Halberd Steadies Heaven and Earth, Sage's Might Like a Mountain

The moment Li Xuanshu stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere throughout Azure Dragon Arena changed.

Unlike Li Xuanqing's blazing intensity or Li Qiuqiu's unpredictability, his aura was as still and heavy as a mountain, yet faintly carried a sharpness that seemed poised to pierce the heavens. His lean, capable body was wrapped in a dark red combat outfit. His steps were neither hurried nor slow, but they carried a reassuring solidity and unquestionable confidence. His calm gaze swept over the opponent already standing on guard across from him, as if this were not a match at all, but merely a predetermined exercise.

The Thick Earth Sect's third contestant, Sun Hou, was a level-sixty-eight defense-type Soul Emperor. His Martial Soul was Black Iron Heavy Armor. He was already fully covered in pitch-black, heavy armor and held a Black Iron round shield. Six soul rings revolved beneath his feet, his aura deep and steady like an iron wall. Yet under Li Xuanshu's calm gaze, Sun Hou could not suppress the chill rising in his heart, as though the heavy armor he took such pride in was no more than slightly thicker cardboard in the other man's eyes.

"One-on-one, third match, begin!"

The instant the referee's voice fell, Sun Hou reacted as though facing a formidable enemy. With a wild roar, his first, third, and fifth soul rings lit up in succession. "First Soul Skill: Heavy Armor Hardening! Third Soul Skill: Unmoving Bastion! Fifth Soul Skill: Earth Power!"

The black armor gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen, as though it had fused with the arena beneath his feet, its heaviness increasing severalfold. At the same time, a vast force surged up from the earth and entered his body, making his already stocky frame appear as immovable as a boulder. He adopted the most