Bonfire · Formal Introductions

After eating and drinking their fill, the bonfire burned brightly. Orange-red flames danced, casting a warm glow across everyone's faces.

Elder Dongyue Qingyin gently stroked with her delicate hand, and an ancient seven-stringed zither appeared in her lap, transformed from her martial soul, the Heavenly Sound Ring. The zither's notes flowed like a clear spring, quietly spreading with a gentle power that calmed the mind, soothed the spirit, and dispelled fatigue. Everyone felt refreshed, and the lingering weariness from their daytime journey vanished without a trace.

"The night is long, and sitting around in silence is dull." Dongyue Qingxuan stroked his beard with a smile and looked at the young people seated around the fire. "You have all interacted during the day, but I imagine you have yet to formally introduced yourselves. Why not take this chance to do so? Let us old fellows get to know you, the future pillars, properly."

Li Qianqian nodded with a smile. "Elder Qingxuan is right. Xuansheng, as the Li Family's leader, you should begin."

Li Xuansheng rose to his feet and cupped his hands in salute toward the elders and members of both teams. Calmly, he said, "In that case, this junior will start things off. Li Xuansheng, fifteen years old. Martial soul: Divine Phoenix Halberd. Level seventy-five assault-type Battle Soul Sage. This is my cousin, Dongyue Ling, whom everyone already knows."

Everyone's gazes focused on him. Fifteen years old, Level Seventy-Five! Even though they had learned of it yesterday, hearing him say it himself still shook the Dongyue Clan members to the core.

Li Xuansheng continued, "These behind me are the companions representing the Li Family in this competition." He turned sideways and began introducing them one by one.

"Li Bing'er, eighteen years old. Martial soul: Ice Phoenix. Level seventy-seven. Control and