At the Black Tower Lower Level, Xiao Fan and the others began cultivating.
Silence once again settled over the Black Tower.
Only their flushed faces betrayed the strain, twisting into grimaces from time to time.
The First Elder and the other two elders watched them with grave expressions.
After all, this year's origin heart flame was exceptionally violent. One careless moment could see someone vaporized from the inside out.
Thus, the First Elder and his companions dared not relax in the slightest.
Watching their crimson faces, the gray-robed elder among the two suddenly sighed helplessly. "Alas, I wonder how many of them will manage to endure it this year."
"Of the previous Strong Ranking's top ten, only four endured the pain of Heart Flame Body Tempering. The other six all failed and suffered serious internal injuries, taking several months to recover completely. The benefits of this tempering may make people green with envy, but they aren't so easily enjoyed."
The other elder shook his head with a wry smile.
"This year's origin heart flame is nothing like those of previous years. Both its energy and its ferocity far surpass anything we've seen before. If you ask me, we shouldn't have agreed to let them undergo tempering."
Hearing this, the First Elder merely sighed softly before saying, "I've already explained all the advantages and risks to them. But you both know that anyone who has come this far has their share of pride. We couldn't possibly talk them out of it. We can only hope that our protection will offer them some measure of safety."
Then the First Elder paused and glanced at the black hole in the center of the Black Tower. Frowning, he asked, "How has the fallen heart flame been lately? Has there been any major activity?"
The