He walked into the dark passage, the heavy iron door clanging shut behind him, plunging him into a sudden, echoing darkness. He could already feel the intense, radiating heat, the oppressive, artificial sun qi pulsating from beyond the door. It was a furnace, designed to melt him. And he was alone.
The passage was short, leading to a massive, circular iron door. With a low hiss, it slid open, revealing an arena bathed in a searing golden light. Liu Jin stepped forward, his silver eyes narrowing against the glare.
The arena was a colossal amphitheater, carved from shimmering golden stone, designed to magnify the sun's oppressive energy. Above, a massive, artificial sun orb pulsed at its zenith, radiating a concentrated, scorching qi that felt like a physical weight pressing down on him. I
