“ dāng rán kě yǐ 。”
“当然可以。”
"Of course."
mǎ liǎn lǎo zhě de shuō huà xiǎn de xiǎo xīn yì yì ：“ zhǐ yào xià miàn de shī xiōng dì ， biǎo shì fàng qì zǐ xīn dì huǒ ， zhè yàng de huà ， liǎng wèi jiù kě yǐ yòng dòu fǎ de fāng shì ， lái jué dìng zhè jiàn bǎo wù de guī shǔ 。”
马脸老者的说话显得小心翼翼：“只要下面的师兄弟，表示放弃紫心地火，这样的话，两位就可以用斗法的方式，来决定这件宝物的归属。”
The Elder Ma with a round face spoke cautiously, "As long as the junior disciples below renounce their claim to Purple Heart Ground Fire, then the two of you can resolve this matter through combat. That way, we can determine who gets possession of the treasure."
lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ nà jiù bù zhī dào zhū wèi tóng mén de yì jiàn shì shén me ？”
林轩点了点头：“那就不知道诸位同门的意见是什么？”
Lin Xuan nodded, "Then I wonder what everyone else's opinion is on this?"
“ wǒ men dāng rán fàng qì le 。”
“我们当然放弃了。”
"We naturally renounce it."
“ duì ， fàng qì 。”
“对，放弃。”
"Right, we give up."
“ zǐ xīn dì huǒ duì lǎo fū běn lái jiù méi yǒu yòng chǔ ， jiù suàn yǒu ， yòu rú hé gǎn yǔ liǎng wèi shī xiōng xiāng zhēng de 。”
“紫心地火对老夫本来就没有用处，就算有，又如何敢与两位师兄相争的。”
"Purple Heart Ground Fire has no use for me anyway. Even if there was a need, how could I dare compete with you two senior brothers?"
“ wǒ men sī háo yì yì yě wú ， liǎng wèi shī xiōng jǐn guǎn jué dòu ， yíng zé jiù kě yǐ shǐ yòng nà sān qiān nián cái pēn fā yī cì de zǐ xīn dì huǒ 。”
“我们丝毫异议也无，两位师兄尽管决斗，赢则就可以使用那三千年才喷发一次的紫心地火。”
"There are no objections from us. The two senior brothers can fight to your heart's content. The Purple Heart Ground Fire that erupts once every three thousand years is yours."
gè zhǒng gè yàng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， yán yǔ suī rán bù tóng ， dàn yì si què zhǐ yǒu yí gè ， qì quán 。
各种各样的声音传入耳朵，言语虽然不同，但意思却只有一个，弃权。
Various voices entered his ears, though the words were different, their meaning was clear—renunciation.
kāi wán xiào ， shuí gǎn yǔ zhè liǎng gè hěn rén zhēng duó ， hé kuàng tuì yī wàn bù shuō ， jiù suàn yǒu nà yàng de dǎn zi ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， yě bù gǎn qù fàn zhòng nù ， rú jīn dà jiā dōu děng zhe kàn lín xuān duì zhàn tiān jiàn fēng zhǔ 。
开玩笑，谁敢与这两个狠人争夺，何况退一万步说，就算有那样的胆子，此时此刻，也不敢去犯众怒，如今大家都等着看林轩对战天剑峰主。
Who would dare compete with these ruthless individuals? Even if one had the胆量, they wouldn't dare defy public opinion at this moment. Everyone was eagerly waiting to see Lin Xuan's battle against the Peak Master of Sky Sword Peak.
tā men fēn yí gè cí xióng qiáng ruò ， dà jiā yě hǎo yī bǎo yǎn fú 。
他们分一个雌雄强弱，大家也好一饱眼福。
They wanted to see who emerged as the stronger or weaker, and everyone could enjoy the spectacle.
zhè shí hòu tí chū yì yì ， bú shì yǔ dà huǒ ér guò bù qù ， zài chǎng de dōu shì dòng xuán qī xiū shì ， shuí huì zuò zhè zhǒng shǎ shì 。
这时候提出异议，不是与大伙儿过不去，在场的都是洞玄期修士，谁会做这种傻事。
Proposing objections now would be out of place. All present were Core Formation stage cultivators; none would do such a foolish thing.
