Jiejiao was renowned for having ten thousand immortals coming to pay court, but the vast majority were merely registered or nominal disciples. After all, in the Primordial World, those without a powerful background were left at the mercy of others. Out in the world, connections mattered just as much as raw strength. Yet this did not stop them from entering the tournament, hoping to win rewards and distinguish themselves enough to catch the eye of the Leader of Tongtian.
amidst the sound of gongs and drums, the very first Jiejiao Grand Tournament began. The figure of the Daoist Tongtian materialized before everyone. With a single wave of his expansive sleeves, an arena slowly rose into the air before their eyes. At a casual glance, it appeared to be nothing more than a simple fighting platform, but upon closer inspection, it seemed entirely cut off from the Primordial World. As it turned out, the Daoist Tongtian had cleaved the arena away from the Primordial World to form a pocket dimension, allowing his disciples to unleash their full strength without restraint.
Most of these disciples came from the lowest rungs of the Primordial World and had never witnessed such a divine feat. Naturally, their reverence for the Leader of Tongtian deepened, and their sense of belonging to Jiejiao grew all the stronger.
The Leader of Tongtian announced, "The Jiejiao Grand Tournament begins!" With a flick of his will, all the participating disciples were swept directly into the arena world.
As soon as the Jiejiao disciples stepped inside, they realized this was no mere conventional battle arena as they had imagined. Instead, it was an entirely self-contained world. The arena world was divided into nine tiers based on cultivation realms, arranged in a pyramid from highest to lowest. Each tier was populated by a massive horde of Desolate Beasts matching that realm's strength, while the arenas themselves stood at the dead center of the world. Only by breaking through the blockade of Desolate Beasts and reaching the core could one qualify for the ranking matches, though every disciple's performance throughout would factor into their final score. The intricate design of this realm truly reflected the immense thought the Leader of Tongtian had poured into it, intending to forge a comprehensive Jiejiao examination system that integrated trials, cultivation, combat, and fortuitous encounters all into one. It was both a test and a trial for the sect.
The disciples were scattered along the outer edges of the various tiers, and the rules imprinted themselves onto their minds the moment they entered.
The first hundred disciples to reach the world arena would secure their positions, earning the right to compete in the main tournament for the top hundred spots.
Desolate Beasts were the former overlords of the Primordial World. Once led by the Beast Emperor Shenni in dominating the land, they had ultimately been defeated because they defied the Heavenly Dao and knew only endless strife; their remnants had been sealed off within a subsidiary realm of the Primordial World. This time, the Leader of Tongtian had captured that very world and refashioned it according to his own design into this arena realm.
Desolate Beasts were the very embodiment of combat. The moment the disciples entered, they were plunged into fierce battles, with some even trapped in chaotic melee as they were instantly surrounded by beasts.
Tongtian began observing the disciples' performances, and Zhao Gongming was the first to encounter a Desolate Beast at the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm.
Zhao Gongming appeared tall, robust, and fierce. Wielding a golden whip, his gaze was resolute and sharp. A formidable aura emanated from his body, making him seem as though he had merged with the heavens and earth.
The Desolate Beast was massive, resembling a small mountain. Its hide was as hard as iron, and its fangs were incomparably sharp. It emitted a deep roar that chilled the soul.
The battle broke out in an instant. Zhao Gongming flashed forward, charging at the beast like lightning. The golden whip in his hand blazed with dazzling light, transforming into a golden whirlwind. The Desolate Beast lunged forward fiercely, but Zhao Gongming sidestepped to evade it, then swept his whip around in a brilliant arc that slammed into the creature's flank. The beast shrieked in pain, spun around in a rage, and lunged again. Unflustered, Zhao Gongming nimbuses of movement carried him fluidly out of harm's way while his whip lashed out in a relentless chain of assaults. The golden light of his weapon grazed the beast's hide, sending a shower of sparks flying. Zhao Gongming's attacks were as fierce as a rainstorm, yet the Desolate Beast relied on its immense strength and sturdy defense to engage him in a thrilling, desperate clash.
The intensity of the battle seemed to set the surrounding air ablaze. Zhao Gongming and the beast became intertwined silhouettes amid the dust, locked in a stalemate. Every single clash unleashed a massive shockwave of force that rattled the ground and shredded the surrounding vegetation in the aftermath. Growing bolder with every exchange, Zhao Gongming's whip technique grew increasingly refined, every strike laden with boundless power. The Desolate Beast refused to yield either, its assaults turning ever more ferocious as it tried to drive Zhao Gongming into a desperate corner. With a powerful sweep of his whip, Zhao Gongming forced the beast back, then untied the Dragon-Binding Rope from his waist. The rope silently coiled around the beast's four limbs; with a sharp tug, the massive creature crashed heavily to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Gongming gathered all his spiritual Qi into one desperate, mighty strike. The golden whip swept forth with a golden afterimage, smashing viciously into the beast's head. At the instant of impact, a deafening explosion rang out as if the heavens and earth themselves were shuddering. Under that devastating blow, the beast's skull shattered like a broken fruit, bursting apart with a thunderous crash. Bone fragments scattered in all directions, and blood spewed like a fountain, forming a scarlet curtain of rain.
Zhao Gongming's golden whip was stained with the beast's blood, its radiance growing all the more dazzling.
He stood amidst the pool of blood like a descending god of war—majestic and domineering.
Tongtian nodded in satisfaction. Zhao Gongming had only just broken through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, yet he was already able to defeat a Desolate Beast of the same level single-handedly, and without even using his Sea-Calming Divine Pearls—truly impressive. However, Tongtian let out a cold hum. *Remaining in the same spot after fighting for so long? You're asking for trouble.*
Desolate Beasts were creatures driven purely by instinct; the moment they sensed a non-beast entity, they would attack relentlessly until it was eradicated.
Just as Zhao Gongming was pausing to survey his handiwork, he remained utterly unaware that danger was rapidly approaching.
On the distant horizon, a dark line appeared and rapidly grew distinct. It was a horde of Desolate Beasts, sprinting at a terrifying speed like a black whirlwind. Massive and ferocious, their footsteps shook the earth like rolling thunder, kicking up a vast shroud of dust with every stride to form a magnificent wall of haze. Their manes whipped in the wind, flashing with a wild, untamed luster. Sharp fangs gleamed coldly in the sunlight, exuding a blood-chilling aura. The horde surged forward like an overwhelming, churning tidal wave. Their eyes gleamed with wild hunger, resembling an unstoppable stampede of giants. The earth trembled beneath their paws as if crying out in witness to their might, and their roars reverberated through the air like a warning and a provocation to their enemy.
Upon seeing this, Zhao Gongming's already dark complexion grew even darker. Without wasting a breath, he transformed into a wisp of clear wind and fled swiftly into the distance, not daring to face the charge of a whole pack of Daluo Golden Immortal Desolate Beasts head-on.
Watching Zhao Gongming scurry away in such disarray, Tongtian chuckled with a hint of schadenfreude.