The Immortal Arena was nothing like
Yueli imagined.
Instead of cold stone or intimidating
monoliths, it rose from the clouds like a floating palace spun from light and music.
Towers wove themselves from air and moonstone, while bridges of shimmering wind linked platforms too fragile- looking to hold anyone- yet they held armies. The entire place pulsed with celestial energy, like a giant heartbeat beneath the heavens.
" Okay," Yueli muttered, staring up at the structure with a frown. " I was ready for death traps. Not… glitter."
Di Yan stood beside her, clad in the dramatic armor she accused him of loving— flowing silver and obsidian metal embroidered with celestial glyphs. His silver hair was tied back in a sharp tail, the ends flicking like a comet.
" You like it."
" I didn't say I didn't," she grinned. " You just look like you're about to give a very intense fashion show."
Their baby floated between them in her cloud cradle, now shaped like a miniature flying chariot, golden reins and all. She babbled happily, as if the whole arena had been built for her personal entertainment.
Around them, participants began arriving through portals— some riding spirit beasts,
others walking with staffs or ancient swords.
Everyone looked serious, divine, and dangerously competent.
Yueli elbowed Di Yan. " Do you think they know our baby bit a bandit last week?"
" She also caused an earthquake by clapping," he added. " They'll find out eventually."
A horn blew— a sound like thunder wrapped in wind— and the crowd began to shift, forming orderly lines before a floating dais. On it stood a tall figure in crystalline robes, eyes glowing with pure white light.
" Welcome, Champions of Realms," the figure intoned. " You have been summoned not just to compete— but to be tested. The Starborn child's power must be measured. Watched. Chosen."
Yueli leaned to Di Yan. " So… babysitting with extra steps?"
He gave a dry chuckle. " Or a trap dressed as pageant."
Their baby sneezed. A flower bloomed from the floor.
The crowd gasped.
" She's already showing signs,"
whispered a priestess in blue. " The prophecy may be true…"
Yueli titled her ahead. " Prophecy?"
Before Di Yan could respond, their names were called.
" Shen Yueli. Di Yan. Child of Flame and Starlight. Step forward."
They did, surrounded by whispers and shifting glances. The baby let out a gurgling yawn, completely unfazed.
The glowing figure raised a hand. " To prove the child's right to ascend, you must face the Trial of Echoes."
A platform shimmered beneath their feet, and suddenly, the three of them were transported— into a vast hall of mirrors, each one reflecting different versions of themselves.
Yueli blinked. " Okay. That's creepy."
Di Yan was silent, eyes scanning.
" They're not mirrors. They're… echoes of what could be."
One reflection showed them old and peaceful, living on a quiet
mountainside. Another showed them ruling over realms with golden crowns.
But one showed them— broken, divided. Alone.
The baby stared at that one the longest.
The walls trembled.
From each mirror, illusions stepped out— copies of themselves. But twisted.
Malicious. Hungry.
One dark Yueli laughed as she summoned flames tainted with shadow.
" You don't deserve her power," she hissed.
" Neither do you," real Yueli snapped,
summoning vines and throwing her dagger in one fluid motion.
Battle broke like thunder.
Di Yan clashed blades with his darker self, every strike echoing with fire and fury.
" I'm more attractive than you," the real Di Yan muttered.
" That's subjective!" Shadow Di Yan yelled back.
Meanwhile, the baby levitated herself
high into the air, watching the chaos like
it was a puppet show. She giggled,
sending little shockwaves that knocked over the fake wolves trying to ambush her.
" Mom!" she squeaked. " Boom!"
Yueli rolled mid-air and blasted her dark
counterpart into a mirror with a burst of
flower- laced flame. " That's my girl!"
One by one, they defeated the illusions—
until only the shattered pieces of what
could've been remained.
As they stood, panting but victorious,
the glowing figure reappeared.
" You have passed," it declared. " But the path grows darker. Keep her safe."
Yueli narrowed her eyes. " What's coming?"
But the figure was already fading,
replaced by the arena's golden glow.
Back on the main platform, the crowd
erupted in awed whispers. Di Yan
scooped the baby into his arms, and
Yueli tugged him close.
" They're watching us," she said quietly.
" They're afraid," Di Yan replied.
" Good." Yueli grinned. " They should be."
Their baby burped a puff of glittery fire— and everyone within ten meters flinched.
The wind shifted then— soft, but ancient.
Carried on it was a whisper Yueli
couldn't understand, but their daughter
turned her head sharply toward the east.
Toward a presence cloaked in time itself.
And the real challenge?
It was already awake.