“ hǎo ， nà jiù qiān xià qì yuē 。”
“好，那就签下契约。”
"Very well, then let us sign the contract."
mǎ liǎn lǎo zhě huà yīn wèi luò ， zhǐ jiàn tā xiù páo yī fú ， yī piàn guāng xiá fēi lüè ér chū ， zài dà tīng zhōng juàn guò ， hěn kuài ， zài zuò měi yī míng xiū shì de shǒu zhōng ， dōu duō le yī zhāng shòu pí mú yàng de bǎo wù 。
马脸老者话音未落，只见他袖袍一拂，一片光霞飞掠而出，在大厅中卷过，很快，在座每一名修士的手中，都多了一张兽皮模样的宝物。
Before Elder Ma's words had even finished, he swept his sleeve, and a patch of light flew out, circling the hall. Soon, each cultivator in attendance held a piece of treasure that resembled animal hide.
zhè shì guān yú fàng qì zǐ xīn dì huǒ de qì yuē shū ， kǒu shuō wú píng ， zǒng yào lì xià zì jù ， suī rán míng xiǎo de ， méi yǒu shuí gǎn chū ěr fǎn ěr ， dàn guī jǔ jiù shì guī jǔ ， gāi yǒu de bù zhòu ， nà shì yí gè yě bù néng huò quē de 。
这是关于放弃紫心地火的契约书，口说无凭，总要立下字据，虽然明晓得，没有谁敢出尔反尔，但规矩就是规矩，该有的步骤，那是一个也不能或缺的。
This was the document renouncing Purple Heart Ground Fire. Words alone were not enough; they needed to sign it. Although everyone knew no one would break their word, rules were still rules, and every step had to be followed.
mǎ liǎn lǎo zhě zì jǐ yě qiān le yī fèn ， kàn tā mǎn liǎn de xīng fèn zhī sè， xiǎn rán yě zǎo xiǎng zhe kàn liǎng dà gāo shǒu de jué dòu le 。
马脸老者自己也签了一份，看他满脸的兴奋之sè，显然也早想着看两大高手的决斗了。
Elder Ma signed his own copy as well. His excited expression indicated he too was looking forward to seeing the battle between these two powerful figures.
bì jìng ， zhè yàng de jī huì kě bù duō 。
毕竟，这样的机会可不多。
After all, such opportunities didn't come often.
hěn kuài ， gāi zǒu de chéng xù dōu zǒu wán le ， lín xuān dàn dàn de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， yī jiù shì tīng bù chū xǐ nù ， sì hū tā fēn háo yě bù dài jǐn zhāng de 。
很快，该走的程序都走完了，林轩淡淡的声音传入耳朵，依旧是听不出喜怒，似乎他分毫也不带紧张的。
The necessary steps were quickly completed. Lin Xuan's voice, calm and emotionless, echoed through the air, "Since there are no objections, where should we begin? It can't be here."
“ jì rán dà jiā dōu méi yǒu yì yì ， nà jiū jìng gāi zài nǎ lǐ dòng shǒu ， zǒng bù kě néng jiù zài cǐ chù ？”
“既然大家都没有异议，那究竟该在哪里动手，总不可能就在此处？”
"Haha, of course not here. Otherwise, with your two senior brothers' abilities, you'd tear this place apart in one fell swoop."
