This match pitted a seven-member team, assembled by the daughter of Tianling City's lord, against the arena's reigning champions: the Lingya Team.
The Lingya Team already had a fearsome reputation in Tianling City. Led by Zhan Ni, the daughter of the arena's owner, it comprised some of the most powerful young talents in the city – those with the best prospects of entering the Martial Soul Hall. They were widely favored, so the sudden challenge from a hastily formed team had everyone buzzing with surprise.
This newly formed team also had its share of attractions. It was spearheaded by the city lord's children, including two from the Yanling Auction House. One was the first to be born with full innate soul power in Tianling City, and the other had a soul power of level nine – both were highly regarded to enter the Martial Soul Hall this year.
Furthermore, the team boasted three other outstanding one-ring Soul Masters, with two two-ring Soul Masters among them. This level of strength was enough to challenge the Lingya Team, drawing the city's three major figures to watch. Yan Wei, Yuan Tianxiong, and Zhan Yaqing were already seated in the best viewing area, eagerly anticipating the match, exchanging pleasantries.
Adding to the excitement, bets had already begun to be placed on who would win.
Seeing the arena filled with people, the young competitors, who had never experienced such a grand spectacle, couldn't help but feel their hearts race before the match even began.
"What do we do? I'm suddenly a little nervous. If we lose, and in front of so many people, we'll be the laughingstock of everyone," Ning Tong fretted, his state of mind the worst in the team.
"It's okay. Even if we become the laughingstock, it'll be them. What are you afraid of?" Yan said confidently, patting Ning Tong on the shoulder.
Across the arena, the Lingya Team was ready. Looking at Ming Tian's team, they wore expressions of anticipation and eagerness for battle.
"Sister Zhan, I heard the opposing team's name is the Breaking Soul Team. That's quite arrogant, isn't it? Clearly, they're targeting us," He Yun said, his tone laced with disdain.
"Underestimating the enemy is a major taboo in warfare. If you think like that, you'll suffer a crushing defeat," Zhan Ni said coldly, her eyes remaining icy, appearing completely composed.
"We'll lose? Impossible! If we lose against such guys, we might as well not stay in Tianling City. It's just that the opponents are too weak. At least they should be at the level of He Mengyan and Chu Su."
"You can talk like that when you reach the second ring," You Xiaoqing said, patting He Yun on the shoulder.
"Vice-Captain, if you win today, your record will be even better than Chu Su's. Speaking of which, they should be here too, right? Why can't I see them?"
While He Yun looked for Chu Su and He Mengyan, Chu Su and He Mengyan were also discussing the upcoming match.
"Old Chu, who do you think will win this match?"
"Hard to say. We've all been defeated by those guys. In the past, I'd say Lingya would win, but this time, it's a bit difficult," Chu Su replied.
"You mean that Ming Tian? Impossible, right? Just because of him, you think Lingya's opponents will win this match?" He Mengyan said in surprise.
"It's just a possibility. That Ming Tian gives me a very unusual feeling. I'd also like to see what this guy is capable of during this match."
Many others were also discussing the match, each with their own judgments and predictions. Even their fathers were talking amongst themselves, exchanging polite words while hoping their children would win and bring them glory.
With everyone's anticipation, the match was about to begin. The referee entered the arena, and the seven members of each team came onto the stage. They stood in the center of the arena facing each other, and the referee stood between them, presiding over the match.
"The match is about to begin. Please maintain complete silence. Both teams, announce your names!"
"Lingya Team, Captain Zhan Ni."
"Vice-Captain You Xiaoqing."
"Zhou Baimei!"
"Chuan Manyan!"
"Ding Xiangsheng!"
"Zhan Chen!"
"He Yun!"
"Breaking Soul Team, no captain, Yuan Yu."
"Yuan Yun!"
"Yan!"
"Yan Qingwan!"
"Gan Ling!"
"Ning Tong!"
"Ming Tian!"
After all fourteen members had announced their names, the referee nodded, raised his hand, and with everyone's anticipation, lowered his hand, shouting:
"Begin!"
A gasp erupted from the crowd. As the match began, both sides retreated and displayed their Soul Rings.
