Voluntarily Stepping Down

At Jiang Xiaofeng's suggestion, they decided to return to Soto City.

But their team encountered a rather troublesome issue.

Because after Jiang Xiaofeng absorbed a 33,000-year soul ring, his soul power broke through to Level 54.

After consuming a soul ring far beyond his level, his rank increased by four levels.

However, the Soul Arena has a rule: a team cannot contain soul masters from three different realms. Yet now, their Fengshen Battle Team had a Soul Elder, a Soul Ancestor, and a Soul King.

Mo Bot looked rather troubled. This meant someone had to leave the team and be replaced with someone of a similar level.

Wolf Second looked apologetic.

"Brother Feng, Mr. Mo, maybe I should step down. After all, everyone else is at least a Soul Ancestor, and I'm still just a Soul Elder. I really don't deserve to be on this team."

Wolf Second's soul power was currently at Level 38, just two levels short of advancing to Soul Ancestor.

With his talent, barring any accidents, he should reach that stage within half a year.

But the Fengshen Battle Team couldn't afford to wait that long.

Jiang Xiaofeng stepped up and said:

"How about this—I'll act as the team's hidden trump card. I won't participate directly; you guys take full control. Let Wolf Third take my place. What do you think? This way, we don't have to change team members and you can still use the battle strategies you're familiar with!"

Hu Liena was the first to oppose this.

"No way! Brother Feng, you're our strategist. If you're not there, who's going to lead us?"

Jiang Xiaofeng laughed and said:

"I heard that when I wasn't around, your command was excellent. So why not keep doing it? As a control-type soul master, you're perfectly suited for this. Your control determines the actions of the team. Who knows, it might even be twice as effective!"

Hu Liena pouted and said:

"Ugh. I don't want to command anyone. It's exhausting and mentally draining. I just want to stand behind Brother Feng and wait for his instructions!"

She looked at Jiang Xiaofeng with a pitiful expression, as if commanding the team was some grave injustice.

But Jiang Xiaofeng refused without hesitation. If they really had to bring in someone from outside, even a Spirit Hall member would still be unfamiliar. Getting used to new strategies and synergy would take time. Wolf Third was different—he'd always been part of the team as support.

Wolf Third was already very familiar with the soul skills and combat styles of each team member. Plus, he'd been on the battlefield once before—it wasn't new to him.

At this moment, Mo Bot stepped up to support Jiang Xiaofeng.

"The Holy Son's capabilities haven't been fully revealed, and his opportunities to act have been few. If we swap him out temporarily, the opposing teams might focus their attention on others and overlook him. That could give us a much bigger advantage."

Jiang Xiaofeng had indeed taken very few actions in the Fengshen Battle Team.

Usually, he was the strategist. Only when the situation was dire would Jiang Xiaofeng intervene directly.

As both the strategist and strongest offensive player, it made sense to conserve Jiang Xiaofeng's strength.

Since even Mo Bot had said so, Hu Liena didn't argue anymore.

Wolf Third looked at Jiang Xiaofeng with deep gratitude.

"Brother Feng, say no more. I'm with you for life! No one besides my two older brothers has ever treated me this well!"

Jiang Xiaofeng burst into laughter and said:

"We're friends, aren't we? Friends are supposed to help each other. And you're the weakest one here—are you really okay with slacking off while the rest of us work? So this isn't me 'giving' you something; I'm giving you a chance to improve. Got it? This is training. If you don't meet expectations, I'll still consider replacing you. Understand?"

Wolf Third nodded firmly.

Whether it was a chance or training, it was clearly for his own good.

He was thrilled to join Tiger First and Wolf Second, and repeatedly thanked Jiang Xiaofeng.

Jiang Xiaofeng wasn't idle either—he started gathering information on likely participants in the upcoming Soul Master Tournament.

Spirit Hall had already opened the registration channel for next year's Advanced Soul Master Tournament.

What shocked everyone was that the reward for this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament champion would be four soul bones.

In previous years, the reward was just one. Now suddenly it was four—the news thrilled soul masters across the continent.

"Oh my god! The champion reward is actually four soul bones?! Is there any justice left? Spirit Hall truly is divine!"

"These rewards are way too tempting. I bet all the hidden experts will crawl out this time!"

"Spirit Hall lost last time. This time, they clearly want to win no matter what—that's why they're offering four soul bones. They're being crazy generous!"

Once the news broke, the entire continent went wild. Every major sect began selecting disciples to compete for the title.

Jiang Xiaofeng was surprised upon hearing the news, but he knew those soul bones were intended for their four core members.

"That damn Bibi Dong never makes things easy. Throwing out four soul bones at once? Isn't that just putting more pressure on us?"

Offering four soul bones at once—let alone Spirit Hall, even all the other sects combined wouldn't be willing to do that.

Last year's champion team, the Star Luo Royal Battle Team, had won a single soul bone and gotten a taste of the prize. This year, they wouldn't back down either. Those four soul bones—they would fight for them at all costs.

"Spirit Hall is giving us gifts again—four soul bones this time! Our Star Luo Royal Team will happily accept them! Hahaha!"

Meanwhile, inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the news caused shock.

Soul bones were rare treasures that soul masters would kill each other for, and now Spirit Hall was giving away four? Were they insane? Was there some kind of conspiracy?

"No matter what, this time our Heaven Dou Empire cannot lose again. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy must only pick elite members. Also, recruit talented students nationwide—we must win the championship!"

Even Emperor Xue Ye wasn't stupid. He knew something was off, but even so, the lure of four soul bones was too strong—he was willing to take the risk.

As the prince, Xue Qinghe had a gloomy expression.

"Damn it! Using our Spirit Hall's treasures to reward your own disciples... how bold of you!"

He obviously knew why Bibi Dong was offering four soul bones—because he knew exactly which four people they were meant for.

"I won't let you get what you want so easily. Even if I can't stop you, I'll stab you in the back at the right time!"

Meanwhile, within Spirit Hall, the decision drew quite a bit of internal resentment.

(End of Chapter)