The intercity tournament consists of individual and team matches.
The individual matches are straightforward, but in the team battles, it's a 4-on-4 showdown.
The key to success in team battles lies in the coordination between members.
In East Ning City's arena, the well-known host Sun Bin makes his appearance.
Sun Bin, a regular face at these tournaments, owes his position to his deep understanding of various evolution paths.
He can swiftly explain the battle conditions and make accurate predictions, which, coupled with his humorous and lively commentary, secures his post as a beloved host.
Beside Sun Bin stands a young woman, also a host for the tournament.
It's clear this is her first time, as there's a hint of nervousness in her expression.
"Today marks the start of the tournament," she announces.
"East Ning City will face off against challengers from other cities. I firmly believe our city's representatives will surpass their past performances," Sun Bin declares passionately.
Regardless of the outcome, it's crucial to not lose morale from the start.
"Let's introduce our representatives," Sun Bin continues.
"First, we have Zong Bai, a familiar face to all, with first-order twelfth-level power. He must be close to reaching the second order by now. Our second representative is Cao Rong. The third is Lv Xiguang. And the fourth..."
Sun Bin deliberately pauses here before continuing, "...is participating in the tournament for the first time. But given he's here, he undoubtedly has some remarkable qualities."
Then, Sun Bin gives a rundown of the four representatives from Purple Thorn City.
Finally, he summarizes, “Our opponents are strong. Everyone's aware of Purple Thorn City's record, but I have faith in our four contestants from East Ning City."
He raises his voice, "The tournament starts now!"
“Go, brother!” Lin Yi cheers, her small fists clenched.
Her mother, Lu Qiong, reads through the passing comments, sighing, "They're saying we don’t stand a chance, especially with a newcomer in the mix. Are they mocking our Xiao Yuan?"
Father Lin Shoucheng, an old-timer viewer, objectively comments, "Purple Thorn City’s strength is undeniable, especially their 'Giant' captain. Historically speaking, East Ning City’s chances of victory are slim to none."
Sensing Lu Qiong’s displeasure, he quickly adds, "But that doesn’t reflect on Xiao Yuan."
“Even without Xiao Yuan, with our past tournament setups, we’d still lose. People just love to pass the blame," Lin Shoucheng chuckles, “You can always count on Xiao Yuan!"
"Exactly," Lu Qiong replies with confidence.
"I really believe in Xiao Yuan!"
Lin Shoucheng agrees quickly, though with a sheepish grin. “Yes, with Xiao Yuan, East Ning City will certainly win.”
In the arena's center, Lin Yuan stands with Zong Bai and the others on one side.
"Mr. Lin, how should we proceed?" Zong Bai whispers, knowing they stand no chance against Purple Thorn City without Lin Yuan’s strength.
Lin Yuan is their only hope, so they naturally decide to strategize around him, with Lv Xiguang and Cao Rong eagerly awaiting his instructions.
After pondering, Lin Yuan responds, “You guys go first. Simply charge forward."
Zong Bai agrees immediately, although he hesitates as understanding dawns. ‘Go first? Charge?’ Looking at the towering figure across from him, he swallows hard.
Without Lin Yuan's lead, they risk getting crushed rather than crushing anything.
Confusion mirrors on Lv Xiguang and Cao Rong’s faces.
A straightforward clash against a ‘Giant’ evolution adept? Isn’t this playing to their strengths?
"Just do as I say," Lin Yuan assures them with a calm voice.
“Alright,” Zong Bai grits his teeth.
In the virtual world, death doesn’t affect their real bodies.
Losing is the worst that could happen, and considering their opponent, Zong Bai didn't harbor much hope anyway.
Whoosh! Zong Bai, Lv Xiguang, and Cao Rong storm toward the four representatives of Purple Thorn City.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan activates the power of the sun and moon within him, forming a Taiji pattern.
The yin and yang fish spin slowly, projecting an invisible force that surrounds the area—a Taiji Domain.
This domain, birthed from combining primordial force into the way of Taiji, lets Lin Yuan suppress opponents effortlessly and observe them closely.
Its rudimentary form manifested during Lin Yuan’s time in the Dragon-Tiger World, but not until he delved into the evolution path of primordial force did it fully mature.
Across the battlefield, the four from Purple Thorn City watch Lin Yuan and his group closely.
When Zong Bai and the others charge, surprise colors their faces. “Fools,” the burly leader sneers.
If the trio charged relying on speed, they might pose a threat.
But a direct assault? “Crush them with me!” His body swells to five meters, stepping toward Zong Bai and his fellows.
Behind him, the other three from Purple Thorn City share his grin.
To them, this seems a desperate suicide charge from East Ning City’s representatives.
"Let's see what tricks the fighters from East Ning City have against Purple Thorn City’s top evolvers."
"What? Zong Bai, Cao Rong, and Lv Xiguang are charging head-on?" The sight leaves host Sun Bin taken aback.
Commentating countless matches, he’s never seen such a tactic—a head-on collision strategy is valid, but only against equally adept frontal combat evolvers.
Neither Zong Bai, Lv Xiguang, nor Cao Rong fit this profile.
And newcomer ‘Lin Yuan’ stays back, not making a move. “Looks like our representatives feel victory is impossible,” Sun Bin muses, “and deciding to lose with dignity rather than flight. But wait, what’s this?” Eyes bolting wide at the unfolding clash, Sun Bin witnesses the unexpected: Zong Bai and his companions remain unscathed, unexpectedly managing to dominate their opponents instead.
How?
In the arena, Zong Bai and the others are baffled.
In the melee, they realize their foes from Purple Thorn City have become sluggish, their power and speed drastically reduced.
The ‘Giant’ opponent’s supposedly devastating strike is easily sidestepped by Zong Bai. “What’s happening?” The shock and frustration are evident as their adversaries also seem as clueless.
“It must be Mr. Lin,” Zong Bai speculates.
Despite not possessing genius-level intellect, their minds are sharp.
Given Lin Yuan’s instruction and their enemies’ current lackluster performance, the conclusion is clear. “Is Mr. Lin suppressing them through some field capability?” Zong Bai wonders.
Domain power pertains to space control.
It usually takes a second or third-order evolution path to achieve, touching on such abilities. [Your comprehension is extraordinary; observing giant evolvers up close aids the enhancement of your martial evolution path.] [Your comprehension is extraordinary; observing the fire evolvers up close aids the enhancement of your martial evolution path.] [Your comprehension is extraordinary; observing mental masters aids the enhancement of your martial evolution path.] [Your comprehension is extraordinary; observing bloodline evolvers aids the enhancement of your martial evolution path.]
Through the Taiji Domain, it’s akin to directly connecting with the four evolvers from Purple Thorn City.
This grants Lin Yuan a thorough understanding of their evolutionary strengths and weaknesses, far superior to mere video observation.
For instance, Lin Yuan intensifies the pressure on the giant’s chest, sparking a series of reactions in the evolver, all of which, under Lin Yuan's heaven-defying comprehension, flood him with inspiration.
The reactions from Zong Bai and the others further reveal more from their adversaries, enriching Lin Yuan’s grasp of martial evolution path aspects.
In mere moments, Lin Yuan’s refinement of this path surges forward at an astonishing pace.
(Chapter ends)