“ hē hē ， dāng rán bù kě néng zài zhè lǐ le ， fǒu zé yǐ liǎng wèi shī xiōng zhī néng ， hái bù yī gè zhào miàn ， jiù jiāng zhè lǐ chāi le 。”
“呵呵，当然不可能在这里了，否则以两位师兄之能，还不一个罩面，就将这里拆了。”
Elder Ma bowed repeatedly as he spoke. While his words were true, the tone seemed to contain a hint of flattery.
mǎ liǎn lǎo zhě diǎn tóu hā yāo de shuō ， zhè fān huà suī rán bù jiǎ ， dàn tīng tā de kǒu qì ， zěn me dōu yǒu jǐ fēn fèng chéng de yì wèi zài lǐ miàn a ！
马脸老者点头哈腰的说，这番话虽然不假，但听他的口气，怎么都有几分奉承的意味在里面啊！
"You don't need to rush. Such matters are rare but not unheard of at exchange ceremonies. Since the sect rules allow it, there must be designated battlegrounds," said the Sword Sovereign Tianxuan coldly, his heart pounding with anticipation. Lin Xuan showed no signs of nervousness; was he just posturing or truly capable?
“ nǐ bù yòng zháo jí ， suī rán zhè yàng de shì qíng bù duō ， dàn zài duì huàn dà diǎn shàng yě bìng fēi jué wú jǐn yǒu ， mén guī jì rán yǔn xǔ ， nà dāng rán huì yǒu zhuān mén de jué dòu dì diǎn de 。” tiān xuán jiàn zūn lěng lěng de kāi kǒu le ， xīn zhōng jīdàng bù yǐ ， nà lín xiǎo zi sī háo bú jiàn jǐn zhāng zhī yì ， jiū jìng shì xū zhāng shēng shì ， hái shì zhēn yǒu nà yàng de běn shì 。
“你不用着急，虽然这样的事情不多，但在兑换大典上也并非绝无仅有，门规既然允许，那当然会有专门的决斗地点的。”天璇剑尊冷冷的开口了，心中jīdàng不已，那林小子丝毫不见紧张之意，究竟是虚张声势，还是真有那样的本事。
However, these thoughts were meaningless now that he had chosen this path. A win would mean continuing as the revered Peak Master of Sky Sword Peak, while a loss would be catastrophic.
rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， xiǎo de zhè xiē yě méi yǒu yì yì le ， tā jì rán tí chū jué dòu yī tú ， nà jiù shì fēng sǐ zi zì jǐ de tuì lù 。
然而此时此刻，晓得这些也没有意义了，他既然提出决斗一途，那就是封死子自己的退路。
In other words, he was gambling, risking his honor and future to prevent Lin Xuan from taking it away.
yíng ， zé jì xù zuò wàn zhòng jìng yǎng de tiān jiàn fēng fēng zhǔ ， ruò shì shū le ， nà jiù wàn jié bù fù 。
赢，则继续做万众敬仰的天剑峰峰主，若是输了，那就万劫不复。
Sword Sovereign Tianxuan didn't need to do this, but his narrow-mindedness made him want to keep others from boasting over him. Lin Xuan, however, cared not.
huàn jù huà shuō ， tā shì zài dǔ ， yīn wèi hài pà róng yào bèi lín xuān bō duó ， dǔ shàng zì jǐ de míng yù yǔ qián tú 。
换句话说，他是在赌，因为害怕荣耀被林轩剥夺，赌上自己的名誉与前途。
Though he no longer underestimated the heroes of the world, the current Peak Master of Sky Sword Peak was clearly beneath him.
tiān xuán jiàn zūn qí shí bù yòng zhè me zuò ， kě shuí ràng tā xīn xiōng xiá ài ne ， chú le liǎng wèi shī shū ， zěn me néng ràng qí tā xiū shì zài zì jǐ tóu shàng zuò wēi zuò fú 。
天璇剑尊其实不用这么做，可谁让他心xiōng狭隘呢，除了两位师叔，怎么能让其他修士在自己头上作威作福。
Challenging himself? He thought he had ascended to the Spirit Formation stage?
lín xuān zé bù zài hū 。
林轩则不在乎。
Lin Xuan's principle was humility, but when necessary, he wouldn't hesitate. The Purple Heart Ground Fire was his goal; he had been preparing for centuries to refine a new命宝 (soul treasure).
