"The Divine Fire Trial first appeared about thirty thousand years ago. The trial itself isn't particularly dangerous. Even if we can't pass it, it brings us nothing but benefits." The burly man with lionlike red hair was named Babus. Only after his explanation did Luo Ao understand what made this trial special.
The so-called "Divine Fire Trial" was indeed nothing more than a test, and its method was simple: all one needed to do was pass through a sea of wondrous fire.
Roughly every three thousand years, the Goddess of Starflame would ignite this sea of fire in Starfire Gorge, and each time, it would burn for about three months.
Anyone who crossed this sea of fire within those three months would be considered to have passed the trial. Once the three months were up, the sea of fire would instantly go out.
Yet, counting this occasion, the trial had now been held ten times, and not a single person had passed it. Even those who had truly seen the scenery deep within the sea of fire were few.
The Divine Fire Trial itself truly posed no great danger. Even if one could not pass it, merely entering the outer region to observe and experience the wonders of this "Divine Fire Sea" up close was an immense opportunity for experts cultivating the Elemental Laws of Fire.
Naturally, every opening of the trial drew numerous Saint-level experts.
Passing the various small beasts and plants along the way, Luo Ao followed the contours of the mountain and flew all the way to the summit of Starflame Mountain.
An entirely different sight awaited him at the summit. The first things that caught his eye were towering palaces. In the square directly before them stood a statue of an exquisitely beautiful goddess, presumably the Goddess of Starflame.
Many guards and attendants were also waiting in the square. Whenever they saw someone arrive, they would guide them toward the trial grounds while explaining some precautions.
"Sir, please follow me. Starfire Gorge is to the north." In truth, even without the white-robed young man saying so, Luo Ao had sensed that powerful flame energy from far away. Still, with no one having passed this trial in thirty thousand years, it certainly could not be as simple as he had imagined.
"Mr. Luo Ao, what we currently know about this Divine Fire Sea is limited to its first three regions. In the first region, the flames are red. Their temperature is so high that anyone who isn't a Saint-level expert who has comprehended the profound mysteries of the Elemental Laws of Fire would probably struggle to pass even this first region."
The white-robed attendant introduced himself as Warner and began explaining the peculiarities of the Divine Fire Sea to Luo Ao in detail.
The Divine Fire Sea lived up to its name: a vast sea of fire stretching for hundreds of li. Even in the outermost red-flame region, the terrifying heat was beyond what an ordinary Saint-level expert could withstand. One needed at least the most elementary understanding of the Elemental Laws of Fire to remain in this region for long.
In the second region, the burning flames gradually turned orange, and the temperature of the flames in this orange region was even more terrifying.
Remaining in this region for long required meeting two conditions simultaneously. First, one naturally had to comprehend a profound mystery of the Elemental Laws of Fire. Second, that comprehension had to be sufficiently deep. Generally, only Peak Saint-level experts could remain here safely.
In the third region, the flames had already transformed to yellow, and the dangers were even more astonishing. Even Peak Saint-level experts dared not linger, or their lives would reportedly be at risk.
No one knew what the flame regions beyond the third were like, but the generally accepted view was that anyone who reached the fourth region could probably become a god immediately.
"Thank you for guiding me, Mr. Warner."
Following Warner, Luo Ao soon reached the northern part of Starflame Mountain's summit. Directly below lay an enormous abyssal gorge.
It looked as though an ancient god had cleaved the mountain apart, creating an exceptionally broad canyon. At a glance, Luo Ao saw the magnificent, roaring flames blanketing the valley.
Just as Warner had described, the outermost flames were red. Through this layer of flames, Luo Ao could faintly make out many Saint-level experts cultivating within.
Of course, quite a few Saint-level experts who had yet to comprehend any profound mysteries of the Elemental Laws of Fire were lingering outside the red-flame region.
"These flames..." Luo Ao's eyes lit up, and he instantly charged into the red-flame region.
