Mountain Rock Formation

Beneath the dome of the Azure Dragon Arena, sixteen massive soul-tool spotlights illuminated the central stage as brightly as day. The air warped faintly from fluctuations of Soul Power, and the clamor of the stands gradually subsided as the referee stepped onto the stage.

The first five-versus-five match: the Li Family versus the Thick Earth Sect.

The members of both sides slowly emerged from the tunnels on either side of the stage. The five from the Thick Earth Sect marched in perfect unison, their steps striking the ground with heavy thuds. At their head was captain Shi Lei—a level seventy-four control-system Soul Sage with the Profound Heavy Mountain martial soul. Behind him, the two defense-system soul masters, Wang Yan and Zheng Shan, stood to either side with thick rock shields in hand. On the flank was Zhou Yan, whose Immovable Rock Statue martial soul gave his skin the texture of stone. Bringing up the rear was Qian Kun, gripping a massive Mountain-Splitting Earth-Rending Hammer, his gaze vicious.

The Li Family's formation appeared loose, yet it concealed a precise arrangement. At the front stood Li Huajun, a level sixty-six defense-system soul master, holding the Profound Phoenix Shield steadily before him. Half a step behind to the left was Li Xuanbing, dressed in a long ice-blue gown, her exquisite face as cold as eternal dark ice. To the right rear stood Li Aotian, arms folded across his chest, silver-white radiance flowing faintly beneath his Steel Skin. At the very back, Li Tianyin lightly caressed the Bewitching Demon Bell with slender fingers, while Li Xiaochen wore his signature playful grin and toyed with several metal balls at his fingertips.

The two sides came to a stop thirty meters apart at the center of the stage.

Shi Lei's gaze swept across the Li Family's