Hearing these words, the entire crowd erupted into an uproar!
Leaving aside the fact that Third Prince was a mighty warrior at the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer with a Fire Spiritual Root, his status as a prince alone was enough to make everyone present too afraid to meet his gaze.
The Third Prince was clearly amused by Ye Xiaoyao's attitude as well. He turned to Gu Qingqing and said, "A fool like this is indeed unworthy of you. Today, I will solve this trouble for you!"
"But... how am I supposed to explain this to my father..." Although Gu Qingqing was secretly thrilled inside, she still put on a troubled expression.
"When the time comes, I will go and explain it to him!" The Third Prince said, casting a cold glare at Ye Xiaoyao.
"I must say, you are the first person in my life who has ever dared to speak to me like that. As a reward, I will let you know what it means to be burned alive by raging flames!"
Amidst a cold snort, the surrounding air became even more scorching, as if it could burst into flames at any moment.
Boom... Boom...
Right at that moment, accompanied by the sound of beating drums, wave after wave of vast aura instantly blanketed the entire square.
Looking over, the crowd saw a group of Lihuo Sect powerhouses slowly walking out.
Seeing this, the Third Prince quickly reined in his aura, turned toward the ceremonial platform, and bowed along with the others. "Greetings, Elders!"
The eyes of the Lihuo Sect elders on the platform were scanning around, quickly locking onto Gu Qingqing. After nodding slightly toward her, Elder Qingyang, who stood right in the center, spoke up. "Welcome everyone to our Lihuo Sect examination..."
After a routine opening speech, Elder Qingyang flicked his sleeve, and a speck of light flew out from his storage bracelet, growing larger against the wind.
As a folding screen appeared in the middle of the arena, a wave of scorching heat also spread outward.
Only then did everyone see that inside the screen was a fiery red world; the ground seemed to be burning with a layer of flames, and the air was completely crimson.
There were even active volcanoes, and one could see the flames dancing inside them even from the outside.
Elder Qingyang said, "This is our sect's Tianji Lihuo Map, and it is also the examination grounds for your test this time!"
"Scattered all about are many Fire Bodhi. Once you find them, you can refine them on your own, which will enhance your strength and increase the time you can stay inside!"
"However, a reminder is needed here: those below the Spirit Pill Realm must by no means refine more than ten within a day, otherwise the Lihuo fires will attack your heart, and no one will be able to save you!"
"As long as you obtain these Fire Bodhi, whether you have refined them or not, each one counts as one point. The top one hundred individuals with the highest scores will earn the qualification to join the Lihuo Sect!"
"In addition, there are Lihuo Spirit Beasts inside. Hunting a Tier 3 fire spirit beast comparable to the Spirit Sea Realm will earn you thirty points."
"Hunting a Tier 4 fire spirit beast comparable to the Spirit Pill Realm counts as passing the examination directly!"
"This is a trial where strength and destiny intertwine!"
"Also, when you enter the Tianji Lihuo Map, you will receive a token. If you encounter danger, you can crush the token and you will be automatically teleported out to await the final score rankings!"
"As for anyone who insists on pushing their luck, they will be responsible for their own life and death!"
After Elder Qingyang announced the rules, the young people had already begun thinking about how to obtain a higher score in the upcoming competition.
However, Ye Xiaoyao was carefully studying the Tianji Lihuo Map!
Although he was not yet familiar enough with the array Dao system of the Qingyun Continent to determine the grade of the Tianji Lihuo Map, relying on the array Dao chapter contained within the Nine Dragons Fire Control Formula, the moment the Tianji Lihuo Map appeared, Ye Xiaoyao was able to see right through its essence as a Spirit Tool.
Not only could he see the inscribed array patterns, but he could also look right through that expanse of crimson and clearly see everything inside.
At this moment, Elder Qingyang looked at Gu Qingqing and said, "Qingqing, Zhu Heng, your two talents are extraordinary; you do not need to participate in the examination!"
The crowd was not surprised by this outcome. Aside from casting looks of envy toward the two of them, no one could find the slightest fault with it.
Yet Gu Qingqing cupped her fists and said, "Thank you, Elder Qingyang, for your favor, but ever since I was a child, my father has taught me that the path of cultivation is a struggle against men and against the heavens, so this disciple does not want to miss this opportunity for tempering!"
