet Bibi Dong.
The room was indeed spacious, with only some equipment and a wardrobe for clothes.
In the center of the room was a nearly 300-square-meter leitai, surrounded by protective railings.
"I've told you before, call me Captain when we're in the academy," Bibi Dong said, then asked curiously, "Where are Dong Xiaofang and Chen Wu?"
"Captain, they're in the simulated environments. They just entered about ten minutes ago," a young man with gray-black hair replied.
"Captain, who are these two?" the girl asked curiously, eyeing Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang.
"That's why I'm here," Bibi Dong said, pointing to Lin Yongming.
"This is the deputy captain of our team, Lin Yongming. He's been absent until now."
Lin Yongming was slightly surprised. "Deputy captain?"
"Deputy captain?"
"Didn't we agree not to have a deputy captain before?" the girl asked in surprise.
"Yeah!"
The three members all expressed their surprise.
"Ahem!" Bibi Dong coughed awkwardly. "We didn't have one before, but after His Holiness met Lin Yongming yesterday, he decided to appoint him as deputy captain."
"Xiao Ming, introduce yourself," Bibi Dong reminded Lin Yongming.
"Hello, I'm Lin Yongming. My spirit is the Thunder Blade, and I'm a level 52 Battle Spirit King," Lin Yongming said, stepping forward.
"Spirit King!" The three were stunned.
"Hello, I'm Wang Yu. My spirit is the Flame Demon Bear, and I'm a level 46 Battle Spirit Ancestor. You can call me by my nickname, Silly Bear," a honest and good-natured voice introduced himself to Lin Yongming.
"Hello, Lin Yongming. I'm Zhang Yuling. My spirit is the Staff of Light, and I'm a level 43 Support Spirit Ancestor," the girl introduced herself.
"Hello, I'm Wu Zhi. My spirit is the Giant Rock Beast, and I'm a level 47 Strength Spirit Ancestor," the last young man, who was muscular and clearly a defensive spirit master, introduced himself.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you all," Lin Yongming said with a smile.
"But even though you're a Spirit King, why are you wearing a black cloth over your eyes?" Zhang Yuling, wearing a silver-white uniform and with two ponytails, asked curiously as she leaned closer to inspect Lin Yongming.
"No particular reason. It's just that I'm blind, so I'm used to it," Lin Yongming replied with a calm smile.
"Blind!" Zhang Yuling, Wu Zhi, and Wang Yu exclaimed in surprise.
"What, can't a blind person become a spirit master?" Lan Yinhuang said, feeling a bit offended by their tone.
"No, that's not what we meant. We were just surprised," Zhang Yuling quickly explained.
"Saintess, forgive me for being blunt, but even though he's a Spirit King, his blindness is an innate disadvantage. Can he really match a Spirit Ancestor in combat?" Wu Zhi frowned and asked Bibi Dong.
"Don't worry about that. Yesterday, His Holiness and I both tested him. I even fought him myself," Bibi Dong said calmly.
"If the Captain has already tested him, and he's a Spirit King, then I have no problem with him being our deputy captain," Wang Yu said with a honest and good-natured smile.
"Even if the Captain has tested him one-on-one, how does he compare to Chen Wu? Even if the three of us agree, Chen Wu might not," Wu Zhi said, still skeptical.
"Oh? Wu Zhi, what won't I agree to?" At that moment, a room door opened, and a young man with wine-red short hair walked out.
His build was more balanced compared to Wang Yu and Wu Zhi, but his face exuded a sense of dignity, with cold and ruthless eyes.
"Chen Wu! The Captain has finally brought the seventh member of the Spirit Hall team."
"The Captain wants him to be the deputy captain. He's a Spirit King, but he has a problem with his eyes—he's blind," Wu Zhi explained to Chen Wu.
"Oh? That's going to be a problem," another voice chimed in as a charming girl walked out of the adjacent room. She wore a silver-white bodysuit that accentuated her figure.
"Xiao Ming, let me introduce the last two members. This girl is Dong Xiaofang. Her spirit is the Phantom Fox, and she's a level 47 Agility Spirit Ancestor."
"Chen Wu, his spirit is the Blood Shadow Piercing Spear, and he's a level 49 Battle Spirit Ancestor. Oh, and he's the grandson of the 12th Elder of the Spirit Hall," Bibi Dong introduced them to Lin Yongming.
"Hello, I'm Lin Yongming. My spirit is the Thunder Blade, and I'm a level 52 Battle Spirit King," Lin Yongming repeated his introduction calmly.
"Hello, little brother. You seem a bit aloof, but you have a strong build," Dong Xiaofang said with a charming and seductive smile.
"Xiaofang, behave yourself. He's engaged," Bibi Dong said helplessly.
"Sorry, Dong Xiaofang can be like this sometimes. She likes to tease people, but only those she knows," Bibi Dong explained apologetically to Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang.
"Captain, if you want him to be our deputy captain, that's fine. But I need to see strength that convinces me. If he can defeat my Piercing Spear, I'll accept him as deputy captain," Chen Wu said with a serious expression.
"Exactly. The Spirit Hall has always been about strength. Even though he's a Spirit King, how can we be sure his blindness doesn't affect his combat ability?" Wu Zhi added.
