The next day, at dawn.
The rising sun cast its light over Heavenly Mechanism City's immense combat arena, making it gleam.
The ring-shaped arena stood on the western side of Heavenly Mechanism City. At its center lay a vast fighting platform paved entirely with black tortoise rock. The black stones were not fixed in place; they could be rearranged through a magic formation to form more than a dozen smaller platforms of varying sizes and shapes.
Only during large-scale Puppet Duels would all the smaller platforms be lowered and combined into a single vast fighting ground spanning more than three hundred zhang.
The first Soul Duel agreed upon between Heavenly Mechanism City and Che Qingtian's party tested only the strength of their divine souls, so they used one of the smaller platforms in the center.
By now, everyone had assembled, facing one another from opposite sides of the platform.
Che Qingtian, Yu Granny, Hou Shan, and the others stood on the left, while Elder Wuming and the other elders stood on the right, together with Yan Wushi and Shen Luo.
After arriving, Hou Shan glanced around. Seeing that there was not a single spectator in the surrounding stands, he was deeply disappointed.
"What's the meaning of this, Heavenly Mechanism City? A contest without an audience-what kind of contest is that? Are you afraid losing would be too embarrassing?" Hou Shan spread his hands and asked mockingly.
"These have been Heavenly Mechanism City's rules since ancient times. Other disciples may watch only if both sides agree. Otherwise, no spectators are permitted," Elder Wuming said coldly.
After all, for both combatants, a contest often meant exposing their strength, or even their trump cards. Most people preferred to spar in private.
"You really ought to change that rule in the future. Otherwise, how