"Is that so?"
Zhou Taiping looked at Xie Chenkun skeptically. "But the amount of True Yuan from an Earth Level Lower Grade Technique shouldn't be enough to sustain for this long, right?"
Others might have been easily misguided by Xie Chenkun's words.
But this "Sword Mountain Fiery Sea" is the Illusory Realm Treasure of their Blood Sword Sect. They had long since studied it and knew exactly what kind of performance to expect from different levels of strength entering it.
Even the unparalleled Dao Wuming barely managed to pass two levels of Sword Mountain not long ago; as soon as he entered the Sea of Fire, he immediately died!
After his recent breakthrough, he could only barely sustain in the Sea of Fire for a while, unable to pass even the first level of the Sea of Fire!
So, Zhou Taiping was extremely skeptical about Xie Chenkun's claim that Mu Jinyu had cultivated an Earth Level Lower Grade Technique and thus passed the first level of the Sea of Fire!
Xie Chenkun chuckled and said, "Maybe so, or perhaps he was born with an unusually large amount of True Yuan."
Seeing Zhou Taiping's growing suspicion, Xie Chenkun quickly changed the subject, "Oh, why did he stop? Did he notice something amiss?"
As soon as Xie Chenkun spoke, the doubtful crowd once again focused their gaze on the Water Screen Mysterious Light Mirror above.
They saw Mu Jinyu, amidst the Sea of Fire, stop abruptly after passing the first level and running for several miles, allowing the tumultuous flames to sweep over him!
He remained motionless, like an old monk in meditation, calm and unruffled, seemingly unbothered by the burning flames.
"Amazing, he realized so quickly? I thought he would fail at the second level of the Sea of Fire, but he proved me wrong. Such sharp insight, such remarkable comprehension!"
"Indeed, his talent makes me envious. Ah, if only I could have a disciple like that!"
Seeing Mu Jinyu's performance in the Sea of Fire, the onlookers marveled and felt a tinge of jealousy towards Xie Chenkun for having such a disciple.
The reason for their reaction was that the two levels of the Sword Mountain in the Sword Mountain Fiery Sea tested the challenger's courage and perseverance in the first level and their speed, strength, and reaction in the second level.
Yet, usually, even general geniuses could pass the two levels of the Sword Mountain after several attempts.
Although Mu Jinyu passed the Sword Mountain significantly faster than others, it wasn't enough to astound them.
If they didn't realize it, they would be in grave danger.
Because the second level of the Sea of Fire didn't test speed or require exiting the Sea of Fire within a given time to avoid being burned.
The flames of the second level had no killing power; instead, staying within them could be beneficial. It tested the challenger's reaction and comprehension!
Even if some challengers noticed differences from the first level, they often didn't dare risk their lives on it and would fail as a result.
The second level's danger wasn't just the lack of notification. More importantly, if the challenger missed the opportunity and didn't let the flames burn them in time, the harmless flames would become as lethal as the first level's deadly flames.
In an instant, the surging flames would engulf the fastest challengers, burning them alive into ashes!
So, the challengers had to realize and let the flames burn them to pass the second level and survive.
But how many would dare believe they had passed the first level and then stop, letting themselves be engulfed by the flames?
Mu Jinyu was tackling the Sword Mountain Fiery Sea for the first time and could keenly sense something was off and let the flame burn him proactively. This level of comprehension and insight showed just how terrifying his talent was!
This realization made everyone at the scene marvel!
"With this level of insight, I suppose even the third level of the Sea of Fire can't stop him!"
"After so many years, I thought I'd never see anyone clear the Sword Mountain Fiery Sea in my lifetime, but today we might witness it!"
After marveling, the crowd couldn't help but sigh.
...
In the meeting room, the crowd expressed their amazement at Mu Jinyu and their envy and jealousy of Xie Chenkun.
Meanwhile, Mu Jinyu:
After passing the first level of the Sea of Fire and reaching the second level successfully, sensing something was off, he still wasn't sure he needed to let the flames burn him to pass the second level.
Running for several miles in the second level, he felt the temperature rise steadily, perplexing him.
Then the little tree sapling in his mind suddenly trembled gently, and a wisp of clear Qi spread through his body.
This immediately made Mu Jinyu feel comfortable, less overwhelmed by the heat.
Afterward, Mu Jinyu felt an urge for the flames behind him, a desire to let them burn him!
"This is..."
Mu Jinyu was startled.
Then he realized it was the clear Qi from the tree sapling causing this.
Filled with indecision, Mu Jinyu hesitated to try.
But then he recalled the tree sapling in his mind had never harmed him but helped significantly.
Furthermore, since this was only an illusionary realm, even if something went wrong, there wouldn't be any real danger.
Thinking this, Mu Jinyu stopped abruptly, clenched his teeth, closed his eyes, and let the surging flames sweep over him!
"If something goes wrong, I hope it burns me directly without letting me smell the scent of my own roasted flesh!"
Mu Jinyu muttered in his mind.