"He actually dares to go farther into the third layer?" The white-haired man, Lawson, looked astonished. When had another fire-element Saint-level expert this powerful appeared on the continent?
Lawson himself was a Peak Saint-level expert, and his comprehension of the profound mystery of the Fire Body Technique had nearly reached its limit, giving him a slight advantage over others in resisting the scorching sea of fire.
But even he would not be able to last long if he went any farther. More terrifying than the heat was the fact that the flames farther in exerted increasingly dreadful pressure and scorching upon the soul.
Lawson shook his head and sighed, remaining seated cross-legged where he was. He knew full well that Peak Saint-level experts in the past had ventured too deep into the third layer, failed to retreat in time, and been buried forever in this sea of fire.
After fusing the profound mysteries, resisting it really is much easier, but the danger will rise sharply in the third layer. I'll just experience its outer edge. Luo Ao was already satisfied with having successfully begun fusing the two profound mysteries and did not take excessive risks or push too aggressively.
The outer edge of the third layer was already a region of yellow flames. Besides being a level hotter than those before them, the flames here exerted a scorching pressure on the soul that was even more frightening.
To venture farther into this third layer, I'll probably have to comprehend a soul-related profound mystery within the Elemental Laws of Fire. No wonder no one had managed to enter the fourth layer in thirty thousand years.
Luo Ao stayed there for several days, carefully seeking insight, but still failed to comprehend this profound mystery as he had hoped. He simply resumed working through the fusion of the Fire Element and the Fire Body Technique instead.
When fusing two profound mysteries, taking the first step was the most important part. Once that step was taken, further progress would flow as naturally as water through a channel.
However, the worldly elements were sparse in a material plane. Even after successfully taking that first step, it would be very difficult for Luo Ao to work through the fusion of these two profound mysteries to completion.
What's most urgent for me now is actually reaching Deity Level. On the Boya Continent, it was ultimately only Deity Level experts who had a say. Saint-level experts could merely throw their weight around in the secular world.
Most people who wanted to become deities actually followed the same path: comprehending a particular profound mystery of the laws to completion. But Luo Ao knew that fusing these two profound mysteries to a certain degree could also allow him to become a deity.
Doing so also had a potential benefit: at least he would encounter no bottlenecks before becoming a Lowgod.
After all, the only difficult parts of fusing two profound mysteries were the initial breakthrough and final completion. The process in between depended entirely on slow, steady effort.
This spot is just right. I'll stay here. Luo Ao chose a spot at the boundary between the second and third layers, sat down cross-legged again, and continued working through the fusion of the two profound mysteries.
The Fire Element and the Fire Body Technique were both Low-level Profound Mysteries within the Elemental Laws of Fire, and the two were inherently deeply connected. The further Luo Ao progressed in fusing them, the more he could feel that close, inseparable connection between them.
"Roar!" As time passed, all sorts of new manifestations appeared around Luo Ao. He was no longer limited to transforming into an "elemental giant," but instead transformed directly into a blazing lion.
"Hiss! Hiss!" Having transformed into this blazing lion, Luo Ao could tear space apart with a casual swipe of his claws. Its power already surpassed his original attainments in the Edicts of Destruction.
After fusing these profound mysteries, I can attack however I please. Truly marvelous! In the past, Luo Ao's fighting style had been relatively monotonous, relying mainly on the sharp sword in his hand to settle battles.
But now-"Roar!" The head of a flaming tiger actually condensed over Luo Ao's right fist, baring its fangs and biting into the empty space ahead.
Since I comprehended this move on Starflame Mountain, I'll call it the Starflame Fist. While fusing the profound mysteries, Luo Ao instinctively worked out ways to apply the two, and the Starflame Fist was one of them.
"Hmm? The flames went out?" Just as Luo Ao was excitedly testing his new moves, this Flame World, which resembled a hell of lava, actually vanished in an instant, leaving behind only a vast expanse of ruins that had been ravaged by the blazing flames.
As it turned out, three months had passed without his noticing. Although Luo Ao's strength had improved considerably again, he felt he was probably still quite far from becoming a deity. If only this sea of fire could have lasted three years.
Just what does the Goddess of Starflame intend by doing this? Luo Ao could not quite understand. In his view, it was almost impossible for any Saint-level expert to pass this Divine Fire Trial. Perhaps she was simply bestowing an opportunity upon everyone?
"It's over again..."
"Yes. Now that we've missed this opportunity, we'll have to wait another three thousand years. Who knows when I'll finally fathom the mysteries of this sea of fire?"
"You still want to fathom them? If you can grasp even a scrap, you should be laughing up your sleeve!"
With the Divine Fire Trial over, the Saint-level experts who had hurried here left in twos and threes. Apart from a small number who belonged to Starflame Mountain itself, most came from other factions.
"Sir, may I ask your name?" Just as Luo Ao was about to leave as well, a white-haired man in a purple robe suddenly called out to him.
"My name is Luo Ao. What can I do for you?" Luo Ao had also seen this man in the sea of fire earlier. Since he had been able to remain in the second layer throughout, his strength was clearly considerable.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lawson, and I come from the Tarde Empire. I've approached you because I'd like to invite you to do something with me, Luo Ao."
Lawson had originally not wanted to invite any more outsiders, but since Luo Ao could enter the third layer, his strength was presumably among the very best of the Peak Saint-level experts. That was why Lawson had issued this invitation on the spur of the moment.
"What is it?" Luo Ao looked at Lawson with some surprise. This man should also be a Peak Saint-level expert.
"This matter offers benefits, but also carries danger. Mr. Luo Ao, you can consider it carefully before deciding whether to agree." As Lawson spoke, he led Luo Ao over to join another companion. Halfway down the mountain, the three of them finished explaining the matter.
As it turned out, this matter involved a treasure site in the Tarde Empire called the Sacred Spring.
According to Lawson's description, the so-called Sacred Spring was a special spring whose water contained a large amount of miraculous energy.
If ordinary people drank this spring water, it would improve their constitutions and greatly extend their lifespans. Thus, it was also known as the Spring of Agelessness.
If powerful warriors or mages drank it, they would also receive unexpected benefits. It even seemed to help them advance in realm. Of course, this was likewise limited to experts below Saint-level.
After all, beyond Saint-level, progress depended primarily on comprehending the laws. Although this spring water was miraculous, it merely possessed a special kind of energy. At most, it could prolong ordinary people's lives and somewhat improve the constitutions of certain mages and warriors.
"Although this Sacred Spring is of little use to Deity Level experts, it absolutely qualifies as a treasure. That's why the Thunder God and the Dragon God have always taken turns controlling it." A treasure might be wonderful, but one still needed strength to contend for it.
Even if the Sacred Spring was of no use to the two deities, they had descendants and even disciples, so outsiders rarely managed to obtain any of it.
"Every so often, the two deities organize a contest to decide ownership of the Sacred Spring." By the time Lawson reached this point, Luo Ao understood everything.
The Sacred Spring was of little use to the two deities themselves, so they naturally could not possibly fight each other in earnest every time. The so-called contest would surely fall to their descendants or disciples in the end.
Luo Ao, meanwhile, counted as outside help invited by Lawson.