Ah Jun, always quite cautious, viewing such a dangerous place naturally felt somewhat concerned. Thus quite naturally he asked... but asking was pointless, as what he received in return was still the Empress's stern gaze and extremely brief answer.
—The Empress, the way she looks at me is so frightening, is it because I was late? No wait... is it because of the little princess's complaints about me that she harbors ill will toward me... that's not right either, she seems to treat her own daughter the same way. Ah, Xiao Xi's words weren't false, she really does seem difficult to get along with.
At this moment, the bewildered Ah Jun could only helplessly bid farewell to his companions, then mustering his courage, began the final trial.
He muttered quietly to himself while carefully crossing the single-log bridge—this was indeed no ordinary lake, what flowed and churned was actually lava, no wonder it was so hot, the warmth outside the palace apparently originated from here.
However, the bridge lacking guardrails kept Ah Jun's heart in continued turmoil, plus the height difference between bridge and lake surface and the churning lava brought tremendous psychological pressure to the child.
But at this moment, he had to keep advancing, couldn't retreat. Thus the child could only inch forward step by step—however, to outside observers, this behavior truly seemed quite strange—how could someone be so timid... sigh, how did someone like him steal that first place? Even crossing a bridge he's trembling with fear, to think I actually took him seriously!
"Hmph, I told you, looking at him like that, he'll probably flee back in a moment!"
"Hey, don't underestimate Ah Jun, he's far braver than you imagine, if it weren't because..."
"Shh!"
Xiao Xi's words weren't wrong, as he understood Ah Jun best here—naturally, what followed, the boy's performance also rendered the little princess's mockery completely futile. He was gradually familiarizing himself with the environment, his footsteps accordingly accelerating, his inner state stabilizing considerably.
—Steady now, I can do this!
"Hmph! It's just one bridge, what's there to be proud of—you watch, next he's definitely going to run!"
Finally, after crossing the single-log bridge, Ah Jun's heart gradually relaxed, though he didn't know what challenges lay ahead, at least he'd given himself some encouragement.
However, at this moment Xiao Xi was already cheering excitedly, and even Ning'er smiled giving Ah Jun spiritual support... yet what followed, their efforts were once again countered by the fist-clenching little princess.
Of course, the girl wasn't wrong, as the Vermillion Bird Region's trial was indeed the most stringent, and this had only just begun. Next, the Empress with focused concentration stared at the lake's heart, the phoenix mark on her forehead beginning to flash with lava-like colors, extremely dazzling.
Soon, the lava column where Ah Jun stood began gradually descending—thus this pitiful child also gradually sank below everyone's sight into the lava-filled lake bottom.
—Ah? What should I do now... so hot, getting hotter and hotter, feels like being in a sauna, will I be cooked?
"Ah Jun!!"
"Hmph, the good show's starting..."
To better monitor the trial's progress, everyone else quickly came to the lakeshore, heads bowed staring into the valley floor, each with their own thoughts—Xiao Xi and Ning'er mainly worried about Ah Jun's safety. While the little princess wore an expression of schadenfreude anticipation. As for the Empress, after initiating the trial program, she maintained her stern expression, those crimson eyes still fiercely fixed on Ah Jun, her fists already slightly clenched.
—Was this hostility, concern? Or tension... mm! She must be worried that if Ah Jun, an outsider, truly passed the Changsun Clan's assessment, then her own daughter, also a candidate for next clan chief, where would she put her face!
Or perhaps, possibly worried this brat might get injured during the trial? After all, this terrifying lava wasn't molten liquid metal, much less cool lake water. Moreover, this child's trial was specially entrusted by the Azure Dragon Region's chieftain—if anything went wrong, Alliance conflicts might deepen.
—Of course, there was one more crucial factor, as this child was the Child of Destiny, his importance needless to elaborate, so concern wasn't impossible. However, among this group, few knew the truth.
Suddenly, just as Xiao Xi and the princess each spoke their piece, at the lake bottom, the lava unexpectedly churned upward continuously, gradually flowing around Ah Jun's surroundings, splashing about threateningly, truly quite frightening—while Ah Jun as the trial participant at this moment had nowhere to hide, could only close his eyes, standing motionless, heart holding onto hope.
