The next day.
Early morning.
Qingjing Yan Yun University's Third Arena.
Seeing Lin Ran and his group approaching from afar, Lu Yuan, who had been waiting, immediately perked up and walked forward with a smile:
"Brother Lin, you've really made us wait!"
The arena Lu Yuan had booked was the largest one in the entire venue.
Thanks to Lu Yuan and his team's extensive pre-match publicity and hype, the spectator stands were completely full of people who had come to witness the event.
Those who enjoy a good spectacle were always in the majority, especially when there was a palpable tension between the opposing sides.
Even Lü Qiufeng and Lin Miao, who had nothing better to do, were secretly watching from the audience.
Lin Ran, however, had no intention of engaging in pleasantries with Lu Yuan. He waved his hand and said:
"Enough talk, let's get on the stage."
With that, he led the nine people behind him and walked away on his own.
Lu Yuan's smile froze on his face, and he clenched his fists, suppressing his anger.
"Fine! I want to see how long you can remain so arrogant!"
Onto the stage!
Soon, both sides were in position at opposite ends of the arena.
Unlike a one-on-one duel, the team battle arena was vast and spacious, with a significant starting distance between the teams.
This was to give both sides ample room to maneuver and coordinate their formations and strategies.
"Excellent! It seems no one has noticed that all ten of our members have been enhanced by 25% to all stats under Wu Huanyu's scroll."
At their current third-tier rank, special equipment that didn't occupy inventory slots was limited in its effects.
An enhancement of 30%-40% was already considered monstrous.
As for the seven inventory slots, they would mostly contain a mix of Diamond and Epic tier items.
Therefore, their base stats should be roughly comparable.
In such a scenario, their unexpected 25% bonus to all stats would be a significant game-changer.
They could easily use their superior attributes to quickly defeat Lin Ran's flanking teammates and then converge to defeat Lin Ran himself.
All their strategies and preparations were built around this core plan.
Watching the ten-second countdown on the screen begin, Lu Yuan licked his lips and cast a look of admiration towards Wu Huanyu behind him.
Wu Huanyu grinned back at him.
This act of cheating appeared to be a complete success!
Neither Lin Ran's group nor the spectators outside had noticed anything.
This meant they could go all out!
However, to his surprise, Lin Ran was standing at the very front of their formation, wielding a magnificent-looking golden spear.
It was truly strange. Lin Ran's usual impression was that of a more ranged-oriented damage dealer.
After all, Lin Ran's previous use of "King's Treasure," "Black Flame," and "Spatial Mastery" all pointed to this style of play.
And Xiong Yuan, who possessed extremely high defense and physical attack power, with an SSS-rank talent in "Tiger Armor," was standing at the very back of their formation...
What in the world was going on?
Two!
One!
Begin!
However, the countdown wouldn't wait. Before Lu Yuan and his team could fully comprehend the situation, Lin Ran, precisely on time, transformed into a dazzling golden light and charged forward.
"Golden Charge!"
Lin Ran silently chanted in his heart.
Fast!
So fast!
Incredibly fast!
None of Lu Yuan's team expected Lin Ran, who had a clear speed disadvantage just a few months ago, to be this fast.
It was incredibly difficult for their eyes to even track the afterimages Lin Ran left behind.
"Cover! Cover me!"
Wan Meng, positioned at the front line, was startled and, driven by an inexplicable premonition of danger, urgently called for his teammates' help and support.
In the next instant, a "Frost Vortex" from Lu Yuan, "Silver Moon Radiance" from Qin Tian, and "Sound Wave Impact" from Liang Feifan, all converged to provide cover for Wan Meng.
Unfortunately, none of it mattered!
Lin Ran seemed immune to magic, passing through the concentrated attacks unharmed, his speed not even faltering in the slightest.
"As if!"
My magic resistance is currently stacked at 170% plus an 80% boost. My Natural Spirit also possesses formidable resistances to various elements.
Furthermore, I'm currently moving at extreme speeds under the effect of the Golden Dragon's "Golden Charge." It would be truly bizarre if I were to be obstructed now!
Speaking of which, the elemental resistances provided by the Natural Spirit primarily target natural elements like ice, fire, earth, and wood.
They offer no boost against the two mysterious elements: light and darkness.
This implies that Luo Qingyan, a being of light and darkness symbiosis, should theoretically be a strong counter to me.
Yet, even so, in their usual training sessions, Luo Qingyan is always toyed with, thoroughly and one-sidedly defeated by me...
Let alone these attacks that I am actually countering.
"Break!"
Lin Ran swung the magnificent Golden Dragon Spear in his hand, sweeping it upwards towards Wan Meng.
Wan Meng gritted his teeth and unleashed his SSS-rank "Crimson Dragon" talent without reservation. He drew a greatsword that shimmered with red light and met Lin Ran's spear tip.
"Demon Flame Slash!"
Clang!
After a crisp clash of weapons, Wan Meng was sent flying upwards, propelled into the sky by Lin Ran's sweep.
Simultaneously, a mottled bloody gash appeared on his left chest.
Much of the Dragon's Blood seeping from the wound was absorbed by the Golden Dragon Spear, its energy feeding back into Lin Ran's body.
"So delicious!"
Savoring the thrill of draining another's life force, Lin Ran's smile gradually turned sinister.
"Next, it's you!"
Seeing Wan Meng being sent flying by Lin Ran's spear, Qian Yong's eyes widened.
With his SSS-rank "Call of Gold and Stone" talent, he was supposed to form the frontline with Wan Meng, breaking through enemy ranks.
But now, Wan Meng had been sent flying into the sky by Lin Ran without even lasting one round...
This was completely outside of their plan!
However, facing the ferocious Lin Ran charging towards him, even with fear gripping his heart, Qian Yong could only brace himself and advance.
"Brilliant Gold and Jade!"
Qian Yong clasped his hands together, summoning a wall of pure gold from the ground, intending to block Lin Ran's path.
Unfortunately, it had absolutely no effect.
"Divine Might!"
Lin Ran had no intention of playing games with them. He imbued the power of "Divine Might" directly onto the Golden Dragon Spear.
The Golden Dragon Spear already possessed a significant material advantage against ordinary gold and stone, akin to a reduction in dimension.
With the reinforcement of "Divine Might," it was now as easy as slicing tofu, as the golden wall was cleaved in two by a single strike.
"Finger Gun - Golden Dragon Fist!"
Utilizing the thrusting force of the "Finger Gun," one of the Navy's Six Styles, Lin Ran unleashed another soul technique of the Golden Dragon.
A massive golden dragon head materialized on Lin Ran's left fist, and with lightning-fast speed, he delivered a punch to Qian Yong's abdomen.
Qian Yong was immediately propelled outwards like a fired cannonball, his body hitting the ground with a thud.