Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: p@treon.com/CosmicKaminari
----------
Quan Yi took a closer look and realized that it was a Soul Guide.
The massive Soul Tool continued to emit a dazzling light, illuminating the dimly lit room.
Instinctively, Quan Yi's hand touched the Heart of Fierce Sun hanging around his neck.
Compared to spatial storage equipment, this familiar yet unfamiliar object had an even greater impact on him.
This thing turned the world from fantasy into science fiction.
Quan Yi couldn't imagine what it felt like to see a light bulb for the first time, but he figured it must be similar to what he was experiencing now—astonishment, shock!
However, amidst his shock, doubts arose in his mind.
The development of Soul Guides had extended even into everyday life, including something as simple as lighting.
This implied that an advanced and glorious Soul Tool civilization must have existed in ancient times.
But what happened to cause its complete disappearance, vanishing into the long river of history?
Was it war?
A natural disaster?
Yet, why were there no records of it in any books?
Quan Yi was filled with unanswered questions.
At the same time, a strange idea surfaced in his heart.
Could this thing be replicated?
When he first saw a spatial Soul Guide, such a thought never crossed his mind. But now, this lamp-like Soul Guide made him believe that it might be possible.
The ancients had crafted such things—there was no reason why the people of today couldn't do the same.
Moreover, with a ready-made example in front of them, the difficulty of manufacturing would be significantly reduced. At the very least, there was no need to start from scratch like the ancients did.
Even if creating a spatial Soul Guide was too difficult, surely imitating a simple Soul Guide lamp was within reach, right?
Once the idea took root, Quan Yi's thoughts ran wild. He stared fixedly at the enormous lamp on the ceiling, as if entranced, completely motionless.
Beside him, Su Ling'er noticed his dazed expression and explained, "This kind of large-scale lighting Soul Tool can probably only be produced by the forces behind the Spirit Arena. Although its only function is illumination, it is still a rare treasure. However, in terms of value, it is far inferior to the Heart of Fierce Sun."
Hearing his mother's voice, Quan Yi snapped out of his thoughts and temporarily set aside his contemplation.
At that moment, the main arena gradually dimmed. The scattered lights began to converge, their brilliance focusing on the central stage.
"Alright, the match is about to begin." Su Ling'er, who had intended to explain further, noticed the shift in atmosphere and stopped speaking, turning her attention to the Soul Fighting Platform.
Quan Yi's gaze was also drawn to the stage. Despite the many thoughts in his mind, the upcoming team battle held an undeniable allure for him.
For now, he chose to put aside his questions and focus on witnessing his first-ever team battle.
At that moment, the circular floor at the center of the arena slowly began to rise. As it ascended, a young woman with fair skin, stunning features, and a curvaceous figure appeared below the platform.
She held a Loudspeaker Soul Guide in her hand, saluted the audience, and began announcing the details of the match.
"Without further ado, let us officially welcome the contestants from both sides!"
The gates on either side of the Great Spirit Arena opened quietly, and the competing teams entered the arena in an orderly fashion.
"Xiao Yi, watch carefully," Su Ling'er said softly. "No matter whether your deductions are correct or not, this battle may be decided very quickly."
Quan Yi agreed with his mother's assessment and focused intently on the field.
The two teams stared each other down, their auras steadily rising.
Fourteen Spirit Ancestors gathered in an enclosed space—the sheer intensity of their presence sent an electrifying pressure through the air. Even from his distant seat in the VIP box, Quan Yi couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and excitement welling up inside him.
The Beast Team consisted of five men and two women, all dressed in brown outfits embroidered with images of their respective Martial Souls. Their presence was imposing, exuding an air of extraordinary strength.
At the forefront stood a tall, muscular middle-aged man with a fierce expression. His powerful aura made him seem difficult to approach, yet his eyes brimmed with unwavering confidence.
This was Shi Zi, the captain of the Beast Team.
Martial Soul: Lion
Level: 49
Power Attack Battle Soul Master
On the other side, the Libra Team also comprised five men and two women, all clad in white uniforms. A golden scale was elegantly engraved on the chest of each outfit, giving them a refined yet disciplined appearance.
Despite facing a formidable opponent, the members of the Libra Team showed no signs of fear or hesitation.
Their leader was a composed and graceful middle-aged man. Though his stature was unremarkable compared to Shi Zi, his demeanor remained calm and unshaken in the face of the Beast Team's imposing presence.
This was Xiao Yun, the captain of the Libra Team.
Martial Soul: Libra
Level: 45
Control Battle Soul Master
"You have one minute to summon your Martial Souls. Attacking is only permitted after I announce the start of the match!"
At the same time, all fourteen participants unleashed their Soul Power, summoning their Martial Souls. The dazzling display of radiant Martial Souls and gleaming Soul Rings was mesmerizing—one of the most thrilling moments of a team battle.
The host, standing at the edge of the Great Spirit Arena, observed both teams preparing. The moment they were ready, he loudly declared:
"I officially announce the start of the match!"
"ROAR~!"
The Beast Team struck first. A deafening beastly roar filled the arena as the entire team charged toward the Libra Team at high speed.
Their formation was slightly spread out, creating an encircling maneuver against the Libra Team—it was clear they intended to overwhelm their opponents in a single strike.
Suddenly, two swift figures shot out from the sides of the Beast Team. They were the two female members—the team's only Agility Attack Battle Soul Masters.
Quan Yi had previously witnessed his teacher Bai Yan display incredible speed, but it had never been at full power.
Seeing real Agility-Type Soul Masters move at full speed for the first time, Quan Yi was genuinely astonished. Had he not been observing from an elevated position, he might have completely lost track of them.
The two agility-type Soul Masters flanked the Libra Team from both sides, appearing to maneuver toward the team's rear, attempting an outflanking strategy.
Despite the overwhelming advance, the Libra Team made no immediate moves. They remained in formation, purely on the defensive, seemingly in a precarious position.
Quan Yi stared intently at the battlefield, anticipating a turning point.
With the Beast Team's assault and agility attackers closing in simultaneously, the Libra Team would soon be hard-pressed to defend themselves.
At that moment, Xiao Yun raised the golden scales of his Martial Soul, and four beams of light shot out toward different Soul Masters on the battlefield.
"First Soul Skill: Soul Power Balance!"
"Second Soul Skill: Speed Balance!"
Two beams shone red, while two gleamed yellow.
The red light struck both Shi Zi (the Beast Team captain) and Libra's auxiliary-type Soul Master, the latter being the team's weakest in terms of Soul Power.
49 vs. 42—this was clearly an ability balancing their Soul Power.
The yellow light targeted one of the agility-type Soul Masters from the Beast Team and Libra's defensive-type Soul Master.
Libra's defense-type Soul Master had a Tortoise Martial Soul, granting immense defensive power but suffering from extremely slow movement, especially after Martial Soul Possession.
With Xiao Yun's control-type abilities, the sluggish tortoise could now move with newfound agility—an ability that highlighted the tricky nature of Xiao Yun's combat style.
He could eliminate weaknesses within his own team while simultaneously debilitating the opponent's advantages.
However, the Beast Team had anticipated this strategy. They made no attempt to evade Xiao Yun's control skills, remaining completely unbothered.
They possessed absolute confidence in their overall strength—even if their strongest and fastest members were weakened, they believed it wouldn't be enough to bridge the gap between the two teams.
Just as the Beast Team solidified their confidence in victory—
An unexpected turn of events occurred!
A brilliant white light burst forth from Xiao Yun's Libra Martial Soul, engulfing all the Soul Masters present on the stage.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Group Power Balance!"