—What was this behavior called? Could only be self-deception, wishful thinking, what was there to expect, as the child currently had no ability to deal with this.
Fortunately however, these lava surges looked terrifying but actually seemed to be toying with the child, apparently only meant to frighten him. After a while, the unscathed Ah Jun, sensing safety, thus opened one eye, investigating.
He discovered that though those lava waves circled back and forth around him, looking at them, they showed no aggressive intent whatsoever. At this moment, Ah Jun finally perceived the danger's falseness...
Thus after the child completely calmed down, those waves began accelerating their circling around him, growing increasingly dense, gradually surrounding him, blocking everyone's sight.
And Ah Jun within, at this moment, once again felt confusion and fear. Now he'd completely lost all spiritual support and companionship from friends, even the little princess's hostility—temperature continued rising, Ah Jun in this lava-formed cocoon, unable to break through, not daring to break through, the extremely hot isolation environment causing his inner state to grow anxious and unsettled.
"A calm heart naturally cools!"
Suddenly, a distant hint of guidance gave this pitiful child new direction—it was the Empress—seemed this lady showed some consideration after all.
Thus Ah Jun followed martial theory's procedures, attempting to prepare for meditative trance, beginning to cultivate his mind in this harsh environment. But what he didn't know was this was merely the trial's process, that well-meaning Empress only did what she should do, showing no particular goodwill—while at this moment, the little princess's sword had already come to her hand, and was even flashing golden light.
—That was the Imperial Sword·Xuanyuan!
Mm... this was the Xuanyuan Sword, the Changsun Clan's divine artifact, the advanced form of the treasured blade Heaven-Leaning Sword. Reportedly, one recognized by the Imperial Sword could be viewed as a candidate for next clan chieftain.
And this was precisely the little princess's goal she'd constantly striven for since childhood. Though currently premature, as the Changsun family's legitimate eldest daughter, traditionally speaking, she was absolutely the first candidate for next clan chief—except that because this little princess had yet to pass all trials, the matter remained far from settled.
Therefore, her mother, the Empress, probably because of this, treated her extremely strictly, even with a sense of disappointment at her failure to meet expectations—this reason might also be why the girl viewed Ah Jun, who wanted to pass the trial, quite unfavorably.
The Empress's hand gradually gripped the Xuanyuan Sword tightly, her eyes also began gazing into the distance. Golden sword energy rose and fell around her in response, that radiance growing ever more dazzling. Looking at it gave the strong impression of impending battle—what was this lady trying to do?
Meanwhile Ah Jun, through the lava's cracks, glimpsed all this—he began not understanding, then simply stopped trying. Next, he started closing his eyes to rest.
The lava continued spreading, finally under everyone's attention completely trapping Ah Jun within without any opening. This made Xiao Xi so anxious his eyes flew open wide, plus that admonishment from mother kept echoing in his little head. Thus he sharply glanced at the Empress, then signaled his uncle, and exchanged looks with Ning'er.
Though Ning'er shared Xiao Xi's worry, she proved far more rational and mature—the girl used her eyes to hint: don't be anxious, trust Ah Jun, staying calm is the best support we can give him.
—Mm, exactly!
Ning'er's thinking made great sense, because currently, no one else could help at all, so fretting anxiously served no purpose. Moreover, regarding Ah Jun, Ning'er remained confident, based on insights gained from that previous trial.
Thus Xiao Xi also under Ning'er's consolation gradually eased his emotions.
"Brother Lü, you watch, in a moment that brat definitely won't withstand it!"
"Mm... but don't underestimate him!"
Of course, the little princess wouldn't worry because of this, instead growing more and more expectant of Ah Jun's collapse. At this moment, she turned her head, confidently predicting—however, standing to the side, Yuwen Lü, who'd encountered Ah Jun, still understood that person wasn't simple.
—Look, that extraordinary boy was about to disappoint the little princess again!
Because no one would fully know that at this moment, though Ah Jun was trapped in this lava cocoon, he'd already adapted to that extreme place...
—As expected, it works!
