The sky above the Grand Competition Arena was a canvas of soft blue, the sun hanging lazily overhead, casting golden light across the stone clad grounds. A soft wind swept across the vast open space, lifting the dust and fluttering the long banners bearing the emblems of different clans and sects.
5,400 cultivators stood in disciplined rows, their robes rustling quietly, each one wearing a metal badge engraved with their unique number. Among them stood a lone figure dressed in dark robes and a featureless mask Badge Number 300. It was Mike, but he had registered only his first name.
He stood quietly, arms at his sides, while his gaze scanned the colossal arena. The stone underfoot was worn smooth, ancient inscriptions faint beneath centuries of battles and footsteps.
Around them, towering walls circled the grounds, and high above, a grand guest stage overlooked everything like a throne of the heavens. There, elite cultivators, elders, and nobles sat, watching with sharp eyes observers of a storm about to unfold.
Suddenly, a man in golden-white robes stepped to the edge of the platform. His presence was commanding, and when he raised a hand, silence fell like a blade.
I am mo liang, he announced, his voice deep and unwavering. Organizer of this life and death competition.
The words echoed off the stone, cutting through the quiet like thunder.
Five thousand four hundred cultivators dared to sign up. You all seek power, fame, purpose... perhaps vengeance. But know this, if you trust anyone here even your own shadow you risk death or betrayal. This is not a festival. This is your proving ground. The path ahead belongs only to those who rely on themselves.
The crowd remained stone still, the only movement the flags fluttering above.
Another figure stepped forward, his robes of icy blue trailing lightly behind him. His voice was calmer, but no less firm.
I am Han rui, co organizer of this grand event. Most things have already been said, so I will be brief.
With a wave of his hand, servants unveiled a tall spiritual pillar etched with glowing inscriptions. It pulsed faintly with energy, humming like a living creature.
Each participant will come forward in order. Take the pill, place your hand on the pillar. The pill detects foul energy or hidden tricks. If you're carrying anything cursed or forbidden... the pillar will expose it. If you try to cheat… well, you'll regret it. Jing Xu, our spiritual overseer, will examine each of you in mind and soul.
A woman sat still, observing. Her name was Jing Xue, and though she hadn't spoken, her presence felt the most silent and dangerous. With closed eyes, her spirit sense extended invisibly sweeping through the crowd, testing the minds of each cultivator as they stepped forward.
The inspection began.
Badge 1 came forward, ate the pill, touched the pillar, and returned. Then 2. Then 3. The pattern flowed like water cultivator after cultivator stepping forward, briefly glowing under the pillar's light.
Then came Badge 300.
Mike's steps were calm, almost too calm. As he moved forward, a faint breeze drifted behind him, disturbing his long coat slightly. Huo Chuntian's voice echoed in his mind.
Eat the pill now. I'll handle hiding myself.
Mike said nothing. He quietly took the silver pill from the tray, swallowed it without hesitation, and placed his palm firmly on the glowing pillar.
The formation flared.
Dou Ba – 2 Stars.
The result lit up in golden characters above the stone.
But at that exact moment, Jing Xue's spiritual energy reached for Mike's mind… and stopped.
Jing Xu's expression changed. Her breath caught in his throat.
Impossible… she murmured.
She pressed deeper, but something blocked her not a forceful rejection, but a deep, ancient barrier. It was as though she were trying to peer through fog that didn't want to lift.
Mo liang, Jing Xu said lowly, this one… he's different.
Mo turned toward him. What is it?
That boy Mike, he's only Dou Ba 2 Stars… but I can't enter his spirit. His mental strength is monstrous. If he's hiding something, I can't find it.
Mo liang frowned. Keep an eye on him.
But Jing Xu's focus wasn't only on Mike.
From the public seating area, she sensed another strange presence. A figure standing still beneath a red tree whose leaves barely moved despite the breeze. He wore a plain robe and a mask, but the aura he emitted made even Jing Xu's instincts prickle.
There's someone among the audience, she whispered to mo. He's masked... his spirit is coiled tightly. I'd say… close to Sheng Zhe level or higher.
[What she didn't know that man was Jian Dao, whose energy had twisted and deepened during his long years at the Dou Wang stage, fooling even a cultivator like Jing Xu.]
Don't provoke him, Jing Xu said. I think he's here as a guardian… maybe a master.
Back at the pillar, Mike stood quietly as the three organizers Jing Xu, mo liang, and han rui descended from their platform and approached him directly.
Mike turned slowly, the mask concealing any hint of expression. He gave a polite bow.
Greetings. I am Mike. From the Qing Yuan Continent.
Jing Xu narrowed her eyes. Qing Yuan… that's a weak region. You must be one of the top cultivators there.
I can't say that, miss, Mike replied, voice even.
Han rui tilted his head. Still… something about you doesn't feel right. Are you hiding something?
Mike paused. If I was hiding something, wouldn't your inspection have found it?
Mo liang stepped forward, eyes sharp. Then take off your mask.
Mike's gaze didn't waver.
I won't.
The wind shifted slightly around them.
Jing Xu stepped closer, brows furrowed. You're Mike… but why not use your father's name? And that mask… where did you get it?
I don't know who my father is, Mike replied firmly. And the mask is mine. I bought it at an auction. I don't belong to any clan. I walk alone.
Mo liang's patience cracked. Enough games! Remove the mask.
He reached forward to grab it but Mike's hand snapped up, catching mo liang's wrist in midair.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Don't act like an arrogant senior, Mike said quietly. I am not removing my mask.
For a moment, mo liang stood frozen. The entire arena fell into silence. Birds in the distance stopped chirping. Even the clouds seemed to pause.
Mo's hand trembled slightly, but he didn't move further.
How… dare you, he whispered, fury beginning to boil behind his eyes.
And just like that the tension exploded.