The mountain trembled as the giant formation beneath the arena lit up, expanding in all directions like a lotus blooming from pure light. Platforms rose and fell. Fog curled up from cracks in the stone. Floating islands drifted into a wild, uneven battlefield, nothing orderly, everything meant for chaos.
Elder Jian lifted the jade plaque.
"By Sect Master's order… the Battle Royale begins."
The barrier shimmered. Three thousand geniuses stepped forward. Some confident, some sweating, some shaking so hard their beasts trembled with them.
Tian Lei didn't even bother standing. He just waved lazily.
"Call your beasts."
A wave of power rippled through the entire arena. It hit like thunder.