suī rán tā bù gǎn zài xiǎo kàn tiān xià yīng xióng ， dàn yǎn qián de tiān jiàn fēng zhǔ ， xiǎn rán hái bù gòu gé 。
虽然他不敢再小看天下英雄，但眼前的天剑峰主，显然还不够格。
Since Sword Sovereign Tianxuan insisted on blocking him, it was time to make him a stepping stone.
xiǎng yào tiǎo zhàn zì jǐ ， hēng ， tā yǐ wéi zì jǐ jìn jiē fēn shén le me ？
想要挑战自己，哼，他以为自己进阶分神了么？
Their thoughts differed, but only one could win. Following Elder Ma's lead, they continued deeper into the mountain.
dī diào shì lín xuān de yuán zé ， dàn gāi gāo diào de shí hòu ， tā yě bú huì dǎ chù ， zǐ xīn dì huǒ ， zì jǐ zhì zài bì děi ， wèi le liàn zhì xīn de běn mìng bǎo wù ， qián qián hòu hòu ， tā yǐ jīng zhǔn bèi le jǐ bǎi nián zhī jiǔ 。
低调是林轩的原则，但该高调的时候，他也不会打怵，紫心地火，自己志在必得，为了炼制新的本命宝物，前前后后，他已经准备了几百年之久。
Other Core Formation stage cultivators followed suit; such excitement couldn't be missed.
jì rán tiān xuán jiàn zūn yí dìng yào dǎng lù ， duì bù qǐ ， jiù zhǐ hǎo qǐng tā zuò zì jǐ de diàn jiǎo shí le 。
既然天璇剑尊一定要挡路，对不起，就只好请他做自己的垫脚石了。
After a short while, the path ended, and a solid stone wall blocked their way.
liǎng rén de xiǎng fǎ gè bù xiāng tóng ， dàn yíng de zhǐ yǒu yí gè ， zài mǎ liǎn lǎo zhě de dài lǐng xià ， jì xù cháo zhe shān fù de shēn chù zǒu qù le 。
两人的想法各不相同，但赢的只有一个，在马脸老者的带领下，继续朝着山腹的深处走去了。
This wall was different from ordinary ones, adorned with strange talismans.
qí tā de dòng xuán qī xiū shì yě yú guàn ér rù ， zhè yàng de rè nào zěn me kě yǐ bù kàn ne ？
其他的洞玄期修士也鱼贯而入，这样的热闹怎么可以不看呢？
Without pausing, Elder Ma swept his sleeve again and took out a bright令符 (command talisman). A red light shot forth from it.
hěn kuài guò le yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， qián fāng yǐ jīng méi yǒu lù ， yī dǔ jiān shí de shí bì dǎng zài shēn pīn le 。
很快过了一盏茶的功夫，前方已经没有路，一堵坚实的石壁挡在身拼了。
Pfft...
cǐ shí bì yǔ pǔ tōng de lüè yǒu bù tóng ， shàng miàn kè zhe bù shǎo gǔ guài de fú zhòu 。
此石壁与普通的略有不同，上面刻着不少古怪的符咒。
The light entered the mountain wall and vanished. Soon after, spiritual lights illuminated the walls, making the talismans glow brightly.
bù děng zhòng rén tíng bù ， mǎ liǎn lǎo zhě jiù xiù páo yī fú ， qǔ chū yī kuài míng huǎng huǎng de lìng fú ， yòu shǒu zhuā zhù ， yī dào hóng máng cóng shàng miàn jī è shè ér chū 。
不等众人停步，马脸老者就袖袍一拂，取出一块明晃晃的令符，右手抓住，一道红芒从上面jī垩射而出。
A moment later, rumbling sounds filled their ears as the stone wall opened up, revealing a layer of water curtain in front.