"I've already told you, I've tested him myself, and His Holiness witnessed our spar," Bibi Dong explained again.
"How do I know he didn't get here through connections? There was no news of him before, and now, right before the Continental Elite Spirit Master Tournament, he shows up and wants to be deputy captain. What have we been training for all these years?" Chen Wu voiced his concerns.
"Chen Wu, are you questioning His Holiness's decision?" Bibi Dong asked angrily.
"Pfft, what do you mean, connections? Xiao Ming earned his place here with his own strength. If you're not convinced, I'll take on all five of you," Lan Yinhuang interjected, clearly unhappy.
"Alright, we're all teammates. Let's not let this cause a rift," Lin Yongming said calmly, stepping between them.
"You're Chen Wu, right? And Wu Zhi?" Lin Yongming faced the two.
"Anyone who doubts my strength can come up and fight me," Lin Yongming said, then flashed onto the leitai.
"Or, you can all come at me together," Lin Yongming said calmly, releasing his Thunder Blade and five spirit rings.
At this moment, Lin Yongming understood why Qian Xunji had always emphasized that strength was paramount in Spirit City.
Even with Bibi Dong introducing him, if his strength wasn't convincing, they wouldn't respect him.
So, to gain their acceptance and prevent any rift between Bibi Dong and her teammates, Lin Yongming decided to make a bold statement.
"One yellow, two purple, and two black!" The five exclaimed in unison.
"What's wrong? Scared?" Lan Yinhuang smirked.
"Hmph, so what if he's blind? Blind is still blind," Chen Wu snapped back, jumping onto the leitai.
"Stubborn fool. Xiao Ming, teach him a lesson. Don't hold back," Lan Yinhuang urged.
"Are you sure you want to fight me alone? I'm a Spirit King, with an extra ten-thousand-year spirit ring. Even with just spirit power, I can knock you off the leitai," Lin Yongming reminded him.
"Damn it! How dare a blind guy look down on me? Blood Shadow Piercing Spear!"
"First spirit skill, Blood Shadow Power!" Chen Wu summoned his spirit and spirit rings, his spear now enveloped in a dark red flame.
He launched a sweeping attack at Lin Yongming, leaving red afterimages with each strike.
Lin Yongming stood still, holding his Thunder Blade. With his mind's eye, he easily blocked Chen Wu's attacks.
Chen Wu's spear strikes were fast, but to Lin Yongming's mind's eye, they were clear as day.
"Second spirit skill, Whirlwind Spear!" Chen Wu, frustrated that his attacks were being blocked, unleashed an attack skill.
"Earth Split Slash!" Lin Yongming casually swung his blade, effortlessly blocking Chen Wu's second skill without even using a spirit skill.
"Alright, I'm done playing," Lin Yongming said calmly. "Dark Domain."
Suddenly, the room darkened. A twisting spatial ripple flowed through the room, forming a circular black domain centered on Lin Yongming.
"Spirit Domain!" Chen Wu and the others stared at Lin Yongming in shock, as if they'd seen a ghost.
"My strength has been reduced by half. How is this possible?" Chen Wu realized that half of his spirit power was suppressed, leaving him with only half his usual strength.
"Oh! A Spirit Domain! The mark of a top-tier spirit. This little brother is so cool. I love him!" Dong Xiaofang exclaimed unexpectedly.
"Xiaofang, stop talking nonsense," Zhang Yuling tugged at her sleeve, reminding her.
After years of working together, she knew Dong Xiaofang's fangirl side was showing.
"But he's really cool."
"I know, but keep it to yourself. Don't say it out loud."
"Why? Isn't it more fun to say it out loud?"
"Ugh, you're hopeless."
Lan Yinhuang and Bibi Dong both looked at the two girls, speechless.
"I never realized how amazing my Xiao Ming is. I need to keep a closer eye on him," Lan Yinhuang thought to herself.
On the leitai, as Lin Yongming approached, Chen Wu couldn't help but tremble.
"Stop! I admit you have the strength to be deputy captain."
"You have a Spirit Domain? Why didn't you say so earlier? With a 50% strength reduction, how is this even a fair fight?"
Chen Wu retracted his spear and jumped off the leitai in one fluid motion, leaving Wu Zhi and Wang Yu stunned.
"Anyone else have any objections?" Lin Yongming asked, slightly amused by Chen Wu's reaction.
"No objections! Deputy Captain, hello!" Dong Xiaofang walked to the leitai edge with a smile.
"Alright, enough joking. You've all officially met now," Bibi Dong said, stepping onto the leitai.
"From today onward, Lin Yongming is officially the deputy captain of this year's Spirit Hall team. With seven members, our team is finally complete."
"I hope the three months we have left are enough for us to build our synergy."
"Since this is our first meeting, I'll treat you all to a meal. But starting tomorrow, with all seven members present, we'll begin training our coordination. We need to perfect the Spirit Hall's formations and momentum."
Bibi Dong looked at the team and began outlining their training plan.
As the team's control-type spirit master, Bibi Dong was also responsible for commanding the team.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 225 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 150 power stones I will publish the next chapter.