At this moment, on the Martial Arts Arena, the two teams were ready, but unexpectedly, as Xiao Zhentian was about to announce the start of the match, the woman leading the Poison Manor team stepped onto the stage and whispered a few words in his ear.

Upon hearing her, Xiao Zhentian nodded, stepped forward, and said to the representative of the Long Hand Clan: "Team Eighteen requests to compete with you in a team battle format. Coincidentally, both of your teams have six participants with similar strength, so I agree to adjust the match format. What do you think?" Saying this, he discreetly clutched his fist.

The representative of the fourth team noticed Xiao Zhentian's subtle gesture, feeling troubled. He knew this might be Xiao Zhentian's hint that refusal wasn't an option, yet he couldn't rashly make a decision on behalf of the whole team.

Moreover, although the numbers were equal, the combat effectiveness of a team battle was not determined by numbers alone. It also depended on team coordination and tactical strategy, which their team hadn't prepared for. Engaging in a team battle right away might not offer any advantage.

Besides, their opponents were also seed players from the Poison Manor team, and he absolutely couldn't make such a decision lightly.

"I, I can't accede to this request; I need to consult our team captain first," stuttered the first representative of the fourth team, clearly afraid of Xiao Zhentian's agitation, yet having to consider the big picture for the whole team.

"Consult about what? Isn't six versus six fair enough? Hurry up and get your people to come on stage. Afraid of even us six weak women? What right do you have to enter the finals? If not, pack up and leave, don't embarrass yourselves here," the Poison Manor team leader fanned the flames beside him, making it clear they very much desired to compete in a team battle format.

"Indeed, I also find it acceptable. Let your team come on then," Xiao Zhentian said with a sly look, hands behind his back.

The people below from the Long Hand Clan were not ordinary; they had long heard Xiao Zhentian and the Poison Manor leader's conversation on stage. Instantly angered, each extended their long arms towards the Poison Manor woman on stage, baring their teeth: "You think we fear you? Let's go!"

The Long Hand Clan members clamored onto the Martial Arts Arena, forming a disorderly formation with anger in their eyes. However, it was apparent to anyone smart enough that the Long Hand Clan had no experience in team formations, and their setup was rather flimsy, unable to withstand a blow.

After the fourth team set up their formation, Xiao Zhentian signaled the Poison Manor team leader. The latter immediately gathered her team on stage. Apparently, for the Poison Manor team, this team battle was a must-win. Concerned about revealing their tactics, they didn't exhibit anything overtly powerful but gave a faint impression of assured victory.

"Team four is in danger, these Poison Manor women are indeed cunning," Zhang Po naturally saw the advantages and disadvantages on the stage and said to the two behind him.

Xiao Yifei also nodded; team four was likely facing defeat. He then remembered that Qing Shan mentioned last night that the Poison Manor never left any survivors in competitions, and today they concocted such a scheme. They must be trying to annihilate the Long Hand Clan team.

"We should think of a way to stop this match; otherwise, the Long Hand Clan people will all die."

"Are you mad? Don't forget Han Xiaoyu's words. Careful, the Xiao Family might seize this chance to eliminate you. By then, it won't just be the Long Hand Clan team that might die, even the three of us wouldn't escape fate."

"Don't worry, I have a way," Xiao Yifei said in a deep voice.

The Long Hand Clan people and the Poison Manor team were already prepared on stage, both sides with an aggressive posture, while Xiao Zhentian seemed to delight in watching them battle to the death. He nodded towards the elders on the pillars, who immediately understood and called forth a protective barrier that enveloped the Martial Arts Arena.

Seeing the elders' action, Xiao Yifei frowned and said to Zhang Po beside him: "Later, I have a way to stop this fight, but this shield is troublesome. I believe it's an array supported by four old folks, each guarding one point. Later you look for a chance to destroy one pillar, and once the array is broken, I'll find a chance to stop them."

"Are you serious?" Zhang Po was stunned, not expecting Xiao Yifei to be so determined to save others' lives.

"Yes." Xiao Yifei nodded, "The people who need saving won't be missed. I absolutely won't let those Poison Manor vixens take more lives."

"Need my help?" Chang Wei pondered somewhat, still unsure of his role, and timidly asked.

"No need, our actions must be secretive this time, and we can't let the Xiao Family discover it. Later, Zhang Po and I will go to a place that's not easy to notice and take action. You stay here, to prevent the Xiao Family from getting suspicious."

"Alright!" Chang Wei nodded.

Xiao Yifei briefly explained the action plan. The three of them each went to their positions, waiting for the moment to save people. Now all that remained was for the match to begin.

With a command from Xiao Zhentian, the match began.

A pale purple mist rose around the Poison Manor women, white smoke emerging where it touched the ground stones, corroding and dissolving them. Apparently, the mist was poisonous, and a slight carelessness could lead to injury.

The toxic mist slowly gathered, enveloping the Martial Arts Arena, and gradually drifted towards the Long Hand Clan team members on the opposite side.

The Long Hand Clan members, now clouded with anger brought on by this unfair treatment, plunged headlong into the toxic mist.

"Reckless." Xiao Zhentian shook his head. Though the Long Hand Clan youths were indeed strong, they were still young and too impetuous. He immediately summoned a layer of fire-red protective shield over himself to prevent harm from the toxic mist.

The Long Hand Clan youths moved swiftly, using their hands to support themselves and flipping over. Their long arms spun rapidly, and in an instant, they were in the midst of the toxic mist.

"Not good, the purple mist on the field is too thick; I can't see what's happening on stage," Xiao Yifei quietly communicated to Zhang Po.

Zhang Po got the message, concentrated his eyes, and a glow of gold flashed from his eyes as he began to observe the situation on the field.

"Whoa, Eyes of Golden Flame?" Xiao Yifei was immediately awed by this move of Zhang Po's.

Zhang Po waved a hand at Xiao Yifei quietly, "The Long Hand Clan people aren't easy to deal with either; their defense is also quite formidable. So far, they haven't been invaded by the toxic mist and are entangled with the Poison Manor women, but their attributes are rapidly declining and they likely can't hold out much longer."

"It's not time yet. We must wait a little longer; otherwise, if we rashly intervene without enough reason, the Xiao Family definitely won't let us off."

Upon hearing Xiao Yifei's command, Zhang Po lowered the Great Sword he was ready to swing at any moment and asked Xiao Yifei, "When should we act?"

"Wait a little longer; keep an eye on the situation on stage. If the Long Hand Clan people show signs of skin erosion, tell me immediately."

After listening to Zhang Po's report, Xiao Yifei broadly grasped that this toxic mist was of a highly corrosive kind—the longer the exposure, the greater the damage to the skin surface.

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