The moment the Second Heavenly Gate opened inside the Heavenly War Domain, the entire atmosphere of the battlefield changed. The peaceful golden clouds that had surrounded the floating platforms slowly darkened, and a heavy crimson aura began spreading across the sky like a gathering storm.
Inside the Cloud Mist Internet Café, the crowd that had just been cheering for Han Jue's victory against the Heavenly General quickly fell silent again.
Because everyone knew that the second gate of the Mythic Realm was far more dangerous than the first.
Standing near the large display screen, several disciples whispered nervously.
"That's the Heavenly War Commander."
"He's much stronger than the Heavenly General."
One cultivator shook his head.
"Most challengers don't even survive the first few attacks."
Nearby, Liu Kang grinned excitedly.
"Hahaha! Now the real battle begins!"
Standing beside him, Chen Yu watched the screen carefully.
"The War Commander is a battlefield specialist."
Beside him, Yan Feng nodded.
"He's faster and far more aggressive."
On the third floor balcony, Long Wei leaned slightly forward as he studied the battlefield.
"This is where most challengers lose."
Beside him, Mo Tian remained silent.
His calm gaze followed every movement on the screen.
Inside the simulation, the Heavenly War Commander stepped onto the floating battlefield.
Unlike the golden armor of the first guardian, this warrior wore dark crimson armor covered with scars from countless ancient battles.
The enormous blade resting on his shoulder radiated a heavy aura of destruction.
The commander's glowing eyes locked onto Han Jue.
"You have passed the first gate."
His deep voice echoed across the battlefield like distant thunder.
"But this battlefield…"
The massive blade slowly lowered.
"…does not welcome the weak."
Han Jue stood calmly several meters away.
His sword rested loosely in his hand.
"I didn't come here to be welcomed."
Inside the café, several cultivators gasped.
"He's provoking the guardian!"
The War Commander suddenly moved.
His body blurred across the battlefield.
The massive blade descended like a falling mountain.
Han Jue reacted instantly.
His body shifted sideways.
The blade slammed into the platform.
The floating stone shattered.
Inside the café, the watching cultivators shouted.
"That attack destroyed the platform!"
But Han Jue had already moved forward.
His sword flashed.
The blade struck the commander's armor.
Sparks scattered across the battlefield.
Standing near the screen, Chen Yu spoke quietly.
"He attacked immediately again."
Yan Feng nodded.
"He's trying to stay close."
Inside the simulation, the War Commander swung his blade again.
The attack moved with terrifying speed.
Han Jue stepped backward just enough to avoid the strike.
The blade cut through the air beside him.
Then Han Jue counterattacked.
His sword flashed three times.
Each strike landed on the commander's armor.
But unlike the Heavenly General—
The War Commander barely moved.
The crimson armor absorbed the attacks.
Inside the café, several cultivators frowned.
"That armor is stronger."
Standing behind the counter, Lin Tian watched the battle calmly.
Inside his mind, the system panel updated again.
High-Level Combat Detected
Realm Evolution Progress: 47%
Lin Tian nodded slightly.
"The War Commander is a completely different challenge."
Inside the simulation, the War Commander suddenly stepped forward.
His blade moved like lightning.
Han Jue raised his sword.
The two weapons collided.
A violent shockwave spread across the battlefield.
The floating platforms trembled.
Inside the café, the watching cultivators gasped.
"That impact was insane!"
The War Commander attacked again.
This time his movements became faster.
Each strike of the massive blade forced Han Jue to retreat slightly.
Standing near the screen, Long Wei spoke quietly.
"The commander is increasing the pressure."
Chen Yu nodded.
"He's trying to overwhelm him."
Inside the simulation, the War Commander suddenly raised his blade high.
Crimson energy surged across the battlefield.
The system warning appeared.
ENEMY SKILL ACTIVATED
WAR DOMAIN — CRIMSON DESTRUCTION
Inside the café, several cultivators shouted nervously.
"That's the War Commander's domain!"
Inside the simulation, the sky above the battlefield turned deep red.
Ancient war banners appeared across the floating platforms.
Spectral soldiers materialized around the battlefield.
Hundreds of ghostly warriors surrounded Han Jue.
Inside the café, the watching crowd gasped.
"The entire battlefield just changed!"
Standing near the counter, Lin Tian watched quietly.
"The second gate has entered full combat mode."
Inside the simulation, the spectral army charged forward.
Their weapons glowed with ancient energy.
Han Jue stepped forward calmly.
His sword flashed.
The first spectral warrior shattered instantly.
Then the second.
Then the third.
Within seconds, dozens of ghostly soldiers dissolved into smoke.
But the War Commander attacked at the same time.
The massive blade descended through the battlefield.
Han Jue raised his sword.
The two weapons collided again.
The shockwave shattered several nearby platforms.
Inside the café, Liu Kang laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! That's the kind of battle I like!"
Chen Yu spoke quietly.
"The War Commander is testing him."
Inside the simulation, Han Jue's sword technique began changing.
Instead of simple strikes, his movements became faster and more precise.
His sword flashed across the battlefield.
The spectral soldiers shattered one after another.
Meanwhile, he continued dodging the commander's massive blade.
Standing near the screen, Yan Feng spoke softly.
"He's adapting again."
Inside the simulation, Han Jue suddenly stepped inside the War Commander's guard.
His sword flashed.
The blade struck the commander's chest armor.
Cracks spread across the crimson armor.
Inside the café, the watching cultivators shouted.
"He damaged the armor!"
The War Commander stepped backward.
For the first time since the battle began—
The guardian had been pushed back.
Standing on the third floor, Mo Tian finally spoke.
"He's stronger than most challengers."
Long Wei nodded.
"But the War Commander hasn't used his full strength yet."
Inside the simulation, the crimson-armored warrior slowly lifted his blade again.
The battlefield trembled under the pressure of his aura.
"You are worthy of standing on this battlefield."
His voice echoed across the sky.
"But the second gate…"
The blade pointed toward Han Jue.
"…does not fall easily."
Inside the Cloud Mist Internet Café, the watching cultivators leaned closer to the screens.
Because the battle between Han Jue and the Heavenly War Commander had only just begun.
And the outcome of the second gate…
…would decide whether the new challenger could truly approach the throne of the War Sovereign.