362 Sea of Flames (2/2)
Raven wasn't able to learn much about the life of Master Sun since the records he saw from the Sunken Ivory Castle aren't really focused on him. He had no prior knowledge about these people before his adventures in the castle so he really doesn't know much.
Thankfully, he didn't have to. He didn't visit the Sun Temple to learn about the life of Master Sun anyway. And if the topic is about the Sun Temple, Raven has plenty of knowledge about that.
As a testing ground for potential disciples of the Divine Sun Sect, the Sun Temple has a few tests that needs to be passed. And if one wants to be admitted as a disciple of the sect, they have to finish every test there is. Raven doesn't have any plans on finishing all of them, only a few just to ensure that he could exit the temple with the ingredient he needs.
Once inside the temple, Raven immediately found a wide space with an altar at the very end. There is a set of stairs on each side leading towards the higher level of the temple but there's also a wall of flames preventing anyone from coming close to the stairs.
The floor tiles are made out of volcanic rocks as well, but these ones are smoother and glossier compared to the walls. The interior walls are also decorated with all kinds of trinkets which all have something to do with fire. He also saw some Sun Crystals embedded on the walls.
Sun Crystals are considered as rare kind of consumable in the lower realms but in the Divine Realms, they are more less just regular rocks, those that have higher quality are used as decorations or currency in some places. Here, they act as catalysts that helped on purifying the Fire Energies present inside.
Anyone who practices Fire based cultivation techniques will experiences a boost when they cultivate inside of this place. Their efforts will yield twice the result with half the price, which is why Raven said that Ellen would really love this place.
Raven wasted no time, he approached the altar to begin the test right away.
The altar is made out of Crimson Sun Crystals, the highest form of Sun Crystals there is. There are several runic engravings all over its surface, these are formations that is tied to this floor. All he needed to do is to touch this ritual circle and his trial will begin.
”The Sun Temple has a total of 9 floors…” Raven stated, ”Each floor has different tests that needs to be passed. If I want to exit this place will require me to finish at least 10 trials. And in order to get the ingredient I want, I need to finish 50 trials.”
From the records that Raven read during his previous life, it is said that the trials differs from person to person. No challengers will face the same trial at the same time, and due to the countless variations added in the trials, finding a pattern to exploit is virtually impossible as well. The trials adjust themselves depending on the challenger, so there is really no way for anyone to cheat their way through.
Each floor on the Sun Temple contains 10 trials. In order to ascend the stairs, one has to finish every trial on the current floor first or else the flame barrier would not disappear.
Raven took a deep breath and placed his hand on the ritual circle placed on the altar. As soon as he touched it, the whole formation lit up and caused the whole floor to be illuminated by a gentle sunlight.
Suddenly, words written in Elven language started forming above Raven. It reads:
”1st floor, 1st Trial: Untouchable. Rules: Defend yourself against the sea of flames for an entire day to pass this trial.”
”Wow.” Was all Raven could say as soon as he read the first trial he got.
Before he could even think about anything else, a major development was already happening around him.
The temperature was suddenly rising at an alarming pace. Plumes of flames started appearing everywhere and it didn't take long enough before they grew into tall flames which contained scalding heat. The flames were taller than Raven himself, and just like the trial said, he's literally submerged into a sea of fire.
Faced with no other options, Raven just smiled wry and sat down. His barrier is already protecting him anyway so all he had to do is to wait until a whole day passed.