Arriving at the preparation area, the commentator's voice rang out once more: "Will both teams please enter the arena!"
Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang of the Blazing Team walked at the very front, followed by their five teammates, each entering with high spirits.
On the Emperor Team's side, Gu Xuan led the way, with Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan following closely behind. Although Gu Xuan had only joined the Emperor Team a few days ago, he already carried the aura of a leader, a fact that even the official captain, Yu Tianheng, had to acknowledge.
As the members of both sides entered the central Soul Battle stage, they stood in confrontation at a distance of thirty meters.
The moment they stepped onto the stage, the audience below erupted in cheers. Some shouted for the Emperor Team, while others supported the Blazing Team; clearly, both squads had earned significant fan bases.
The commentator spoke again: "Hello everyone, I am your host for today, Ricky. These two teams are both genius squads of the Great Spirit Arena, with average ages under twenty. This is destined to be a fierce clash between dragons and tigers."
"As per the old rules, let us first look at the lineups and positions of both sides."
As Ricky spoke, the massive soul tool panel behind him displayed the profiles of both teams.
"The Blazing Team is centered around the fire element and has always been renowned for its offense. Vice-captain Huo Wushuang, a fire-attribute Power Attack Type Soul Elder, is not to be underestimated."
"Blazing Team's captain, Huo Wu, is a Control Type Soul Elder with soul power reaching Rank 37. Her Martial Soul is the extremely rare fire-attribute Fire Shadow."
"Vice-captain Huo Wushuang also possesses Rank 37 soul power. He is a Power Attack Type Battle Soul Elder, and his Martial Soul is the powerful fire-attribute One-Horned Fire Dragon."
"Member Huo Lie..."
"Under the leadership of their captain and vice-captain, the Blazing Team has achieved an impressive seven-match winning streak. One wonders if they can extend that streak today."
"The Emperor Team's formation remains largely unchanged, still favoring an offensive layout. However, it seems there has been a change in their roster."
Ricky deliberately turned to glance at the panel. Although he already knew the rosters, using these small details to build hype was part of his job.
"The Emperor Team's captain, Yu Tianheng, and vice-captain Dugu Yan are both Rank 37. With the strength of both sides being largely balanced, the winner of this battle is shrouded in suspense."
"However, it is worth noting that the Emperor Team's new member, Gu Xuan, is only Rank 33, yet he stands at the very front of the formation. Let us wait and see how he performs."
After giving the audience a moment to react, the commentator continued: "Both sides, prepare! You have one minute to release your Martial Souls!"
As the words fell, the Blazing Team immediately activated their material souls. Since they were all fire-attribute users, the surrounding temperature spiked the moment they transformed; even Gu Xuan could feel the blistering heat.
The Blazing Team's side became a scene of vibrant crimson. Every member possessed the optimal configuration of two yellow and one purple ring. Flames surged around them as if they intended to incinerate their enemies with heat alone.
"Brothers, release your Martial Souls!" Gu Xuan shouted, experiencing for himself the feeling Dai Mubai often had in the original records.
Following his shout, two yellow and one purple soul ring rose around his body. Although he was only Rank 33, his aura was strong enough to stand on equal footing with Huo Wushuang—and even slightly suppress him.
Huo Wushuang stared at Gu Xuan in surprise. He hadn't expected a Rank 33 Soul Elder to exert such immense pressure.
He had originally assumed Yu Tianheng would be his greatest rival, but after sensing Gu Xuan's aura, he no longer dared to look down on this Rank 33 youth.
Coming from an academy background himself, Huo Wushuang understood that if Gu Xuan could stand in the first row and take a leadership role that even Yu Tianheng deferred to, he must possess qualities far beyond the ordinary.
Yu Tianheng stepped forward to stand in line with Gu Xuan, lightning crackling around him as his three soul rings rose. Under Martial Soul Possession, he appeared equally high-spirited.
Behind the two stood Shi Mo and Shi Mo. This was Gu Xuan's arrangement: placing the two Defense Type soul masters in the second line rather than having them tank at the very front. This was, naturally, due to the nature of their soul skills.
Further back were Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. Dugu Yan stood in front of Ye Lingling, her long, slender legs transforming into a swaying, jade-green serpent tail, adding a touch of exotic charm to her appearance.
Yu Feng took to the air immediately, confronting the two enemy Agility Attack Type soul masters from a distance. Even facing two opponents alone, he showed no sign of cowardice, as Gu Xuan's plan only required him to pin them down.
With both sides having released their martial souls, Ricky's voice rang out: "The match... BEGINS!"
The moment the announcement ended, the first two soul rings on Gu Xuan's body ignited. Yu Tianheng also released his first soul skill.
Simultaneously, Dugu Yan's first two rings lit up. Red and blue mists surged forward instantly, providing every member of the Emperor Team with her dual buffs.
"Attack!"
Gu Xuan roared, charging toward the Blazing Team's formation like an arrow leaving a bow, with Yu Tianheng following closely behind.
The Blazing Team had clearly studied their data. The moment Dugu Yan released her toxic mist, they erupted with scorching flames, incinerating the incoming clouds. Although the scent of burned toxins lingered in the air, the effects were almost entirely neutralized.
Gu Xuan wasn't worried about this at all; his team had already received the buffs, and that was enough.
Huo Wushuang and Huo Lie each used their respective enhancement skills to meet the charging Gu Xuan and Yu Tianheng.
Huo Wushuang's Martial Soul was the One-Horned Fire Dragon (Rank 37), and Huo Lie's was the Fire Leopard (Rank 35).
Huo Wushuang naturally chose Yu Tianheng, while Huo Lie moved to intercept Gu Xuan.
Huo Yun and Huo Yu, both possessing Fire Crane souls (Rank 35), flew directly toward Yu Feng in the sky after using their flames to clear Dugu Yan's mist.
While the ground remained covered in toxic fog, the air was clear. They intended to eliminate Yu Feng first to gain the initial advantage, then support their teammates to secure the final victory.
Huo Jun and Huo Chui, the two fire-attribute Support Type soul masters, released their enhancement skills, boosting Huo Wushuang, Huo Lie, Huo Yun, and Huo Yu.
As the Control Type, Huo Wu made no move. Her eyes were locked onto the battlefield, ready to provide support or control at a moment's notice.
Gu Xuan and Yu Tianheng were the first to make contact. Yu Tianheng and Huo Wushuang were both Rank 37 and possessed comparable strength, leading to an immediate stalemate.
However, the situation for Huo Lie, who was facing Gu Xuan, was entirely different. Even though his soul power was Rank 35—two ranks higher than Gu Xuan's—he was utterly shocked upon contact.
Despite the support from his team's specialists, he was suppressed by Gu Xuan in both strength and offense from the very start. It was a suffocating experience that left him feeling deeply humiliated.
After all, his opponent was only a Rank 33 Soul Elder! How could he be suppressed while being two ranks higher?
More importantly, he had no room to counterattack. Gu Xuan's opening assault was so aggressive that Huo Lie was forced into a purely defensive stance, unable to find an opening to strike back.
He felt as though he wasn't facing a Rank 33 Soul Elder, but a powerhouse on the same level as his own captain.
(End of Chapter)
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