After Tianling's dramatic declaration, a sudden stillness swept across the floating mountain top.
Then without warning — a soft ripple of blue light shimmered into existence around each participant.
The translucent glow surrounded every participant remaining, forming a protective, bubble-like barrier around their bodies.
Yu Xuan glanced around as the air shifted.
Then came the sensation of weightlessness.
His feet lifted off the ground.
So did Lingluo's, and Tianmei's, and the rest of the Yu Clan disciples — all drifting slowly into the air, like leaves caught in a rising wind.
Before they could question what was happening, the sky above cracked.
It wasn't thunder — it was reality itself cracking.
Fine golden lines traced themselves across the firmament.
The once-stable golden heavens began to fracture, under unseen pressure. The cracks stretched far and wide, branching like veins of light across the sky.
The temporary dimension was collapsing.
Yu Xuan narrowed his eyes.
