Scheming

Each team wore its own uniform, and the host paused for a few seconds during each introduction.

After introducing all the teams, they headed to their respective Soul Fighting Arenas.

"Rock Team versus Flying Fire Team. The Soul Fighting rule is a Ranking Battle!" the referee on the Soul Fighting Platform announced the drawing result.

The two teams then had ten minutes to decide their lineup order.

"It's a Ranking Battle. Do you have any thoughts?" Kaiqi looked at everyone.

"I think we can place our main force in the first and third rounds. Since the opponent doesn't know our team's strength, the first round will definitely be a probe. The members they send out may not be very strong, so Tie Li, Cai Xin, and I will take the first round and try to secure it.

After losing the first round, they'll definitely try to win the second one back. Their only Three-Ring Soul Elder may lead the second round, so we'll tactically give up that match and place our main force in the third round." Dolangbu gave a brief analysis.

However, it was still possible that the other side would do the opposite.

Everyone agreed with Dolangbu's arrangement and handed the Ranking Battle lineup order to the referee. Once submitted, it could not be changed. Those were the rules.

Flying Fire Academy's situation was similar to Rock Team's. While ensuring that the first round tested the opponent's strength, they also wanted to secure the win.

"We'll try to win the Soul Fight within the first two rounds. Don't leave the suspense for the third round," the Flying Fire Team leader told his members.

Just as he had said, he placed all of their main force in the first two Soul Fights. If it dragged on to the third round, defeat would be inevitable.

After both sides submitted their lineup orders, the referee signaled for them to send out the members for the first match.

Tie Li walked at the front, with Dolangbu and Cai Xin following behind him.

Across from Tie Li's group, the other side also sent out a three-man team in a two-one formation: two Power Attack Soul Masters and one Control Soul Master.

"Soul Fight, begin!" the referee immediately announced.

All six released their Martial Souls at once. Tie Li's side had a full six yellow Hundred-Year Soul Rings, while only one of the opposing Power Attack Soul Masters had the ideal two-yellow configuration. The other two each had one white and one yellow Soul Ring.

Lightning flashed in his hand as Tie Li, wielding his Forging Hammer, launched the first attack. Cai Xin's two enhancement Soul Skills had already fallen upon him.

Two thick Vines followed closely behind him. This time, Dolangbu's role was to coordinate with Tie Li's Power Attack.

Take him out first.

The three opponents exchanged glances and made their decision. Since the other side's Power Attack Soul Master was being so overconfident, they would join forces and eliminate him first.

The Control Soul Master controlled tree roots and willow branches, sending them toward Tie Li from all four directions. The other two Power Attack Soul Masters moved in from the left and right. Once he was restrained by the willow branches, his fate would be clear.

Tie Li suddenly paused and lightly leaped into the air. At that moment, Dolangbu controlled the Vines and sent them flying beneath Tie Li's feet.

Perfect chance.

Dolangbu was delighted and controlled the Vines to hurl Tie Li forcefully toward the opposing Control Soul Master.

The opposing Power Attack Soul Masters had moved left and right to encircle Tie Li, leaving their center completely exposed.

"Not good!" The two men's expressions changed.

It was too late to fall back. Gritting their teeth, they changed direction and charged at Dolangbu and Cai Xin.

Tie Li appeared before him within three breaths. He did not even have time to release a Soul Skill to save himself.

Second Soul Skill, Thunderclap Break!

It condensed the power of lightning, dealing lightning damage while also carrying a knockback effect.

With Tie Li's own strength added to the knockback effect, the Control Soul Master who took that hammer blow head-on was sent flying like a meteor.

Bang!

That was easy. Tie Li thought calmly.

Their Soul Power Levels and Soul Rings were not bad, but their combat experience was far too shallow. They had only noticed him, the Power Attack Soul Master, while overlooking the fact that he had teammates.

The referee's expression changed slightly. He immediately released his Martial Soul, appeared behind the Control Soul Master, and helped him dispel the lightning and impact force from his body.

"What a fierce attack." The referee gave Tie Li a deliberate glance.

Tie Li also noticed that the referee was actually a Five-Ring Soul King.

One white, three yellow, and one purple!

His Soul Ring configuration was slightly lacking, but he was still a Five-Ring Soul King. He was more than qualified to serve as a match referee.

Screech—

A piercing sound rang out across the Soul Fighting Platform. The two Power Attack Soul Masters, now in Martial Soul Possession, tried to break through Dolangbu's Vine defense, but they failed.

Their Martial Souls were a wolf and a leopard respectively. Their sharp claws were their means of attack, yet they could not cut through the thick Vines.

Unless Dolangbu used his Second Soul Skill in pursuit of greater control, the Vines enhanced by his First Soul Skill were not only thick but also extremely resilient.

Tie Li had sparred with Dolangbu many times, so he naturally understood firsthand what it felt like to face both sides' Martial Souls.

Dolangbu had openly stated that Tie Li gave him immense pressure. Whether in strength or lightning attributes, he surpassed any Soul Master of the same level Dolangbu had seen before.

Tie Li had pointed out Dolangbu's shortcomings in his Soul Skills. If he did not use his Second Soul Skill to divide the Vine defense, even Tie Li would have difficulty breaking through it.

Vine Enhancement, Dolangbu's First Soul Skill, allowed him to control only two Vines because he currently had only two Soul Rings. With every additional Soul Ring, he would be able to control one more Vine.

"How could this be?" the two Power Attack Soul Masters cried out.

At that moment, Tie Li appeared behind them.

Seizing the opportunity, Dolangbu immediately used his Second Soul Skill. The thick Vines instantly split into dozens of thin tendrils, restraining their limbs.

Bang! Bang!

Two consecutive Thunder Hammer blows struck their chests, blasting them off the Soul Fighting Platform.

This also marked the end of the first Soul Fight.

"First round, Rock Team wins!" the referee immediately announced the result.

In the second match, just as Dolangbu had predicted, the other side sent out a Three-Ring Soul Elder, along with one support and one defense member.

That Three-Ring Soul Elder was also a Control Soul Master.

On Tie Li's side, only Bai Jiao and Daisi were sent out.

Kaiqi had told the two of them to avoid getting hurt if possible. They only needed to hold on for a while before conceding.

The two of them completed their task admirably. After lasting only a few exchanges, they directly conceded.

The Flying Fire Team leader's expression was ugly. The moment he saw Rock Team's lineup for the second match, he had guessed that they would place their main force in the third round.

And their own third-round lineup was...

"Leader, am I still going up?" a chubby boy asked weakly. He had originally been the weakest member of the team, included merely to make up the numbers.

Hearing the chubby boy's words, the Flying Fire Team leader's expression grew even uglier.

If they wanted to continue with the third match, they could only send him onto the platform alone. Flying Fire Team's arrangement was three-three-one, with all their main force placed in the first two rounds.