Chapter 138: The Turning Tides

The battlefield was a canvas of scattered bouts and divergent loyalties. The air hung heavy with a palpable tension, almost electric. Zhou Kang, Qing Lian, Liu Wei, and Maximus had all paused in their tracks, the earlier frenzy of their battles now replaced by a hesitant anticipation. Benedict's words seemed to have struck a chord.

But Cheng Liang and Li Yang were the anomalies, engaged fiercely in a battle that looked to be nearing its conclusion. Amidst the sound of crashing weapons and roars of summoned creatures, their duel stood out. Cheng Liang's Baizhen Spirit Ape tried valiantly to defend against the relentless onslaught of Li Yang's deity, Ares. The ape moved with incredible agility, dodging and deflecting, but Ares was in a league of its own, a force of nature, unstoppable.

However, as intense as their battle was, it was evident to the keen observer that Li Yang was holding back, not tapping into the full depth of his power. And as the minutes ticked by, the inevitable happened. Cheng Liang's Spirit Ape could hold out no longer. With a final, ear-piercing scream, it was forced to retreat, leaving its master exposed.

Cheng Liang, though defeated, looked far from broken. Instead, there was a gleam of admiration in his eyes. "I admit defeat," he declared, breathless but with an undercurrent of respect. "You are by far the strongest opponent I've faced. I sense that you haven't shown your full strength."

Li Yang merely nodded in response, his eyes cold, unreadable. "A wise decision," he commented briefly.

Amidst this, Lyria finally spoke up, her voice sweet but with an undeniable edge. "Brother Lysander," she addressed her twin with a smirk, "Allow me to handle them." Her confident proclamation left many in the arena wondering just how powerful she truly was.

"Come at me," she taunted, her eyes gleaming with excitement, almost as if she relished the upcoming challenge. Her demeanor was a stark contrast to Lysander's. While he was calm and measured, she was fiery, a force to be reckoned with.

Benedict's proposal now became the central concern. The competitors now had to decide: do they join forces against the formidable twins or continue their individual quests for glory? The dynamics of the battlefield were rapidly shifting, and it was anyone's guess how the next moments would unfold.

But amidst the uncertainty, one thing was evident: the true strength and strategy of each combatant were yet to be fully revealed. The tournament was turning into a complex game of chess, where every move, every alliance, every betrayal, had consequences that could change the outcome.