"Good!" As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately drew cheers from the group of elders above.
Geniuses were rare, but geniuses who dared to face life and death head-on, dared to fight, and dared not to rest on their laurels were even rarer!
Yet little did they know that Gu Qingqing's action was entirely for the sake of using this opportunity to kill Ye Xiaoyao inside the Tianji Lihuo Map.
After all, the means by which she had obtained the Supreme Bone were not honorable!
Even though her series of maneuvers upon entering the imperial city had made it so that no one would believe Ye Xiaoyao even if he told the truth, in Gu Qingqing's view, only Ye Xiaoyao's death would truly make things secure!
Although the Third Prince Zhu Heng did not know Gu Qingqing's true motive, he could still see the killing intent in her eyes.
He followed suit by cupping his fists and said, "This disciple also wishes to go in and undergo some tempering!"
"Good... Good... Granted!" The group of elders above were even more exceedingly satisfied.
Recruiting disciples this time, they were already pleasantly surprised to discover two major geniuses.
And yet these two geniuses were so eager to push themselves; the elders were already imagining what kind of state the Lihuo Sect would be in a decade or two once they grew up.
At this moment, the Third Prince also said to the young aristocrats behind him, "Spread the word: whoever kills Ye Xiaoyao will be heavily rewarded!"
"Understood!" Upon hearing this, those young aristocrats quietly dispersed through the crowd.
And wherever their figures passed, countless gazes were immediately cast toward Ye Xiaoyao.
After all, even if they failed to pass the Lihuo Sect's examination, simply gaining the favor of the Third Prince would be enough to rewrite their lives.
At this time, Elder Qingyang spoke to the entire crowd once more, "You see that? Geniuses like Gu Qingqing and Zhu Heng are both willing to fight for it. Do you still have any reason not to try?"
"Fight!"
"Fight..."
The youths in the arena seemed to have been ignited as well, roaring out in a chorus.
"Very well, then open up your new lives!" Elder Qingyang said, flicking his wide sleeve.
Instantly, a vortex gate appeared right before the Tianji Lihuo Map, and the youths immediately understood, surging directly toward it.
As soon as they approached the vortex gate, their figures continuously shrank, turning into black specks as they vanished into it.
Gu Qingqing turned around and looked at Ye Xiaoyao. "Well, do you dare to enter? If you don't dare to go in, I can choose not to go in either!"
Clearly, she was also worried that if she entered the Tianji Lihuo Map and Ye Xiaoyao did not, she would lose this chance to kill him.
Little did she know that Ye Xiaoyao harbored the exact same thought.
Now seeing Gu Qingqing so determined, he immediately smiled and said, "If I don't go, wouldn't that disappoint you?"
With that, Ye Xiaoyao's figure flashed, instantly surging into the Tianji Lihuo Map as well.
"What is going on?" But at this moment, Elder Qingyang's figure flashed, and he had already arrived before the Tianji Lihuo Map.
Those who had yet to enter also realized that while the positions of others entering the Tianji Lihuo Map were random, they were supposed to land on the flat ground at the outer periphery.
Yet Ye Xiaoyao had appeared right on top of a volcano the very moment he entered.
"Elder Qingyang, what is this..." With regard to Ye Xiaoyao, Gu Qingqing hurried forward to ask.
Elder Qingyang let out a soft sigh. "This kid's luck is truly absurdly bad!"
"To ensure your safety, we placed restrictions on the formation of the Tianji Lihuo Map, so that everyone who enters is randomly teleported to different flatlands!"
"Because the Lihuo heat on the mountains is much more intense..."
Saying this, Elder Qingyang merely shook his head and left the rest unsaid, but everyone seemed to grasp the implication.
With that, Elder Qingyang once again channeled the formation incantation, striking beam after beam of formation light onto the vortex gate.
"Rest assured, everyone, there won't be any more accidents..."
Only then did the other youths continue to enter one after another.
Although Gu Qingqing and the Third Prince saw that Ye Xiaoyao was bound to die, remembering that they had already stated their stance, their figures still flashed and they dove right in.