Although the verdict still appeared harsh to many, when compared to the four people backstage who were currently fighting for their lives, it suddenly didn't seem nearly as excessive.In fact, it was fair.Or perhaps, more accurately; it was the better judgment.Whereas the first verdict had punished the entire team—including the innocent members who had done nothing wrong—this revised ruling focused the weight of the punishment squarely upon Miranda, the main culprit, while allowing the others another chance to prove themselves.One of the girls quietly stepped closer before gently patting Miranda's arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze.A silent gesture of comfort.Miranda responded by forcing an unusually bright smile onto her face, quickly brushing aside the girl's concern as though everything was perfectly fine.“I'm alright, this is nothing.” her smile seemed to say.Then, without another word, she turned toward the exit and began walking down the stone steps.Her footsteps echoed

Her words made quite a number of people in the arena scoff, their dissatisfaction plain for all to see.May the best one win?How could they possibly determine who the best was, when one of the contestants consisted of members already exhausted after enduring several consecutive battles?Professor Mariette pretended not to notice the discontent spreading through the audience.“Group Thirty-Eight and Group Fifty.”Her voice boomed across the arena like a heavenly cannon, reverberating through every corner of the hall. “On the stage. Now!”Nika inhaled deeply before stretching her legs, loosening the stiffness in her muscles.Ryujin slowly rose from where he had been sitting cross-legged, calmly absorbing spiritual energy. His hand instinctively settled on the hilt of his sword as his aura gradually sharpened.As for Darlene, she had been ready all along.Since she was the least powerful member of the group, the least she could do was ensure she never became a burden through something a

Ryujin reacted the instant the whistle sounded.With a sharp step forward, he drove his sword straight into the ground before him.Boom! The platform trembled.A colossal phantom sword materialized above Group Thirty-Eight, lying horizontally over the entire formation like a heavenly blade protecting its disciples.The sword hummed with metallic resonance before slowly beginning to rotate in an anticlockwise direction.As it turned, countless miniature swords peeled away from its massive body, each one forged entirely from condensed sword intent.They revolved around the group in a perfect circle.Before anyone could even blink, the tiny swords shot upward.Streams of metallic radiance intertwined in midair, weaving together into countless brilliant strands that connected seamlessly.Within moments, an enormous dome of shimmering sword light enveloped Group Thirty-Eight.The protective barrier was complete.Ragnar gave a faint nod of approval.Without attracting the slightest attentio

The gaze Miranda fixed on Ryujin was vicious, brimming with bitter resentment and murderous intent. The look in her eyes made it seem as though she wanted to flay him alive, strip him apart inch by inch until nothing remained.An involuntary shudder coursed through Ryujin's body.Goosebumps prickled across his skin.Even separated by the protective dome, the hatred pouring from her eyes was enough to make his scalp tighten.Miranda slowly lowered her gaze to the guqin before her.Her fingers glided across the polished strings with deceptive gentleness, guiding wave after wave of force toward Group Thirty-Eight.The instant the invisible sound waves slammed into the dome, the entire barrier shuddered violently.It was as though some monstrous force had seized hold of it, trying to wrench it free from its very foundation.The trembling spread through every inch of the protective formation.Outside the arena, countless spectators unconsciously held their breaths.Inside the barrier, ever

A shrill yelp escaped Miranda's lips.If not for the invisible armor she had been wearing beneath her robes, that strike right there might have shattered her spine for good.“You bitch!” Miranda shrieked, her voice sharp with pain and fury. “How dare you?”Nika smirked.Without giving Miranda even a second to recover, she grabbed a fistful of her silky hair and forcefully yanked her backward.Then she leaned in, bringing her lips close to Miranda's ear.“Don't worry, I still have the restoration pill.” She snickered, the corners of her lips curling maliciously. “Even if I break something, I will patch you right up.”“You!”Miranda's face flushed beet red, her nostrils flaring violently.The veins around her temples bulged one after another, throbbing repeatedly beneath her skin as pure rage threatened to overwhelm her reason.Grinding her teeth together, she forcefully twisted her body to the side, knocking Nika off balance.Almost simultaneously, her palm, laced with surging spiritua