Iron Wall Crumbles

On the arena, the restored platform reflected the cold light of soul guide lamps. Ten figures stood on opposite sides, and the air was so heavy it seemed one could wring water from it. Though the scales of victory had long since tipped, the unyielding fire burning in the eyes of the five Thick Earth Sect members lent this battle, whose outcome was already decided, a solemn and tragic grandeur.

Li Xuanqing stood at the front of his team, his gaze sweeping over his opponents. Sun Hou's cracked black iron round shield, the pain and stubbornness mingled in Wu Lei and Zhao Mang's eyes, the phantom of Zhou Ying's Earthsurge Lotus Platform that she was still struggling to maintain beneath her pale face, and Liu Wen—the young disciple who had yet to appear before, with the sharp spirit of a newborn calf in his eyes. Li Xuanqing's heart stirred slightly. These were true warriors. Even knowing they would lose, they would fall standing.

"Long Yue, I'll leave the front to you." Li Xuanqing's voice was calm, yet filled with unquestionable trust.

Li Longyue stepped forward. His towering body, like a mountain, seemed to make the arena sink by half an inch. He grinned, flashing a mouthful of white teeth. "Don't worry. Leave these turtle shells to me." Before his words had faded, seven soul rings of the optimal configuration—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—slowly rose beneath his feet. The overwhelming aura of a level seventy-seven Mountain Dragon King Soul Sage erupted without restraint, its tangible heaviness making the Thick Earth Sect members twenty meters away struggle to breathe.

Sun Hou's pupils contracted sharply, and the knuckles of the hand gripping his shield turned white. Even from such a distance, he could clearly feel that terrifying power, as though it