bō ……
啵……
It was indeed a water curtain, blue in color, resembling a deep lake. Lin Xuan released his divine sense and found it had a shielding effect.
mò rù shān bì ， suí hòu bú jiàn le zōng jì 。
没入山壁，随后不见了踪迹。
But Elder Ma entered without hesitation.
jǐn jiē zhe ， líng máng dà zuò ， nà shān bì shàng miàn de fú zhòu dùn shí liàng qǐ lái le 。
紧接着，灵芒大做，那山壁上面的符咒顿时亮起来了。
Lin Xuan frowned but didn't think there were any traps inside.
yòu guò piàn kè ， hōng lōng lóng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， shān bì dǎ kāi ， qián miàn zé chū xiàn le yī céng shuǐ mù 。
又过片刻，轰隆隆的声音传入耳朵，山壁打开，前面则出现了一层水幕。
After all, he too was from Cloud Concealment Sect.
zhēn de shì shuǐ mù ， cǐ wù zuò wèi lán sè， kàn shàng qù jiù fǎng fú yī tán yōu shēn hú shuǐ shì de ， lín xuān jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， fā xiàn què yǒu píng bì de xiào guǒ 。
真的是水幕，此物做蔚蓝sè，看上去就仿佛一潭幽深湖水似的，林轩将神识放出，发现却有屏蔽的效果。
With this thought, Lin Xuan followed suit.
rán ér nà mǎ liǎn lǎo zhě què háo bù yóu yù de zuān jìn qù le 。
然而那马脸老者却毫不犹豫的钻进去了。
Then came the Peak Master of Sky Sword, followed by other Core Formation stage cultivators.
lín xuān méi tou yí zhòu ， bù guò dāng rán bú huì rèn wéi zhè lǐ miàn hán yǒu xiàn jǐng shén me 。
林轩眉头一皱，不过当然不会认为这里面含有陷阱什么。
Sure enough, it felt like diving into water.
bì jìng zì jǐ yě shì yún yǐn zōng de xiū xiān zhě 。
毕竟自己也是云隐宗的修仙者。
But soon, before them, a vast open space appeared.
nǎo hǎi zhōng zhè yī fēn xī shǎn guò ， lín xuān yě gēn zhe zuān jìn qù le 。
脑海中这一分析闪过，林轩也跟着钻进去了。
In the center stood grand and majestic buildings, resembling an arena.
rán hòu shì tiān jiàn fēng zhǔ ， jiē zhe qí tā de dòng xuán qī xiū shì yú guàn ér rù 。
然后是天剑峰主，接着其他的洞玄期修士鱼贯而入。
If ordinary people witnessed this scene, they would be stunned.
guǒ rán yǒu diǎn xiàng qián rù shuǐ lǐ de gǎn jué 。
果然有点像潜入水里的感觉。
How could there be such spacious grounds deep in the mountain?
rán ér shāo guò piàn kè ， yǎn qián què huò rán kāi lǎng le 。
然而稍过片刻，眼前却豁然开朗了。
To cultivators, however, it was nothing extraordinary; the wonders of cultivation magic were on display here.
yǎn qián jū rán chū xiàn le hǎo dà yī piàn kòng dì 。
眼前居然出现了好大一片空地。
"Please."
ér zài kòng dì shàng ， zé chù lì zhe gāo dà ér hóng wěi de jiàn zhù ， kàn shàng qù ， hěn xiàng shì jìng jì chǎng 。
而在空地上，则矗立着高大而宏伟的建筑，看上去，很像是竞技场。
Elder Ma led the way again. The group flew above the ancient building.
jiǎ rú shì fán rén qīn yǎn mù dǔ zhè yǎn qián de yí mù ， nà kěn dìng shì mù dèng kǒu dāi le 。
假如是凡人亲眼目睹这眼前的一幕，那肯定是目瞪口呆了。
Sure enough, around them were tiers for spectators, with a large circular arena in the middle, over a hundred feet in diameter.
