Seven days later, on a clear morning, the contestants once again gathered at the arena.
Suddenly, the Magus Patriarch — Cang Song — appeared, floating in midair above the stage.
The crowd erupted in surprise.
"Whoa— is that flight magic?"
"That's so cool! Do you think we can learn it if we join his clan!?"
Only a few sharp-eyed contestants noticed the faint, transparent squares beneath his feet.
Among them was Tian Lan, though for the direct heirs, such a sight was nothing unusual.
Tianlan muttered to himself in confusion,
"What's that under the old man's feet?"
Xuan Ye sighed, glancing up with a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
"Grandfather just has to make an entrance every time, doesn't he? Being subtle is apparently not an option…"
Cang Song raised a hand, his voice resonating across the field.
"How have you all been these past few days? Rested enough? Prepared?"
"Good. Then— let the second phase begin."
From his sleeve, he drew out a round metallic device and gently dropped it toward the center of the arena.
The device descended slowly, and the instant it touched the ground, it flared with soft azure light.
The glow spread like ripples on water, quickly enveloping the entire arena, forming a giant, semi-transparent blue sphere.
Cang Song smiled and began his explanation:
"This is the Phantasmal Boundary.
In ten seconds, you'll all be transported inside and assigned to random starting locations.
Don't worry— we've prepared one hundred separate zones, so you won't run into anyone right away.
Inside this boundary, even if you take a fatal blow, you won't actually die.
You'll be instantly teleported out of the field— unharmed.
So, fight without hesitation!
Hunt, battle, assassinate— do whatever it takes.
Show us your true strength!"
(The Phantasmal Boundary is one of the Magus Clan's heirloom artifacts, ranked S-Class.
It is said to be a relic passed down from the very first patriarch, though even the current head does not know its true origin.
Anyone who enters the boundary will be expelled the moment they sustain a mortal wound— their body completely intact.
However, the pain and fear of death remain indistinguishably real.
Because of this, the device is only used in extremely dangerous training or trials.
Maintaining the boundary requires an immense amount of mana and the continuous effort of several high-level magi.
If overused, its structure may destabilize and collapse entirely.
For the Nine Luminaries Martial Tournament, the Magus Clan has mobilized three S-rank magi— including Patriarch Cang Song himself and the clan's third and fourth elders.)
(This is also why the Magus Clan has the authority to oversee the tournament.
The other clan heads obey not only because of its magical supremacy, but also out of respect for Cang Song himself.
In truth, Cang Song was the former patriarch.
Years ago, Xuan Ye's father—the current head at the time—was killed during an expedition.
Cang Song was forced to resume leadership.
Most of the other clan leaders were once aided by him in their youth, and thus hold him in the highest regard.)
Cang Song lifted his hand and began the countdown.
"Ten… Nine… Eight…"
Contestants readied themselves— some crouched low to sprint, others steadied their breathing in focus.
"Three! Two! One! Begin!"
With his final call, the contestants surged forward.
Some darted into the light like arrows; others walked in calmly, unhurried.
Once the last had entered, the barrier sealed shut.
Above the arena, one hundred shimmering projections appeared, each displaying the movements of a different participant in real time.
Cang Song stepped lightly across his invisible footholds, walking through the air toward the spectator seats of the Nine Great Clans.
He sat down, his eyes sweeping over the glowing panels.
"Now then— the second phase has begun.
It's your turn to pay attention, isn't it? Youying, Feng Yu."
From the shadows came a low voice.
Youying: "This… will be their hunting ground."
Feng Yu, smiling faintly: "Cang Yu, let's see what you can do. Show them why they call you the God of the Bow."
Zhen Yue, head of the Fist Royal Clan, laughed heartily:
"Hahaha! Some of them won't even realize how they got eliminated!
In a place like that, a moment's carelessness means death!"
Ting Qiang, lord of the Gun God Clan, stroked his chin and grinned:
"Just entering the Phantasmal Boundary is a reward in itself.
Even if they lose, they'll experience death once— quite the rare privilege."
Hong Jin, matriarch of the Crimson Lotus Clan, exhaled a wisp of smoke, her tone lazy yet edged with cold amusement:
"This test isn't just about raw power.
Stealth, composure, psychological endurance…
Those who can't handle the pressure will crumble fast.
Even the heirs— if they get careless, they'll pay for it dearly."
Kuang Chen, chief of the Beast King Clan, bared his teeth in a grin:
"Surviving out there is far crueler than this.
If they can't handle even this level of trial, they're not fit to live in the real world."
Yan Hao, patriarch of the Axe Emperor Clan, said nothing— his burning gaze fixed on the light screens.
Cang Song smiled faintly.
"Then let's see… who will be the one left standing."
Inside the Boundary—
The world was a vast, primeval jungle, where light and shadow danced between towering trees.
Contestants were scattered throughout the terrain.
Some began scouting their surroundings; others drew their weapons and sprinted toward their targets.
A few found caves or hollows to hide in, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Perched high in a tree, Tian Lan surveyed the forest from above.
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
A sharp whistle split the air.
An arrow flew from afar, straight toward Tian Lan's head—!
(To be continued…)