Just after a while, the perspiring Ah Jun suddenly felt himself becoming less swelteringly hot, his heart also beginning to cool. And that lava's heat also seemed transformed into warm light illuminating him, bathing in it, his entire body and mind comfortable—additionally, there was something even he himself didn't know: hidden on that small forehead, the Phoenix Mark had already begun quietly blooming.
"Break!"
Not long after, just as the audience waited with anticipation yet saw no movement, while that little princess felt smug and self-satisfied... everyone saw this Empress with sharp eyes and somewhat awkward expression suddenly raise her sword, then slash...
—What are you doing, opening a blind box?
This nearly scared even Xiao Xi's liver into trembling, almost wanting to rush forward to block the sword—fortunately Ning'er reacted cleverly, stopping the little fatty with one look.
—Mother Empress, you're playing favorites!
On the other side, the little princess who knew more details at this moment already had furrowed brows, her heart extremely chaotic—this sword looked dangerous, but was actually the first layer trial's judgment, and only when success was imminent would her mother do this! Of course, there was another possibility...
—But how could that brat possibly... mm! No! But why would my mother do this, is she helping him, then... why not help me? That time, I persisted for so long, yet she never passed judgment, he's only been this brief! Why... must you be so strict with me!
However, the girl's speculation lacked correct basis. In reality, Ah Jun truly succeeded, the Empress showed no favoritism whatsoever, nor would she do so!
At this moment, everyone saw that lava cocoon, like a butterfly about to emerge, break open, that steaming residual waves continuing to circle around—while at this moment Ah Jun, as though held aloft by air currents, floated suspended in mid-air, body stretched out, seemingly still in slumber state, yet the mark on his forehead already flashed with abnormally dazzling light, silver as base, under lava light's illumination faintly reflecting crimson and gold luster.
"Wahoo, Ah Jun, he succeeded!"
"Hmph, don't celebrate too early—just luck!"
"Mother Empress... Father Emperor!"
Of course, such a joyful scene didn't have everyone as excited as Xiao Xi—the little princess was practically fuming... she stamped her foot, calling out once, yet was again frightened into swallowing her words by the Empress's glare, having no choice but to seek help from her father.
And what grieved her most was that her usually doting father now clapped and laughed at that brat, completely disregarding his own child.
"Oh my, I told you, this child can definitely do it—ha, you cheer up too, don't always wear such a stern face... alright alright, I'll stop!"
"Brother Lü..."
Consecutive blows made this expectant girl unable to bear the inner loss—crystalline tears sparkled in her eye sockets. Fortunately, at this moment, beside the girl stood someone who would patiently accompany her—namely that childhood companion the little princess viewed as an elder brother.
Though this person had been determined by someone as cold-blooded, and looking at him he probably wouldn't say sweet words, speaking very little, Yuwen Lü was the girl's most reliable warm haven she'd relied on from childhood to adulthood.
At this moment, Yuwen Lü with a rare smile looked at the girl beside him, that manner intimate and warm—she felt this was far better than her own parents. Subsequently, under Brother Lü's care, the girl gradually recovered her confidence.
—Mm... it's just the first stage, I've passed it before, let's see how you fail at the second stage, hmph!
Thus after a while, the little princess once again rallied, confidently facing Ah Jun, heart anticipating—because she was about to witness his embarrassing failure!
—What I couldn't pass, you absolutely have no chance!
At this moment, Ah Jun had already under the girl's attention gradually awakened—carried by air currents, he slowly landed, standing steadily. Then those undulating crimson-gold lava waves began rapidly drilling into that Phoenix Mark, continuously absorbed and fused. And that forehead's radiance grew ever more dazzling, like raising display brightness from 100 nits to 1000 nits, nearly blinding everyone's eyes.
Under Xiao Xi's shouting, Ning'er's attention, and the little princess's anticipation, the boy's eyes suddenly flew open wide, instantly carrying an intense wave that burst from within his half-crippled body, exploding outward in all directions—while at this moment, those eyes had become incomparably confident and resolute, more carrying clear transparent brilliance, still continuously revealing crimson and gold, that power originating from molten rock...
"I did it..."
Subsequently, he began slowly looking toward the distant crowd, seeing Xiao Xi's shouting appearance, probably the best proof—mm, seems I really did it... oh wait, I can't relax yet, because there's still the second layer...
