A moment later, the chief referee at the center of the platform raised a High-Grade Soul Tool for amplification. His deep, resonant voice was boosted by the formation and rang clearly across the entire square, reaching every ear:
"Contestants, attention! The rules for this Bright Moon Empire Soul Tool semifinals have now been restated!"
"The competition will last two hours. All contestants may select their own materials and independently forge any type of Soul Tool, with no restrictions on category or attribute!
Final rankings will be determined by a comprehensive assessment of three core criteria: completion speed, overall Soul Tool quality, and the sophistication and stability of the formation! The top twenty contestants will advance to the Soul Tool grand finals jointly held by the Bright Moon Empire and the Radiant Sun Empire!"
"All violations are strictly prohibited! No outside assistance, no pre-made finished cores, no concealed semi-finished materials, and no copying or replicating formations!
Once a violation is confirmed, the contestant will immediately be stripped of their qualification, permanently barred from all imperial Soul Tool competitions, and placed on the continent's Soul Engineer blacklist!"
As the clear and harsh rules concluded, the atmosphere in the arena instantly became tense and solemn.
More than two hundred contestants bent over their standardized forging tables, swiftly checking their equipment and arranging all sorts of metal materials, energy crystals, auxiliary consumables, fire-control Soul Tools, engraving pens, and other instruments in orderly rows. Every one of them focused intently, holding their breath as they prepared for battle.
"The semifinals officially begin!"
With the referee's command, the entire arena instantly filled with the rising and falling hum of forging. Fine Soul Tool radiance spread out in layer upon layer, dazzling and brilliant.
More than two hundred figures moved at once. Soul Power surged through their