Four combat teams, each comprising twenty members! Each team was made up of five individuals! They formed a special diamond formation, a tactical arrangement that was both offensive and defensive! Every group of five coalesced into a unique pentagonal array, allowing the five members within the formation to maximize their combat prowess while coordinating with each other. Moreover, those situated within the formation were all high-level, heavily-armored warriors, possessing profound mutual understanding, enabling the five to truly act as one—advancing and retreating in unison, whether attacking or defending! Both offense and defense were initiated by the core figure positioned within the array. This technique, which channeled the combined fighting aura and energy of the five, was known as Xingchen Jieqian (Star Borrowing). It borrowed the operational principles of Thunder Battle Aura, fused with the special formations like the Five-Ring Grand Array—Qinglong Chuhai (Azure Dragon Emerging from the Sea), Baihu Xiaotian (White Tiger Roaring at the Sky)—that Xingchen had witnessed in the Ranger World, creating an entirely new formation by his own design. The central figure within the array would experience a fivefold increase in both strength and defense out of thin air! It could be said that this combination was the most logical formation for maximizing the numerical advantage of heavily-armored warriors.
The composition of the four combat teams was as follows: The group composed of Jin Yao, Shui Yao, Tu Yao, Mu Yao, and Luo Hou, with Jin Yao at the center. The group composed of Yin Hu, Yin Tao, Yin Chi, Yin Yao, and Yin Hong, with Yin Hu at the center. The group composed of Yue Yao, Bai Yan, Bai Lou, Bai Zhan, and Bai Chuan, with Yue Yao at the center. The group composed of Zhu Tian, Zhu Feng, Zhu Chuan, Chi Xiang, and Chi Yu, with Zhu Tian at the center.
Faced with this bizarre formation, something never before seen or heard of, Sheng Yan Zhenyu’s expression immediately turned grave! It appeared the Demon Dragon Empire truly had something to rely on. Although he couldn't discern the hidden strangeness within it, as a Phoenix Heaven Warrior, Sheng Yan Zhenyu possessed an intuition and perception beyond the reach of ordinary men. This allowed him to clearly sense the intense battle will and self-assurance emanating from Jin Yao and the others! Facing the Thunder Warriors, they displayed not even a hint of panic or unease! This situation was highly unusual; Sheng Yan Zhenyu noted everyone’s movements closely!
On the field! “Who shall I start with first?” Sheng Yan Zhenxiong strode slowly into the arena, his somber eyes sweeping across the assembled group before finally fixing on the small square formation led by Bai Chuan: “I'll start with you first.”
His robust physique shot forward like a cannonball launched from a barrel, instantly rushing toward the small square formation where Bai Chuan and the others stood! “Bring it on.” Bai Chuan and the others showed no fear! Their profound Battle Aura instantly condensed around their swords, held back but ready to strike! Let him see the results of the grueling practice we shared day and night with His Highness Shen Zhen these past few days! His Highness Shen Zhen, who cultivated in the King’s Forbidden Land, is no less capable than you! Even His Highness Shen Zhen would find this set of tactics difficult to crack, let alone you!
Bai Chuan remained still! But Jin Yao and the others in another group suddenly struck! Five streams of sword energy erupted simultaneously, merging in the air into a single colossal Fiery Sword Qi, which then shot like lightning directly toward Sheng Yan Zhenxiong’s chest! This move was precisely the Battle Aura fusion mastered by Mo Hui and Mo Cha, and after several days of intensive practice, Jin Yao and the others had skillfully grasped it and immediately put it to use! This blast of fire integrated the Battle Aura energy of all five—Jin Yao, Shui Yao, Tu Yao, Mu Yao, and Luo Hou—releasing their strongest single strike! Its power was extraordinary!
“Good timing!” Sheng Yan Zhenxiong sensed the danger! He dared not be careless! With a muffled roar! A burst of blue light exploded around his entire body! A formidable protective Battle Aura instantly erected! Frost danced, a crescent moon flashed! CRASH! With a thunderous, earth-shaking boom! A blinding flash of light instantly erupted! The terrifying surge of Battle Aura even seemed to tear through space itself, causing it to ripple and warp unnaturally!
Yet, what was astonishing was that the Fiery Sword Qi, born from the combined might of five, was actually met head-on by Sheng Yan Zhenxiong and blocked completely! Moreover! “Roar! Die!” Amidst the dazzling light explosion! The blue figure moved like lightning, a phantom, suddenly appearing inside the small square formation formed by Jin Yao and the others! Such speed was simply terrifying! The brilliant blue crescent moon swept out in an instant, faster than lightning!
