The light around Li Ming faded, and when his eyes opened, he was standing in a massive stone arena — only, this one wasn't normal.
The ground shimmered like water. The air buzzed with energy.
He blinked. "Uh… why does the floor look like it wants to eat me?"
Bai Guo appeared beside him in human form, arms crossed. "Because it probably does. This is no ordinary stage, descendant. It's alive."
Before Li Ming could even respond, the ground rippled — literally rippled — and the stone tiles started sliding apart. Massive platforms rose from below, forming layers at different heights.
Disciples all around him gasped as the arena twisted into a maze of floating rocks, spinning bridges, and narrow ledges.
Lan Yue's voice echoed from above, calm but serious. "Disciples of Azure Sky Sect, the Shifting Arena has been awakened. The test is simple — survive and prove your adaptability!"
Li Ming looked around, horrified. "S-simple?!"
