219: Can you win?

At the center of Tongtian City, a martial arts arena, entirely black, stood majestically.

This Skyfall Arena was originally the treasured heirloom of the Tongtian Family in the Upper Thousand Provinces, but now it had been entirely moved here—

The arena had a trapezoidal structure, surrounded by tiered spectator stands that could accommodate one hundred thousand Cultivators.

At this moment, the stands were already packed with people, as Cultivators from various realms took their seats.

At the heart of the arena, nine main platforms were arranged in a nine-palace formation, entirely crafted from Profound Sky Star Marrow.

This rare treasure, capable of self-repair, now stretched a hundred zhang, with the phantom of a starry river sealed beneath its surface flowing with every step.

Whenever a Cultivator ascended the platform, starlight points blossomed beneath their feet.

"Boom—"

Several colossal bronze pillars suddenly rose, and then phantoms of ancient Vicious Beasts like Taotie and Qiongqi leaped from the pillars, intertwining in the sky above the arena to form a sky-obscuring light screen, creating a barrier.

Immediately after.

With a heart-shaking chime, three hundred sixty-five small floating platforms ascended like stars surrounding the moon.

These floating island arenas, crafted from Void Realm crystals, not only possessed astonishing defensive capabilities but were also meticulously prepared viewing platforms for honored guests.

Each floating island featured a pavilion, beautifully furnished.

From within, looking down, one could take in the magnificent spectacle of the entire martial arts arena.

Cultivators rode swords, flew on clouds, and traversed the space on various Magical Artifacts, creating a lively scene.

"My heavens..." Jiang Yan looked up at the dense figures of Cultivators in the sky, "How many people are participating?"

"Nearly ten thousand, I suppose." Qin Wangchuan appeared behind him at some point, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed at the sky, "The Prodigies of the younger generation from the Middle Thousand Province are all gathered here today."

As he spoke, several envoys dressed in the Tongtian Family's attire gracefully arrived, and the leader respectfully bowed:

"Sir, the floating island is ready. Please follow me."

The group followed the envoy, stepping onto a rainbow bridge in mid-air and entering the floating island viewing platform.

From this elevated position in the clouds, the scene was even more magnificent—

The entire martial arts arena was visible, with tens of thousands of people moving like a tide, stretching to the horizon.

The Qi of countless Prodigies intertwined and surged, causing this entire world to tremble.

It was then that Jiang Yan realized that not only Prodigies had come, but also the Elders and envoys from various families.

The nine revolutions elixir, that was a sacred Medicinal Pill that could change one's fate against the heavens with just one dose!

Not to mention the secret techniques passed down by the Qin Family, which weren't even found in the Chuanliu Pavilion, and were considered by many as theirs for the taking, attracting countless Dao lineages to emerge.

As a huge light screen was projected into the sky.

The screen displayed the list of participants for the first round of battles, with countless names sparkling like stars.

"It's about to begin," Qin Wangchuan said softly.

In his eyes, this grand competition presented a different scene.

Thousands of golden strands of Luck rose from the participants, converging above the martial arts arena into a vast golden sea of clouds.

These strands of Luck collided and merged, eventually transforming into a colossal golden Dragon, churning within the clouds.

Of course, the most dazzling among them were two individuals.

Feng Qingjue and several followers stood by the railing, overlooking the torrent of thousands of Cultivators below.

"This scale today is truly immense." A female Cultivator in plain white robes beside her gently adjusted her sleeves, her gaze sweeping over the surging crowd below, her tone carrying a hint of emotion, "Look over there, several Elders from the Profound Frost Sect of the Northern Continent have even arrived; they haven't appeared for a hundred years."

Another stern-faced man holding a long sword nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on a group of Cultivators in star-patterned Daoist robes in the distance: "Not just them. Even the reclusive Star Evolution Sect has sent a Core Disciple. It seems that nine revolutions elixir has stirred the hearts of too many people."

"Treasures move hearts; it has always been so." The plain-robed woman's lips curved in a smile, her eyes shifting with implied meaning, "However, those hidden like a Dragon in the abyss... may not be just us."

With that, her gaze gently turned to the west, landing on the direction where Gu Tianye and his entourage were located.

Feng Qingjue's lips curved slightly, golden light flowing in her Phoenix eyes as she swept her gaze over the western area, which was enveloped in scorching Spiritual Pressure.

"The Great Sun Blazing Heaven Sacred Body is indeed extraordinary, but..." She condensed a wisp of Phoenix True Fire on her fingertip, "A true Phoenix never fears the scorching sun."

"The nine revolutions elixir, it must be ours!"

Hearing this, the others exchanged smiles, each seeing the same understanding and anticipation in the other's eyes.

With the convergence of heroes, the true competition had already begun before even stepping onto the stage.

At the same time, on the western floating island, it was another scene entirely.

Gu Tianye scanned his surroundings, already having a general idea of who would be appearing today.

Beside him, four beautiful women were arranging his battle robes.

A woman in blue whispered, "Tianye, I've inquired; that Feng Qingjue seems difficult to deal with."

"What if she's difficult to deal with? It would be strange if they were all just small fry." Golden flames surged around Gu Tianye as he looked towards the eastern floating island: "Though the Phoenix is noble, it must ultimately submit to the might of the Great Sun."

As he spoke, his voice paused slightly, the golden light in his eyes receding a little, and a playful smirk appeared on his lips: "However... that woman, Feng Qingjue, is indeed exceptionally beautiful."

"Oh? Is that so?"

A soft snort came from beside him, and several slender jade fingers had quietly reached his waist, twisting it gently but firmly.

The golden flames around Gu Tianye trembled slightly. He calmly grasped that hand and chuckled, "But in terms of grace, how could any compare to the ethereal clouds around me? Especially you, Revered Master, you still possess such charm..."

"Smooth talker."

Another woman in red covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "It seems this grand competition is destined to be a battle between the Dragon and the Phoenix."

Gu Tianye donned his battle armor, his hands clasped behind his back with an arrogant air: "Precisely what I desire. Let the world witness the might of a Sacred Body!"

Although the two did not directly converse, the opposing Qi fields across the void had already made the atmosphere of the entire martial arts arena heavy.

"One Dragon Among Men, one Phoenix Among Women; this martial arts competition should be where the two of them decide the victor..." Qin Wangchuan muttered to himself.

"Brother, what are you looking at?" Jiang Yan asked curiously.

Qin Wangchuan withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, "Looking at your future opponents."

Jiang Yan 'oh-ed' as if he understood, rubbed his hands, and leaned closer, lowering his voice to ask, "Brother, do you think I can win?"

"Guaranteed death."

Jiang Yan: "???"