The crowd had gone silent after seeing a guest lunge at one of the platforms they all watched with their own ideas what could this young man have done to get such a grudge but after seeing how he was pushed back no one thought to the same
The master of the celestial sword sect went back to his own platform as he could not get the boy directly he sought to get him during the competition mu yong watched how the master of the celestial sword sect was pushed back he went to his own platform as he did not want to humiliate himself
Each platform had ten seat in total and there were five platform all at the same height no one was above the other but some were more elegant than others the emperor platform was the most elegant he had three sons and one daughter all were present on this day as they were participating
The second prince recognized the boy the celestial sword sect master wanted to get it was the same boy who wanted to kill him if not for his father he would have died he held a grudge and the emperor noticed but said nothing as he believed it could make him perform better he had also reached the middle stage of the earth realm the crown Prince asked " What is it "
He said it was nothing and the crowned prince said he knew his brother whenever he held a grudge he made a certain expression the second prince told him to mind his business and the crowned prince looked at Zhou yu again a faint smile appeared on his face he had reached the late stage of the earth realm and the remaining prince and princess were at the early stages
The entire arena fell silent.
Above the grand stage, the emperor slowly rose from his seat. His golden robes fluttered as his gaze swept across the cultivators gathered from the five great sects and the major powers of the Central Plains.
A powerful voice carried throughout the arena, reaching every corner without the need for spiritual energy.
"Today, the geniuses of the Central Plains gather here to compete and prove their strength."
His eyes moved across the disciples standing on the platforms of the great sects.
"The path of cultivation has always been one of struggle. Only through battle can one discover their limits, break through their weaknesses, and step onto a higher realm."
The emperor paused.
"This competition is not only a contest between disciples. It is a chance for the younger generation to show the future of the cultivation world."
The entire arena became quiet.
"However, remember this."
His voice became heavier.
"Victory is earned through strength. Honor is earned through conduct. Do not bring shame to your sects, your families, or yourselves."
He looked toward the arena below.
"Those who enter the stage must accept the consequences of their choices within the competition, any participant may choose to admit defeat. Once the words I admit defeat are spoken, the battle shall end immediately. No one may continue attacking."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the arena.
"However, if one party refuses to accept defeat and wishes to continue until death, then both parties must agree."
"The path of cultivation is cruel, but forcing another to walk toward death against their will is meaningless."
Then he added
"If one desires a death battle and the other refuses, they must pay a price equal to their life. That price may be a treasure, a technique, a lifetime of service, or anything agreed upon."
" Now "the emperor raised his hands "let the central plains competition begin!"
The cheers of a thousand cultivators shook the entire imperial city it was the talk of the year and everyone came to see who would rank above who the moment the emperor finished announcing the rules, the entire arena fell into discussion.
Among the platforms of the great sects, the Blood Heaven Sect remained calm.
The disciples exchanged glances, but none showed fear.The Blood Heaven Sect Master sat with his eyes closed, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"This emperor truly knows how to make things interesting"
An elder beside him nodded.
" Giving them the choice to admit defeat protects the weaker side, but allowing death battles protects the pride of the strong."
"In the cultivation world, some grudges cannot be ended with a simple victory."
His eyes became sharp.
"This rule will reveal who truly has the courage to walk the path of cultivation."
Some disciples became excited. To them, this was not a restriction—it was an opportunity.A true genius was not afraid of death. On the celestial sword sect platform The sect master's expression was cold as he listened.
"Death battles…"
His fingers tapped against the armrest."This rule is dangerous."An elder frowned."But sect master, it benefits us. If zhou yu is truly responsible for the death of the young master, this gives us a chance."
The Celestial sword Sect Master looked toward Zhou yu.His eyes carried killing intent.
"Benefits us?"
He laughed coldly.
"No. It benefits those who are confident enough to gamble their lives."
He remembered his son's death.
"Zhou yu will not admit defeat. Someone like him would rather die than lower his head."
The elder became silent.
Because everyone knew the same thing.
If a disciple challenged Zhou yu to a death battle, Zhou yu was exactly the kind of person who would accept. The sect master slowly said
" Let's see if he has the strength to back up that pride "
On the celestial heaven sect platform no one panicked Wang fei did not show any signs of fear neither did Yingyi Wu Chan spoke to his disciples The announcement did not just start the competition.It changed the atmosphere.From that moment onward, every disciple understood—This was not merely a battle for rankings.
It was a stage where some people would rise…and some people would never leave alive.