Ah! Such speed! Jin Yao and the others didn't even have time to manage a minimal dodge! But it seemed they had anticipated this move from Sheng Yan Zhenxiong! Jin Yao let out another fierce roar! His Snow Frost Greatsword instantly erupted with a silvery, bright crescent moon, rising like a waterfall flowing upstream! At the very same instant, the other four swept their swords, unleashing four crescent moons to intercept the materialized blue crescent moon! In terms of speed, you are still far behind His Highness Shen Zhen!
Five days was not a long time, but under Xingchen’s targeted training, everyone present had long adapted to the Thunder Warriors’ terrifying speed, which far surpassed that of heavily-armored warriors! Perhaps their speed couldn't match Sheng Yan Zhenxiong’s, but their awareness and experience allowed them to predict Sheng Yan Zhenxiong’s attack intentions ahead of time! Simply put: they had combat experience against Thunder Warriors! That was enough!
Clang! Boom! The five silver crescent moons instantly collided with the materialized blue crescent moon! What followed was an earth-shattering roar and a brilliant explosion of light! And almost at the same moment! The five figures shot far away like shrapnel from an explosion! It was unwise to meet the strength of a Thunder Warrior head-on, so the five used the shockwave of the explosion the instant it happened to launch themselves backward, avoiding injury from the Battle Aura energy! Even so, the five who were flung back, Jin Yao included, were quite shocked! Their chests jumped violently and uncontrollably; in that initial encounter, had their reactions been even slightly slower, the outcome would have been entirely different!
“Jin Yao.” Yue Yao cried out in alarm. He truly lived up to his reputation as a Thunder Warrior; he had not only endured the combined Fiery Strike of the five but had immediately launched a counterattack! The astonishing speed and terrifying power meant Jin Yao’s group couldn't even withstand a single move! Although uninjured, the five looked extremely disheveled!
“I didn't expect you to have some skill.” After sweeping Jin Yao and the others away with his sword, Sheng Yan Zhenxiong did not press the advantage; instead, his expression became heavy! He had clearly sensed the astonishing adaptability of Jin Yao’s group! Whether attacking or defending, their execution was flawless, and what was more terrifying was their composure and confidence! Everything clearly indicated that these heavily-armored warriors before him seemed to possess hidden reserves!
The Yue Yao group on the side, while worried about Jin Yao’s situation, remained rooted in place, not daring to make any rash moves! Yes, they must never attack easily when the enemy shows no flaw! This truth was deeply imprinted on them during the five days of training! This was a life-or-death battle; one slip could lead to utter annihilation! Even in that single exchange, the strength Sheng Yan Zhenxiong displayed was overwhelmingly dominant! They must not lose their formation!
“Damn it.” Although Jin Yao and the others managed to dissipate the powerful impact of the explosion, they were far from well; they swiftly resumed their defensive stances: “This guy is tough to deal with.” If they hadn't activated their protective Battle Aura the moment they blocked, a single move might have cost them their lives! But even having blocked it, their internal energies were currently chaotic, and they could only forcibly regulate their auras to recover as quickly as possible!
“That was just a greeting.” Sheng Yan Zhenxiong flashed a cruel smile! Holding his sword across his chest, his entire body surged with Battle Aura, and everyone felt that Sheng Yan Zhenxiong had transformed! His terrifying Battle Aura energy was like a massive volcano about to erupt; the entire space seemed to freeze, making even breathing difficult! “Next, I shall show you the disparity in our true strength.” Sheng Yan Zhenxiong roared like a wild beast. “ROAR! THUNDER DESCENDS!”
With that heaven-shaking roar, the space itself seemed to split open! The astonishing Battle Aura energy field shook the ground with booming sounds, causing countless fragments of rock and debris to bizarrely levitate! The ground shook violently, as if struck by a powerful earthquake! Everyone felt that this terrifying aura could literally tear them apart!
“Ah.” Jin Yao and the others’ faces shifted slightly. “What potent aura, even the earth is shaking,” Yin Hu and the others looked grim, staring fixedly at Sheng Yan Zhenxiong! “As expected of a Thunder Warrior; this power is truly extraordinary,” Yue Yao and the others struggled to suppress the fear in their hearts. “Let’s see just how strong a Thunder Warrior truly is,” Zhu Yao Zhu Tian, however, looked crazed; the stronger the opponent, the more excited he became!
The ground shook with increasing violence; Jin Yao, Yin Hu, Yue Yao, Zhu Tian, and the others could barely keep their footing! One group held firm against this mountain-like pressure, struggling desperately to stabilize their stance! “Damn it, we absolutely cannot be suppressed by his momentum,” Yue Yao and the others refused to yield! Although they knew the Thunder Warriors were strong, the sheer degree of strength exceeded all their expectations! In terms of sheer power, Sheng Yan Zhenxiong before them definitely surpassed Jiu Yao Shen Zhen! After all, he was wearing Thunder Armor!
