Medical Room, Ye Xinglan

"Round-Robin Tournament, Group Four: Ninth round, First Match: Contestant Duanmu Yan versus contestant Sima Jinchi!"

Without even a moment to mourn the fallen Xu Lizhi, the audience swiftly turned their attention to the next match.

Unlike the weakling Xu Lizhi, Duanmu Yan of Group Four was a War God from the War God Temple, ranked sixth and immensely powerful.

Duanmu Yan's opponent was also a Federation powerhouse—Sima Jinchi of the Southern Legion, likewise a formidable Titled Douluo.

Both men had won all eight of their matches in Group Four, and both were masters of the blade.

Discussion surged through the stands like a tide. Some missed the visual impact of Cai Xukun's crushing victories, but more people's eyes shone with anticipation for an evenly matched battle.

After all, only a contest between equals could fully display a Soul Master's foundation, skill, and will.

"Five, four, three, two, one—begin!"

Almost the instant the referee spoke, brilliant Soul Rings rose beneath both men's feet, like two-colored fireworks blooming across the arena.

Duanmu Yan's Soul Ring configuration was clearly revealed: black, black, black, black, black, black, seven-colored, seven-colored, seven-colored!

This extraordinary Soul Ring lineup instantly set off cries of astonishment throughout the venue. Even in the Round-Robin Tournament, where experts gathered in great numbers, such an unusual combination was exceedingly rare.

At nearly the same time, Sima Jinchi's Soul Rings appeared as well.

Eight pitch-black Soul Rings lit up one after another, while his ninth Soul Ring was an incomparably pure gold, as though it had been forged from all the light in the world. It stood in stark contrast to Duanmu Yan's seven-colored Soul Rings.

Eight black and one gold. That ninth Golden Soul Ring was a special Soul Ring Sima Jinchi had condensed himself after breaking through to Titled Douluo.

"Ohhh—"