The referee below the arena shouted, "Competing Soul Masters, you now have one minute to summon your martial souls. You may attack only when I announce the start!"
The Imperial Fighting Team had already taken formation.
At the very front stood the two Black Tortoise Soul Masters, the Shi Brothers, one on the left and one on the right.
As they released their martial souls, earthen-yellow light condensed from soul power gathered behind them, forming enormous dark-yellow tortoise shells. Four soul rings-two yellow and two purple-spiraled around their bodies from bottom to top.
Through the gap between the Shi Brothers, Yu Tianheng and Xue Haicang were clearly visible.
With Martial Soul Possession active, Yu Tianheng's entire right arm was covered in blue-purple scales, and his hand had become a dragon claw. Four soul rings, two yellow and two purple, circled his right arm.
Meanwhile, a pair of solid-looking wings had sprouted from Xue Haicang's back, and his limbs had become sharp avian talons. His five soul rings-yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black-shone brilliantly.
At that moment, the two close buddies were holding hands, though no one knew what they intended to do.
Osler stood beside Yu Tianheng, surveying his surroundings warily with his golden, slit-pupiled eyes.
Bai Yan stood alongside Xue Haicang, holding a censer that gave off a peculiar fragrance, ready to enhance everyone at any moment.
The remaining member, Yu Feng, had already flown into the air and was looking down upon the Seven-Star Team.
Four soul rings, two yellow and two purple, spiraled around Osler and the other two from bottom to top.
The purpose of the Imperial Fighting Team's formation was self-evident. Clearly, five were protecting two, and those two were Yu Tianheng and Xue Haicang.
By a remarkable coincidence, however, the Seven-Star Team's formation seemed