Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

The actual arena was a full planet, revolving around this planet was ten small moons. The world didn’t have a sun, but it bore light from the skies in a magical manner. The light actually originated from the suns of the Sirius Titan Realm, a unique feature the White Sirius Heavenly Monarch established after reaching his peak.

The lone planet could be described as a white marble constructed from jade. There was no trees, lakes, or wildlife. It was essentially a dead planet with only a hard-surface of white.

On one of the small moons were a group of people. These groups of people originated from the banquet from earlier. They were segregated in groups while some were maneuvering through the crowd to reach others. Those who did were dressed in servants clothing, carrying a special spatial ring containing all sorts of wines and delicacies for guests. These servants were male and female of varying races. There were even a few divine beasts amongst them.

Standing in an isolated sub-dimensional space above this moon, Zhou Xiuhei, the violet scholar, and the others were seated on elegant chairs while being served various things.

"To think that the Yun Clan actually has such capital. It truly makes one wonder about this Yun Xuli." A thin, white-haired middle-aged man, with eyes suffused with mockery, said disdainfully. When others looked at this man, they would feel a heavy pressure emanating from his body, particularly his fists. It was as if it contained all the world’s intensity.

He was dressed in a light-brown robe with a black fist embroidered on his chest. This fist felt as if it contained the past, present, and future within. He was the Sectmaster of the Fate Fist Sect, a peak-seventh level heavenly-tier force.

Sneering with his vicious canines, the black-skinned, crimson-eyed divine beast in human form named Syi added, "From what I heard, the price they paid to afford this was not just ten heavenly crystals." He laughed maliciously, looking towards Zhou Xiuhei. A slight flash of caution flickered within his gaze, but it disappeared as quickly as it arrived.

Zhou Xiuhei directly ignored Syi, his gaze and mind elsewhere.

The violet scholar, Shi Yan, smiled slightly, "regardless of the circumstance, this will be an entertaining show."

-----

While the rest stayed on the moon, a group of cultivators was floating above the outer space area of the arena. They were dressed in cyan robes of various designs, but they all had one synonymous trait that defined them as a singular force - a character embroidered onto their clothes. The ’Yun’ character was placed brazenly on their attires for all to see.

At the center of this group was a young man. He had a slender physique, sharp eyes that seemed ready to slice all creation, a deep tyrannical aura that seemed bottomless and unfathomable, and eyes as blue as the sky itself. He seemed unfazed by the surrounding people harping in his ear both verbally and through soul transmission. These group of people was offering flattery or advice in the upcoming battle.

"Enough," a voice thunderously resounded. A young man dressed in a cyan robe with long sleeves and white border arrived like a gust of wind before the group. The others silenced their transmissions and voices at this young man’s arrival. To others, he may seem youthful, but to all these members of the Yun Clan, he was someone of the utmost importance - their Heavenly Commander!

As he floated over, the young man, Yun Bo, swept his senses over Yun Xuli. The sensory sweep wasn’t too deep, but it retrieved information about Yun Xuli’s state. Yun Xuli’s pulse was steady, his mind calm, and his eyes were like a sword sheathed. It was ready to be drawn and reveal to the world its unparalleled sharpness!

Initially, he was going to give Yun Xuli some advice, but looking at his state at its peak, there was no need. With a slight nod, he gestured that all leave. He specifically sent soul transmissions to the select few he wished to stay. The others understood, bowing as a form of respect, they departed towards the occupied moon above.

Only three remained. One of which was Yun Baili, who wore an indifferent expression. The others were Yun Xuli’s grandfather, Yun Chaoli, a sixth-floor Heavenly Genesis expert and Yun Ruli, Yun Xuli’s father.

"Yun Xuli, this isn’t a fight you can lose. Know this, win. You have just this one chance." Yun Bo spoke directly.

Nodding in understanding, "I will grasp this chance." His voice was calm and he projected an aura of confidence that couldn’t be shaken. Observing this, Yun Bo nodded. Saying a few words to Yun Chaoli and Yun Ruli, he departed. They followed along with solemn expressions. They offered a last word of encouragement before departing with Yun Bo.

Yun Xuli wasn’t disturbed by this. His eyes that seemed ready to split the world in half was suffused with a keen battle intent that continued to rise with each passing second.

Suddenly, a spatial rift appeared above Yun Xuli. A figure appeared with amber-gold eyes, a physical body that put many to shame, dark-amber robe, and holding a slight smile. Yan Zaizen had been thrown into the Sirius Dao Arena. During which, Zhou Xiuhei had informed him of how the Dao Arena worked.

A Dao Arena was designed for sparring, training, or, settling blood feuds with bets or death. Two fighters of any strength could participate.

When Yan Zaizen heard this, he felt a little curious. What about cultivation base differences? How could those with vastly different cultivation bases fight in a fair environment? How could they train? These questions bewildered him until he was informed of the unique characteristics of Dao Arenas and why only Heavenly Commanders possess them.

In a Dao Arena, a participant would choose a Heavenly Spiritless Golem. These golems were essentially physical bodies without souls. Oftentimes, those at the Aurora Soul Realm, would project themselves into golems if their physical bodies were destroyed or too injured for quick repairs. Using Astral Projection, a cultivator could enter these golems.

