A group of elders watched Ye Xiaoyao on the Tianji Shanhua Map, their eyes filled with shock.
Given their status, they had naturally seen plenty of prodigies. Yet none like Ye Xiaoyao, who had comprehended sword qi while only at the Spirit Sea Realm Third Layer! No, to be precise, Ye Xiaoyao had already comprehended sword qi when he first entered the Tianji Lihuo Map, and back then he was only at the Spirit Sea Realm First Layer. Such a talent was a rare sight indeed!
"Although this boy has good talent, his intent to kill is far too heavy; that is no good!" Elder Qingyang said with a cold snort, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
The other elders could not help but frown.
Stepping onto the path of cultivation inherently meant facing a road of killing and being killed at any moment. The Lihuo Sect's assessments had never forbidden these youths from slaughtering one another. In fact, such an arrangement for the assessment was designed, to a certain extent, to allow youths with lingering grudges to settle them using this opportunity. Only by doing so could they coexist harmoniously after entering the Lihuo Sect!
At this thought, everyone suddenly understood that Elder Qingyang's decision was entirely driven by his high regard for Gu Qingqing. They immediately nodded in agreement. "Indeed. His murderous intent is too heavy. Even with some talent, I'm afraid he will only bring disaster to the region!"
"If you ask me, even if he manages to pass the assessment, we might as well strip him of his qualification outright!"
After all, one side was Gu Qingqing, who possessed infinite potential and the Supreme Bone, while the other was merely Ye Xiaoyao, whose talent was just passable. This choice was hardly difficult.
Yet Ye Xiaoyao knew nothing of this!
After the kill, Ye Xiaoyao flicked his spirit sword, taking possession of the Fire Bodhi that the two on the ground had gathered. Though their harvest was not insignificant, given their cultivation level, they would dare to refine ten at most; the surplus naturally fell to Ye Xiaoyao. Moreover, such plundering would increase Ye Xiaoyao's score.
Though Ye Xiaoyao cared little for scores, absorbing the fire spiritual energy of the Fire Bodhi to boost his own strength was truly wonderful!
With a flash of his figure, he sprinted directly toward the core area. Naturally, Ye Xiaoyao did not miss any Fire Bodhi along the way. Those who attempted to curry favor with Gu Qingqing and the Third Prince by blocking his path proved especially useful to Ye Xiaoyao, serving as delivery couriers for more Fire Bodhi.
As Ye Xiaoyao cut his way through all the obstacles, a fair number of youths had already gathered in the core region.
Those who dared to participate in the Lihuo Sect assessment were all prodigies in their own right, each possessing their own methods. Though perhaps inferior to Ye Xiaoyao, many of them could sense the extraordinary aura emanating from the core area. Indeed, the harvest of Fire Bodhi along their journey had been quite bountiful! Especially the closer they got to this place, the more frequently they encountered third-rank fire spirit beasts. When some joined forces and shared their points, the joy was boundless.
However, as they drew closer to the core area, the heat radiating from the ground grew increasingly intense. Even with their Cultivation Formulas running at full power, none dared to venture too far in.
Looking at Gu Qingqing and the Third Prince sitting cross-legged on the mountainside, the crowd felt a mixture of envy and admiration. That was a height they could no longer reach, yet the two of them were not only unafraid, but were actually cultivating in such an environment!
At that moment, the Third Prince's body suddenly turned crimson, radiating a terrifyingly scorching aura. Though Gu Qingqing was not quite as dramatic, various obscure and profound runes flickered in and out of existence on her forehead!
"They... broke through again?"
Only half a day ago, the two of such had broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer. Yet in just half a day's time, they had actually broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm Seventh Layer once more! Such a cultivation speed was something the onlookers dared not even imagine.
"Weren't they saying the Supreme Bone is stronger? How is it that the Third Prince's cultivation speed is not the least bit inferior to Gu Qingqing's?" someone still asked in puzzlement.
Immediately, however, someone explained, "This is an area rich in fire spiritual energy, so the Third Prince's fire spiritual root naturally holds the advantage. Even so, he is only able to match Gu Qingqing's pace."
"Imagine if we stepped outside the range of fire spiritual energy; I'm afraid the Third Prince would be left far behind!"
While the crowd discussed among themselves, Gu Qingqing and the Third Prince completed their breakthroughs almost simultaneously. Then, both cast their gazes toward the higher summit.
"He... actually didn't die?" someone exclaimed in startled disbelief. The crowd turned their heads to look and saw Ye Xiaoyao walking over from not far away.
Hearing the commotion, Gu Qingqing and the Third Prince turned around. Their eyes were filled with shock, but they quickly strode forward.
As he hurried over, the Third Prince let out a cold snort. "Ye Xiaoyao, should I say your life is tenacious, or should I say your life ends right here!"
"Consider it tenacious. Gu Qingqing should be very clear about that, right?" Ye Xiaoyao shrugged his shoulders, casting a mocking look at Gu Qingqing.
Unaware of the inside story, the Third Prince nodded slightly. "Indeed, your life is tenacious!"
"First, you were teleported onto a volcano, yet with your pitiful cultivation you weren't burned to death—that in itself was an accident!"
"I sent out the message to have you killed, and yet you still managed to walk here alive—that makes it even more surprising!"
"But I promise you, there will be no more accidents this time. You are a dead man!"
With that, the Third Prince instantly drew the spirit sword at his waist, pointing it straight at Ye Xiaoyao.
During this period of time spent with Gu Qingqing, their relationship had grown closer. In his view, if he could kill Ye Xiaoyao, he would surely win the beauty's heart!
Ye Xiaoyao smiled with disdain. "Do you remember what I told you back at the plaza?"
"If you dare draw your sword, you will die!"
Gu Qingqing, however, let out a cold snort. "With your meager skills, how dare you speak to the Third Prince like that?"
"If not for my concern about failing to answer to my father, I would kill you with my own hands!"
Hearing this, excitement flashed in the Third Prince's eyes as if he had been injected with adrenaline, and he hurriedly said, "Qingqing, you mustn't let such trash tarnish your filial reputation!"
"Wait for me here. Once I kill him, I'll accompany you to charge the summit!"
"Be careful!" Her goal achieved, Gu Qingqing still did not forget to tenderly caution the Third Prince.
"He is not worthy of the word 'careful' from me!" Amidst a sharp shout, the Third Prince's body instantly turned crimson, and an endless, scorching aura spread outward.
The surrounding air twisted under the intense heat.
"Brat, die!" Accompanied by a sharp cry, the scorching crimson spirit sword in his hand—already fully saturated with fire spiritual energy—flashed with a dazzling brilliance as it slashed directly outward.
Seeing this scene, the surrounding youths widened their eyes in shock!
"This fire spiritual root is too terrifying! A casual slash directly stirs up the fire spiritual energy in the air!"
"Indeed! That sword qi not only carries the attack of Sword Dao, but also contains terrifying heat!"
"Although the Third Prince is only at the Spirit Sea Realm Seventh Layer, in this environment, he could probably stand undefeated even against someone at the Spirit Sea Realm First Layer!"
"No wonder they were able to become personal disciples!"
As the surrounding discussions reached his ears, Ye Xiaoyao merely smiled disdainfully. "There is some strength, but it is not enough!"
To Ye Xiaoyao, who had already condensed the fire spirit red leaves, the boost in firepower brought by the fire spiritual root was simply not worth mentioning. What remained was a contest of Sword Dao!
And in Ye Xiaoyao's eyes, the Third Prince's sword strike was riddled with flaws!
Just as the Third Prince's blade closed within three feet, Ye Xiaoyao moved!