The tension in the competition hall had not faded.
Mo Liang's voice cut through the air like a whip. How dare you speak to me like that? I'll teach you how to address your seniors!
Mike's hand was still raised from stopping Mo Liang's earlier attempt to pull off his mask, his stance calm but eyes sharp.
Before the situation could escalate, Jing Xu stepped forward, her presence cold yet controlled. Enough, Mo Liang. This is a competition and you're not one of the contenders. Don't let anger make you look petty.
From the shaded guest seats, where the afternoon sun couldn't reach, a low voice called out.
What's going on down there? The figure remained in the shadows, only the glint of their eyes catching the light. Why investigate a participant now? If there's anything worth knowing about that boy, it will come out during the trials.
Han Rui gave a shallow bow toward the voice. Nothing, elder. Just a simple check. We'll proceed.
Mike stepped back into the line, his expression unreadable. One by one, the other contestants moved forward to test their ranks.
Inside Mike's mind, Huo Chuntian's voice murmured, Why step back like that?
Mike didn't move his lips. Because we didn't come here to make enemies before the competition. We came for the fights.
A pause, then Huo Chuntian replied with a dry chuckle. Fair enough. Still… if Jing Xu gets directly involved, her sensory abilities will be a problem. She's sharp, Mike. Too sharp.
Han Rui's voice carried across the hall. All checks are complete. No abnormal readings, but some of you will remain under surveillance. Now… you will be sent into the Arena World. You will live there for two months. At the end, the one still standing will be declared victor.
Inside, Huo Chuntian's tone suddenly shifted. Mike… I can't come with you.
Mike's step faltered. What? Why?
Look at your master, Huo Chuntian said.
Jian Dao's lips moved slightly, casting a subtle spell that wrapped their words in secrecy. Mike, send Huo Chuntian back to me.
Mike's brows furrowed. Why?
Huo Chuntian answered, his tone grave. The Arena World doesn't allow two soul cultivators. If I enter, I'll trigger its ban and Jing Xu will notice. Worse… my body could be destroyed during entry. You're on your own.
He sighed once, almost regretfully. Goodbye for now, Mike. Survive.
Without another word, his presence left Mike's body, flowing back into Jian Dao like a shadow slipping into deeper darkness.
Jian Dao's voice reached Huo Chuntian within. Sending them into Arena World… what a cruel method. Jing Xu's sharp, but she's not sharper than us.
Huo Chuntian's reply was short. Mike must be careful. His rare items will draw bloodthirst like sharks to blood.
Down below, Mo Liang's voice boomed, Remember this, only one will win in the end. And that one will earn three prestigious rewards. The rest? Forgotten.
Ten elite elders stepped into position around the competition hall. Their combined aura swelled, opening a portal that shimmered like a tear in space. Contestants began stepping through, their bodies vanishing into the swirling light.
Mike waited, watching. The air near the portal carried the scent of metal and cold wind from another place entirely. He unfurled his wings, stepped forward, and crossed the threshold.
The world on the other side was… breathtaking.
A ruined paradise stretched endlessly before him mountains split open as if by the hands of giants, rivers running silver under a fractured sky, and the echo of a wind that seemed older than time. Yet beauty was tangled with decay; shattered structures and scorched plains spoke of battles fought by powers far beyond the mortal world.
The Arena World was vast a fragment of the Realm World itself, once home to beings too strong for the ordinary continents. Now it floated like a wandering land in the void.
The strongest participant here was said to be a Wang Zhe, the weakest a Dou Kuang. But Mike was alone others had been scattered upon entry.
Two days passed in silence, his boots crunching over dry earth and brittle roots. The emptiness pressed on him, and yet, there was something familiar about this place. A whisper of belonging, though he pushed it from his mind.
Then… the sensation. Eyes on his back.
He turned slowly. Twelve figures emerged from behind jagged rocks rough faced men, their expressions a mix of arrogance and hunger. Two gangs, judging by the mismatched colors of their robes.
Mike's gaze swept over them. Two gangs… what is this? If you're here to recruit me, save your breath. My answer's no.
The taller of the two leaders stepped forward, smirking. You're clever. Noticing the colors. But it won't matter. You're just a Dou Ba mere two stars. Numbers beat talent.
Mike's voice was calm. One will win this competition. If you think gangs make sense here, you're already dead.
The leader's smirk widened. We'll see. Hand over everything you have, or we'll take it.
Mike's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening around the haft of his hammer. Try it.
All twelve charged at once, their feet pounding the cracked ground. Dust burst into the air.
Mike's smile was faint, almost cold. His hammer glowed, and he slammed it down. The Mountain Shatter Hammer technique roared to life the earth rippled like a liquid sea, throwing his attackers off-balance. In a single strike, they staggered back with deep injuries, shock flashing in their eyes.
You… you have a high-grade technique. one began, but his words were cut short as Mike's Sea Snake Flame surged to life, coiling like a living serpent of fire.
Twelve seconds later, the battlefield was silent except for the hiss of cooling blood.
Mike stood over the fallen, their storage rings heavy in his hand.
Outside, in the competition hall, the massive mirror that projected the Arena World's events flickered with the scene. Gasps and murmurs swept through the audience.
Brutal…
A Dou Ba 2 stars… killed twelve of his own rank.
And that flame, it's only at its first stage…
Even Jing Xue leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowed. If that flame reaches its original form… even Dou Wangs will die.
Mike, wiping his weapon clean, felt the weight of the rule now, life and death. No mercy. No alliances that lasted.
He walked on until the sound of falling water reached his ears. A waterfall, still flowing despite the ruin. Behind it, he found a hollowed cavern, its damp walls slick with moss. It was hidden enough.
He sat cross legged and closed his eyes, letting his breathing steady. Somewhere outside, Jian Dao's distant voice murmured, Good. He's using the quiet while he can.
Far away, another scene played out. A man and a woman moved through the Arena World like wolves through a flock. Qing Jianrui, Wang Zhe 4 stars and his wife Lan Xiuqing, Wang Zhe 1 star killing without hesitation. Their blades cut down cultivators as though they were nothing.
From the viewing platform, Jing Xu's eyes fixed on them. They're hiding something, she said to Mo Liang and Han Rui. Their souls aren't what they appear to be.
The mirror shimmered again. And the killing continued.