This time, Star Genesis stepped forward. Her opponent also stepped forward. Just like her, he carried a Battle Rite. It seemed like the opponents had been chosen according to their weapons.

As soon as the battle started, Star Genesis summoned a complex diagram made of Light and Darkness Energy. At the same time, her opponent summoned a Battle Rite that conjured a humongous wave of fire and wind.

The wave shot forward, and when it reached the pillars of light, it started to slow down. Bits of Energy left the wave and washed over the surroundings.

Star Genesis had created a Corruption Formation Array, which had the power to pull Energy out of an attack. It was like acid pulling particles out of a molecule.

The wave passed through the Corruption Formation Array as Star Genesis summoned more pillars.

BOOOM!

A wall of light appeared in front of the wave as Star Genesis activated her barrier Formation Array. Blocking the attack consumed almost 20% of her Energy.

When they noticed the Formation Array, the Seekers in blue looked at Star Genesis with interest.

Noticing his attack failing, the grey soldier activated another Battle Rite and conjured a second wave.

Meanwhile, Star Genesis created more pillars of light.

The second wave washed forward, and the Corruption Formation Array weakened it, but this time, the corrupted Energy didn't disperse into the surroundings but flew right towards the Barrier Formation Array.

This time, Star Genesis only needed to use 5% of her Energy to block the attack, and she summoned even more light pillars.

Once more, the grey soldier launched his Battle Rite.

BANG!

The wave blew into pieces as darkness attacked it inside the Corruption Formation Array.

Star Genesis didn't need to use any Energy. The Corruption Formation Array had fed the corrupted Energy to the Darkness Defense Formation Array.

The grey soldier reacted immediately by flying around the Corruption Formation Array. Yet, since this was not a solid Formation Array, Star Genesis just moved it to stay between her and her opponent. At the same time, she summoned even more light pillars.

Her defenses had been set up. An opponent with this level of power wouldn't be able to get through them anymore, no matter how hard they tried. Now, Star Genesis could focus on offense.

Left with no other choice, the grey soldier launched two Battle Rites at once with the Energy he had just recovered.

But then, a terrifying beam of dark light shot at him.

BANG!

The arena's Barrier Formation Array intervened, blocking the attack.

The fight was over. While Star Genesis had needed to invest quite a bit of Energy at the start, she had become almost unstoppable after building her defenses. With her defenses set up, even Manny would be helpless in front of her. She could probably even fight Swamp Dragon equally.

"You have a certain level of mastery over Formation Arrays," the Unique Sage commented. "Your value exceeds your personal power. Humanity always needs Formation Array Masters and Sacred Artisans."

"You may be mistaken," Star Genesis said. "I do not focus on Formation Arrays in a traditional sense. I only know the basics about classic Formation Arrays. I focus on temporary and movable Formation Arrays that aid me in battle. I use them like you use Battle Rites. Also, I am unfamiliar with the concept of Sacred Artisan."

The Unique Sage glanced at one of the people in blue, a woman with a rough disposition.

The people in blue seemed relatively relaxed, but as soon as the Unique Sage glanced at one of them, they immediately stood at attention, and the mentioned woman quickly stepped forward.

It was very clear that the people in red were in charge.

The woman pulled out a spear, and the surface of its tip liquefied, revealing something beneath.

When Kyle saw this, his eyes widened.

The spear had countless tiny channels inside of it, and these channels were filled with blood.

The weapons Kyle had gotten from Inner World popped into his mind.

"A Sacred Artisan," the Unique Sage said, "uses Formation Arrays and Demon Blood to create Sacred Weaponry. Every Sacred Weapon is tailor-made for a specific person. It has the ability to improve the powers of Battle Rites. Mastery over Formation Arrays is imperative when creating Sacred Weaponry. Every Sacred Artisan is not every Formation Array Master, but not every Formation Array Master is a Sacred Artisan."

'Bro, what is this power creep?' Kyle thought as he listened to the explanation. 'First, we have fucking corrupted Refined Laws that are just as powerful as Complex Laws but ten times easier to make, and now, we even have equipment that can enhance their power.'

'I'm starting to see why nobody has ever returned from this world. If you wanna ascend, you have to become an Immortal, but how are you supposed to get the resources to become an Immortal if everyone around you is this fucking powerful? Barely, you can join them, but then, your foundation will be corrupted, and you will never become an Immortal.'

"If you don't use Refined Laws, even Unique Seekers become average. If you use Refined Laws, you become outstanding, but you will never reach the goal!"

"You can't have both!" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"If you want to succeed, we basically have to compete with cheaters without using any cheats ourselves!"

"I am interested in this concept of Sacred Weaponry," Star Genesis said.

"You will have an opportunity if you join the Sects," the Unique Sage said, gesturing to the people in blue.

"Sects?" Star Genesis asked.

"They are the legs of Humanity. The Sects provide Humanity with weapons, Formation Arrays, medicines, teachings, Battle Rites, and elite fighters. Without its legs, Humanity can't stand up to the Demons."

So, they're research institutes, engineers, and manufacturers, Kyle thought.

The Unique Sage glanced at Kyle's team for a moment before gesturing to the Seekers in grey. "These are Humanity's Shields. They defend Ayuvar from the Demonic Invasion. They live and die on top of a mountain of human and Demon corpses. Without its Shield, Humanity will die."

They're guards, Kyle thought.

Then, the Unique Sage gestured to the people in black. "They are Humanity's Spears. They invade the Abyss to kill important Demons and retrieve ancient and valuable treasures. They valiantly jump into the Abyss, knowing that they will likely never return. Without its Spear, Humanity can't stop the Demons from growing too powerful."

They're the vanguard, Kyle thought.

The Unique Sage gestured to the people in brown. "They are the Tribes, Humanity's army. They train our future, our powerful elite and leaders. Without powerful arms, our Shields and Spears will collapse."

They're talented recruits in a bootcamp, Kyle thought.

Finally, the Unique Sage gestured to himself. "We are Humanity. We command our Spears to strike, our Shields to defend, our Legs to stand, and our Arms to lift. We have the greatest power but also the greatest responsibility. Our Spears weaken our enemies. Our Shields protect us. Our Legs keep us standing. Our Arms hold strong. They protect us against the Demons."

"That's because we are the future. A monster can't be felled with a spear or a shield. It can only be felled by a human. As Humanity, it is our duty to find a way to rid Ayuvar of the Demonic Invasion. Without Humanity, arms and legs will just be pieces of flesh, while spears and shields will just be useless metal."

They're the managers, Kyle thought.

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