On the battlefield below, Eamon toyed with Astrid, barely using half his strength. Whether Astrid was holding back or giving it her all, Ethan couldn't tell. Across the valley, Julian faced seven fighters from Hurricane City, and at first glance, he seemed to be on the defensive, almost overwhelmed. But Ethan knew better. Julian was only playing along—his true power still sheathed. Even the aura he released was no more than the peak of the Nether Rank.
Then, in the distance, eight new figures appeared, racing toward the valley. Ethan stiffened. They had some kind of tracking method, and it seemed the survivors had all converged here. By his count, only five more competitors should have been missing—so why were there eight?
He didn't yet know that, after he entered, thirteen other light pillars had appeared across the battlefield. Those extra fighters were the victors of the remaining contests, and they had all finally gathered here.
