Jagged reefs lined the shore of White Pond.
This place belonged to White Pond's southern reaches. Beyond it lay a strange landscape, where countless rugged stone forests broke through the sea, stretching without end.
Among the forested peaks, dark gray Wildfire coiled like giant pythons. Dense smoke billowed into the heavens, while layers of demonic miasma spread beyond the stone forest, barring outsiders.
At the entrance to the stone forest, a brilliantly radiant Heavenly Stele stood towering into the clouds.
Cast entirely from bright gold, the stele shimmered with flowing colors. Dragons and phoenixes adorned it in a magnificent display, and a line of ancient characters was engraved upon it, their strokes like golden hooks and iron slashes. Every character radiated heavenly authority and imperial qi:
[Illuminate all worlds, fill heaven and earth with light; by Heaven's command, invoke Heavenly Retribution against rebels and execute them at White Pond.]
Dongfang Lanqing stood amid the clouds in a white robe patterned with waves. His magical power unfurled like the tides, gradually awakening the Heavenly Stele and the stone forest.
Dark gray Wildfire intertwined with dazzling golden light, instantly turning this stretch of sea into an impregnable fortress.
As Dongfang Lanqing worked, he slowly explained to the several monsters beside him:
"This place is the [Desolate Fire Forest], and that is the [Rebellion-Quelling Stele]. It marks where Emperor Fengming, Li Yuzheng, once crushed a rebellion. Blessed by the heavenly mandate, it is indestructible. Even someone at the purple mansion peak would struggle to shake it."
"If you two wish to duel, do it here. Please don't tear my White Pond apart."
His tone was half joking, half sincere.
If two purple mansion middle stage experts bearing Great Sage bloodlines fought here without restraint, their power would be enough to overturn