Half an hour passed, and every Golden Core team successfully wrapped up the first phase. Their Spiritual Gardens stood firm, radiating a gentle, inviting glow—a clear sign of their success.

  Next came the Core Formation Teams. Liuning’s calm yet authoritative voice rang out across the arena, calling them forward. With practiced ease, he gave his final instructions, sending each team into the Small World Fragment.

  The Core Formation participants, having watched the Golden Core teams, were much more cautious. Unlike their predecessors, none of them rushed to release their floating islands. Instead, they focused on battling the approaching monsters before attempting to set up their Spiritual Gardens.

  Still, a few teams took a more daring approach. They released their floating islands early—smaller versions that hovered above the forest floor. These teams adopted tactics they had seen in the Golden Core battles, using the islands as raised platforms to fight from.

  The monsters they faced were similar to those encountered by the Golden Core teams, though smaller—standing about four meters tall instead of five.

  Devor observed the battles closely, his sharp eyes tracking the monsters’ movements and the teams’ responses. The organizers’ decision to have the strongest teams go first was a smart one. It gave the weaker teams a chance to learn and adjust their strategies, boosting their odds of surviving longer in the competition.

  By the end of the half an hour, the Core Formation teams had successfully completed the first challenge of the day, securing their spots.

  Next, it was the turn of the Foundation Building Teams, which included Devor.

  Taking a deep breath, Devor joined his teammates, led by the ever-composed Versti. His heart raced, but he kept his face calm. Behind him, Yulin flashed a soft, encouraging smile. “Do your best, Devor,” she whispered, her voice steady and reassuring.

  The Azure Sky Team lined up in perfect formation, though Devor stood at the very back, his light blue Taoist robe sharply contrasting with the dark blue robes of his teammates. The difference made him stand out clearly.

  From her spot in the stands, Yulin couldn’t help but pull out a small white crystal ball, capturing the moment. If social media existed in this world, she might’ve posted something like: “Unbelievable! The captain is standing at the back! Such humility is truly inspiring!”

  But the reality was simpler. Captains always stood at the front, and Devor’s position at the back simply reflected his status as an Outer Disciple. Still, his unique attire made him look almost out of place—like he was in charge of the team.

  Suddenly, Liuning’s voice rang out, booming across the arena and drawing everyone's attention. “What a surprise! We’ve got an Outer Disciple in the Azure Sky Team!” he exclaimed, his tone a mix of curiosity and excitement.

  The spotlight fell on Devor, much to his discomfort. He let out a quiet, resigned sigh, feeling the weight of the crowd’s gaze. Standing out was the last thing he wanted. Too much attention always led to complications—and complications were something he could do without.

  Meanwhile, Liuning continued managing the teams with practiced efficiency, sending them one by one through the Small World Fragment. The Azure Sky Team was the fourth to be called.

  As Devor stepped through the mirror-like portal, he felt an immediate shift—a strange disorientation. The ground beneath his boots was damp, the air thick and humid, and an oppressive aura hung in the air, making it feel like he’d stepped into a whole new world. It was like an office worker suddenly finding themselves dropped into the chaos of a battlefield.

  The Azure Sky Team’s ten members quickly sensed the oddness of their surroundings. Trapped within a shimmering Secret Barrier, their movements were temporarily restricted, forcing them to adjust to this eerie, unfamiliar world.

  Versti broke the silence, his voice calm but commanding. “We need to change our approach.” His sharp eyes scanned the group before locking onto Devor. “How soon can you plant the first seed in the Spiritual Garden?”

  Devor furrowed his brow, taking in the strange environment. “It’s hard to say,” he replied. “This place is unlike anything I’ve trained in before. The rules here are... different. I’ll need a bit of time to adjust before I can do my best.”

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  Nyuru, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "This world feels off—like it's pushing us away," she murmured. The rest of the team exchanged uneasy glances, all silently acknowledging the same unsettling truth: this world was hostile.

  After a brief pause, Devor spoke up, his voice steady despite the uncertainty. "At least half an hour, maybe an hour," he said.

  Nyuru's expression grew thoughtful. "What if we plant a Fire Lotus Anchor?" she suggested. "We could sacrifice an Earth-Grade Spiritual Plant to deal with the monsters quickly."

  Versti’s gaze sharpened as he considered her idea. After a moment, he nodded. "That could work. Devor, can you speed up the growth of the plant?"

