The arena, ravaged by seven competitors, was in ruins. Since tournament rules didn't explicitly forbid repairs between the individual elimination round and the team battle, both teams strongly demanded reconstruction.
Reluctantly, the Sun Moon authorities had no choice but to comply.
During the repairs, both squads optimized their conditions. Even Chen Junting and Long Aotian had healed their injuries; the lingering traces of tearing force and annihilation energy within them were either purged or suppressed.
Before taking the stage, six of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's seven fighters—everyone except Dugu Xin—swallowed antidote pills to counter his Jade Phosphor Venom.
Chen Junting was no exception.
Though he possessed anti-toxin techniques, they were area-based. If opponents exploited a gap, it'd be disastrous.
Soon, a pristine new arena stood ready. Both teams lined up face-to-face at center stage—seven members each, all main roster players present.
The earlier individual matches had left the audience spellbound, especially Chen Junting and Long Aotian's explosive clash—a sight never before witnessed. Now, this team battle promised finals-level intensity. Cheers erupted, excitement peaking.
Even the rest zones buzzed with fervor.
"Yuhao! Brother Junting! Sister Xiao Tian! And Big—Wu Feng! Smash them!" Wang Dong'er leapt up, abandoning her ladylike demeanor, ignoring curious stares as she roared support. In her excitement, she nearly blurted Wu Feng's nickname.
"State your names," the referee called.
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—Ning Tian."
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—Chen Junting."
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—Gu Tianchen."
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—Huo Yuhao."
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—Wu Feng."
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—Dugu Xin."
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—Xiao Xiao."
On the other side:
"Snow Demon Sect—Long Aotian."
"Snow Demon Sect—Vina."
"Snow Demon Sect—Wang Yanfeng."
"Snow Demon Sect—Chen Lü."
"Snow Demon Sect—Gu Tong."
"Snow Demon Sect—Jiang Yixi."
"Snow Demon Sect—Chen Yu."
The first five Snow Demon Sect members had already fought individually. The last two—Jiang Yixi and Chen Yu—were Long Aotian's final reserves after his defeat.
Jiang Yixi, though plain-faced, had an exceptional figure. Most striking were her elongated hands—longer than many tall men's—with pale skin faintly gleaming gold. Clearly, her martial soul was hands.
As for Chen Yu, his hunched back suggested a martial soul tied to his spine—unusual, to say the least.
Both teams studied each other warily.
This round's referee wasn't the previous one.
Even a Soul Douluo couldn't survive Chen Junting and Long Aotian's earlier duel, let alone this team battle.
Thus, Head Referee Zheng Zhan took the stage himself. To prevent another arena collapse, he personally reinforced it.
With a wave of his right hand, a white orb—larger than a human head—shot forth. Under his control, it burst into a luminous halo that passed through both teams, settling onto the arena floor and spreading rapidly until the entire platform shimmered under its glow.
A faint white film now coated the arena—elastic yet resilient.
Standing on Zheng Zhan's reinforced barrier, the fighters felt its strange texture—not hard, not soft, but springy.
Zheng Zhan stepped to center stage. "Both teams, retreat and prepare for combat."
At his command, both squads fell back to the arena's edges.
No need for last-minute talks—they'd strategized during the break.
Zheng Zhan took a deep breath, his expression complex.
If their one-on-one match caused such chaos, what havoc will this team battle unleash? Even I might not contain it.
But Xu Tianran's orders echoed in his mind: Let them die if they must. Let them be critically wounded. Loosen enforcement—give them "freedom."
"Prepare! Begin!" Zheng Zhan's hand slashed downward.
Instantly, both formations shifted.
Snow Demon Sect's lineup sharpened into a spearhead:
- Long Aotian led the charge.
- Wang Yanfeng and Chen Lü flanked him.
- Jiang Yixi and Chen Yu formed the rear wings, half a step behind.
This aggressive triangle placed Vina, the support battle soul master, at the rear, guarded by Gu Tong. With Long Aotian shielding the front, their defense seemed impregnable.
All wore helmets—ugly, but functional.
Supplied by their team leader during the repair break, these soul tools were perfectly legal—and likely encouraged by Sun Moon officials to ensure a "balanced" match.
Meanwhile, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's formation baffled observers:
- Huo Yuhao and Dugu Xin, both control-type soul masters, stood at the forefront.
- Xiao Xiao positioned behind them.
- Chen Junting and Gu Tianchen anchored the center.
- Wu Feng guarded Ning Tian at the rear.
This bizarre setup puzzled everyone—but Snow Demon Sect grew wary.
Would Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect waste effort on useless tactics?
Clearly, no.
Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up; six soul rings pulsed. Dugu Xin mirrored the motion.
Spiritual waves rippled outward as invisible toxin mist spread—two area attacks surging toward Snow Demon Sect.
The charging Snow Demon Sect faltered momentarily—then pressed on.
Long Aotian swept his arms, unleashing a blazing white shockwave to disperse the colorless toxin.
They ignored Huo Yuhao's spiritual assault—their helmets were soul-engineered to block external mental interference.
Though Huo Yuhao's spiritual power could partially penetrate the helmets, it was enough for Snow Demon Sect.
After all, their Body Martial Soul practitioners, trained in combat techniques, possessed far superior spiritual resilience compared to peers.
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