The Exam Question

Amid the crackling of burning, the figure wrapped in black flames struggled, vast Source Qi spilling from around his body and whipping up gale after gale.

But unfortunately, it was all in vain.

The black flames clung to his body like maggots gnawing at bone, ceaselessly devouring his life force.

No one came to save him.

A trace of regret flashed through Yi Kui's eyes, yet her lips still curved in a smile.

Bai Muxi lowered her eyes with slight reluctance, but she said nothing.

As the one who had struck, Qin Yuan merely remained quietly half-kneeling with his head bowed.

The three high-ranking officials of the underground city silently watched Li Xing burn amid the black flames.

In the end, Li Xing collapsed within the fire.

He struggled to glance in Bai Muxi's direction, as though he wanted to raise a hand, but he no longer had the strength.

Everything returned to silence.

Only the still-flickering firelight drifted softly through the silent, cavernous stone hall.

"..."

Staring at the human-shaped lump of charcoal for several breaths, Xu Yuan took a deep breath and lightly smacked his lips.

Honestly, what had just happened caught him somewhat by surprise.

"You seem a little surprised?"

Li Qingyan's gentle voice sounded by his ear.

At her words, Xu Yuan turned and met her cold, tranquil eyes.

After a breath of eye contact, Li Qingyan asked, "Isn't this the outcome you wanted to see?"

Xu Yuan let out a low sigh.

"What I said earlier did carry a hint of implication, but more than that, I was fanning the flames and setting a test for the three of them."

"A test?"

Li Qingyan murmured. Her crimson eyes flickered, and she caught on quickly. "Obedience training?"

Xu Yuan nodded in admission. "Something like that."

The