shān fù shēn chù ， zěn me kě néng yǒu zhè yàng kuān kuò de chǎng dì ne ？
山腹深处，怎么可能有这样宽阔的场地呢？
"Not bad," Lin Xuan's expression remained calm and composed, his relaxed demeanor making Sword Sovereign Tianxuan secretly grumble. Lin Xuan wasn't nervous, but he was already anxious.
rán ér duì xiū xiān kàn lái shuō ， què méi yǒu shén me liǎo bù qǐ ， xiān shù zhī shén qí ， jiù xiū xiàn zài zhè lǐ 。
然而对修仙看来说，却没有什么了不起，仙术之神奇，就休现在这里。
"Please take your positions. We can serve as witnesses. The winner will get the Purple Heart Ground Fire. But remember, this is a competition; please try to hold back," Elder Ma's voice echoed.
“ qǐng ！”
“请！”
Lin Xuan nodded and didn't waste any time. Green light enveloped him as he flew towards the center of the arena.
mǎ liǎn lǎo zhě yī jiù shì dāng xiān lǐng lù ， yī xíng rén yǐ fēi lín dào le nà gǔ piáo jiàn zhù de shàng kōng 。
马脸老者依旧是当先领路，一行人已飞临到了那古朴建筑的上空。
Sword Sovereign Tianxuan, though doubtful internally, couldn't afford to show weakness at this moment. So, regardless of his thoughts, he too flashed with spiritual lights, transforming into a streak of lightning to face Lin Xuan across from him.
guǒ rán méi cuò ， sì zhōu shì kàn tái ， zhōng jiān zé yǒu yī kuān kuò de chǎng dì ， chéng yuán xíng ， zhí jìng bǎi zhàng yǒu yú 。
果然没错，四周是看台，中间则有一宽阔的场地，呈圆形，直径百丈有余。
Ten paces apart, they stood facing each other without moving. However, the atmosphere around them instantly became tense.
“ huán jìng hái bú cuò 。”
“环境还不错。”
Around them, over two hundred Core Formation stage cultivators dispersed and chatted, their voices filling the air. Naturally, all their discussions centered on who would win this battle.
"Of course."
The Elder Ma with a round face spoke cautiously, "As long as the junior disciples below renounce their claim to Purple Heart Ground Fire, then the two of you can resolve this matter through combat. That way, we can determine who gets possession of the treasure."
"Oh?"
Lin Xuan nodded, "Then I wonder what everyone else's opinion is on this?"
"We naturally renounce it."
"Right, we give up."
"Purple Heart Ground Fire has no use for me anyway. Even if there was a need, how could I dare compete with you two senior brothers?"
"There are no objections from us. The two senior brothers can fight to your heart's content. The Purple Heart Ground Fire that erupts once every three thousand years is yours."
Various voices entered his ears, though the words were different, their meaning was clear—renunciation.
Who would dare compete with these ruthless individuals? Even if one had the胆量, they wouldn't dare defy public opinion at this moment. Everyone was eagerly waiting to see Lin Xuan's battle against the Peak Master of Sky Sword Peak.
They wanted to see who emerged as the stronger or weaker, and everyone could enjoy the spectacle.
Proposing objections now would be out of place. All present were Core Formation stage cultivators; none would do such a foolish thing.
"Very well, then let us sign the contract."
Before Elder Ma's words had even finished, he swept his sleeve, and a patch of light flew out, circling the hall. Soon, each cultivator in attendance held a piece of treasure that resembled animal hide.
This was the document renouncing Purple Heart Ground Fire. Words alone were not enough; they needed to sign it. Although everyone knew no one would break their word, rules were still rules, and every step had to be followed.
Elder Ma signed his own copy as well. His excited expression indicated he too was looking forward to seeing the battle between these two powerful figures.
After all, such opportunities didn't come often.
The necessary steps were quickly completed. Lin Xuan's voice, calm and emotionless, echoed through the air, "Since there are no objections, where should we begin? It can't be here."
