Phase Two began before Kali's blood had dried.
They were given no time to rest.
No time to recover.
That was the point.
The survivors of Phase One were escorted to the inner ring — a smaller, denser arena where the air itself hummed with violent energy. The platform trembled beneath their feet, reacting to the sheer concentration of cosmic power.
The new objective appeared above them:
PHASE TWO — POWER TEST
Requirement: Overcome the Pressure Field
At the center of the arena, a massive cylindrical structure rose from the floor. Energy spiraled around it in violent currents.
The Pressure Field.
The moment it activated, the world grew heavy.
Rank 5 students dropped to one knee instantly.
Several Rank 6 cultivators groaned, faces draining of color as invisible weight crushed against their bodies.
Kali stepped forward.
Every nerve in his body screamed as the pressure slammed into him. His bones trembled. His vision blurred. The fracture in his core pulsed violently, reacting to the hostile energy.
He forced one foot ahead of the other.
Step.
Then another.
Each movement felt like walking through collapsing space.
Around him, students fell.
Some crawled.
Some screamed.
Some lost consciousness where they stood.
Zhao Jie moved in parallel on the far side, his face tight with effort.
Their eyes met again through the storm of energy.
Neither slowed.
By the time Kali reached the center pillar, blood streamed from his nose and ears. His heartbeat thundered like a war drum.
The fracture inside him widened.
The world shook.
For a terrifying moment, his core destabilized.
Kali reached into his pocket with shaking fingers and shattered the second vial of Grade-B serum between his teeth.
Power exploded through his veins.
His organs stabilized.
His core screamed.
He took the final step.
Pressure Field: Cleared
He collapsed to one knee.
Zhao Jie arrived seconds later.
The scoreboard updated:
Phase Two — Qualified: Kali, Zhao Jie
Only fourteen students remained standing.
The rest lay scattered across the arena floor.
Kali forced himself upright, his entire body shaking.
Phase Three was coming.
And the real danger was about to begin.