The second challenge was called "Burn the Rope Without Breaking It."
A hemp rope hung between two bronze lampstands. The challenge was to burn the rope with fire and leave it unbroken after the flames passed. As soon as this challenge was announced, another uproar swept through the crowd below. How could a rope not break when burned? This defied common sense even more than the first challenge!
While solving the first challenge, Wang Yang had still been unsure why Wu Qi had devised such tests. Now, however, he had begun to form a guess. Though he had yet to see the third challenge, his confidence had grown.
He ordered someone to bring a basin of concentrated saltwater, then took down the hemp rope and immersed it. An ominous premonition immediately struck the High Shaman, who demanded anxiously, "How can you take down the rope?"
Baoyue immediately shot back:
"Did the challenge say he couldn't? Was it Sacred Master Wu Qi who devised these challenges through divine revelation, or was it you?"
Baoyue had no respect whatsoever for the High Shaman. Her words were provocative, and her tone was hardly polite.
Rebuked in public, the High Shaman's face darkened. He wanted to argue but could find no grounds to do so. Worried about appearing deliberately obstructive, and with all the clan leaders and tribal chiefs remaining silent, he could only swallow his anger. Once this false Divine Envoy is exposed, you'll get what's coming to you.
After soaking the rope, Wang Yang had the Holy Guards fan it to dry it faster. Then he hung it back up and set it alight.
Under thousands of watching eyes, bright flames raced up the rope with faint crackling sounds. It looked no different from an ordinary rope burning.
The High Shaman's tightly