While Chen Nian and his group battled monsters outside, Ye Hongling was undergoing the Flame Inheritance Trial inside.
At that very moment, she let out a piercing scream.
Did this mean she couldn't hold on any longer?
If she truly couldn't endure, it would lead to failure of the inheritance. Not only would she gain no power enhancement, but she would also be barred from ever attempting the inheritance again!
Chen Nian knew that with this woman's stubborn pride, she would never give up.
But if she forced herself to endure, it might lead to an even more extreme outcome...
...turn to ashes!
Reaching the crimson pillar of light, Chen Nian hesitated not a moment before stepping forward.
"Wait! Are you seeking death?!"
"Even Miss Ye couldn't endure it—how could you possibly withstand it?!"
The crowd gasped in horror.
Most harbored gratitude toward Chen Nian, for he had saved them all.
Now, seeing him rush toward certain death, they cried out to stop him.
Yet their shouts failed to halt Chen Nian's stride.
"Where on earth did Miss Ye find this person... He's insane..."
"That crimson pillar is the very core of this space! Inside, it's constantly scorched by flames, with environmental pressures more than double what's outside!"
Chu Xiang finally found an opening to spout his sarcasm.
"Heh, he wants to play the hero and rescue the damsel in distress? Who cares? If he dies, it's just him overestimating his abilities."
"Chu, don't go too far! He saved us!" someone snapped sharply.
"A prodigy like him is a treasure for Dragon Nation, even the entire world! Don't forget, the Blood Moon Calamity is about to descend!"
After being scolded by the crowd, Chu Xiang, his face darkening, reluctantly shut up.
Inside, however, he sneered coldly.
No matter how strong someone is, death renders them useless...
After Chen Nian entered the crimson light pillar, he finally felt an unprecedented burning sensation.
Every inch of his skin felt as if roasted over flames!
He endured only because of the epic-tier equipment he'd obtained earlier—the "Flame-Fire Robe"—whose special properties granted significant resistance to fire damage.
He never imagined it would prove useful here.
At the heart of the crimson world, Chen Nian saw Ye Hongling. The sight before him left him momentarily stunned.
Stunning...
She lay on the ground, her garments torn and tattered, patches of snow-white skin glowing with a rosy flush.
Her wine-red hair spread out around her, radiating a breathtaking beauty!
Too beautiful! The delicate, alluring figure usually hidden beneath her robes now captivated Chen Nian, making it impossible for him to look away...
But now was no time for admiration.
He noticed Ye Hongling's consciousness was likely teetering on the brink of collapse and hurried over to help her up.
As he lifted her, Chen Nian's hand brushed against her back, sending a wave of shock through him...
Her back should have been smooth and delicate, yet now it was charred black, a sight that tore at his heart.
And the culprit was none other than that fiery dragon slithering overhead!
"Hey, Ye Hongling!"
"You... you're here..."
The weakened Ye Hongling opened her eyes and saw Chen Nian holding her. A faint smile touched her lips.
"You care so much about me... does that mean you like me?"
Chen Nian hadn't expected her, even in such a weakened state, to still be teasing him!
"Don't talk."
Just then, the fire dragon circling overhead made its move, charging straight at Chen Nian and Ye Hongling!
Perhaps Ye Hongling had been wounded by it earlier.
The thought filled Chen Nian with an inexplicable irritation, and golden light flared suddenly in his pupils.
Spellword—Judgment Golden Sword.
The fire dragon was cleaved to pieces mid-air!
But it was merely a manifestation within the trial space, capable of infinite rebirth until the trial concluded.
Thus, the fire dragon attacked Chen Nian again and again, only to be severed repeatedly, the cycle endlessly repeating...
Yet due to the unique nature of the Judgment Golden Sword—capable of severing even extreme heat—as long as she remained near Chen Nian, she would not suffer burns from the intense flames.
"I'm dying..."
Ye Hongling's voice was as faint as a dying candle in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment. "Before I go, can I see your face?"
"Your injuries shouldn't be that severe," Chen Nian replied.
"Heartless man, just leave. Leaving means failing the trial. I'd rather die in here!"
This lofty Queen of Flames, speaking before Chen Nian, carried herself like a little woman pouting...
Chen Nian helplessly stated the truth: "I can't keep guarding you here forever."
Using high-risk Word Spirits was extremely draining.
"There's a way... I can pass the trial."
"Speak."
"Like this..."
Just as Chen Nian focused on hearing her words.
Unexpectedly, the supposedly "weak" Ye Hongling suddenly leaned in, pressing her lips against his black mask.
"?!?"
This woman actually tore off his mask with her teeth!
Unbelievable...
With his mask gone, Chen Nian's true face was revealed to Ye Hongling for the first time.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, his lips were sealed by a pair of soft, delicate ones.
"Mmm..."
A pair of slender, jade-like arms wrapped around the back of his neck like snakes.
The girl before him had beautiful, slightly lowered eyes, her long lashes fluttering faintly. Her face was as vibrant and captivating as a blooming rose.
Chen Nian couldn't resist. He simply couldn't.
No man could refuse such a beautiful woman offering herself in a kiss.
After a long moment...
Chen Nian snapped back from the sweet embrace, only to realize he'd been tricked!
Not only had his first kiss been stolen, but his face had been seen too!
Ye Hongling was definitely no pushover. Who'd have thought she'd scheme against him even in this critical moment...
Though her lips were genuinely soft, ahem.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Even though Chen Nian had enjoyed it, he couldn't help but demand an explanation.
Ye Hongling gave a seductive smile and murmured softly, "I forgot to tell you—I recently mastered a new ability. I can convert lust into my own power. This was actually my first time using it."
Chen Nian: ???
"See for yourself~"
Chen Nian watched, stunned.
The burns on her back were healing at a visible pace, restoring her flawless, fair skin...
Damn, she really has this ability?!
Lustful fire is still fire, that's pretty...
A bad feeling suddenly washed over Chen Nian.
"You... what are you trying to do?"
"You kissed me. You have to take responsibility."
"But you're fine now."
"That won't do. I don't know if I can hold out until the end. I need you to stay with me, to keep stoking the flames of desire..."
Chen Nian felt a hand gliding across his chest, sending tingling sensations through him.
"Damn it, you've been playing me from the start?"
"Not at all. I'm not that kind of bad woman. I'm very innocent..."
Ye Hongling pursed her luscious, red lips. "Besides, you kissed me quite passionately just now, didn't you?"
....