Everyone noticed the referee’s strange behavior, and Zhong Shenxiu was no exception, but he paid it no mind, instead rising and walking straight off the platform toward the crowd. At the same instant, the teammates who had ascended with him seemed to be struck by a tremendous force, actually flying out towards the edge of the arena.

Fortunately, they managed to stabilize themselves, not appearing too ungainly. “How is it?

Are you alright?” At that moment, Cai Ni and the others rushed over. Looking at their comrades, whose faces were pale and bodies soaked in sweat, their hearts ached unbearably.

The few men only shook their heads, signaling everyone not to panic. They were just feeling weak; they didn't even have the strength to speak!

Zhong Shenxiu and his group had descended from the platform, but the contestants from the "Sunset Mercenary Alliance" were still struggling on the stage! “What’s going on?

Why aren't they coming down? Isn't the match over?” The old man from before muttered to himself, then gestured for the people beside him to go up and help them down.

But the instant these individuals stepped onto the platform, a powerful force surged from beneath their feet. With a dull thud—bang—they collapsed right onto the competition ground.

This scene undoubtedly intensified the suspicion and shock gripping the crowd, everyone’s eyes wide in disbelief. Could it be that the "Ten Clouds Drifting Down Mercenary Alliance" was playing tricks behind the scenes?

All eyes shifted toward Zhong Shenxiu and his group, only to find that the "Ten Clouds Drifting Down Mercenary Alliance" had already departed. That made things strange.

Did someone else tamper with things? Who could it be, and how did they manage it?

All sorts of speculations began flashing through people's minds. Just then, one of the men who had just fallen onto the arena managed, with Herculean effort, to tumble off, escaping the bonds of that terrifying power.

Only then could he gasp great lungfuls of air and rest. That sensation was truly terrifying, exactly like being crushed beneath a massive boulder.

He had only been within its influence for a short while, yet he felt like he had narrowly escaped death. What must his comrades, who struggled inside for so long, have felt?

“What happened? What is the situation in there?” The old man and his surrounding team members rushed over.

“Gravi... Gravity Magic, such terrifying Gravity Magic!” the man managed to say weakly.

“Gravity Magic?” The old man’s expression showed disbelief. What kind of Gravity Magic could cause such an effect?

“How many times the gravity was inside?” the old man asked sternly again. “Four… Four times, maybe… maybe five!” the man said with uncertainty.

Impossible! The old man’s eyes snapped open.

If what he said was true, then this Gravity Magic could not possibly restrain those few people inside, because he understood their strength; they were certainly not something Gravity Magic of five times could handle! To achieve a state where they couldn't move an inch, at least seven times gravity or more would be required.

But a new question immediately arose: if that were the case, given the mage's physique, he couldn't possibly withstand such pressure and should have already been spitting blood and dying. Yet why was he only immobilized, just like the others?

This was the perverse genius of Zhong Shenxiu’s casting of "Gravity Magic"! His "Gravity Magic" was unlike the ordinary version; it had mutated and could be maintained even if the caster was not present.

Furthermore, this "Gravity Magic" automatically adjusted the intensity of the gravity according to each person's physique and strength! Of course, the maximum value of the gravity was limited, not infinitely increasing.

As long as one could endure this maximum ceiling, they could move freely within it. Zhong Shenxiu had set the effective duration of this "Gravity Magic" to fifteen minutes.

In other words, once fifteen minutes elapsed, even if they couldn't devise a solution, they wouldn't be trapped to death inside. The members of the "Sunset Mercenary Alliance" were unaware of this fact, so they remained extremely anxious at this moment.

“What do we do, what do we do? They can’t hold on much longer; we have to find a solution quickly!” Chaos erupted around them; people spoke over one another, and several even tried to rush forward.

“Everyone, quiet, quiet down!” The old man displayed extraordinary composure. After the clamor subsided, he said, “Panic is not the solution.

The key now is to figure out exactly what is happening!” He paused briefly, then asked the man who had just managed to climb off the platform, “Is it really just Gravity Magic up there? Did you sense anything else?” The man first shook his head, then whispered weakly, “I only felt my body grow as heavy as a mountain pressing down, as if the bones within me were about to snap…” “What’s happening?” Just then, Scoria and his group, who had been observing from a distance, walked over.

Because of their remote location, they couldn't hear the discussion, so they only knew that the others were agitated about something. “You are…” The old man was startled.

