Dueling

As time passed, undercurrents grew increasingly turbulent around the site of the competition.

A valley rose from the ground in the center of the area. It was called Spirit Cloud Valley, and within it stood a Combat Stage built specifically for disciples of the top powers to compete.

The various sects moved into the valley. Li Yang also stepped into Spirit Cloud Valley, where the Combat Stage was located, and the sight before him made him look sideways in surprise.

The entire valley was shrouded in dense spiritual energy, resembling a celestial paradise yet carrying a murderous air. The enormous circular Combat Stage stood at the center of the valley. It had been built from Spiritual Rune Profound Stone, its surface covered in intricate runes that flashed with mysterious radiance. These runes not only reinforced the Combat Stage, allowing it to automatically repair battle damage, but also suppressed the overflow of powerful techniques to prevent devastating destruction to the surroundings.

The Combat Stage was more than a hundred zhang in diameter, with undulating waves along its edge. Each rise was inlaid with a Spirit Orb that gave off a gentle blue glow. The Spirit Orbs provided illumination while also sensing fluctuations in spiritual energy on the Combat Stage in real time, sounding an alarm whenever anything abnormal occurred. Broad viewing stands surrounded the Combat Stage, already packed with disciples, elders, and powerful cultivators from every sect and every walk of life.

The viewing stands had three levels. The level nearest the Combat Stage was the VIP seating for the Sect Masters and core elders of the major sects. These seats had been arranged with special spirit crystals to form independent small-scale Defense Barriers. They protected the distinguished guests while allowing them a clear view of the competition. Li Yang spotted