204: Chapter 204 Ancient Arena of the Immortal Mountain

The platform at the mountain peak suddenly shook violently, as if a massive earthquake was occurring.

The large black stone pillar in the center erupted with a blinding light, and a suffocating pressure emerged from beneath it, even more terrifying than the hundredfold gravity from before!

Ye Tian felt his bones creaking, and he nearly lost his footing.

"What's going on?"

He hurriedly circulated his Cultivation Technique to steady himself, his heart skipping a beat.

Looking toward the glowing stone pillar, he saw the incomprehensible patterns on its surface twisting as the light grew brighter and brighter.

Mu Sisi stood not far from him, but she remained steady. Her face was expressionless as she watched the stone pillar, whispering softly, "This thing seems to have been disturbed by the fight just now."

As soon as she spoke, several whistling sounds of wind were heard approaching from a distance!

Turning to look, several groups of people rushed up from different directions below, landing on the platform.

The leaders were all familiar faces.

That malevolent star from the Tianjue Sect, Blood Blade, was being supported by others. His face was deathly pale as he glared viciously at Ye Tian and Mu Sisi.

Yan Yang of Lieyang Valley was covered in flames. Shi Poshan of Xuanjin Fortress, Liu Qingqing of Qingmu Gate, Shui Wuyue of Youshui Hall, and Yue Zhong of the Houtu Sect had all arrived.

Even Gao Ling, Lei Zhen, and Luo Qiushui of the Liuli Xuan Sect, along with experts from several other Sects, had reached the top.

Everyone looked quite pathetic, with tattered clothes and some bearing injuries; it was clear they had suffered quite a bit.

As soon as these people arrived, they were immediately drawn to the glowing stone pillar and the small dark-gold flag floating above it.

"Treasure!"

Yan Yang had the sharpest eyes; he let out a shout and tried to rush forward to snatch it.

"Don't move!"

Though Blood Blade was injured, his voice remained cold and ruthless. "If you want to die, go right ahead!"

Yan Yang's footsteps faltered. He also felt that the pressure coming from the stone pillar was wrong and didn't dare to move recklessly.

Everyone stared at the stone pillar and the small flag with burning desire in their eyes, yet none dared to be the first to step forward.

Just then, the stone pillar emitted a dull thud, and the light rippled out like a wave of water, sweeping across the entire platform.

Everyone felt the ground beneath them vanish, followed by a flash of light. When they could see clearly again, they found they were no longer at the original mountain peak!

Ye Tian shook his head and looked closely, his heart filled with shock.

They were now on a massive circular stone platform floating in a grey, hazy void, with no visible boundaries in any direction.

The surface of the platform was dark gold and covered in carvings.

Nine shorter stone pillars stood at the edge of the platform, forming a circle.

And in the very center of the platform was the previous large black stone pillar, with the small dark-gold flag still floating atop it.

"Were we... transported somewhere else?"

Ye Tian thought to himself that this Secret Realm was truly bizarre.

The others also realized what had happened, looking around and at each other with vigilance.

Suddenly, the central black stone pillar lit up again, and a voice that was neither male nor female echoed in everyone's minds: "Core of the Illusion Sea, the Ancient Arena has opened."

"The Nine Pillars are the proof; contend for this flag."

"The strong shall prevail and obtain it. The losers... shall either perish or be expelled."

The voice was icy cold, leaving no room for negotiation.

In the next moment, the voice vanished!

Simultaneously, the tops of the nine short stone pillars at the edge of the platform each shot out a beam of light of a different color, scanning through the crowd.

Swish!

A red light enveloped Blood Blade of the Tianjue Sect.

Swish!

A golden light enveloped Shi Poshan of Xuanjin Fortress.

Swish!

A green light enveloped Liu Qingqing of Qingmu Gate.

Swish!

A blue light enveloped Shui Wuyue of Youshui Hall.

Swish!

A yellow light enveloped Yue Zhong of the Houtu Sect.

Swish!

A purple lightning light enveloped Lei Zhen of the Liuli Xuan Sect.

Swish!

A moonlight-colored beam enveloped Luo Qiushui of the Liuli Xuan Sect.

Swish!

A flame-colored light enveloped Yan Yang of Lieyang Valley.

The final light was a faint white. It scanned the field once, as if hesitating, and then... Swish!

In an instant, it enveloped Ye Tian!

