Seven days later, Ling Qing arrived at the summit of Mount Tai together with Iron Crutch Li, Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Lu Dongbin, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, and Cao Guojiu.
At this moment, a fighting arena had already been set up atop Mount Tai. Many demons and monsters had gathered upon it, some refined, some vulgar, each stranger-looking than the last.
Canglingzi sat in the very center, flanked by Chun and Pangolin. Below stood Sun Hu, Niu Bo, Hu Haishan, Void-Roaring Layman, Single-Horn Master, Ox Demon Venerable, and several others.
They were all old acquaintances.
Iron Crutch Li was the first to call out loudly, "Tongtian Cult Leader, we have come at your invitation. What arrangements does the Cult Leader have in mind?"
Canglingzi opened his eyes and saw that Ling Qing and the Eight Immortals had all arrived. He said, "This tribulation was meant to cause trouble for Taishang Laojun and the Jade Emperor. But since he pushed you out to face the tribulation, this Cult Leader will deal with you first, then seek them out to settle the score."
He pointed at the arena in the middle and said, "Now, both sides shall enter this life-and-death arena, with tribulation and fortune as the stakes. Life and death are decreed by fate; the victor gains Heaven's mandate."
Having said this, he stepped down from the platform and seated himself securely upon a throne to one side.
Iron Crutch Li and the others looked at Sun Hu's group, then exchanged glances and nodded.
Given the circumstances, this was the best possible outcome. So long as they could slay the demons and monsters before them, they could dispel this tribulation.
Otherwise, if the other side refused to face them head-on and merely went about ravaging living beings, everyone would