The two stood at the edge of the Taotie Cauldron.
The mouth of the cauldron faced upward.
The surface of the oil was calm.
The golden oil swayed slightly within the cauldron.
In the blink of an eye, the atmosphere changed.
Steam rose.
Oil smoke curled upward.
The temperature at the mouth of the cauldron had already risen to a level that made breathing difficult.
Even standing beside it made their skin burn.
The King of the Chechi Kingdom declared loudly:
The rules are simple.
Enter the cauldron at the same time.
The loser dies, body and soul destroyed.
Any objections?
Little White Dragon shook his head.
None.
Goat Strength Immortal also shook his head.
None.
The King of the Chechi Kingdom stepped back.
Then begin!
The instant his words fell, two figures leaped up at the same time.
Little White Dragon turned into a streak of white light.
Goat Strength Immortal turned into a streak of gray light.
The white and gray lights plunged into the oil at the same time.
Splash.
Splash.
Two splashes rang out.
Two blossoms of oil splashed across the surface.
Then it returned to calm.
The golden surface of the oil swayed faintly.
Bubbles churned.
The oil smoke grew thicker.
Outside the cauldron, everyone held their breath.
Inside the cauldron.
Little White Dragon sank into the oil.
The dharma power throughout his body began to circulate.
It formed a thin protective barrier over his body.
Blocking out the scalding oil.
He looked around.
Everything around him was golden.
The oil was thick.
Viscous.
His vision was obstructed.
He could only see within a range of three feet.
Beyond three feet was a blurry golden haze.
He moved his fingers.
Oil flowed through the gaps between them.
Smooth.
Warm.
He frowned.
Something was wrong.