At the center of the soul arena was a massive alloy platform over a hundred meters in diameter, gleaming with cold metallic light.
At this moment, along the edge of the platform, dozens of elite first-year students from the outer court stood solemnly, each emanating varying levels of aura. Their gazes intersected, filled with both vigilance and fighting spirit.
Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Xu Lizhi, Luo Guixing, and Yang Nianxia stood together. Despite bearing the stigma of being work-study students, their eyes were sharp and resolute, like a pack of wounded wolves preparing to fight to the death.
They knew that this was their critical battle to reclaim their dignity and secure a spot on the exchange team!
Other students gathered in small groups—some forming temporary alliances with those of similar strength, while others relied on their own power to seize opportunities in the chaos. Beneath the surface, undercurrents surged around the platform.
"Rules of the match: no deliberate maiming or killing. Those who surrender, fall off the platform, or lose the ability to fight will be eliminated. The last five standing will become the new class committee members. The selection match… begins now!" Shen Yi's cool voice echoed across the arena through a sound-amplifying soul device.
The instant Shen Yi's words fell, the massive soul arena exploded like a powder keg ignited by fire.
"Attack!"
"Take out the weaker ones first!"
"Form an alliance! Hurry!"
Shouts, bursts of soul power, and the glow of released martial souls instantly flooded the platform!
The brilliance of soul skills erupted like fireworks, and the deafening roar of energy collisions never ceased. Almost as soon as the match began, several weaker students were blasted off the platform by sudden attacks, screaming as they fell.
Chaos! Absolute chaos! This was the most brutal and demanding aspect of melee combat, testing adaptability and strength!
Tang Wulin's team reacted swiftly, their coordination seamless as they quickly tightened their formation.
Tang Wulin stood firm like a stabilizing pillar, roaring, "Golden Dragon Claw!"
His right arm instantly became covered in dazzling golden scales, and with a single swipe, he deflected a howling wind blade. The overwhelming force numbed the arm of the would-be ambush attacker, sending them flying off the platform and eliminating them!
Gu Yue stood calmly at the center of the platform, her expression composed as she lightly waved her hand.
First Soul Skill: Elemental Tide!
A gentle water barrier instantly spread around her body, cleverly deflecting and weakening the impact of several long-range soul skills. She wasn't unleashing her full power yet, seemingly conserving her strength while staying on the periphery of the group.
Ye Xinglan's sword heart was clear, and her Star God Sword unsheathed!
Her sword flashed like cold lightning, precisely striking two soul skills attempting to flank the team. A crisp metallic clang rang out as they were shattered. Her piercing sword intent forced back several agile attackers eager to strike.
Xie Xie moved like a ghost, his Shadow Dragon Dagger leaving trails of afterimages as he circled the outer perimeter of the group. He targeted isolated or those attempting a sneak attack, forcing them into disarray.
Xu Xiaoyan raised her star staff, activating her second soul skill, Starlight Feedback. Stars erupted, interrupting numerous incoming attacks.
Xu Lizhi was protected at the core of the group. His chubby face was tense, but his eyes were determined. His hands never stopped moving as he rapidly formed steaming recovery buns, ready to support his teammates at any moment.
However, their tight-knit grouping immediately made them the prime target.
"Break through their turtle shell!"
A burly youth with the Raging Earth Rhino martial soul roared, his second soul ring lighting up.
"Savage Charge!"
His entire body became like a runaway soul-guided train, radiating violent momentum as he crashed head-on into the rock wall and water barrier protecting Tang Wulin's team. Behind him, several power-type soul masters followed closely.
Meanwhile, on another side, a swift-attack system student with the Wind Shadow Falcon martial soul traced an eerie arc through the air, targeting Xu Xiaoyan and Xu Lizhi, who were protected in the center.
From further away, several powerful long-range soul skills—like flaming spears and toxic vines—soared over the chaotic battlefield, aimed precisely at Tang Wulin's team.
The pressure skyrocketed.
"Luo Guixing!" Tang Wulin shouted, bracing against the Raging Earth Rhino's charge. His Golden Dragon Claw collided fiercely with the opponent's horn enveloped in soul power, emitting a deep, thunderous boom. The alloy floor beneath his feet even slightly dented.
Luo Guixing understood without words. His spatial element martial soul activated, restraining the approaching swift-attack soul master. Ye Xinglan raised her sword and swung.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Sword qi and soul skills violently collided in midair, scattering energy storms everywhere.
But the power of the Raging Earth Rhino was no match for the bloodline of the Golden Dragon King. It was forced back step by step.
Gu Yue subtly intervened, helping Xu Xiaoyan intercept an attack coming from the flank. Xu Xiaoyan's face turned pale as she struggled to block too many soul skills, her soul power rapidly depleting.
In Tang Wulin's team, which centered around him, some of Class Zero's strongest members were present, far exceeding just five people. Wu Siduo, the previous semester's class president, had learned to conceal her strength after being struck down by Gu La.
This wild girl seemed like a completely different person now. She fully utilized the agility and nimbleness of her Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul, relying on her superior soul power level within the class to stay on the periphery of the battlefield, occasionally singling out isolated opponents.
Now, she spotted the perfect opportunity: Tang Wulin's team was being focused on, and their flank momentarily exposed!
"Soul Fusion Technique—Netherworld White Tiger!"
Wu Siduo let out a sharp cry, her body bursting with light as she transformed into a dazzling source of brilliance. Her speed instantly soared to its peak!
Her target? None other than Xie Xie, who was lingering outside the group, picking off weakened opponents.
Xie Xie, confident and preparing to expand his gains, suddenly felt a fatal sharpness lock onto him. He turned in shock, only to see the afterimage of a white tiger moving at extreme speed.
Too fast! Too sharp!
Pfft!
Wu Siduo's tiger claw struck Xie Xie's waist and abdomen, sending him flying.
"Ahh!"
Xie Xie let out a pained scream, spitting out a mouthful of blood. The terrifying force disrupted his soul skill and instantly scrambled his soul power flow. His body collapsed heavily to the ground, losing all ability to fight!
One strike!
Without underestimating her opponent, Wu Siduo eliminated Xie Xie, a mid-to-upper-level student in the class, with a single blow. The sudden burst shocked the others attacking Tang Wulin's team.
"Great opportunity!"
Tang Wulin had no time to grieve. With the pressure easing, he roared, "Golden Dragon Shocks the Heavens!"
His body erupted with golden light, forcefully repelling the soul masters surrounding him.
Gu Yue seized the chance to unleash her third soul skill: Elemental Control—Fire!
A roaring fire dragon appeared out of nowhere, temporarily driving back the Raging Earth Rhino and the several power-type soul masters behind it.
The battlefield situation reversed instantly.
The battle intensified to its peak, and the number of competitors on the platform rapidly dwindled.
With Wu Siduo's unexpected assistance and their own tenacious resistance, Tang Wulin's team stabilized their footing.
Xu Lizhi's recovery buns played a crucial role, timely replenishing Tang Wulin, Xu Xiaoyan, and others' depleted soul power and stamina.
Finally, Gu Yue began to unleash her full potential. Silver light swirled in her eyes as she activated her fourth soul skill: Elemental Fury!
Frost, flames, storms, rocks… various elemental energies converged and clashed around her, forming a chaotic elemental storm zone that forced several nearby opponents to retreat in disarray, looking utterly battered!
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