Chapter 136: The Devious Strategy

The grand arena was filled with a cacophony of cheers and gasps as Maximus and Liu Wei's intense duel was in full swing. Each was a mirror to the other, showcasing finesse and skill with every maneuver. However, this evenly matched battle was soon thrown into disarray.

From the shadows emerged Zhou Kang, who had been biding his time. Riding on the back of his mighty Tyrant Dragon, he launched a surprise assault on Liu Wei. Caught off guard as his Ziyun Winged Tiger was busy dodging the Dark Spirit Bat's attack, Zhou Kang's dragon swiftly struck, its sharp claws leaving three deep, bloody gashes on the tiger's back.

Stumbling back, Liu Wei glared at Zhou Kang with eyes filled with a mix of pain and fury. "Zhou Kang, you are a coward," Liu Wei spat, "To think you'd stoop so low just to claim a victory."

Zhou Kang laughed dismissively, his eyes cold and calculating. "Every player here is fair game. I've merely expedited the inevitable. After all, it's all about the endgame, isn't it?"

It was then that Qing Lian made her move. Rushing to Liu Wei's side, she signaled her Seven-Colored Peacock, which spread its magnificent wings and unleashed a barrage of radiant feather arrows towards Zhou Kang. "I won't let you fight alone," she proclaimed.

The battlefield was quickly transforming into a scene of pairs battling fiercely against each other. Maximus and Zhou Kang stood side by side, their monsters emanating menacing energy, facing off against the now united duo of Liu Wei and Qing Lian.

Each move, every strategy, was a testament to their training, their determination, and their will to win. The air crackled with energy, spells were cast, and the ground shook as the beasts engaged in fierce combat.

Yet amidst this chaos, two figures remained eerily still and detached from the conflict – the top-ranked twins in white and aqua cloaks. They stood together, watching intently, assessing every move, every strategy. Their serene demeanor contrasted sharply with the intense battles surrounding them. Their inaction itself was a strategy, one that others were yet to decipher.

The fate of the contest was still hanging in the balance, and as alliances were forged and betrayals executed, one thing became clear: in this game of power, the line between victory and defeat was razor-thin.