The Agreement
After settling everyone in and seeing that no one was acting strangely, the two elders breathed a sigh of relief.
The first two hours are the most difficult. Once you get through these two hours, things will be much easier afterwards. And now, seeing the five people meditating with their breathing still stable, the two elders felt much relieved. At least this time it was a little better than the last, with five people persevering.
"You stay and watch over them for a while, I'll take these students out of the tower." After a while, once the five who had failed in their body tempering had recovered somewhat, one elder spoke to another.
Another elder nodded. Then, the elder who had spoken led the five defeated students back along the path they had come from.
As an elder led the defeated group away, the place fell silent once more.
After surviving the two most dangerous hours of the Origin Heart Flame Body Tempering, what remained was a long period of ink-wash practice. During this time, the elders had to stay by the side of those undergoing the tempering.
As the Origin Heart Flame permeated their bodies with its burning heat, those who persevered could clearly feel the changes within their bodies. Whether it was their flesh, meridians, bones, or even their Dou Qi, there was a significant improvement.
However, the burning sensation of the Heart Flame continued until the third day, when the flush on everyone's faces began to slowly subside.
"It's finally coming to an end!" An elder said, seeing that everyone was showing signs of recovery.
"Yes!" another elder replied.
Although there shouldn't be any major danger over these three days, no one can guarantee there won't be any. Therefore, during these three days, the two elders dared not be careless in their observation of Lin Ming and his group of five. As a result, they were now somewhat fatigued.
Powerful auras emanated from Lin Ming and his group of five one after another. Among them, Zi Yan's aura was the most powerful.
"Has this beast fallen into a deep sleep? I've been searching for so long but haven't found any trace of it." Above the magma at the bottom of the tower, Great Elder Su Qian stood in the void, searching for three days without finding any signs of the Fallen Heart Flame, and unconsciously muttered to himself.
"Well, since we haven't found anything, let's go up. Those little guys should be waking up soon. I just wonder how many of them will be able to successfully temper their bodies this time." Unable to figure it out, Great Elder Su Qian stopped thinking about it and headed towards the exit after muttering to himself.
Emerging from the cave, Su Qian went straight to the group. Seeing that five people remained on the jade platform, Great Elder Su Qian nodded slightly.
After all, only four people made it to the end last year, so it's already good that one more person made it this time.
Upon seeing Great Elder Su Qian arrive, the two elders who were waiting stood up, preparing to greet him with clasped hands. Seeing their actions, Great Elder Su Qian raised his hand to stop them.
Then, the three of them waited together for everyone to wake up.
Before long, Zi Yan's petite figure was the first to leap up from the jade platform.
Having endured the pain of the Heart Flame Body Tempering for the past three days, now that she has awakened, Zi Yan, acting on her Magical Beasts instincts, unconsciously exerted force, causing herself to leap out of the air.
Seeing Zi Yan's lively and energetic appearance, Great Elder Su Qian couldn't help but smile.
Great Elder Su Qian truly regarded Zi Yan as his own granddaughter. This is why Zi Yan was able to cause trouble at the Jia Nan Academy, and why all the elders dared to provoke her, yet no one could do anything about her.
With the Great Elder watching over her, as long as Zi Yan doesn't demolish Jia Nan Academy or remove the Fallen Heart Flame that Jia Nan Academy was founded on, nothing major will happen to her at the Jia Nan Academy. At most, she might get too many complaints and be put in solitary confinement by the Great Elder.
"This damn flame, it hurts so much!" Zi Yan muttered after jumping out.
"Zi Yan, calm down for now. Lin Ming and the others haven't woken up yet!" Great Elder Su Qian said helplessly, looking at Zi Yan who was acting like a child.
Upon hearing Lin Ming, Zi Yan indeed quieted down and obediently ran to Great Elder Su Qian's side, waiting with them for the others to wake up.
About half an hour later, Zi Yan exclaimed joyfully, "Lin Ming moved! He's about to wake up!"
Under the watchful eyes of the others, Lin Ming slowly opened his eyes. A powerful aura accompanied Lin Ming's awakening, like a sleeping lion displaying its unparalleled might.
He shook hands, feeling the powerful sensation. After assessing the strength of his own body, Lin Ming guessed that even if he hadn't reached the physical strength of Tier 5 Magical Beast, he was at least halfway to Tier 5 Magical Beast.
Then, Lin Ming sensed his Dou Qi. The Dou Crystal, which was already extremely solid and round, had become even more solid. Moreover, its size had also increased slightly. This allowed him to advance another step forward in the Nine Star Dou Spirit.
After this experience, Lin Ming felt that the pain he had endured over the past three days was worthwhile.
"Lin Ming, you're awake!" Seeing Lin Ming regain consciousness, Zi Yan ran to Lin Ming side and exclaimed happily.
"Yes! She's awake!" Lin Ming said with a smile upon seeing Zi Yan's innocent smiling face.
"Alright! Come over now that you're awake! Don't disturb the others." Great Elder Su Qian said as he saw Lin Ming talking to Zi Yan.
When Zi Yan was making a fuss earlier, Great Elder Su Qian told Zi Yan to be quiet. Now that Lin Ming has woken up, the same thing must be done.
In response to Great Elder Su Qian's words, Lin Ming nodded in agreement, then got up and went to the elder's side to wait for the remaining three to wake up.
After a while, Shao Qing's body began to move. After a while, Shao Qing also joined the waiting line.
The fourth to wake up was Jin Feng. He woke up shortly after Shao Qing. After waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the last person also stirred and woke up.
Thus, the Origin Heart Flame Body Tempering for the top ten of this year's Strong Ranking was completely completed. Afterwards, led by Great Elder Su Qian, the group returned along the route they had come from, until they walked out of the gate of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.
"Lin Ming, you've won again this time. But when it comes to the final battle after Dou Wang level, I won't let you win again." Shao Qing said after everyone walked out of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.
Before the body-tempering exercise, Shao Qing and Jin Feng competed with Lin Ming to see who could complete it first. As the second person to awaken, Lin Ming naturally won the competition again.
"I don't believe that. But since you two are comparing, let's arrange it for the next Strong Ranking Tournament! Then we'll return to the academy and compete again." Lin Ming suggested cheerfully, looking at the rather indignant Shao Qing and Jin Feng.
The next Strong Ranking Tournament will be the one that Xiao Yan participated in. When the Fallen Heart Flame erupts, Han Feng will gather a group of powerful figures from the Black Corner Region to come to the Inner Academy to snatch Fallen Heart Flame. Therefore, Lin Ming set the time for that period. With Jin Feng and Shao Qing's talent, they will definitely become Dou Wang by then. This way, two more Dou Wang can fight against Han Feng, which will also relieve some of the pressure on the academy.
"It's a deal!" Shao Qing and Jin Feng said in unison.