The cold numbers of the countdown pulsed above the arena.
Three... Two... One!
Begin!
The instant the countdown hit zero, a strange, imperceptible light flared within Illusory's bewitching eyes.
It swirled like a vortex, threatening to pull a person's very soul inside.
On the other side of the arena, Ancient Star Profound, who had been brimming with momentum and about to charge forward with the Law of the Metal Element, abruptly froze.
His forward-charging posture solidified. His eyes became hollow and vacant, as if his soul had been ripped from his body in an instant.
His consciousness had been forcibly dragged into the dream world meticulously woven by Illusory.
Though only a moment had passed in the outside world, within that illusory space, Ancient Star Profound had already endured countless years of suffering and struggle.
Silence fell over the preparation area. Most of the contestants were already accustomed to this style of combat.