Hiss, hiss... The merciless flames instantly coiled around Luo Ao, turning him into a figure of fire. Fortunately, Luo Ao had already comprehended the profound mystery of the Fire Element, and these weakest red flames remained within his tolerance.
"I'll take a look at the second region." Luo Ao proceeded through the second region with extreme caution. According to Warner, the moment one could no longer withstand the power of the flames in this sea of fire, one's entire body would silently be swallowed by the flames and disappear, without even a chance to scream.
Clearly, the flames here were not as simple as merely growing hotter the farther one went.
"The power of these orange flames is actually this terrifying." Coming into direct contact with the dreadful orange flames of the second region, he could now sense their peculiar nature. These flames possessed a terrifying, heart-quaking power.
"This man looks unfamiliar. Is he another Peak Saint-level expert?" Several body lengths behind Luo Ao, the white-haired man Lawson was somewhat astonished that Luo Ao could still continue forward.
Even within the same second region, the pressure endured at its edge and at its core was naturally entirely different.
"These flames can actually oppress and burn away a person's soul. No wonder anyone who can't withstand them dies without a sound." Even with the Myriad Worlds Pearl constantly stabilizing his soul, Luo Ao had already experienced this pressure firsthand.
The Elemental Laws of Fire did indeed contain a terrifying profound mystery specializing in Soul Attacks. He simply did not know how the Goddess of Starflame had managed to incorporate such power into this sea of fire.
"Staying here will definitely increase my cultivation speed a hundredfold. It's a pity it only lasts three months." Luo Ao did not grit his teeth and force his way toward the next region. Instead, he sat down cross-legged where he was and began slowly comprehending the Elemental Laws of Fire.
The scorching flames roasted Luo Ao like a hell of molten lava, but a considerable flame power was also emerging over the surface of his body.
"The Fire Element should evolve like this..." With his eyes closed, Luo Ao's mind had already become completely immersed in the endless world of flames around him.
What he began comprehending was still the most fundamental profound mystery of the Fire Element.
Hiss, hiss. At first, a layer of flame armor burned over Luo Ao's body. As time passed, however, an elemental giant blazing with roaring flames suddenly appeared before him.
At first, this fire elemental giant was quite indistinct and transparent, existing in an illusory state. Soon, however, it slowly began to solidify. Even its limbs and facial features grew increasingly clear and lifelike.
After this continued for over a month, a sudden spark of inspiration flashed through Luo Ao's mind. Instinctively, he controlled the fire elemental giant, slowly merging it with himself.
"Merge!" Under his strenuous control, the gradually solidifying fire elemental giant slowly fused with Luo Ao himself.
From then on, Luo Ao's eyes were the elemental giant's eyes, and his body was the fire elemental giant's body.
Abruptly, Luo Ao opened his eyes, and a burst of terrifying golden flames shot from them. At the same time, the imposing fire elemental giant, which resembled a deity, opened its eyes in unison.
As his eyes opened and closed, two mysterious golden flames flickered within them, seemingly harboring an astonishing power.
Silently.
The fire elemental giant suddenly took on the posture of shouting, as though letting out a furious roar. The flames already burning over its body surged even more fiercely.
"Is this the power of fusing profound mysteries?" Luo Ao could sense his current state with great clarity. He now felt as though he could command this fire elemental giant, and even a casual punch or kick could unleash tremendous power.
Hum...
Scorching heat spread outward in every direction with Luo Ao at its center. For an instant, it even overwhelmed the orange flames burning continuously around him.
Yet, in the very next instant, the boundless orange sea of fire engulfed him again. This time, however, he was no longer under the tremendous pressure he had felt moments before.
"I've successfully gained an initial grasp of the profound mystery of the Fire Body Technique, and the moment I did, it began fusing with the profound mystery of the Fire Element. This Divine Fire Trial truly is a great opportunity." Luo Ao quietly contemplated the profound mysteries he had just comprehended, joy welling in his heart.