"Begin the match!"
The announcer's ringing voice exploded across the entire Arena, instantly tearing through the taut atmosphere.
The noisy stands suddenly fell silent. Tens of thousands of eyes fixed on the central Arena, everyone's attention focused on the two teams.
On one side stood the Shrek Seven Devils in their bizarre, bright green masks; on the other stood the equally masked Sun Never Sets Team. Both were newly registered teams, and no one could predict how this clash would unfold.
Lin Chen planted both feet firmly on the Arena's Bluestone floor. A faint chill seeped through the rough stone beneath him, while the whistling night wind and the spectators' breathing filled his ears. Yet his mind raced at that moment, and an inexplicable pang of regret rose in his heart.
He clicked his tongue inwardly.
If I'd known we'd be fighting this soon, I never should have stupidly unleashed an offensive soul skill the last time I fought Tang San.
How much better would it have been to pretend I was pure support?
By hiding his strength while he developed and deliberately showing weakness, he could have made everyone in Shrek lower their guard. Tonight's fight would have been much easier, with no one wary of him at all.
Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret.
The thought passed in an instant. Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Chen raised his wrist slightly and called in a low voice, "Liuli, come out."
A faint light flashed, and the Liuli martial soul emerged at his call. Its crystalline silhouette hovered beside Lin Chen as a gentle halo slowly spread. A pale purple thousand-year soul ring rose from beneath his feet and slowly settled around the Liuli martial soul, purple light flowing as his soul power instantly stirred.
Without a single wasted