Phoenix Flame Scorching the Sea (Part 1)

On the fifth day of the East District matches, as the first rays of morning sunlight pierced through Blue Moon City's towering buildings and fell upon the grand dome of the Azure Dragon Arena, an unprecedented atmosphere of grim tension and feverish excitement had already spread both inside and outside the venue. Today's match drew several times more attention than usual. The stands had filled early, roaring with voices, the air thick with restlessness and anticipation. In the VIP section, representatives from forces large and small had mostly arrived. Even several well-known figures from the other competition zones had quietly taken seats among the spectators, clearly unwilling to miss this clash in the spotlight.

The Li Family and Sea Shark Gang contestants had already taken their places in their designated areas on either side of the arena. On one side stood the Li Family, led by Li Xuansheng, their lineup orderly and their presence solemn. Dressed in matching white-and-red combat attire, they silently adjusted their condition. Whenever they glanced at their opponents, their calm gazes carried a cold sharpness. On the other side was the Sea Shark Gang, clad in dark blue garments embroidered with savage shark patterns. Led by Whale Fall, every one of them wore a sinister look, with cruel, mocking smiles openly hanging from their lips. They swept their eyes over the Li Family as if sizing up prey, especially the young and beautiful female team members. Their stares were utterly unrestrained, earning them an unceremonious glare from Li Qiuqiu and an even colder look from Li Xuanbing.

At the referee's stand sat an elderly man with an especially profound aura. He came from the Blue Dynasty Imperial House and was said to be a retired consecrated expert whose cultivation was unfathomable. Clearly, the tournament officials had