Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2052: Fighting a level above (3)

"Are you out of your mind?" Jie Su questioned in an anxious whisper by his side.

This was hardly the moment for preserving pride. A lineup like this could be outright rejected. While the opposing side hadn't explicitly broken any stated rules by Ye Zhongming, the underlying intent was clear to all present – a circumvention of the spirit of the agreement. Who, when pitted against an inferior opponent, would employ such underhanded tactics? Even if victory were achieved, would the Su Clan truly find honor in it?

By leveraging this point, there remained a distinct possibility of compelling the Su Clan to revise their chosen combat team.

Yaohan Su disregarded everyone else, his gaze fixed solely on Ye Zhongming. Should Ye Zhongming indicate any desire to withdraw, Yaohan would personally concoct a justification for the opposing side to select different individuals.

"It's alright, let's proceed," Ye Zhongming stated. Who could have foreseen that Ye Zhongming would refuse the well-meaning offers from everyone?

The leader of Kelan Su's faction erupted in hearty laughter, his smugness no longer concealed. He mused that this young man was rather capable, his earlier maneuvers having cornered everyone into agreeing to a battle of skill. Yet, this young man likely never fathomed that his strategy was not something the Su Clan would readily fear. "Still underestimating the Su Clan far too much," the leader thought with a surge of pride.

Ye Zhongming stepped before his assault team and addressed the warriors who had been the first to pledge their loyalty to him. "The upcoming engagement will prove more challenging than anticipated, but do not bear any undue pressure. This marks your inaugural use of this novel combat style, therefore, the outcome, win or lose, is secondary. Furthermore, prioritize your safety above all else. Remember, this is not a mere practice session within the clan's grounds. Defeat is acceptable, but sustaining injury is not."

Having spoken, Ye Zhongming gave the signal to the opposing side, indicating their readiness to commence. The hundred assembled Su Clan members then positioned themselves before the Bronze Assault Team.

In contrast to the Star-Eye Clan members, their formation was noticeably more dispersed. Initially, the most skilled warriors occupied the front ranks, but under Kelan Su's directive, they were strategically positioned on the flanks and at the rear.

Expressions of disdain flickered across the faces of Yaohan Su and the other observers. In a situation where they held such an overwhelming advantage, they still intended to employ this tactic of attrition; it struck many as somewhat ignoble.

However, Kelan Su's faction appeared unconcerned; their sole focus was on achieving victory.

"Remove your equipment," Ye Zhongming commanded abruptly.

The members of the assault team promptly complied, shedding their gear. Witnessing this, the Su Clan members on the opposing side also began to divest themselves of their equipment.

"At least they aren't entirely foolish."

Although the assault team's equipment was of good quality, Ye Zhongming had not yet completed their full rearmament. The situation for the opposing side was different. While the Su Clan might be considered weaker in the grand scheme of major clans, the equipment issued to these warriors, designed to compensate for their deficiencies, was exceptionally fine. In this particular aspect, the assault team could not compete. By ordering his team to remove their gear, Ye Zhongming compelled the Su Clan members to do likewise, thereby somewhat leveling the playing field concerning equipment disparity.

Nevertheless, Kelan Su's leader remained unfazed. With their superior raw strength, the presence or absence of equipment made little difference.

The simulation system whirred to life, transporting both combatants into a virtual arena. As a preeminent clan, the Su Clan possessed a simulation system far more advanced and realistic than that of the Star-Eye Clan. Even the spectators were drawn into the experience, observing the unfolding events from the nearby stands.

The Su Clan contingent initiated the engagement. Holding every advantage, they would have considered it a matter of shame to allow the opposing side to make the first move.

"They've moved," Jie Su remarked, his attention not on his own kin but on the members of the Star-Eye Clan. Observing the Su Clan warriors surge forward and the Star-Eye Clan also begin to stir, he could not help but voice his observation.

The initial movements appeared somewhat chaotic, with each individual seeming to advance in a different direction. Yet, to the eyes of the watching Su Clan members, there was a subtle, yet discernible, sense of familiarity.

At the precise moment of impact between the two groups, the Star-Eye Clan warriors at the forefront of their formation executed an abrupt change in direction. It was as if a sudden opening materialized within their ranks, instantly enfolding the advancing Su Clan members.

Both sides were armed with weapons, and the clash of steel echoed from the very outset.

"Hmm?" Jie Su took a step forward, his gaze fixed intently on the movements of the Star-Eye Clan members. From his elevated vantage point, he perceived something akin to familiarity, yet it didn't perfectly align with what he understood. The other high-ranking Su Clan members, possessing considerably keener perception than Jie Su, were now fully engrossed, their faces etched with evident surprise and bewilderment.

"Attack!" Shi Yong's commanding roar resounded. The entire assault team launched a coordinated offensive for the first time. Their weapons swung in unison, directed towards a single point, irrespective of whether any adversaries were present. Strangely, the path traced by their swinging weapons coalesced into a shimmering field of light that persisted within the formation they had established. As they retracted their weapons, this ethereal light began to dance and weave back and forth throughout their formation.

The Star-Eye Clan members made a strategic retreat, stepping back five paces. Where they had stood moments before, over a dozen Su Clan warriors lay unconscious, felled during the preceding close-quarters combat.

"Formation?" Yaohan Su's eyes narrowed as he uttered a single, probing word.

The Star-Eye Clan was, in fact, employing a formation. Each member served as a node of power, their coordinated attacks channeling energy to activate the formation's inherent properties.

The spectral, persistent lights that now danced and struck in the air were a manifestation of this activation.

Had the Su Clan not possessed knowledge of such formations, they might have suspected Jie Su of treachery for divulging secrets.

However, the capability the Star-Eye Clan currently displayed was beyond their own usual understanding. They could integrate various materials to serve as formation anchors, but utilizing standing individuals as substitutes was uncharted territory.

Furthermore, even the formidable Ten Great Formations were immobile, requiring fixed positions. But living participants could move freely, unburdened by rigid placement.

A wave of excitement surged through many Su Clan members. If this technique employed by the Star-Eye Clan was indeed a formation, its discovery could rival the invention of the traveling formation itself. This implied a significant new application for the Su Clan's mastery of formations – a major one!

Their gazes collectively shifted, filled with fervent anticipation, towards Ye Zhongming.

Just then, the battlefield dynamics shifted dramatically. The fifty low-level warriors, used as expendable pawns, had all been neutralized. Against the now greatly amplified blade and sword lights, they offered no defense.

With their elimination, the Star-Eye Clan faced the elite forces directly, numbering around twenty thousand Furelai. Everyone understood that this was the true test of strength.

Could the formation's power bridge the chasm in individual combat prowess?

"Change!"

Shi Yong and Ou Chong commanded almost in unison. The entire assault team's formation shifted fluidly. The Su Clan warriors, keenly aware of this maneuver, naturally sought to disrupt it. Many seized the moment, launching attacks at nearby opponents.

The disparity in individual skill was immense, and swiftly, over a dozen assault team members were struck down.

Yet, more combatants managed to reach their designated positions within the formation.

Abruptly, half of the assembled fighters turned their weapons upon their adjacent comrades, leaving the Su Clan onlookers utterly bewildered.

Was this self-destruction? What was the meaning behind such an action?

But their astonishment and shock intensified as the light generated by these transferred attacks did not harm their companions. Instead, the light seemed to meld into them.

As the light permeated their beings, these individuals began to unleash their own weapons. Instantly, dozens of empowered blade lights surged forward, aimed directly at the enemy lines.