The stage rules, the power of restrictions, essentially come from those countless spectators.

The presence of the audience gives the stage its meaning.

And it is these ordinary people, often looked down upon by God-level, people of Buddha Country, and Heavenly Fire Clan,

whose individual power may be insignificant within Jing Country, but once gathered, they form a mighty force capable of shackling gods.

From the corner of every audience’s eye, blood tears drop into the battlefield, floating in the air, and then explode violently, forming an extremely dense blood mist that envelops Zhou Xuan, Medicine Buddha, Hulu Taoist, and others preparing for the duel.

Within the blood mist, Zhou Xuan releases his Perception entirely but cannot perceive the presence of the "Fake Incense Fire Taoist."

"My Perception still cannot penetrate this layer of blood mist? That fake incense fire?"

Zhou Xuan prides himself on his strong Perception, but because he couldn’t gauge the Fake Incense Fire Taoist’s true capabilities, he dared not rashly discuss the upcoming duel strategy with Li Changxun and Yun Ziliang,

"I need to adopt the most primitive and safety-first measures."

After some contemplation, Zhou Xuan pushed his vision to the extreme, seeing the indistinct figures of Yun and Li amidst the blood mist,

He walked over slowly and, with his finger, inscribed words on Yun Ziliang’s back: Lao Yun, don’t make a sound, feign defeat in the upcoming duel.

Yun Ziliang, feeling the inscription, quickly turned back.

He understood Zhou Xuan deeply, knowing Zhou wouldn’t remain silent unless necessary, hence he too made no sound, and on Zhou Xuan’s chest, he wrote down: Why?

Zhou Xuan: Our real opponents are not Medicine Buddha and Tun Jia Taishang.

Yun Ziliang: Then who is it?

Zhou Xuan: Incense Fire Taoist, that Incense Fire Taoist is an impostor.

Yun Ziliang remained silent for a while, then wrote briefly on Zhou Xuan’s Daoist robe: I understand.

Zhou Xuan felt warmth in his heart, thinking this was true brotherhood, not asking unnecessary questions.

He again inscribed on Yun Ziliang’s back: When Tun Jia Taishang strikes you, don’t dodge, accept death if necessary.

Yun Ziliang was even more puzzled—feigning defeat was one thing, but offering oneself up? Was the life of a Dragon Seeking Taoist not considered life?

Yet he still wrote four characters on Zhou Xuan’s Daoist robe: I understand.

He trusted Zhou Xuan, knowing that feigned defeat and death would not be real; with Zhou Xuan’s character, he would never send his old brother to fight first,

Hence, Zhou Xuan’s strategy must have a reason.

Zhou Xuan again wrote a phrase for Yun Ziliang: Li Shanzu also needs to feign defeat, you go inform him.

After comprehending this line, Yun Ziliang moved through the blood mist to find Li Changxun.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xuan continued to perceive within the blood mist.

"Big Tree, Second Tree, after hiding you for so long, it’s time for you to act."

Zhou Xuan wrote in the first rule of the stage, "Each side can have no more than four fighters."

However, the rule specifies ’people,’ without defining whether "trees" can fight.

And as Zhou Xuan entered the stage, Zhou Family Ancestor Tree, Peach Blossom Ancestor Tree had already entered, only hidden underground, unnoticed by others.

A slender willow branch and a peach blossom branch simultaneously extended towards Zhou Xuan, indicating their presence.

"Second Tree, your means are ’Enhance.’

"Big Tree, your means are ’Tree Gate.’

"Then the question is, Second Tree, if you enhance Big Tree, can Big Tree’s Tree Gate take Lao Yun and Li Changxun off the stage?"

Zhou Xuan asked.

The willow branches gently trembled, writing two characters on Zhou Xuan’s palm: Can.

"Then at the crucial moment, take Lao Yun and Old Li away; as for me, don’t worry."

"With my new understanding of the Colorful Play Master, once I’m in the stage, I cease being me; the real me is this stage."

"As long as the stage exists, I won’t truly die."

After giving instructions, the branches of the willow and peach trees receded underground, never to appear again.

...

In the blood mist, rich stage energy resides as Zhou Xuan, Yun Ziliang, Li Changxun, and Ancestor Trees plot together while Tun Jia Taishangs and Buddha Country Five Forms greedily absorbed the energy.

They fear getting less, hence their incense battle power improves less.

Finally, once all that energy gets absorbed, the blood mist dissipates,

The fierce beasts in the battlefield roared angrily, the eye from the sky closed,

The murderous intent erupted.

Zhou Xuan, Yun Ziliang, and Li Changxun stood with their hands folded,

Medicine Buddha and Hulu Taoist exchanged glances.

"Medicine Buddha, in this death duel, only one side can exit, but we can ally first, and eliminate Zhou Xuan, Yun Ziliang, and Li Changxun,

and once their side is entirely wiped out, then we can compete against each other, how about it?"

Hulu Taoist first proposed an "alliance request" to Medicine Buddha.

Medicine Buddha smiled warmly and said, "Hulu Taoist, I was thinking precisely that, and, this stage being created by Zhou Xuan, if he dies, perhaps this stage will also vanish, and we might not need to fight again."

The agreement formed instantly.

Hulu Taoist immediately felt elated and cupped his hands towards Zhou Xuan, saying, "Zhou Xuan, you’ve pushed us too far; now it’s time for grievances to be settled and vendettas avenged."