Hearing this, Elder Zhen nodded. Looking toward the Nine Nether Fire Sea, he said, "I wonder how many layers that kid can enter."

"The Nine Nether Fire Sea has nine layers in total. With our strength, we can only reach the eighth layer. It would be good if he can make it to the second layer," Elder Huo analyzed.

Elder Zhen had no objections. "A new student reaching the second layer shows some talent. If he can stay there for a full two hours, he has the potential to cultivate Array-Martial Arts. Since we are idle anyway, why don't we wait here?"

"Alright. A few days ago, Cangshan sent over some fine tea. Let's have a drink, old friend," Elder Huo said with a laugh.

"How can we have tea without a game of chess? This is the board from earlier; let's continue." Elder Zhen chuckled. The unfinished chessboard, along with the table and chairs, appeared exactly as they had been.

Elder Huo's eyes instantly widened. He said indignantly, "Old Zhen, aren't you a bit too shameless? Didn't we agree this game was a draw?"

"We are in no rush anyway. Let us play slowly..." Elder Zhen invited with a smile.

Elder Huo looked at his Array Momentum, which had already been routed into a complete mess, and helplessly raised a chess piece...

As soon as Tang Yan entered the first layer, he instantly felt the surrounding temperature rise. At this moment, the True Qi within his body became exceptionally active, as if injected with vast amounts of nourishment.

This furnace-like space was incredibly comfortable to Tang Yan.

He carefully surveyed his surroundings, noting that everything was shrouded in a red glow.

The area of this level was much larger than it appeared from the outside. Each section had a partition, and at a glance, six or seven hundred cultivation spots were neatly arranged.

It was still daytime, and the several hundred spots were almost entirely occupied.

At the deepest part of the first layer lay an underground entrance. According to the introduction of the Nine Nether Fire Sea, that was the pathway to the second layer.

Whoosh!

Just as Tang Yan was about to step into the central training area, a dense red light suddenly erupted from around the seats, filling the air. The cultivating students struggled, using their True Qi to resist the waves of fire.

Those who could not hold on were instantly scorched, their faces turning a charred black.

"Using the flames to temper the meridians, soul, and power yields phenomenal cultivation results. However, failing to endure will cause considerable backlash. Without absolute certainty, it is best not to force it."

After a brief moment of thought, Tang Yan quickly found an empty spot, sat cross-legged, and prepared to experience the tempering process.

The moment he truly stepped into the tempering zone, the temperature doubled.

Casting aside all distracting thoughts, Tang Yan calmed his mind and began to cultivate.

Whoosh!

Another flash of red light swept past, completely enveloping the bodies of the students.

The surrounding heat surged several times over. Even though Tang Yan possessed the Heaven and Earth Creation Flame, he dared not underestimate this wave of scorching heat.

As he adjusted his True Qi to resist the heat wave, a gentle, nourishing sensation suddenly emanated from his chaotic space. It was like a single drop of rain falling onto parched earth. Though extremely faint, it undeniably moistened a small patch of ground.

"After gradually fusing True Qi with the Heaven and Earth Creation Flame, I can actually absorb fire-attributed Spiritual Qi at a faster rate. This will greatly accelerate my cultivation speed. If I push myself these next few days, another breakthrough isn't impossible!" Tang Yan silently deduced.

After enduring several cycles of flame tempering, Tang Yan ceased his cultivation, stood up, and walked toward the second layer.

His departure caught the attention of some nearby students. When they noticed his strength was merely at the Seventh Grade of the Black Rank, a hint of contempt flashed through their eyes.

A Seventh Grade Black Rank wants to enter the second layer? He will probably be running back in half a quarter of an hour.

"Oh? That fellow actually entered the second layer. Did he adapt to the first layer that quickly?" The two elders were currently playing chess, and the bronze mirror beside their table displayed the situation on the first layer.

Elder Huo watched as Tang Yan prepared to step into the second layer. With a wave of his sleeve, the image of the first layer within the bronze mirror instantly shifted to another scene.

Tang Yan's figure gradually appeared within the mirror.

"After all, he can fight against a Ninth Grade with only Seventh Grade Black Rank strength. This little guy must hold quite a few secrets; he cannot be judged by common sense. Let us observe him a bit more. I just wonder if he can last two hours." Elder Huo smiled and gently placed a chess piece.

Upon entering the second layer, the air inside was far more violent than the first.

The layout of the surroundings was largely the same as the first layer, but the area was twice as large, and the number of cultivation seats reached a full thousand.

This setup likely meant that the number of students who could endure the second layer was significantly higher than the first.

The surroundings were filled with an intense, fiery aura. Tang Yan found an empty seat, sat down, and immediately circulated the Supreme Alchemy Scripture.

This environment was perfectly suited for his cultivation. If Tang Yan's meridians were a river, then the intense ambient flames were countless small streams, constantly pouring their waters into him.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three consecutive pillars of flame shot into the sky, completely enveloping Tang Yan.

The True Qi within his body circulated rapidly, forming a protective layer over his skin to resist the scorching heat. After the flames receded, the residual fire Spiritual Qi transformed into cultivation nourishment, gathering within his meridians.

The flames of the second layer brought tremendous pressure upon a Seventh Grade Black Rank martial artist.

Yet, before Tang Yan-who had mastered the Heaven and Earth Creation Flame-this level of scorching heat could not inflict any harm.

Furthermore, every time the torment faded, it was followed by the soothing sensation of growing strength.

Half an hour gradually passed. The people on the first layer who were originally waiting for Tang Yan to flee back down began to show expressions of shock.

That kid... he didn't die in there, did he?

Ignorant of their thoughts, Tang Yan greedily converted the flame energy into his own Spiritual Qi. Before long, his Dantian felt incredibly full.

Time ticked away, minute by minute. Two full hours finally passed amidst his continuous cultivation.

Tang Yan opened his eyes, his gaze landing upon the entrance to the third layer.

"That little guy is leaving." Elder Zhen had been watching Tang Yan the entire time. Seeing the youth stand up, he smiled. "To be able to endure inside for two hours is indeed quite good."

"Staying in the second layer for two hours at the Seventh Grade of the Black Rank... his aptitude is decent. If he could have stayed for three hours, that would be even better." A slight hint of regret flickered in Elder Huo's eyes.

"Three hours? That would mark him as a Peerless genius, wouldn't it?" Elder Zhen shook his head. "How could such a monster be encountered so easily?"

"Ah, true... Huh?" Elder Huo stared at the thin figure, his eyes gradually going wide!

Seeing his old friend's astonished expression, Elder Zhen's gaze shifted back to the bronze mirror. His expression quickly mirrored Elder Huo's-his mouth slowly opening wide, his face filled with shock.

"This... this kid is going to the third layer?" Elder Zhen said in shock.

"It looks like it." Elder Huo forced a calm expression, but his trembling body betrayed his inner excitement. "Of course, it's also possible that he can no longer hold on and just wants to take a glance at the third layer before coming down."

"If this kid can stay in the third layer for a quarter of an hour, regardless of his character, I will take him as my closed-door disciple." Elder Zhen's eyes sparkled. In the face of absolute talent, things like moral character suddenly seemed far less important.

"Let us observe him carefully first."

The two elders abandoned their chess game altogether. Sitting up straight, they stared at the bronze mirror, watching Tang Yan's every move.