"Haha, of course not here. Otherwise, with your two senior brothers' abilities, you'd tear this place apart in one fell swoop."
Elder Ma bowed repeatedly as he spoke. While his words were true, the tone seemed to contain a hint of flattery.
"You don't need to rush. Such matters are rare but not unheard of at exchange ceremonies. Since the sect rules allow it, there must be designated battlegrounds," said the Sword Sovereign Tianxuan coldly, his heart pounding with anticipation. Lin Xuan showed no signs of nervousness; was he just posturing or truly capable?
However, these thoughts were meaningless now that he had chosen this path. A win would mean continuing as the revered Peak Master of Sky Sword Peak, while a loss would be catastrophic.
In other words, he was gambling, risking his honor and future to prevent Lin Xuan from taking it away.
Sword Sovereign Tianxuan didn't need to do this, but his narrow-mindedness made him want to keep others from boasting over him. Lin Xuan, however, cared not.
Though he no longer underestimated the heroes of the world, the current Peak Master of Sky Sword Peak was clearly beneath him.
Challenging himself? He thought he had ascended to the Spirit Formation stage?
Lin Xuan's principle was humility, but when necessary, he wouldn't hesitate. The Purple Heart Ground Fire was his goal; he had been preparing for centuries to refine a new命宝 (soul treasure).
Since Sword Sovereign Tianxuan insisted on blocking him, it was time to make him a stepping stone.
Their thoughts differed, but only one could win. Following Elder Ma's lead, they continued deeper into the mountain.
Other Core Formation stage cultivators followed suit; such excitement couldn't be missed.
After a short while, the path ended, and a solid stone wall blocked their way.
This wall was different from ordinary ones, adorned with strange talismans.
Without pausing, Elder Ma swept his sleeve again and took out a bright令符 (command talisman). A red light shot forth from it.
Pfft...
The light entered the mountain wall and vanished. Soon after, spiritual lights illuminated the walls, making the talismans glow brightly.
A moment later, rumbling sounds filled their ears as the stone wall opened up, revealing a layer of water curtain in front.
It was indeed a water curtain, blue in color, resembling a deep lake. Lin Xuan released his divine sense and found it had a shielding effect.
But Elder Ma entered without hesitation.
Lin Xuan frowned but didn't think there were any traps inside.
After all, he too was from Cloud Concealment Sect.
With this thought, Lin Xuan followed suit.
Then came the Peak Master of Sky Sword, followed by other Core Formation stage cultivators.
Sure enough, it felt like diving into water.
But soon, before them, a vast open space appeared.
In the center stood grand and majestic buildings, resembling an arena.
If ordinary people witnessed this scene, they would be stunned.
How could there be such spacious grounds deep in the mountain?
To cultivators, however, it was nothing extraordinary; the wonders of cultivation magic were on display here.
"Please."
Elder Ma led the way again. The group flew above the ancient building.
Sure enough, around them were tiers for spectators, with a large circular arena in the middle, over a hundred feet in diameter.
"Not bad," Lin Xuan's expression remained calm and composed, his relaxed demeanor making Sword Sovereign Tianxuan secretly grumble. Lin Xuan wasn't nervous, but he was already anxious.
"Please take your positions. We can serve as witnesses. The winner will get the Purple Heart Ground Fire. But remember, this is a competition; please try to hold back," Elder Ma's voice echoed.
Lin Xuan nodded and didn't waste any time. Green light enveloped him as he flew towards the center of the arena.
Sword Sovereign Tianxuan, though doubtful internally, couldn't afford to show weakness at this moment. So, regardless of his thoughts, he too flashed with spiritual lights, transforming into a streak of lightning to face Lin Xuan across from him.
Ten paces apart, they stood facing each other without moving. However, the atmosphere around them instantly became tense.
Around them, over two hundred Core Formation stage cultivators dispersed and chatted, their voices filling the air. Naturally, all their discussions centered on who would win this battle.