"The next match, the first of the Top 32 to Top 16, is about to begin!"
"It's the Dragon Country team versus the Rooster Country team!"
"Let's take a look at both teams' starting lineups and the players for the first match..."
"Wow! Both sides have unexpectedly chosen to have their captains start!"
"This opening match of the Top 32 to Top 16 is already a clash of titans!"
Qian He Yin Bai's voice boomed through the venue via her megaphone.
Lin Ran and Petre, standing on the field, looked at each other with smiles.
Petre took a step forward, summoning his signature ethereal white shield and a dense line of steel defenses:
"Captain Lin Ran, as expected, you haven't disappointed me. You've chosen to face me head-on..."
"In that case, I can only go all out to prove my respect for you!"
Lin Ran, on the other hand, appeared quite nonchalant. He hadn't even drawn his weapon, merely nodding and saying:
"Likewise. I've long heard of the Machinō Defense Line being the best in the world. Today, I've come to learn from you!"
Petre grinned, glancing at the countdown nearing its end, and aimed his various emplaced cannons and turrets at Lin Ran:
"Come on, I can hardly wait to endure Captain Lin Ran's beating..."
"Please, whip me with all your might!"
Lin Ran glanced at the rapidly expiring timer, then quietly took out a round object from his Soul Ring, smiling:
"Alright!"
2!
1!
Begin!
The moment the countdown ended, Petre didn't hesitate for even half a second. He immediately commanded his cannons and turrets to unleash their barrage:
"Within range, all truth prevails!"
"Blast him to kingdom come!"
Watching the sky filled with artillery fire and bullets, many high-ranking officials and patriarchs from Sakura Country, attending for the first time, widened their eyes.
"Such fierce artillery fire... It feels like the defenses he's summoned alone could match a reinforced division!"
"Far more than that... His shells and bullets are all enhanced by magic, far beyond ordinary mechanized weapons."
"At the very least, you'd need a Diamond-level or higher magic-infused weapon to achieve this."
"Indeed, and these magic-infused weapons must be operated by a high-level Awakener."
"But he's achieved this so easily by himself. He's like a giant humanoid artillery platform!"
"Truly... It feels like sending this guy to a one-on-one arena match is beneath his capabilities."
"If his talents were applied on the battlefield, he'd surely be a guaranteed..."
Suddenly, a colossal shield shrank down to its normal size and appeared in Lin Ran's hand.
Absolute Defense: Shield of the Gods!
A shield with such a commanding name naturally possessed immense power.
While it might not be in a state of absolute defense as its name implied, it certainly wasn't something any common foe could trifle with.
"Not good enough, old Pete."
"Your barrage of cannons and turrets looks formidable, but in reality, it seems like all show and no substance!"
"That last wave of artillery fire didn't even tickle me."
Lin Ran chuckled.
Petre's face contorted. With a series of thuds, he added more items to the city's defensive fortress below.
Looking again, the countless defensive facilities now seemed to have increased by a further 40%.
"All of you, attack! Full power! Break through this damn shield!"
"I refuse to believe that a mere one-way shield can continuously achieve perfect blocking!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Dong!
The boundless artillery fire once again surged towards Lin Ran. Its ferocity seemed even greater than before.
However, Lin Ran, employing the same tactic as before, raised his shield and appeared completely unconcerned, standing his ground with supreme confidence.
And indeed, the outcome once again seemed to prove Lin Ran's choice was correct.
This time, because Lin Ran had deployed his shield in advance, the audience and the other contestants had a crystal-clear view.
The incoming artillery fire not only failed to harm Lin Ran in the slightest but also didn't even cause the shield to vibrate when it struck.
After blocking all of Petre's barrage, Lin Ran once again retracted the dust-free Shield of the Gods into his hand, looking at Petre with a smile.
Arthur, watching from the side, couldn't help but smack his lips:
"Damn! This scene feels so familiar..."
Caesar turned to look at him:
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Arthur rolled his eyes:
"Don't you see? This guy is about to pull his classic, somewhat cruel trick again..."
"He dueled Turing with summons, fought Jin Taegu with bare fists, and sparred with Vasily using dual blades. Now he intends to torment Petre with his defense."
"As we all know, Petre's greatest strengths are defense and attrition. Now Lin Ran seems to be planning the same approach."
"It's a psychological blow delivered with a similar method!"
"I'm already starting to worry about Petre's mental state later."