“Incredible, his Battle Aura energy is still rising.” Jin Yao and the others could barely believe their eyes; Sheng Yan Zhenxiong’s terrifying Battle Aura energy seemed limitless, still climbing at an astonishing rate! Eventually, his entire body became wreathed in crackling blue arcs of light! Everyone understood clearly: this was the phenomenon of Battle Aura solidifying—the result of the aura reaching its absolute limit! Subsequently, powerful Battle Aura fluctuations, like invisible ocean waves, frantically surged toward the assembled group!
“Ah!” Everyone was once again stunned by this unforeseen, drastic change; the only thing they could do was fight desperately to remain standing, otherwise, without Sheng Yan Zhenxiong lifting a finger, this mere surge of energy would be enough to send them flying! Yet, even so, the group was involuntarily pushed back by the impact of the Battle Aura! The intense friction between their boots and the ground left behind startlingly deep gouges! Under the influence of the energy field, countless fragments of broken rock struck the group like bullets! They then smashed heavily against the surface of their armor, creating dull, heavy thuds!
“Damn it, we cannot let his momentum climb any higher,” Zhu Yao Zhu Tian roared, his Snow Frost Greatsword instantly swinging up to unleash a Fiery Strike! “Yes!” Chi Xiang, Chi Yu, Zhu Yao Zhu Feng, and Zhu Yao Zhu Chuan, who were in the same group as Zhu Yao Zhu Tian, shouted in unison. Whoosh! Whoosh! Three Fiery Strikes and two large fireballs instantly collided, transforming into one massive Fiery Sword Qi that streaked like a meteor toward Sheng Yan Zhenxiong, whose momentum was surging!
“Die.” The sudden attack greatly enraged Sheng Yan Zhenxiong; he instantly channeled the Battle Aura energy, condensed to its limit, into his sword! Whoosh! Whoosh! A dazzling blue light suddenly flashed! Clash! Boom! The two beams of light collided mid-air! However, the gap in strength was too obvious! The blue light instantly shattered the red light upon impact, and moreover, its speed did not diminish in the slightest as it continued directly toward Zhu Yao Zhu Tian, who had launched the attack!
“Dragon God’s Protection.” Zhu Yao Zhu Tian seemed to have anticipated this! After unleashing the Fiery Sword Qi, his Snow Frost Greatsword made no pause, smoothly flipping over to conjure a silvery-white crescent moon, like a massive dragon, meeting the incoming blue sword energy! Clash! Boom! Another dull, heavy collision! The blue light exploded the instant it struck the silver crescent moon! In the resulting flash of light, the five figures were flung away like shrapnel! It was Zhu Yao Zhu Tian’s group of five who were blasted backward by the impact wave of the explosion! They then crashed heavily onto the ground!
“Ah, Zhu Tian.” Yue Yao gasped in alarm! “This guy’s strength is immense,” Zhu Yao Zhu Tian and the others, having hit the ground, forced themselves to stand: “Everyone, be careful, this guy’s power is monstrous.” At this moment, the five members of Zhu Yao Zhu Tian’s group all had blood trickling from the corners of their mouths, looking extremely haggard; it seemed they had suffered a significant loss in that single exchange!
“Damn it.” Sheng Yan Zhenxiong’s face, however, was grim as he stared fixedly at the group in the arena, surprised that these heavily-armored warriors were so difficult to deal with. They were like cockroaches that couldn't be killed! Without a doubt, Zhu Yao Zhu Tian’s sudden attack had interrupted Sheng Yan Zhenxiong’s infinitely rising momentum! This prevented his Thunder Descent technique from accumulating to its peak state! It had to be admitted, these people truly had some methods; they weren't as easy to dispatch as initially imagined! The fierce surging of Battle Aura fluctuations finally stopped! The cataclysmic earth-shaking and the suffocating, terrifying energy field finally dissipated! But everyone understood clearly: that power capable of destroying everything had not vanished, but was instead gathered internally by Sheng Yan Zhenxiong! It awaited the right moment to erupt! Sometimes, holding back is the most effective defense! At this moment, Sheng Yan Zhenxiong was like a bowstring pulled to its absolute limit, waiting only for the instant of explosion to annihilate all his opponents completely!
“Energy level maximized.” Sheng Yan Zhenxiong’s body was now enveloped by arcs of blue light, making him look even more menacing and terrifying: “Next, let the second round of our contest begin.”