The 100-day period is neither long nor short; it is enough for everyone to make ample preparations, and it also brings a clear sense of urgency.
Kong Xuan's gaze slowly swept over the various expressions on the faces of the crowd. He spoke in a deep voice, "Although your assessment has a 100-day limit, there's no need to be overly impatient."
"The assessment content is difficult, and it cannot be accomplished overnight. In the early stages, you can try many things to familiarize yourself with the rules and hone the necessary skills."
"It's not too late to complete the final assessment and verification when the hundred-day period is almost over and all preparations are complete."
In his judgment, apart from Kong Ling's Heart Fire Soul Tempering directly facing the origin of the laws, the trials of the others, though difficult, were generally still within the range of trial and error. As long as they were well-prepared and acted cautiously, they would at least not be in danger of losing their lives.
Finally, his gaze returned to his sister.
A thousand words choked in his throat—worries, instructions, encouragement... In the end, they all turned into a complex and profound look in his eyes, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
He knew that from now on, she would have to face the flames that would consume everything alone; no one could take her place.
Kong Ling met her brother's gaze, a clear and warm smile spreading across her face.
Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable firmness. "Brother, you really don't need to worry about me."
"But you have more important things to do. The New World... is waiting for you."
Kong Xuan's voyage was indeed not only for the inheritance of the Fire God; traveling to the New World was also part of his plan.
Upon hearing this, Kong Xuan slowly nodded, and finally gave his sister a deep look.
"Good."
"Then you can stay here and focus on the assessment. I'll be back as soon as I'm done with my work."
Having said that, he turned to the burning Primordial Kindling Fire and solemnly bowed to the Fire God beside him. "Senior, I entrust the matter of my younger sister and these friends' assessment to you."
The God of Fire God's expression remained unchanged, his clear voice still carrying a strong sense of contrast. " The Divine Examination has its own rules; whether one passes depends entirely on their own destiny and will."
"Even if I were the Fire God, I cannot interfere out of personal favoritism."
These words caused a collective unease among the crowd, but then he subtly changed the subject. "However..."
"Considering that you ultimately came with Evelyn's token, and since she has entrusted you with something, I will make some exceptions within the bounds of the rules."
Upon hearing this, everyone's tense expressions visibly relaxed.
With the Fire God's promise, they at least felt more confident when undertaking those dangerous trials.
Kong Xuan cupped his hands again, saying, "Thank you, senior."
He knew that this was the greatest kindness this uniquely temperamental Fire God could offer.
Finally, his gaze swept over the crowd, and he said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, take care. I hope you all achieve something within the hundred-day period."
Immediately, Kong Xuan's gaze fell on Gu Yuena, who had been standing quietly to the side the whole time.
Without needing to say anything more, he simply called out, " Na'er, let's go."
Gu Yuena nodded slightly, her silver hair shimmering in the hazy red light, and followed Kong Xuan's footsteps.
Once again passing through the magma layer at the bottom of the volcano, Kong Xuan and Gu Yuena transformed into two streaks of light, shooting out of the crater and finding themselves once more amidst the vast sea and sky.
Below, Fire God Mountain still stands silently, radiating invisible heat waves.
The Voyager remained quietly anchored in safe waters several miles away, its deep blue hull reflecting a cold, hard luster in the Yangguang.
The two floated back onto the deck. Captain Luo Yuan's gaze swept quickly over Kong Xuan and Gu Yuena, then looked at the sea and the silent volcano behind them, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
He didn't ask a single question, but simply nodded calmly, confirming their safe return.
A trace of worry still flickered in Kong Xuan's eyes, which finally turned into a sigh.
But he quickly regained his composure, turned to Luo Yuan beside him, and said, "Senior Luo, now that this matter is settled, proceed as planned, change course, destination—the New World."
Luo Yuan was not surprised by this, as the final destination had already been determined when he accepted the commission for this voyage.
He nodded decisively, then turned and strode back to the control room.
A moment later, the deep and powerful roar of the soul-guided engine changed rhythm, and the massive hull of the Voyager began to slowly turn, cleaving the calm sea and drawing a beautiful arc.
The bow of the ship was no longer pointing towards the mysterious Fire God Mountain, but rather towards the northwest.
The massive metal hull cut through the waves, leaving a long, gradually spreading white contrail on the sea.
Fire God Mountain Hospital gradually became a blurry dot on the horizon, eventually disappearing completely at the boundary between the blue sky and the horizon.
According to Captain Luo Yuan's estimation based on nautical charts and experience, even if everything goes smoothly, it will take nearly two and a half months to reach that new continent.
This means that when Kong Ling completes the First Trial of the Fire God Inheritance, he cannot return to Fire God Mountain.
Despite having absolute faith in his sister, the instinctive worry stemming from blood ties still surged uncontrollably within him.
The sky had darkened sometime earlier, with leaden-gray clouds hanging low above the sea, seemingly within reach.
The sea breeze lost its previous gentleness, becoming violent and swift, howling and whipping up cold, salty, and damp moisture that lashed against the ship's hull.
Kong Xuan stood alone by the railing, letting the strong wind blow his black hair in disarray, his clothes clinging to his body and fluttering in the wind.
He gripped the cold metal railing with both hands, his gaze seemingly unfocused, staring blankly into the distance, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
Fine rain began to fall, mixed with the gale, wetting his shoulders, but he was completely unaware.
Just then, a figure walked slowly to his side against the wind.
Gu Yuena reached out and gently tucked her silver hair, which was being blown wildly by the wind, behind her ear, revealing her beautifully sculpted profile and her deep purple eyes.
She didn't look at Kong Xuan, but instead gazed at the distant, gloomy sea and sky. Her clear, cold voice pierced through the sounds of wind and rain, reaching Kong Xuan's ears distinctly.
"I didn't want to come on this voyage."
"It was you, with an unusually firm attitude, who insisted that I come along."
She turned her head slightly, her purple pupils reflecting Kong Xuan's silent profile, and couldn't help but ask the question that had been lingering in her heart all the way.
"You always plan carefully before acting, and you don't do anything unnecessary."
"Their insistence on bringing me along must be directly related to the new continent we are about to visit."
Gu Yuena's words brought Kong Xuan back to his senses. He slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on her face, which was always exquisitely beautiful, as if sculpted from ice and snow, and meeting her deep, mysterious purple eyes.
"Good."
Kong Xuan nodded. They were about to reach that continent, and there was no need to keep some secrets hidden any longer.
Meeting Gu Yuena's gaze, Kong Xuan cut to the chase and said directly, "Based on the information I have, that new continent is connected to and hides an independent small world, which I call..."
He paused, then uttered two words clearly, one by one.
" Dragon Valley!"