Night slowly descended across the entirety of the Flame Domain. The violently roaring currents of the rivers of fire gradually calmed down, casting a serene, golden ambient glow across the volcanic landscape. Even the towering flames erupting from the distant mountain peaks seemed to rest. The entire domain fell into an extraordinary silence, yet beneath that tranquility lay an invisible, mounting tension.
Because...
Tomorrow, the first trial of the Flame Emperor, Yang Hao, was set to begin.
The Trial of the Heart.
One by one, the scenes within the individual stone chambers came into view.
Murong Yun sat cross-legged in the full lotus position, dense waves of Spiritual Qi swirling in slow circles around his body. He was focusing all his intent on completely stabilizing his state of mind.
"No matter what happens tomorrow... I must give it my absolute all!"
In another chamber, Shi Mao sat in deep meditation with his cherished sword resting quietly across his lap. He continuously tempered and refined his Sword Intent, each breath he took becoming progressively calmer and more measured than the last.
Commander Zheng and Captain Luo were not resting either. Both veterans were diligently practicing their respective Cultivation Techniques, fully aware that a legendary legacy like this was an opportunity that presented itself only once in a lifetime.
In her room, Wang Mei sat in serene meditation. The lingering primordial energy from the Blue Fire Spirit Fruit was still slowly assimilating into her Ice-Thunder Physique. Arcs of faint azure and silvery lightning flickered intermittently across her skin. Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Wang Ling was surprisingly tranquil for the very first time. She wasn't pulling any pranks or causing mischief; she sat in genuine, quiet meditation. Occasionally, she would open one eye to sneak a glance at her elder sister... before closing it again and sinking back into deep focus.
Yang Kai Long's chamber was completely unique compared to the rest. Hovering right before him, the modified Dragon Suppression Seals crafted by the Flame Emperor rotated slowly in mid-air.
Every few moments, his White Dragon Martial Soul hummed in gentle resonance with the ancient runes. The excruciating agony that had once plagued his features was nowhere to be seen. In its place was a profound, mysterious confidence—as if a crushing weight he had carried for years had suddenly been lifted off his shoulders.
And then... there was Ye Fang's room.
The chamber was dead quiet, save for the rhythmic, thunderous snoring coming from the bed, where Ye Fang was wrapped tightly in a cozy blanket, sound asleep.
"Khrrr... Zzzzz..."
"Khrrrr..."
He was sleeping so deeply and comfortably that one would think tomorrow was an official holiday rather than a life-altering Ancient Trial.
A tiny flash of blue light flickered, and the Little System materialized right by his pillow. She stared at him for several long moments, utterly exasperated.
"Unbelievable...! Literally every single person in this entire domain is spending the whole night desperately cultivating... and my Host is here, snoring his head off!"
However, the very next instant, the System's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Even though Ye Fang was fast asleep, the Supreme Spiritual Root inside his body was active all on its own!
The dense Fire Spiritual Qi drifting outside his room was slowly being drawn toward him as if lured by an invisible vortex. Innumerable microscopic motes of fiery elemental energy penetrated his skin effortlessly. Situated near his lower dantian, his Fire Spiritual Root was quietly refining and purifying all the incoming energy with effortless grace.
He wasn't merely sleeping... his body was automatically cultivating in his sleep!
The System gazed at him for a few more seconds, a soft, gentle smile gracing her lips.
"Perhaps... this is precisely why you are so bizarre, Host. And perhaps that is why you became the master of this body."
The first golden rays of dawn began to spread across the expansive Flame Domain.
A sharp knocking echoed at the door.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
When no response came from within, Wang Ling pounded on the door even harder.
"Ye Fang! Get up!"
Still, complete silence reigned inside. Frustrated, she pushed open the door, only for her jaw to instantly drop at the sight before her.
Ye Fang was lying sprawled face-down on the bed, sleeping like a log without a care in the world.
"This guy is... seriously STILL asleep?!"
Marching right up to the bed, Wang Ling grabbed a heavy pillow and slammed it directly into Ye Fang's face!
THWACK!
"WAKE UP!"
Ye Fang bolted upright in sheer panic, flailing his arms wildly. "Gah! Who?! Is an enemy attacking?!"
Wang Ling rolled her eyes so hard they almost flipped back into her head. "Not an enemy..."
"The trial is TODAY!"
Ye Fang blinked at her blankly for a few seconds, rubbing his groggy eyes. "Huh? Trial? What trial?"
"You seriously forgot?! Maybe THIS will refresh your memory!" Wang Ling whacked him over the head with the pillow again.
A short while later...
The entire group gathered once again before the Flame Emperor.
Every single face bore a solemn, deadly serious expression.
...Except for Ye Fang, who was still letting out a wide, lazy yawn.
Suddenly, his eyes landed on Yang Kai Long, and he paused mid-yawn.
'Hmm?'
Yang Kai Long looked like a completely different person today compared to yesterday.
The suffocating restlessness and underlying anxiety that used to cloud his features were completely gone. In its place was an extraordinary composure in his eyes and a deep, unshakeable confidence radiating from his entire aura.
Ye Fang strolled over to him, leaning in slightly. "Looks like... you didn't just get a good night's sleep last night, but struck some serious good fortune too?"
Yang Kai Long offered a soft, subtle smile. "Both, actually."
Ye Fang raised an eyebrow. "Where did all this sudden confidence spring up from?"
Yang Kai Long fell silent for a moment, looking forward. Then, he spoke in a calm, measured tone:
"Sometimes... the right guidance can instantly resolve years of agonizing confusion."
Ye Fang stared at him for a few seconds.
'Bizarre... he's completely transformed since yesterday.'
However, seeing that Yang Kai Long wasn't eager to elaborate, Ye Fang refrained from probing any further.
Right at that moment—
The Flame Emperor, Yang Hao, stepped forward.
His majestic, fiery gaze swept across the gathered youths.
"It appears..." he spoke, his deep, resonant voice thundering throughout the entire Flame Domain, "...that everyone has thoroughly rested."
"Then now...The time has come to commence the first trial."
Instantly, the ambient temperature of the entire realm surged dramatically!
The rivers of molten fire roared in unison, and countless fiery ancient runes manifested across the vast expanse of the sky like burning constellations.
The Flame Emperor slowly raised his right hand.
"Welcome...To the Trial of the Heart!"