Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

The referee's flag swept down.

All seven members of Elephant Armor Academy activated Martial Soul Possession at once. The phantoms of seven Diamond Mammoths towered over the arena, shaking the platform beneath their feet.

"Elephant Armor Academy, Huyan Li. Level forty-three Defense System Battle Soul Ancestor."

The six behind him announced their levels in turn. Two were level forty-one Soul Ancestors, and four were level thirty-eight Soul Elders. The seven stood shoulder to shoulder like a moving fortress.

Cheers rose from the stands.

"Huyan Li's level forty-three? Elephant Armor's brutal this year."

"Linyuan Academy? Never heard of them. Drawing Elephant Armor in the first round—that's rotten luck."

On the Lin Yuan Team's side, Lin Yuan kept both hands in his pockets and glanced at Ning Rongrong. She gave a slight nod.

Bai Chenxiang spread her arms, and gray-white wings unfolded from her back. With her Swiftwind Shadow Swallow Martial Soul Possession active, she touched her toes to the ground and floated lightly upward. Four Soul Rings lit up beneath her feet: two yellow and two purple.

"Lin Yuan Team, Bai Chenxiang. Level forty-four Agility Attack System Soul Ancestor."

The stands fell silent for a moment. Level forty-four—one level higher than Huyan Li.

Niu Yue stepped forward. His Plate-Armored Giant Rhino Martial Soul Possession activated, lifting his frame half a foot taller. The armor across his shoulders and back glowed earthy yellow. Four Soul Rings lit up beneath his feet: two yellow and two purple.

"Lin Yuan Team, Niu Yue. Level forty-eight Defense System Soul Ancestor."

Xiao Wu clasped her hands behind her back and activated her Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul Possession. Her scorpion braid swayed behind her, rabbit ears rose through her hair, and four Soul Rings lit up beneath her feet: two yellow and two purple.

"Lin Yuan