"Begin the match!"
At the referee's shout, the competitors from Shrek Academy and Qianling Academy released their martial souls almost simultaneously. Gu Qingnian, of course, was the exception.
Nor was he the only one. Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao remained beside him without moving, watching the battlefield.
Six soul rings shone around each of the three, their configuration as terrifying as ever: five black and one red!
Although cries of amazement still rose from all around, doubts had begun to mingle with them-doubts about the three competitors' soul rings. After all, Jiang Nannan and the others had already revealed their true strength during Gu Qingnian's absence.
Their soul rings were all fake, simulated for them by Gu Qingnian. Yet while creating the illusion, he quietly released an oppressive aura to lend it weight, making the deception seem entirely real.
The Qianling Academy team opposite them visibly faltered. That aura, combined with the invisible pressure weighing on them, felt like great hands squeezing their throats, making their breathing quicken with unease despite themselves.
More frightening still, Gu Qingnian had appeared after a long absence-the very man whose rumored prowess had been elevated to near-mythical heights!
With a cigar clenched between his teeth, Bei Bei led the charge. Jiang Nannan followed close behind, slipping into stealth as she moved, while He Caitou strode forward after them.
Only then did Huo Yuhao and the two girls begin advancing slowly. The entire team seemed to be fighting their own separate battles. By contrast, their seven opponents were exceptionally coordinated, with four meat shields holding the front and three damage dealers behind them.
Changes to Gu Qingnian's martial soul had also altered his soul skills, which in turn had changed his original ability to share those skills. The assistance the other six received