As Wang Li Tian and Jiang Rou Xuan caught up with each other, the group had arrived in front of two large Iron doors. The gate was built into the mountain and was guarded by two old men. Without probing, anyone could tell that the Academy would not just let any random person guard their treasury. One of the elder wore a black robe and had a long black beard. His aura was menacing, coupled with his late scimitar that he held in front of him. The other elder wore a white robe and had a white beard. However, unlike his counterpart, he looked graceful as he stood guard with his arms behind his back. From a simple glance, everyone thought that the Elder in black was far scarier.
"I shall now explain the rules when entering the Treasure Pavilion. The number one rule is to not touch anything you see, unless I give you permission to do so. You may become cheeky and attempt to do so, but I can assure you that the two seniors behind me will end your life in the blink of an eye."
The Headmaster could visibly see some of the youths gulping down their saliva. The elders stood still, unmoving like a stone statue. Wang Li Tian looked at the elder on the right, unexpectedly, he entered a trance staring straight into his eye. Within a few breathes, Li Tian was transported into another world, a world with a completely different view.
The current world that Li Tian was dragged into had a burning forest on one side. On the other, it was a grass plain where the fire was soon going to spread to.
"GARGHHH!!"
A loud screech echoed through the air. Wang Li Tian immediately duck downwards, his hands on his head. A hot gust of air that felt as if the layer of hair on Li Tian's skin had been burnt off. He shouted in pain, yet, was able to stand his ground. His arms and legs had been charred black. A dark shadow had flown by above Li Tian. Building up his courage, he looked straight up at the flying beast.
Cladded in a body of flames, the flying beast screeched out arrogantly. There was a continuous pulse of heatwave emanating from the depths of the creature. Even just looking straight at it made Li Tian feel like he was staring into the sun. In front of the boy was once a bountiful and green grass plain. Yet, thanks to the flaming beast, the plains had also become a sea of red.
Li Tian had once read a book about Demonic Beasts. From a young age, the boy had been fascinated about Demonic Beasts. Where they came from and what their special features were, Li Tian would be wowed by it. Especially for a boy whom never had a chance to see the wide and bountiful world, that Demonic Beasts book was a gateway to an adventure.
Although Li Tian's memory isn't the greatest, there were several Demonic Beasts that he would never forget. After all, they were his favourites. One of the Demonic Beast had orangey red feathers that moved and flowed like flames. The bird had slender and thin legs, with a tail that the most beautiful feathers were lined along. It was none other than the legendary Phoenix, the Mythical King of Flames.
Right now, flying high above Li Tian, was definitely the Phoenix. Even though Li Tian could recognise how magnificent and terrifying this demonic beast was, he did not cower, instead his eyes were still focused on it. The pains that he felt previously were effectively gone and all that mattered now was just him and the legendary bird.
As the stare off continued, Wang Li Tian's chest started to glow brightly. Compared to the bright slowly flames of the Phoenix, Li Tian's was more of a stinging glare, like a supernova. The Phoenix's eyes narrowed when realising the prowess of the daring boy. It screeched loudly, sounding rather excited. Turning it's back from Li TIan, the Phoenix flew away into the distance, leaving scorched trail wherever it flew.
And just like that, Li Tian was brought back to his normal world. Looking down at his arms, Li Tian rubbed himself, unable to believe the vivid experience was not real. Rou Xuan looked at Li Tian worriedly. What was her little brother doing? Had living out in the wild do something to him?
Li Tian looked back again at the Elder on the right. It had started when he laid his eyes on the old man with a white beard. The Elder turned his head slightly to look at the young cultivator. Unlike before, where Li Tian was dragged into a visual world, the Elder gave the young boy a simple smile. In the elder's eyes, there seems to be an undying flame that burned and smouldered.
After confirming his doubts, Li Tian wanted to walk up to the elder and ask about the previous experience. Before he was even able to do so, a cool hand had reached out and grabbed his, stopping him in his tracks.
"Are you ok, Li Tian?" Rou Xuan asked with a concerned expression.
"I.. I'm fine. I was just about to walk up and ask the Elder with the white beard a question." Li Tian did not hide anything from his big sister.
"Ah?" Confused by why he wanted to do that, Rou Xuan quickly thought of an excuse to distract the boy. "Why not we go into the Treasure Pavilion and claim our prizes first? You see? Everyone is walking off now."
It was just as she had said, the top ten young cultivators were heading into the Treasury. Reluctantly, Li Tian nodded and followed behind Rou Xuan. As he walked by the Elder, his eyes never left sight of the older man. When the door close shut, it was only then did Li Tian focus back on what was inside the treasury.
When everyone had left for inside, the Elderly man chuckled. He was obviously laughing at Wang Li Tian.
"Interesting! Truly interesting!" The Elderly commented. Not only did that little boy figure out that the Elder on the left was a fake image, he had also noticed the peculiarities in my human body. To be able to stare straight into my eyes and daringly face the true flames of the Sun, he is truly interesting!