BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
At the break of dawn, the entire Heavenly Phoenix Range awakened with the beating of war drums. Rhythmic, thunderous, and ancient, the drums sent a wave of pressure rippling across valleys, rivers, and cities surrounding the tournament zone.
Birds scattered, beasts growled in agitation, and even the earth seemed to hold its breath.
The Golden Heir Tournament will soon begin.
From inns, camps, teleportation squares, and spirit boats, disciples wearing robes of a thousand different sects and families emerged one after another.
Excitement and nervousness danced across their faces, some bright-eyed with ambition, others grim with preparation. All of them looked toward the eastern skies, where the Seven Nations Pagoda stood tall at the edge of the mist-covered Phoenix cliffs, basking in golden light like a divine artifact.
