An ear-splitting gong sounded from the summit of the grand central tower. It rolled across the alpine deep gap like a physical wave of sound.
High above the arena floor, the sixty-foot semi-clear stele flared with brilliant golden light. The Precursor runes locked into place with a series of sharp, ringing clicks that echoed through the tiered arena, forming the sixteen match pairings of the tournament’s preliminary round.
Ten thousand spectators in the raised stone galleries surged forward against the stone railings, cheering, shouting, and waving colorful silk pennants as they scanned the glowing stone carvings.
In the royal box at the arena’s highest apex, the Chief Judge—a revered elder from the Royal Judicial Ministry draped in purple dragon robes—rose from his carved ivory throne and raised his golden ritual staff.
“The brackets of the Decennial Seven Sects Tournament are established by the mandate of the Grand Dao!” the Chief Judge’s voice magnified across the entire colosseum, shaking through every stone block. “Thirty-two chosen vanguards enter the preliminary trials! Sixteen will advance to the quarterfinals! Cowardice is forbidden! Stepping beyond the outer edge ward signifies defeat! Let blood and steel reveal the will of the heavens!”
A collective roar erupted from the grandstands, shaking the mountain air.
