At the central arena of the Suotuo Grand Arena, spotlights converged like pillars.
"Next, our undefeated champion, the Goddess and Pendant Team, will face the Imperial Fighting Team, who have traveled here from afar!"
At the host's impassioned shout, the two teams slowly walked onto the stage from opposite passageways.
Cheers and jeers mingled into a sea of noise across the stands.
But in the VIP seats on the highest level, the atmosphere was rather peculiar.
Yu Xiaogang sat on a comfortable leather bench, his hands folded over his lap and his back ramrod straight. His stiff, corpse-like face bore a baffling confidence, as though he were directing the fate of the world.
Tang San sat beside him with his head slightly bowed. Though his eyes brimmed with resentment toward Su Yun, he still put on a humble, eager-to-learn expression.
"Little San, watch closely."
Yu Xiaogang's voice was low, but his conclusion was delivered with unquestionable certainty.
"This is what I've often taught you: in the world of Soul Masters, individual strength is certainly important, but team composition and coordinated teamwork are what determine victory or defeat."
He raised a finger and pointed at the Imperial Fighting Team below, analyzing them as if reciting a familiar list:
"The Imperial Fighting Team's composition is nearly perfect. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Yu Tianheng, handles power attacks. The Black Tortoise brothers provide Absolute Defense. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent, Dugu Yan, handles wide-area control and wears down opponents with deadly poison. And then there's the top-tier healing of the Nine Heart Begonia. This lineup is a textbook example of flawlessness."
As he spoke, he cast a contemptuous glance at Su Yun, who hadn't moved an inch:
"By contrast, Su Yun's team has only four people, and aside from Su Yun, they're all fragile