The third quarter had just begun, and as the players of the Tianshan women's basketball team stood on the court, Lin Chen's gaze suddenly sharpened.
He saw that the originally black hair of the five starting players had suddenly turned white.
"What's going on?" Lin Chen's expression changed slightly.
From the audience, waves of exclamations rang out: "Everyone, look! The Tianshan women's basketball players' hair has all turned white."
"Whoa, are they performing magic tricks?" Everyone was stunned by the transformation in the Tianshan team.
Lin Chen's expression grew even more serious at this moment because he noticed that the players weren't just undergoing a physical change—there was a surge in their aura as well.
The auras of the five Tianshan women's basketball players skyrocketed almost instantly, their strength reaching the high tier of the Core Element Realm.
Huo Jing and Huo Ying experienced an even greater surge, their strength ascending to the Cloud Sea Realm.
"Holy crap, what kind of secret technique is this that can enhance strength so dramatically?"
Lin Chen narrowed his eyes, a grave look appearing on his face.
Once the game began, the Tianshan women's basketball team launched an aggressive offense. The Zhonghai women's basketball team was caught off guard by the sudden boost in their opponents' strength, and the score quickly shifted to 69-75, leaving Zhonghai trailing by 6 points right after the start.
Lin Chen urgently called for a timeout. In the resting area, Wang Zixuan looked troubled and said, "Lin Chen, have you noticed? Their strength has increased."
"I have. They must be using a secret technique," Lin Chen nodded affirmatively.
"What do we do? At this rate, we're going to lose," An Xiaodi said anxiously.
Lin Chen snorted coldly, "Since they're using their ultimate move, it's time to show them what we're capable of."
"You have a solution?" Wang Zixuan asked urgently.
"Stretch out your hands to me," Lin Chen said in a deep voice.
The five starting players each extended their hands toward Lin Chen.
At this moment, the audience erupted in astonishment!
"Whoa, everyone look! What is Zhonghai's head coach doing?"
"No way! He's holding hands with all the girls one by one!"
"Damn it, Wang Zixuan is my goddess, and he's holding her hand for so long!"
From the audience came groans and wails from the male fans.
Meanwhile, Lin Chen channeled the attributes of Gold, Wood, Water, and Fire into Jiang Qian, Wang Zixuan, Li Moyu, and Gao Qi, respectively. As for An Xiaodi, who naturally possessed the Earth attribute, Lin Chen simply infused her with some Spiritual Energy.
Using the shortest amount of time, Lin Chen taught a series of incantations to the group and said, "Follow my instructions during the game."
The match resumed, and Bai Xue glared at Lin Chen, her eyes glinting coldly, "Lin Chen, no matter what skills you possess, you're powerless against my secret technique."
However, as soon as the five Zhonghai players stepped onto the court, Bai Xue's gaze froze.
"Impossible! How could these players exude such an aura? And their feet—why are there Array Plates beneath them?"
Array Plates are tangible representations of a formation's energy flow, typically seen only in high-grade mystical formations.
Bai Xue's expression grew increasingly somber. Could it be that these girls are invoking a high-grade formation?
Indeed, Bai Xue's guess was correct—Lin Chen had deployed the high-grade Spiritual Energy Formation known as the Five-Element Array.
Though the girls had only just begun mastering it and weren't able to unleash its full potential, the strength they displayed far exceeded anything seen in ordinary competitions.
When the Tianshan players stepped into the formation, they immediately felt their chests tightening, their strength suppressed to less than fifty percent of its usual power.
Meanwhile, the Zhonghai players appeared to be surging with energy, turning the scoreboard around swiftly and taking an 85-80 lead.
Bai Xue's face was etched with disbelief.
Heavens! Is this truly a high-grade Spiritual Energy Formation? Although Bai Xue didn't know the name of the formation, the reversal unfolding on the court made its potency unmistakable.
At this moment, Bai Xue looked at Lin Chen with eyes full of shock. Who is this man, capable of commanding such a powerful formation?
The fourth quarter ended quickly. Despite the Tianshan team's valiant efforts, they lost with a score of 95-85.
When the whistle blew, signaling the end of the match, Zhonghai's players celebrated together, hugging with excitement. Meanwhile, the Tianshan players stared blankly at the scoreboard.
They couldn't comprehend why, despite using their secret technique, they still lost.
Tears streaked down the faces of Huo Jing and Huo Ying.
Bai Xue then rose from the coaching bench and clapped her hands for her players: "Girls, those who defeated you just now were empowered by a high-grade Spiritual Array. You didn't lose due to a lack of skill but because of the array. This loss is on your coach, not you. You've done your best."
At this moment, Lin Chen walked over to the Tianshan team's resting area and looked at Bai Xue, who was as ethereal as a fairy. His expression turned complicated.
Looking at Bai Xue's graceful form and heavenly beauty, Lin Chen couldn't help but wonder—if he didn't already know she was 108 years old, he might've entertained other thoughts.
"Coach Lin, congratulations on your victory," Bai Xue said warmly, extending her hand.
"Coach Bai, you flatter me," Lin Chen replied, shaking Bai Xue's fair hand.
"Whoa, is this woman really 108 years old?" Lin Chen marveled. Her hand felt as soft as a baby's.
"Coach Lin, could you let go of my hand now?" Bai Xue said coldly upon noticing Lin Chen dazing off while holding her hand.
Lin Chen quickly let go: "My apologies, Coach Bai—you're just too beautiful."
Bai Xue didn't take Lin Chen's compliment to heart. After all, at her age, Lin Chen was merely a young boy in her eyes.
"Lin Chen, I'm curious—what formation did you use just now? Could you tell me?" Bai Xue asked.
"I used the Five-Element Array," Lin Chen answered.
"The ancient and lost Five-Element Array—now I see why I lost without regret," Bai Xue said with a bitter smile.
The Five-Element Array harnesses the energy of the five elements to create a powerful force field that suppresses the strength of those entering the formation while amplifying the skills of those within. This was why the Tianshan team couldn't perform at their peak.
Lin Chen smiled lightly: "I simply employed some tactics—it wasn't an honorable win."
"Haha, at this stage, this is no longer a simple competition—it's a showdown among Martial Artists. You won, fair and square; I accept defeat wholeheartedly," Bai Xue said with a laugh.
Lin Chen appreciated Bai Xue's straightforward attitude: "Thank you, Senior Bai, for the compliment."
Bai Xue nodded: "Alright, do your best in your last match. You must defeat that old hag from Shushan. Otherwise, I won't forgive you."
Seeing Bai Xue's gritted teeth, Lin Chen didn't need to guess—they clearly had deep-seated grudges.
"Don't worry—I'll fulfill my mission," Lin Chen replied confidently.