Ye Tian was stunned, lamenting in his heart, "Why am I involved in this too?"

He had originally intended to continue hiding to the side and watch the show.

Now, he was being targeted.

He stole a glance at Mu Sisi and found that she had somehow managed to stand outside the light circles, not having been chosen. She was quietly watching him.

Gao Ling had not been selected, and his face turned ashen with rage.

Blood Blade was heavily injured, and his expression darkened even further upon being chosen.

The others who had been selected mostly stared at Ye Tian with ill intent, except for Lei Zhen and Luo Qiushui, who frowned slightly with concern.

Yan Yang and Shi Poshan in particular looked at him as if he were a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

"The rules of the arena,"

The icy voice spoke once more, "Fight while defending your pillar; the one who seizes the flag wins."

"You may fight alone, or you may join forces."

"Those who leave their pillar lose, those who fall to the ground lose, and those who lose their will lose."

"The one who ultimately stands beneath the central pillar and holds the flag shall receive the core Legacy and control the Restrictions of this place."

The rules were simple: these nine chosen people were to use the nine glowing short pillars as bases to fight, eventually battling their way to the center to snatch the flag.

They could duel one-on-one or form teams.

Falling off the arena or surrendering counted as a loss.

The person who finally obtained the flag would gain the greatest benefits here.

Immediately, the gazes of the nine people on the stage changed, sizing each other up with calculating eyes.

Ye Tian, in particular, received the most attention.

Clearly, no one felt that Ye Tian, who was 'only at the True Martial First Layer,' was qualified to take the flag. They all regarded him as the first soft persimmon to be eliminated.

"Hmph, a piece of trash at the True Martial First Layer deserves a spot? Get lost!"

Yan Yang had the most explosive temper. He was the first to lose patience, letting out a roar as his entire body erupted in flames. He charged directly at Ye Tian, throwing a flaming punch from a distance!

The scorching heatwave distorted the air.

"Junior Brother Ye, watch out!"

Lei Zhen shouted in anxiety, wanting to help, but he was enveloped by golden light, and it seemed a force was restricting him from moving freely for the time being.

Seeing the flaming fist about to strike, Ye Tian sighed in his heart, knowing he could no longer keep up the act.

His gaze sharpened, and he stopped hiding his strength. The powerful force within his body erupted instantly!

He stomped his foot, and with a bang, he shot forward like an arrow. Instead of dodging, he charged straight toward the flaming punch!

At the same time, he clenched his right hand. A layer of five-colored light shimmered on the surface of his fist as he met Yan Yang's flaming punch head-on!

"You're looking for death!"

Seeing that Ye Tian dared to meet him head-on, Yan Yang grinned maliciously.

"Boom!"

The two fists collided, and a shockwave exploded outward!

In the next second, Yan Yang's face was instantly filled with shock. He felt the force coming from the fist was both heavy and fierce, carrying several types of indescribable power!

Stomp, stomp, stomp!

Yan Yang couldn't control himself and retreated seven or eight steps. His entire right arm was sore and numb, his flames dimmed significantly, and he looked as if he had seen a ghost. "You... your strength? You aren't at the True Martial First Layer!"

This moment shocked the entire arena!

Everyone's eyes widened as they looked at Ye Tian in disbelief.

A kid at the True Martial First Layer had actually knocked back Yan Yang, who was at the True Martial Fourth Level, with a single punch?

Gao Ling's eyes nearly popped out of his head, and Blood Blade narrowed his eyes.

Even Mu Sisi, who had remained expressionless, had a flicker of emotion in her eyes.

Ye Tian retracted his fist and stood steady, exhaling softly. Looking at the uncertain Yan Yang and the predatory gazes around him, he spoke calmly: "When did I ever say I was only at the True Martial First Layer?"

He no longer concealed himself, releasing the powerful Aura of the True Martial Third Level without reservation!

Although he was still one level lower than Yan Yang and the others, no one dared to underestimate him with that Aura carrying the Concept of the Five Elements Rotation!

"Good kid! You were actually hiding so deeply!"

Shi Poshan of Xuanjin Fortress was the first to break the silence.

He had a fiery temperament and couldn't stand being provoked. Seeing Ye Tian's Aura surge, he wasn't afraid; instead, his Battle Intent soared.

He stomped his feet heavily, causing the arena to tremble slightly. His bowl-sized fist struck out directly at Ye Tian, seeking to crush him with absolute, violent power!