Upon closer inspection, that gigantic Floating Island was not a single island, but a collection of countless smaller floating islands. Each small floating island was roughly several hundred meters in circumference, and tens of thousands of them had gathered together to form this massive floating island.

Among these tens of thousands of islands, there were different heights, which could roughly be divided into six tiers.

The first tier had the largest number of small floating islands, numbering in the tens of thousands.

The second tier had roughly several thousand islands.

The third tier had several hundred floating islands, and those islands were noticeably larger than those in the first two tiers.

The floating islands on the fourth tier were roughly the same size as those on the third tier, but there were far fewer of them, only a few dozen in total.

The fifth tier had even fewer islands, with only ten in total.

As for the sixth tier, there was only one island.

That island stood high above everything, sitting at the pinnacle of countless suspended islands. It exuded an invisible yet powerful majesty, as if all the tens of thousands of islands below revolved around it as their center.

When everyone looked at that island, they suddenly felt an instinctive urge to lower their heads in worship.

"This is Floating Island."

Just then, Zi Donglai’s voice resounded.

Gazing at the Floating Island composed of countless suspended islands, Li Yun and the others all revealed solemn expressions.

For a long time to come, they would spend their days within this Floating Island. There, they would undergo intense competition, and they would either step into the Heavenly Core Realm or fall into eternal damnation.

"The Floating Island originated a thousand years ago from the strongest overlord power in the Azure Void Region, the Skyvoid Sect."

Zi Donglai spoke slowly. "Back then, in order to select elite disciples from countless disciples, the Skyvoid Sect specifically established this Floating Island. On this Floating Island, the higher the level one can reach, the greater their potential will be considered, and the more qualified they will be to receive nurturing."

"Next, I will explain the rules of the Floating Island to you."

"After entering the Floating Island, you must first undergo a basic test. The difficulty of the basic test is not high, and under normal circumstances, it can be passed. After passing the basic test, you will receive a first-level token fragment and simultaneously enter the first floor of the Floating Island."

"Once you enter the first floor of the Floating Island, you can issue challenges to cultivators of the same level. You can freely choose your challenge targets, and you can also refuse challenges from others. However, no matter what, you must undergo at least one challenge every three days."

"The winner of the battle can plunder a first-level token fragment from the opponent. If you collect ten token fragments, you can assemble a complete first-level token. Through this token, you can enter the Treasure Hall within the Floating Island, select a treasure, and advance to the second floor."

"Conversely, if all the token fragments in your hand are plundered, you must undergo the basic test again. If you are plundered clean three consecutive times, you will be directly obliterated."

Hearing Zi Donglai’s final cold words, everyone’s expressions changed instantly.

In other words, if one’s strength was insufficient or one’s luck was poor, failing three times in a row meant certain death.

This kind of competition rule was incredibly cruel. It forced all cultivators to fight with their lives on the line, because a single failure might place them one step closer to death.

"In addition, the rules for the second, third, and fourth floors are roughly the same as the first. At the beginning of each floor, everyone has one token fragment. Collecting ten token fragments allows you to obtain a treasure and advance to the next floor. If your token fragments are all plundered, you will be kicked back to the previous floor."

"But on the fifth floor, the rules change again."

"The fifth floor of the Floating Island only allows ten people to exist at any time. If a newcomer rises to the fifth floor, they will directly fight the weakest among the ten. The winner stays, and the loser is eliminated."

"On this fifth floor, if one can consecutively defeat the other nine people, they can advance to the sixth floor and obtain the highest reward of the Floating Island. Remember, consecutively does not only mean having no defeats in between. It also means doing so without any rest. You must defeat all nine opponents in one attempt. Otherwise, it will be treated as invalid."

Zi Donglai’s words immediately stirred up a wave of commotion among the crowd.

"This is far too difficult!"

"Defeating nine opponents of the same level consecutively without any chance to rest. Even Feng Qingxiao, the number one on the Earth Ranking, probably could not do that."

"This sixth floor probably was not intended for anyone to reach at all."

Everyone’s expressions became quite grim.

Everyone knew that among so many cultivators, not a single person capable of fighting their way to the fifth floor of the Floating Island would be easy to deal with. Each one would possess astonishing strength, hidden trump cards, and powerful methods.

Under such circumstances, wanting to defeat nine other opponents in succession was almost impossible.

"Ascending to the sixth floor is indeed extremely difficult."

Zi Donglai’s expression remained calm as he said, "Since the creation of this Floating Island, only three people have been able to fight their way to the sixth floor. Among those three, even the weakest eventually reached the Spirit Manifestation Realm and was considered a top-tier expert even within that realm. I do not expect any of you to reach the sixth floor, but I hope that among the ten spots on the fifth floor, our Heavenly Sword Sect can occupy at least two."

"No matter who it is, as long as you fight your way to the fifth floor, even if you only stay there for a single day, you will receive a heavy reward from the sect."

"Furthermore, if you select any cultivation technique or martial skill legacy from the Treasure Hall of the Floating Island and are willing to hand it over to the sect, the sect will likewise reward you generously."

Zi Donglai’s powerful voice rang out.

Hearing this, many people’s eyes lit up.

Zi Donglai was the Fifth Elder of the Battle Hall and held a pivotal position within the sect. Since even he said it would be a heavy reward, the reward would surely be extremely enticing.

"Rest assured, Elder. We will work hard."

"One of the ten spots on the fifth floor will definitely be mine."

The cultivators spoke one after another, their blood surging with excitement, as if they had already firmly grasped one of the ten spots on the fifth floor.

Li Yun, however, remained calm.

He knew that the Floating Island was an opportunity, but it was also extremely dangerous. Once one stepped into the Floating Island, it was equivalent to placing one foot in the grave.

These battles did not forbid killing, and they did not forbid any methods either. Any means could be used. Just surviving here would already be difficult, let alone standing out and climbing to the fifth or even the sixth floor.

Of course, Li Yun did not reject such an environment. On the contrary, he felt faintly delighted.

A sword cultivator walked a path of battle and slaughter. A truly powerful sword cultivator would inevitably rise through countless battles.

"Alright. I have already explained the rules clearly. Finally, let me give you one more reminder."

Zi Donglai swept his gaze across everyone’s expressions, shook his head, and added, "Before the disciples of our Seven Great Sects arrived, those loose cultivators and cultivators from small and medium-sized powers had already entered the Floating Island one step ahead of you."

"Although they do not have powerful backgrounds supporting them, I advise you not to underestimate a single one of them."

"These people have no great forces behind them, yet they are still qualified to step into the Floating Island. Not one of them will be an ordinary character. If you look down on them, I can only say that you will die a miserable death."

"Having said all this, I wish you good luck."

As his voice fell, Zi Donglai waved his large hand.

Including Li Yun, everyone’s figures suddenly floated upward and instantly flew toward the Floating Island.

Swoosh!

In the next moment, Li Yun and the others all entered the range covered by the Floating Island. Beams of light cascaded down, enveloping everyone within them.

Then, Li Yun’s figure suddenly appeared inside an empty and strange space.