"If you dare to challenge us, show me your full strength. We won't hold back," Zhan Ni said coldly, revealing three soul rings: two yellow and one purple. Behind her, a giant Albatross spread its wings, emitting a clear cry.
"Yiii!!!!!!!!!!!"
The Black-footed Albatross had black edges on its wings, with a head like an eagle but long black feet, and characteristics of a marine bird.
"Attack!!!"
With Zhan Ni's command, He Yun and Zhou Baimei charged forward, each releasing their Martial Souls. You Xiaoqing smiled elegantly and moved to Zhan Ni's side, holding a Soul-Breaking Flute, playing a mournful melody. Zhan Chen and You Xiaoqing were on either side of Zhan Ni, holding a Ancient God Ruler. Their soul rings shone as they slashed out ruler shadows, which then entered their teammates' bodies, enhancing their abilities.
Ding Xiangsheng took up position behind Zhou Baimei and He Yun, releasing his Rock Elephant Martial Soul!
A seven- or eight-meter-tall Rock Elephant appeared behind Ding Xiangsheng. The moment it landed, the entire arena shook.
A yellow soul ring surrounded the huge Rock Elephant's body. The Rock Elephant had a large rock jutting out of each of its shoulders and a rock rising from its back, like a small mountain.
Behind the Rock Elephant, Chuan Manyan hid. Petals swirled around her, making her look elegant. Beside her, a woman made of petals appeared, with her eyes closed, and two curly pigtails hanging down on both sides. Zhan Chen's ruler shadows entered Chuan Manyan's body, and the flower woman, who was about the same size as Chuan Manyan, grew larger. Countless petals instantly fell, like a rain of flowers.
"Second Soul Skill, City-wide Wind Fluff!"
Chuan Manyan raised her slender, white hand and shouted, and the flower woman danced in place. The falling petals became sharp, like thin blades, and they cut Yan who was in the front, actually injuring him.
City-wide Wind Fluff: A ranged skill that covers a radius of one hundred meters, turning the falling petals into sharp thorns, which cut the enemy.
"First Soul Skill, Slow Rain!"
Yuan Yu also moved from behind the team. A cloud of rain rose from her head and flew towards the flower rain. The petals, when touching the raindrops, slowed down, and some even got wet, losing their effect.
"First Soul Skill, Mantis Shears!"
He Yun rushed to Yan's left side, releasing his Green Mantis Martial Soul. Two green blade shadows crossed, forming a cross shape and attacking Yan.
On the right side, Zhou Baimei also arrived, releasing her Red-tailed Butterfly Martial Soul. Many small red butterflies surrounded her, flying towards Yan.
"First Soul Skill, Flame Butterfly Swarm!"
"Scorpion Claw Slash!!"
Ming Tian had already slashed out two Scorpion Claw half-blades. At this moment, the Scorpion Claw Slash slashed, one slash at the red butterfly swarm, and the other at He Yun's Mantis Shears.
Mantis Blades versus Scorpion Claws, who would prevail?
Just when He Yun naively thought his Mantis Shears could break through the Scorpion Claws, a scene that shocked him appeared. The Scorpion Claw Slash completely broke through his Mantis Shears, resolving the crisis for Yan.
Ning Tong's hedgehog ball was charging towards He Yun at this time. It seemed their target was to eliminate He Yun first.
"First Soul Skill, Elephant Rock!!"
Ding Xiangsheng made his move. A rock appeared in front of He Yun, blocking Ning Tong's path. The four of them were already in a full-scale collision with Ming Tian's team.
And Yuan Yun had already used his second soul skill to ascend, targeting the enemy, Zhan Ni!
"Come, Miss Zhan, let's see if your Albatross is more powerful or my Green Crane is superior!"
"Green Wind Blade!!!"
A green wind blade spun rapidly, attacking Zhan Ni. Zhan Ni was still unruffled. Her second soul ring shone, and she released her second soul skill, Feather Shield!
Two pairs of large Albatross feathers extended from behind Zhan Ni, protecting her. The Green Wind Blade landed on the large feathers, leaving no marks.