They got surprised!
But in the end, it actually resulted in two totally different feelings to bloom inside each one of them.
Lilian's will to know more about that boy, rose once again, but right now what was flooding her entire being, were doubts and questions. 'How can he reach that speed?! The energy fluctuations were clearly at the Qi Gathering Realm and yet...'
Jianhong though, missed his attack... He was a core disciple! However, he missed! He could feel that Seth was a Qi Gathering Realm Initial Stage practitioner, but he was at Profound Qi Realm Late stage and he still missed!
Humiliation... Jianhong felt humiliated... He was a really proud person as he was part of the Blazing phoenix Royal Clan, although not from the main bloodline. As an individual above his peers, he has never lost to anyone while at the same scope of power, let alone to someone weaker. A whole realm and half weaker!
He hasn't lost in a fight to Seth, but just by missing that attack, he considered it a stain on his reputation. What a joke, if it was leaked, he would be scorned for sure.
He needed to finish him right there! just as he was about to attack again a stern voice resounded.
"Stop!" Lilian saw through him.
"As the main judge I approve Seth as the first disciple to pass the exam! Congratulations!" Lilian continued.
"I order you, Jianhong, to keep your post and do your responsibilities! I'll personally accompany him to the inner sect grounds."
Jianhong stopped. He was already vexed and now he would have to stay on this damned place to do all the work alone! Not only that, but Lilian would accompany his newest foe through the whole sect, while he was working.
Crack!
A small piece of his teeth shattered by the pressured he was making with sheer rage. But still he couldn't contest her orders because she handled all the authority about this matter on her hands.
Jianhong looked at their back while they were going away. "Just you wait! I'll fucking destroy you both!"
"Hey! Wait! What was that?" Following Seth really fast as she feared he would run away, she went directly to the point, trying to quench her curiosity.
Lilian was still very curious recalling what has happened and when Seth looked at her, she was so excited that she did not seem to be the same serios person than the one before. She even seemed to be a bit happy.
'Why is she happy though?' Seth couldn't think of any possible answer.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Seth tried to dodge the question.
"You... You clearly know! What happened back there?! How can you be that fast?"
"Listen... I'm just too good at running alright? Haven't you seen how good is my physique?"
"I don't believe it!!! There is even that other incident too, you killed that beast that was many stages stronger than you!"
Seth stopped and looked directly at Lilian. "Why such a beautiful lady like yourself, that is the top disciple of this sect, is actually bothering with someone like me? I'm not worthy of your precious time."
Before she could even answer Seth was already walking away. Lilian followed but she no longer asked anything. Still that question kept constantly ringing inside her head.
'Why am I so interested in him? Is it curiosity? Or is there something else? No! He is different, there is definitely something odd about him.' After sorting out her thoughts she decided to do something.
"Hey boy!" Lilian broke the silence.
"You can call me Seth."
"Alright, call me Lilian too then. I won't ask you about what happened there, but I want you to do me a favor."
Seth thought for a moment and nodded. It would be better for him to get on her good side.
"Before I tell you what it is, let me ask you something. Do you know why the entire Blazing Phoenix Territory is so hot and really suitable for fire-based cultivators?"
"Isn't it because of what people call, the Fire Labyrinth?" Seth at least knew the name of the most important place in this whole territory. That was some common knowledge.
"You are right! The Fire Labyrinth is located right at the middle of this territory and it is its life source. It is said that there is a Fire Source hidden there, the heat and energy it releases is so powerful that this whole country was created at the borders of the labyrinth."
Lilian proudly continued. "The Blazing Phoenix Country is one of the newest countries founded inside the human territory, with its shallow foundation edging two thousand years, but because of the quality of the aura around here, we climbed from the weakest to be one of the three strongest human countries."
Seth didn't know much about history, but he at least knew that the place he came from was founded at least ten thousand years ago. So, it was impressive the rate of growth this place had.
"The Fire Labyrinth is really a mythical place, it will only open once in ten years and it is a place full of opportunities and dangers." At this time, she took a small round red token out from her storage ring. There was a phoenix image dancing in the middle of the token, carrying a profound and unique formation. It pretty much told Seth, that it was definitely an important item.
He got impressed once again. A storage or dimensional ring was something akin to a large backpack, it could store anything you wanted and you would be able to withdraw it later. His amazement lied in the fact that the quality of the ring would directly affect the ring storage space. Lilian's ring was a high-quality one. It showed how high her acquisition power was.
Seth too had a ring for storage, but unfortunately, his ring was of a lower quality. It wasn't so difficult or expensive to get your hands on a lower quality ring, but for higher ones it was really rare to see them. Why? Because the person that crafted it, had to attain better understanding on space laws, and that definitely wasn't easy. Not even taking the materials prices into consideration, only the professional that would craft it, was enough to make it really expensive.
She threw the token and said: "What I want to ask as a favor is... Join my party to explore the labyrinth!"
Seth grabbed the token. "Alright, who wouldn't accept such an offer? A trip and together with a pretty lady, I'm honored."
Strangely, she didn't feel disrespected towards his compliments.
Truth be told, these tokens were very limited and only with them one would be able to enter the Labyrinth. So, basically, she was giving Seth a gift, and this gift would be a turning point on their history.