  A spark of confidence flickered in Devor’s eyes. "If we’re willing to sacrifice a meter of Spiritual Soil and use the Blue Star Elixir, I can have it fully grown in ten minutes," he replied without hesitation.

  The team exchanged brief nods, their resolve firming up.

  "Do it," Versti ordered, crouching down to scoop a handful of soil and letting it slip through his fingers. "Other teams might have thought of this too. I have a feeling this world resonates with the Undead element."

  Torni, who had been silent until now, placed his palm against the shimmering barrier surrounding them, his Spiritual Sense probing its structure. "If that’s the case," he said, his voice low, "this Secret Barrier isn’t just blocking our sight. It’s also hiding our Vitality, keeping the Undead Monsters from detecting us."

  Versti nodded, his face set in a grim expression. "Exactly. Once the barrier fades, they’ll come for us, no matter what. They can sense the strength of our Vitality, like moths drawn to a flame."

  His words hung heavily in the air, thickening the tension among the team. There was no denying it now—whether or not they activated the Floating Island, the monsters would come. Time was slipping away, and the challenge ahead felt even more daunting.

  Straightening, Versti’s sharp gaze swept over his team. His voice cut through the tension, firm and commanding. "Get your weapons ready and form up! Frontline Fighters, don’t hold back. Devor, prep the Spiritual Soil for planting. Everyone else, protect him until the plant’s mature and ready for harvesting!"

  Without hesitation, the team sprang into action. Blades flashed as swords were drawn from Spatial Rings, their polished surfaces gleaming ominously in the dim light. Determination marked the faces of Nyuru, Torni, and the others as they quickly surrounded Devor, giving him plenty of space to work.

  Devor, calm and focused, tapped the Spatial Ring on his finger, steadying his mind as he prepared for the task. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, but he bore it silently. The air around them seemed to hum with anticipation, charged with the sense that chaos was just moments away.

  Minutes ticked by, broken only by the distant growls of unseen monsters. Then, Liuning’s voice thundered across the battlefield, shattering the silence.

  "Get ready, teams! I’m starting the countdown. Three!"

  Every muscle in Devor’s body tensed. His teammates shifted, grips tightening around their weapons as they braced for what was coming.

  "Two!"

  The pressure mounted, spreading through him like a storm. Devor’s hand instinctively tightened around his Spatial Ring, and he slowed his breathing, trying to steady his nerves.

  "One!"

  With a burst of shimmering light, the Secret Barrier dissolved, leaving the team exposed to the dark, oppressive forest beyond. Dim sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting long, foreboding shadows across the landscape.

  Without missing a beat, Devor pulled a gourd from his Spatial Ring. He tilted it, letting golden sand pour steadily onto the ground, forming a neat pile at his feet.

  Raising his left hand, he channeled his energy with practiced precision, shaping the sand into a rectangular box—a makeshift garden plot, one meter wide and half a meter tall. The sand hardened into place, ready to hold the spiritual soil.

  "Captain!" Devor called, his voice steady and unwavering.

  Versti didn’t hesitate. From his Spatial Ring, he pulled out the Fire Lotus Anchor Seed—its brilliant crimson glow pulsing with latent power—and tossed it to Devor with pinpoint accuracy.

  Devor caught it smoothly, his focus unbroken. He dug into the prepared soil with careful precision, planting the seed with deliberate care. Every movement was measured, his hands working with methodical precision to ensure the perfect placement.

  Then it came—the growl. Low and guttural, it echoed through the forest like a dark warning. The sound crawled under their skin, sending chills down the team’s spines. Each of them instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons, the vibration of the growl reverberating deep within them.

  Hovering above the group, Versti’s voice cut through the tension with commanding authority. "Frontline Fighters, spread out! Ten meters to the east, south, and west! Manty, Torni, hold the northern flank! Everyone else, protect Devor—take out any monsters that break through!"

  The team moved as one, their unity a clear reflection of Versti’s leadership. The swordsmen fanned out, forming a solid defensive line, while the support members reinforced the perimeter with unwavering focus.

  Meanwhile, Devor lowered himself to the ground, crossing his legs as he turned his attention entirely to the Fire Lotus Anchor Seed. A radiant stream of golden energy flowed from his chest, curling like tendrils of light, and seeped into the soil beneath him.

  In Devor’s mind, the world seemed to narrow to a single point—the seed resting in the soil. Everything else faded into the background. The growls, the clash of steel, even the tremors of the battle vanished as his focus honed to a razor’s edge.

  Above, the growls grew louder, signaling the arrival of their enemies.