The surroundings changed completely.
Dim light leaked down from several shabby Soul Tool chandeliers overhead, forming murky beams in the air that illuminated the swirling dust and countless faces twisted with frenzied excitement.
The stands were packed with all sorts of people: mercenaries in worn leather armor, gamblers with fleshy faces,
mysterious figures wrapped in cloaks with only their eyes exposed, and nobles dressed in fine clothes with unhealthy excitement written all over their faces.
The air was thick with a mingled stench of sweat, blood, and rusted metal, stimulating everyone's nerves.
The clamor was like a pot of boiling water, crashing back and forth through the enclosed space until people's eardrums went numb.
Dark brown stains marked the iron railings around the arena, while dried dark blotches covered the floor. The entire Underground Soul Engineer Arena exuded an undisguised sense of darkness and savagery.
The host's hoarse voice boomed throughout the venue through an amplification Soul Tool:
"Welcome to the Advanced Soul Engineer Soul Duel Tournament! Today's two contestants are—Tang Wu and Zhi Zi!"
A beam of dim yellow light fell on Ju Zi. Standing at the edge of the arena, she had changed out of her school uniform and into a gray combat outfit. She clenched her fists.
The instant the environment changed, Lin Ye had already put on the Concealment Cloak and vanished into thin air. Only Ju Zi knew that he was standing beside her.
Another beam of light fell on the opposite side, where a man in a black robe slowly stepped onto the arena.
His hood was pulled low, concealing most of his face, but Lin Ye's gaze lingered on that profile for a moment.
The Lotus Heart Consciousness Sea spread out, clearly capturing the features beneath the hood. Lin Ye recognized him at