“I am Scoria, leader of the ‘Tiger Leap Mercenary Group.’ What is happening here? Is there anything I can do to help?” “Our comrades are trapped on the platform…” the old man quickly explained briefly.

Scoria looked up at the platform, pondered for a moment, then said, “Alright, let me go up and take a look!” “Father!” his son, Wen Na’er, cried out in alarm. He certainly didn't want his father to be trapped in there too.

“It’s fine; I will be careful!” Scoria waved a hand, stopping Wen Na’er from speaking further. “Th-this… how can this be…” The old man looked at Scoria with disbelief.

He hadn't expected an outsider to willingly risk danger for their sake; what breadth of heart that required! Scoria merely smiled at the old man, then abruptly released his battle aura.

That powerful pressure forced the people nearby to retreat repeatedly! His golden battle aura was dazzling.

It turned out he was actually a Sword God-level expert; no wonder he dared to take the risk! Fearing they might distract Scoria, everyone held their breath, and the atmosphere suddenly grew quiet as all eyes focused on him.

Scoria was cautious, his expression intent, as he tentatively stepped one foot onto the competition ground… The moment his foot touched the floor, his brow visibly furrowed. That immense suction force surged from beneath his feet like a tidal wave, almost causing him to lose his balance.

Although he felt the power, Scoria did not retreat; instead, he placed his other foot onto the platform as well. Those below could clearly see the strain etched on Scoria’s face, yet Scoria was worthy of his title as Sword God, slowly walking toward the trapped individuals.

Seeing that Scoria could walk among them, a sliver of hope arose in the old man’s heart. However, that hope did not last long.

Although Scoria successfully reached the trapped men, he tried several times to pull them out but ultimately had to return! “What a formidable Gravity Magic!” Scoria sighed deeply after stepping down.

Even with his Sword God strength, he couldn't linger long inside; the energy drain was simply too immense. “Leader Scoria, what… what is the situation up there?” The old man’s tone was noticeably less relaxed than before.

Indeed, if even a Sword God couldn't rescue his comrades, who else could possibly manage it? “Based on my feeling, the gravity up there is over ten times!” Scoria uttered a startling statement.

“Th-this is impossible. If it were ten times or more, I would never have been able to climb out, and neither would my partners have lasted this long!” the man who was still panting immediately refuted.

“That is precisely what I find strange!” Scoria couldn't fathom the mystery either! Though he remained puzzled, his son, Wen Na’er, had an idea surface in his mind: this entire situation likely involved Zhong Shenxiu, for he had experienced Zhong Shenxiu’s miraculous and bizarre nature, much like that protective barrier that once saved their lives—things that defied easy explanation!

“Is there truly no way at all?” The old man was nearing despair. And just then, another voice rang out: “Let me try!” The old man looked toward the sound and saw a tall, beautiful woman walking over slowly, accompanied by more than a dozen people in peculiar attire!

“It’s… it’s you all!” Dan Jiasuo, who hadn't spoken until now, was startled upon seeing the newcomers. The people who had arrived were none other than the "Mysterious Mercenary Group," the ones who had eliminated Dan Jiasuo's mercenary alliance previously!

Because they had been too focused on the match, they hadn't even noticed the presence of the "Mysterious Mercenary Group" until now! “Uncle Dan Jiasuo, who are they?” Wen Na’er asked curiously.

“The Mysterious Mercenary Group!” Dan Jiasuo’s reply was concise, but it startled Scoria beside him. This was the "Mysterious Mercenary Group"?

Clementine stopped before the crowd. She first surveyed the area, finally resting her gaze on the competition stage.

She was genuinely curious about what had transpired on the stage, or more accurately, what Zhong Shenxiu had done to it! The old man sized up Clementine up and down.

Though he said nothing, his expression clearly implied: save your effort; if even a Sword God couldn't manage it, what hope does a mere woman like you have? “Old man, don’t look at our leader with that kind of gaze.

I’m telling you, if our leader can’t do it, then…” Corink’s words were cut short by a cold glare from Clementine. At that moment, Clementine wasted no more words and walked directly toward the stage, without making any preparations whatsoever!

This wasn't arrogance; since a Sword God could enter and exit freely, there was nothing to worry about! “Scoria, watch closely.

This woman is strong!” Dan Jiasuo said to Scoria gravely. As soon as his words fell, Clementine leaped onto the stage, leading to a scene that made everyone’s jaw drop…