Ah Jun lowered his head for a glance, clenching both fists to test, feeling the surging of power within, simply having a sense of cocoon-breaking rebirth transformation—that true qi's growth, and resonance with talent, had already reached new heights, states previously never experienced nor imaginable.
At this moment, he'd also sensed that the sacred mark belonging to guardians, the Phoenix Mark, had completely awakened—the yintang point at the center of his forehead faintly ached, connecting with that dantian's talent, continuously responding... true qi abundant, meridian pathways smooth...
—Mm, feeling energized! Ready to accept the next project.
Simultaneously, that Empress far away at the lakeshore, her eyes also became even sharper. She withdrew the Xuanyuan Sword, waving one hand with slight trembling—apparently, Ah Jun's success not only shattered the little princess's psychological defense, but also shocked this proud lady's heart.
Subsequently, that lava lake surface began rising, also lifting the platform where Ah Jun stood to ground level—at this moment, the child finally escaped that terrible lake bottom, also letting those who cared for him completely relax.
"Ah Jun!"
"Stop!"
—So now, time to cheer? No no no, after all, that's only from outsiders' perspective...
Xiao Xi's short legs moved, cheerfully rushing toward Ah Jun, but was immediately blocked by an irrefutable command.
—Because at this moment, the new trial had begun!
Time and space rapidly transformed... the brilliant daytime instantly became moonlit night under stars, the empty ground suddenly surging with mountains rivers lakes seas, densely forested. Under the red moon's illumination, this moment, everything appeared extraordinarily quiet and mysterious. Of course, one objective existence still retained its original appearance.
—Mm, not bad.
Speaking of, precisely those flocks of birds frolicking in the sky. They suddenly formed teams and groups, gathering into sword-edge-like formation charging over, directly facing Ah Jun.
—Uh! This is the next project... where am I, what should I do?
Though having undergone multiple assessments, those all had clear instructions, yet this Vermillion Bird Region's trial from the start left Ah Jun utterly confused, and the current situation caused an inexplicable sense of helplessness even more.
Subsequently, his heart again grew anxious—this stage should be the last one, if I complete it, should mean complete success... thinking I've persisted this long, absolutely cannot drop the ball here, otherwise how do I face those who care about me... mm, I definitely can! But like this, what should I do next?
—Oh right, before the key was stillness...
So following the same logic, as long as maintaining a calm heart, then patiently awaiting opportunity, carefully investigating, there would be clues? Through self-reasoning, the child immediately made what he considered a very wise decision.
He began gradually relaxing body and mind, quietly waiting, using both eyes to carefully observe everything around him, the bird flock naturally being the primary object. At this moment, that lady far away fiercely staring at Ah Jun suddenly stopped the action she'd originally planned to do next—seemed she had no intention of giving hints again.
So she should, indeed, probably wanted to severely make things difficult for this child, after all, even her own daughter couldn't complete this difficult problem, how could she let this outsider pass...
Otherwise, the imperial family and clan's face, daughter's self-esteem, Alliance Lord Changsun Clan trial's authority, Vermillion Bird Region's status and so on... wouldn't they all be overturned by this brat!
Next, the Empress again glanced at her disappointing daughter, that child still anticipating Ah Jun's failure, appearing somewhat angry at her lack of ambition—momentarily, she once more fixed her gaze on that overreaching child, consistently maintaining an extremely serious earnest appearance, monitoring movements.
"Duck quickly... Ah Jun!"
Suddenly, at Xiao Xi's loud reminder, the birds began accelerating, diving toward the lake's heart—yet Ah Jun still stood there motionless in a daze... this danger approaching also made Xiao Xi and Ning'er anxiously worried.
But fortunately, that bird flock at less than 10 meters from Ah Jun in midair suddenly made a sharp turn, completing a parabolic curve, returning to high altitude again.
—Phew, that was close... but what's going on, toying with us?
This was Xiao Xi's thought. As for the seemingly unperturbed Ah Jun, he'd discovered a clue—these birds' appearance resembled sparrows greatly, and they all looked about the same size, small-bodied, crimson colored but various hues, though these had rounder physiques, after all palace nourishment was quite good.
—Those were sparrow birds!