Lu Fan felt a bit helpless. Since the elder Hongmeng had said so, he had nothing to fear. He directly leaped into the sea of fire. Upon entering, Lu Fan quickly regulated his spiritual energy to protect his body, as this was no ordinary flame.
"The torch has nine layers. With each layer entered, the flame's power increases by one point," the elder Hongmeng said. "You have cultivated the Xuanlei Jue, and with your current strength, entering the third layer of the fire domain should not be a problem."
Lu Fan nodded slightly, not daring to hesitate. After activating the Xuanlei Jue, he entered the second layer of the fire domain. To his surprise, as soon as he stepped into the second layer, his clothes spontaneously combusted. Even with spiritual energy protecting him, it was useless.
"So hot, so hot!" Lu Fan exclaimed. "The second layer is already this unbearable. If I reach the third layer, won't I be stripped to the bone!"
"If you're unwilling to go, then go out and be killed," the elder Hongmeng stated directly. "Save yourself the trouble."
Lu Fan felt helpless and dared not say more. He directly pushed the Xuanlei Jue to its limit. He knew very well that this was a matter of life and death. If he couldn't endure it now, all his previous efforts would be in vain.
"You brat, you have quite the nerve to step out of the fire domain!" The Seventh Elder said coldly from outside the fire domain. "Today, I'll see which layer you've reached!"
After speaking, the Seventh Elder entered the fire domain. He felt nothing upon entering the first layer, but when he reached the second layer, he felt as if he were being dried out. However, upon seeing Lu Fan's figure, he was delighted. "Aren't you capable, brat? Run if you can!"
"You old man, you're too dishonorable!" Lu Fan rolled his eyes. "What's the point of chasing me all the way? Besides, Wan Hai deserved to die."
"Silence! I will not allow you to insult my disciple like that!" the Seventh Elder said coldly. "Today, I will send you on your way, and consider it revenge for Wan Hai!"
Lu Fan, however, gave a cold smile and directly entered the third layer of the fire domain. With the boost of the Xuanlei Jue, his entire being had reached its peak, and he could resist the power of the flames. Seeing Lu Fan enter the third layer, the Seventh Elder was instantly enraged. He could barely endure the second layer and had no idea how strong the third layer's temperature was. After all, since the existence of the fire domain, very few people had entered it, let alone reached its central circle.
Upon entering the third layer of the fire domain, Lu Fan felt completely drained. His spiritual energy was constantly being supplied, for fear that if it faltered even for a moment, he would be roasted by the flame power of the third layer.
"I truly didn't expect the flame power of the third layer to be ten times stronger than the second layer," Lu Fan said. "If I hadn't been prepared, others who entered would have likely turned into a pile of white bones."
"These are only the first three layers, where the flame power is weakest," the elder Hongmeng chuckled. "The flame power of the ninth layer is the most formidable. If you have the chance in the future, you can try it."
"As if you've been to the ninth layer!" Lu Fan glanced at him with disdain. The elder Hongmeng gave an awkward smile; Lu Fan's words had left him speechless. In fact, he had indeed been to the fire domain before, not only entering the ninth layer but also taking something from it. It was just that he didn't like to boast about past glories. Now that he had fallen to such a state, bringing up the past would only make him a laughingstock.
"Are you alive or dead, brat?" The Seventh Elder's voice echoed as he lingered in the second layer. He dared not venture further, as he knew the power of the fire domain all too well. Lu Fan, not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth, insisted on entering the fire domain. With the slightest carelessness, he could be incinerated by the raging fires within.
"Don't worry, old man, I'm perfectly fine!" Lu Fan shouted loudly. "If you want me to burn to death, you're not capable of that, nor will you get your wish."
The Seventh Elder's face turned ashen. If Lu Fan were to burn to death, he wouldn't pursue the matter. He hadn't expected Lu Fan to provoke him, completely disregarding him. Thinking of this, the Seventh Elder became even more furious. In a flash, he charged into the third layer of the fire domain. Feeling the temperature of the third layer, the Seventh Elder's face turned pale, and even his hair began to smoke, despite his powerful spiritual energy protecting him.
"You old man, you truly don't fear death!" Lu Fan teased. "Don't you know that it's extremely perilous in this fire domain? You must have felt it too; the flame power in this third layer is more than ten times stronger than before."
"How did you manage to endure it!" the Seventh Elder asked with a cold expression. "With such a powerful temperature, how could you persist for so long?" Su Dan Xiaoshuo Wang
"I am no ordinary person. Let alone the third layer, I wouldn't even bat an eye in the fourth layer!" Lu Fan said with a cold smile and full of confidence.
"Since you say so, I will fulfill your wish!" the Seventh Elder said coldly, stepping towards Lu Fan. Even in this third layer of the fire domain, he would not let Lu Fan go easily.
Sensing the powerful aura, Lu Fan showed a bitter smile and reluctantly ran towards the fourth layer. He was no match for his opponent now and could only flee. However, Lu Fan was terrified of this fourth layer. It was already difficult enough in the third layer; forcing himself into the fourth layer was not a good idea.
"Ah..." As soon as he entered the fourth layer, Lu Fan let out a scream. He felt as if his body were being devoured, and it was about to burn. Even with the Xuanlei Jue, he couldn't suppress the flames.
Seeing that the situation was not right, the elder Hongmeng spoke, "Sit cross-legged, relax your mind, and mobilize your spiritual energy. Use the fire as your source. In this way, you will not be affected."
Lu Fan nodded slightly and followed the elder Hongmeng's instructions. After a while, Lu Fan gradually stabilized. However, the flames of the fourth layer were indeed not something ordinary people could withstand. Hearing the scream, the Seventh Elder burst into laughter, quite pleased. Now that Lu Fan was dealt with, he didn't need to stay in the fire domain any longer. But it made sense; Lu Fan truly didn't know his limits, venturing alone into the fourth layer of the fire domain. Even a Spiritual Emperor-level expert might not be able to retreat unscathed from the fourth layer. It was a pity that Lu Fan was too young. At least in the Seventh Elder's eyes, Lu Fan had walked to his own demise, and it had nothing to do with him. This way, he could account for himself when he returned to the Northern Sea Academy and wouldn't make things difficult for the dean, as he was an elder of the Northern Sea Academy.