When Yan Zaizen appeared, he saw a single man standing not too far away. When he appraised him, he felt a little odd. This odd feeling didn’t originate from his concealed sharpness or tyrannical disposition. It was more like he was looking at a pup trying to act powerful and mysterious, but laughably so. It was truly odd to him as this was the first time the feel occurred.

Ignoring this feeling, he observed the planet before him. "It’s like a marble...a very large marble..." This was his first impression of the arena.

Yun Xuli’s expression flickered. As he looked towards Yan Zaizen, he felt a deep sensation of inferiority. Circulating his soul cultivation base and urging his heavenly shrine, he eased the feeling. However, his brows were furrowed slightly and the sharpness in his eyes received a harsh drop in intensity.

"Prepare. In five minutes, begin," Shi Yan, the violet scholar, succinctly announced throughout the sub-realm. As he did, space rippled beside Yun Xuli and Yan Zaizen. From this ripple, two silver humanoid shaped figures appeared. They were the size of an adult male, metallic looking, and held no clothes or facial features. On the surface of their bodies were a myriad of formations that seemed to be intricate but lacked any sort of activity.

When Yan Zaizen inspected this golem, he realized it had a cultivation base. It had vital energy equivalent to a rank-one Fiendgod and a qi system. It contained true-essence infused with a heavenly aura. If compared to a heavenly cultivator, it too would be at the first-floor of the Heavenly Genesis Realm.

Yun Xuli didn’t waste any time while Yan Zaizen thoughts were focused elsewhere. He projected his astral soul outside of his body and entered his golem. His soul form seeped into the golem like water to wood. As he entered, the faceless and featureless golem started to morph. It wiggled and trembled.

"This is...?" This was a first for Yan Zaizen. It was a miraculous horizon broadening event as he watched the scene unfold. In a few seconds, the golem was no longer featureless as it took on the exact likeness of Yun Xuli. Yun Xuli’s true body was enveloped by a unique power and sent upwards by about ten li. This power didn’t seem to originate from an expert but the planet itself.

"The planet has a formation to protect soulless physical bodies?" As he appraised the barrier, he realized that even if he went all out, it’s unlikely he could produce a single dent on its surface. "Incredible!" Exclaiming, he felt astonished.

Placing his hand on the Heavenly Spiritless Golem, he projected his soul form into the golem. He didn’t wish to reveal his soul form to others so he quietly channeled his soul form from his arm to the Heavenly Spiritless Golem. As he entered, it felt like he was in another world. This world was as thoroughly complex as his real body, possessing tempered blood, strong organs, qi pathways, meridians, and even a dantian.

A line of bright blue light originating from the golem reached his soul form. Seeing as there was nothing better to do, he followed the line until arriving at the source - the brain. In this brain, at the center of it, a hollow and translucent orb. "This must be the command center," deducing, he followed along until he was situated in that location.

Vroom!

A sound resonated from the golem’s brain center as he occupied its control center. Before Yan Zaizen could get his bearings, he felt his eyelids twitch and he opened them. "This is?" Bringing his hands to his face, he couldn’t help but be in disbelief. His body was completely metallic.

"This is like being in a whole new body!" He felt the connection between soul and body. It was as if this was his true body and always was! It was such a strange experience. "This is soul possession?" He had heard about it and likely was almost a victim to it, but it felt surreal to actually be in another body. In truth, the Heavenly Spiritless Golem allowed an eased feeling when in possession due to its lack of a soul and material composition. After all, body incompatibility occurs and the fight against souls that typically leads to rejection or injury.

The Heavenly Spiritless Golem was both dead and allowed any and all to have maximum compatibility not any inferior to their true bodies.

"Heavenly Spiritless Golems are the best way to spar on equal terms. The cultivation base, energy reserves, and foundations were identical. Even one’s soul energy is restrained and brought to a limited level of strength when utilized. With this, cultivation base inequality would not affect the fight." Pinaka explained, obviously familiar with this method. She added, "The only advantage a person can hold is age. However, age doesn’t account for similarities unless their talent was equal. Your laws and arts, two completely dependant on talent, could be compared fairly."

Nodding, Yan Zaizen faced the golem Yun Xuli resided in. His eyes widened in shock. Somehow, Yun Xuli had a silver sword that seemed to be ordinary. "When did he...?"

"The Heavenly Spiritless Golem can construct any weapon you wish, simply think." Pinaka once more advised.

"I see!" With a thought, he held out his hand and a Warhammer in the same shape and size as Sky Shatter appeared. With another thought, it vanished as if it was never there.

"This is amazing!" He felt elated, the act of creating objects from nothing was incredible. He faced Yun Xuli, "I must thank you for delivering me this hefty payday!" A cold smirk formed as he shouted. To him, Yun Xuli had challenged him and hand-delivered him ten million heavenly drops. If it wasn’t for their current circumstance, he could kiss him!

As if unwilling to be inferior, Yun Xuli spoke with confidence and calmness, "I must thank you for holding onto that token for me. I hope you kept it clean."

Laughing, Yan Zaizen conjured a longbow.

"Ready?!" Shi Yan’s voice reverberated throughout the sub-realm!