Surrender, Next Round

"Give up." Li Qiuqiu looked at her. "Your teammates need treatment, and you've done your best. There's no point in continuing."

Zhou Ying glanced at Wu Lei and Zhao Mang, who were unable to rise after falling, then at Sun Hou and Liu Wen, whose shields had shattered and who were badly injured yet still struggling to get up. She also looked at Li Huayu in the distance, who had never made a move and had firmly protected the rear with nothing more than a support-type girl... A helpless despair finally swallowed her. She knew the outcome had been decided. Continuing to struggle would only worsen her teammates' injuries.

Two trails of clear tears slid from the corners of her eyes. She closed them, her voice hoarse and trembling. "I... surrender."

With Zhou Ying's surrender, the Thick Earth Sect's last core support was eliminated, and their already crumbling formation completely collapsed.

At the front, Li Longyue slowly withdrew the remaining pressure of the mountain phantom. His breathing remained steady, as though that earthshaking blow had not consumed much of his Soul Power. He glanced at Sun Hou and Liu Wen, blood spilling from their noses and mouths as they supported each other to stand. There was no disdain in his eyes—only a trace of respect.

Wu Lei and Zhao Mang were also struggling to get up, but Li Xuanqing and Li Xuanshu were already standing before them like guardian gods. No words were needed. Their calm yet powerful auras had already made the outcome clear.

Li Xuanqing's gaze swept across the five battered members of the Thick Earth Sect. Though their bodies were covered in wounds, their stubborn eyes still refused to completely dim. The feeling stirring within him deepened. After a brief pause, he turned toward the referee at