The Elder's eyes narrowed. "However... the Lower Realm is lethal. If you face certain death, you must channel your Qi into the Lifeline Token and shatter it. It will instantly teleport you back to this plaza."
He leaned forward on his crane. "But be warned. Shattering your token means immediate forfeiture. You fail the tournament, and you will remain an Outer Disciple until the next cycle. Choose wisely between your pride and your life."
Ji'an flipped the jade card in her hand. 'Classic Battle Royale mechanics,' she analyzed. 'Loot, survive, and extract. Good thing I packed my entire pantry into my spatial bag. Three days of camping? I can make a Michelin-star menu out of mutated beasts.'
"Now," the Elder raised both hands toward the sky. "Prepare yourselves! Open the Gate!"
At the far end of the courtyard, four high-level array masters stepped forward. They began to chant, weaving their hands in complex mudras.
