The Strongest Dandy in the City-Chapter 1324 - 1315: I am the First

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Just as Yu Haifeng finished speaking, five massive copper furnaces shot out from his storage ring. These copper furnaces were covered in countless tiny holes, from which scorching heat continuously emanated. It was apparent that the material used for these furnaces was extraordinary—if they were ordinary copper furnaces, they would have long since melted under such intense temperatures.

Yu Haifeng said, "The second trial tests your fire resistance and willpower. Inside these five copper furnaces burns a kind of blue flame. This flame isn’t just incomparably hot—it also inflicts mental damage. An alchemist has to contend with flames at all times. Once you step onto the path of alchemy, it might take you decades—or even a lifetime—to become a true alchemist. Therefore, perseverance is incredibly important for an alchemist."

Looking at Zheng Wu, Ye Chenfeng, and the others, Yu Haifeng continued, "In a moment, each of you will step into a furnace. Inside, the temperature of the blue flame will continually rise, and its mental assault will grow increasingly intense. However, rest assured—if you can’t endure anymore and exit the furnace in time, your life will not be in danger."

Turning to Kong Nan and Tang Chuhua, who stood nearby, Yu Haifeng instructed, "The two of you, share your previous results with everyone."

A pained expression flashed across Kong Nan’s face, as if recalling the grueling experience within the furnace. He said, "Back then, I lasted twenty breaths in the furnace."

Tang Chuhua’s reaction was no better. With evident lingering fear, he said, "I lasted eighteen breaths."

Twenty breaths, roughly equivalent to twenty seconds, and eighteen breaths to eighteen seconds. It’s important to note that both Kong Nan and Tang Chuhua possessed Spirit Communication Realm Fifth Layer Peak strength—this alone highlighted the terrifying nature of what lay within the furnace.

Members of prominent Bei Yun City families—Zheng Wu, Liu Jiang, and others—exchanged glances and then cast mocking looks at Ye Chenfeng. In their minds, Ye Chenfeng was nothing short of foolish. He had already secured his status as a disciple of Spiritual Medicine Valley, yet he insisted on participating in the subsequent trials. They were confident he’d perform worse than anyone else.

The main issue was Ye Chenfeng’s weak flame. Zheng Wu and the others had flames strong enough to enshroud their bodies, allowing them to endure longer within the furnace. But with Ye Chenfeng’s low-grade flame, how could he possibly last? To them, it was certain Ye Chenfeng would be the first to flee the furnace.

For Zheng Wu, the conflict between his family and Ye Chenfeng was already irreconcilable. Clenching his teeth, he vowed to shine in this trial, to display monstrous talent in fire resistance and willpower, and to earn Yu Haifeng’s favor at Spiritual Medicine Valley.

Glancing at Ye Chenfeng, Yu Haifeng offered a word of caution: "Young man, for this trial, don’t push yourself too hard. An alchemist’s greatest strength lies in their compatibility with fire."

Though he didn’t voice it, Yu Haifeng had little confidence in Ye Chenfeng’s performance in this trial. He only let him participate because Ye Chenfeng insisted, treating it as a mere formality. Quietly, Yu Haifeng admired Ye Chenfeng’s humility and respectfulness. If only he could peer into Ye Chenfeng’s true intentions, his opinion might change drastically.

Gratefully accepting Yu Haifeng’s advice, Ye Chenfeng replied, "Senior Yu, rest assured, I won’t push myself too hard."

Ye Chenfeng was not here to stand out excessively. His goal was simple: to perform slightly better than the others.

Hearing Ye Chenfeng’s response, Yu Haifeng nodded and said, "Alright, you five may now enter the furnaces. Remember—don’t gamble with your lives or act recklessly within."

Ye Chenfeng, Zheng Wu, and the rest approached separate furnaces. The lids opened automatically, and once they leaped in, the lids sealed themselves shut.

Among the gathered spectators, Zhao Hongli was still in awe of Ye Chenfeng’s fire compatibility. Laughing, he remarked, "I wonder if Brother Chenfeng will pull off another miracle this time?"

Beside him, Jiang Yunting shook her head and replied, "Brother Zhao, while Ye Chenfeng might have exceptional fire compatibility, this trial tests fire resistance and willpower. Leaving willpower aside for now, his flame strength is only low-grade—he’s likely to be the first one to exit the furnace."

This dampened Zhao Hongli’s spirits, but he quickly smiled again. "In any case, Brother Chenfeng is already part of Spiritual Medicine Valley. As Senior Yu said earlier, flame strength isn’t the most important quality for an alchemist. As long as Brother Chenfeng becomes an alchemist, he’ll secure a place for himself in the Earth Profound Realm."

Among the surrounding onlookers, there was little faith in Ye Chenfeng’s chances in the second trial as discussions buzzed in the air.

Inside Ye Chenfeng’s copper furnace.

Around Ye Chenfeng’s body, the Green Flame formed a protective barrier, preventing the blue flames inside from penetrating it. Remarkably, Ye Chenfeng felt none of the furnace’s intense heat.

Just as he leaned back, prepared to while away the time leisurely, a sudden sharp pain pierced through his mind, causing him to frown slightly. He understood this was a mental assault—just as Yu Haifeng had warned about.

Meanwhile.

Inside the copper furnace belonging to Qin Shuangshuang of the Qin Family in Bei Yun City, her body was enveloped in her red flame. Yet even with this protection, the searing heat of the blue flame couldn’t be kept at bay. Sweat streamed down her body, and when the mental assault struck, Qin Shuangshuang’s breaths grew uneven, and she bit down hard on her silver teeth. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

The tearing pain in her mind, combined with the oppressive heat, pushed her body and spirit to their absolute limits. Knowing she risked mental collapse—or being burned alive—if she hung on any longer, Qin Shuangshuang slammed her palm against the lid of the furnace.

The lid flew open, and her body shot out in an instant. Qin Shuangshuang had lasted nineteen breaths within the furnace.

Moments after Qin Shuangshuang’s exit, Liu Jiang and Hu Feilong stumbled out of their furnaces, their faces twisted with agony. They held on for twenty breaths.

Now, only Ye Chenfeng and Zheng Wu remained inside their furnaces.

Yu Haifeng frowned slightly. By his estimation, Ye Chenfeng should already have exited. But upon sensing Ye Chenfeng’s steady aura within, he relaxed. Chuckling inwardly, he mused, "Could this kid have another surprise for me? With such a low-grade flame, I didn’t think he’d last this long. Once we return to Spiritual Medicine Valley, he’ll be a star pupil for sure."

Inside Zheng Wu’s furnace.

Though Zheng Wu relied on his red flame for protection, the blue flame’s heat was beyond his ability to endure. His skin felt on the verge of charring, and the needle-like pain in his mind turned his thoughts into chaos. He wished he could bite off his tongue and end his suffering.

Zheng Wu’s face twisted into a hideous grimace as he silently vowed, "I must hold on. I must endure for thirty breaths. That fool Ye Chenfeng probably fled by the tenth breath! I will emerge as the victor of this trial."

When Zheng Wu reached his count of thirty breaths, he could take no more. He shot out of his furnace, his hair and clothing scorched in patches. Once outside, he shouted manically, "I, Zheng Wu, am first in this trial!"

However, the crowd’s expressions turned strange. Everyone could sense Ye Chenfeng’s tranquil aura within his furnace, indicating he was unharmed. To the spectators, Zheng Wu now resembled nothing more than a ridiculous jester.

... (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please consider visiting Qidian (qidian.com) to vote and support the novel. For mobile users, visit m.qidian.com to read.)