The whole of Lushan City gathered to witness the grand Immortal Tournament.
On the stage stood two skilled immortals—Lin Jing and Qi Chen—separated from the crowd by a glowing barrier that rippled like liquid light.
Lin Jing, a Level 5 Mage, was a youthful-looking man, about five feet eight inches tall. Though his face appeared young, he had lived for over five thousand years, spending every century cultivating his power.
Qi Chen, on the other hand, was a Level 3 Knight from the Assassin Kingdom. He looked like a god descended from the heavens—his features sharp, his aura intriguing. At just over two thousand years old, he was far less experienced than Lin Jing.
The spectators were provoked with excitement; they had been anticipating this battle for weeks. Many had already predicted the outcome.
"The Level 5 Mage is definitely going to win this round!" a man shouted from among the crowd.
"Round one—begin!" the referee called, blowing his whistle sharply.
Lin Jing smirked. "Qi Chen, as much as I'd like to take it easy on you, I'd prefer to end this quickly."
He raised his hand and murmured an incantation. A fiery glyph appeared above his palm.
"The Phoenix Unleashed!"
A roar echoed across the arena as a colossal flaming bird burst forth, its wings lighting up the sky. The crowd gasped—everyone expected it to end the match instantly.
But to their surprise…