By the time Liu Yi carried Jinyao back to the Heart of Saint Candle Hotel, Jinyao was already fast asleep in her arms.
The little lion's head was nestled in the crook of her arm, its mouth slightly agape.
Ziyue and Chiying had already returned to the room ahead of them.
Liu Yi gently placed Jinyao on the bed. The little one rolled over, all four paws in the air, its belly exposed.
Its small paws scratched at the air twice, then rested on Ziyue's tail, a muffled purr rumbling in its throat.
Ziyue turned her head, looking at Jinyao's defenseless sleeping posture, and gently swayed her tail, not pulling it back.
Liu Yi sat down at her desk, opened her laptop, and prepared to search for specialized training grounds in the Glorious Domain.
Her phone suddenly vibrated.
She looked down to see a text message from an unknown number, showing its origin as the Saint Candle Region within the Glorious Domain.
“Hello, Contestant Liu Yi, I'm Wen Ruoxi from the Saint Candle Beast Tamer Association's Tournament Department. Congratulations on being assigned to the Glorious Domain for the second stage, and congratulations to Jinyao for successfully completing registration.”
“To help contestants assigned to the Glorious Domain better adapt to the local high-temperature environment and the combat characteristics of Fire-type and Fighting-type pets, the Association will host the thirteen-day 'Sacred Fire Trial' from November 10th to November 22nd.”
“Trial Location: Saint Glow Secret Realm—a special Secret Realm jointly managed by the Saint Candle Beast Tamer Association, the Blazing Lion tribe, and the Iron Fist Ape tribe. Its internal environment provides special benefits to Fire-type and Fighting-type pets, and can also help pets of other attributes improve their adaptability to high-temperature environments.”
“Participants must complete designated tasks within the Secret Realm. Those with outstanding performance will receive rewards jointly provided by the Association and the two tribes.”
“Participants: All high school students in the Saint Candle Region (including contestants assigned to the Glorious Domain for the second stage of the National High School League). Spots are limited to 200 people, on a first-come, first-served basis.”
“If you are interested in participating, please reply to this text message to confirm before November 9th and collect your trial pass at the Saint Candle Beast Tamer Association's Tournament Department. —Wen Ruoxi”
Liu Yi stared at the screen for a few seconds, then turned her head towards the bed.
Ziyue turned and met her gaze.
“There's a trial,” Liu Yi said. “It's in a Secret Realm, jointly managed by the Saint Candle Beast Tamer Association, the Blazing Lion tribe, and a Fighting-type tribe. It benefits Fire-type and Fighting-type pets and can also help other types adapt to high-temperature environments.”
Ziyue's ears twitched.
“Bingbing?”
When is it?
“November 10th to November 22nd,” Liu Yi said. “Thirteen days.”
Chiying, who was nearby, let out a cry.
“Mo.”
The timing is just right. I can report in the day after it ends.
“Mm.” Liu Yi nodded. “That's what I was thinking too.”
She looked down at her phone screen, her fingers tapping a few times on the keyboard.
“Hello, Senior Wen, I'm Liu Yi. I confirm my participation in the Sacred Fire Trial. Is there anything I need to prepare in advance?”
Less than a minute after the message was sent, a reply came.
“Wen Ruoxi: Excellent! You'll need to pick up the trial pass in person and also complete the Secret Realm entry procedures. Are you free tomorrow morning? You can come directly to the Tournament Department and find me; I'm in the innermost office on the third floor.”
“Liu Yi: Okay, how about tomorrow at ten AM?”
“Wen Ruoxi: That works, I'll wait for you. Oh, by the way, can Jinyao come along? A few colleagues in the Tournament Department heard about the Radiance Shift Blazing Lion and would love to see it in person. Of course, if it's inconvenient, never mind.”
Liu Yi looked down at Jinyao, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, a slight smile playing on her lips.
“Liu Yi: Yes, it's not shy with strangers.”
“Wen Ruoxi: Wonderful! See you tomorrow then!”
Liu Yi suddenly remembered Wei Xiuyu.
She had to inform Teacher Wei about the trial.
Liu Yi took out her phone and opened Wei Xiuyu's chat window.
“Liu Yi: Teacher Wei, the Saint Candle Beast Tamer Association's Tournament Department informed me about a Sacred Fire Trial in the Saint Glow Secret Realm, lasting thirteen days from November 10th to 22nd. I'd like to participate.”
Less than ten seconds after the message was sent, a reply came from the other side.
“Wei Xiuyu: Saint Glow Secret Realm? I've heard of it. It's jointly managed by the Saint Candle Beast Tamer Association and two tribes, providing special benefits to Fire-type and Fighting-type pets. Are you planning to take Jinyao?”
“Liu Yi: Yes, Ziyue and Chiying will go too. It'll be a good opportunity for them to adapt to the Glorious Domain's high-temperature environment in advance.”
“Wei Xiuyu: Alright, I'll accompany you to the Tournament Department tomorrow.”
“Liu Yi: Okay, thank you, Teacher Wei.”
---
Beast Tamer Association's Tournament Department.
Liu Yi pushed open the glass door at the end of the third-floor corridor, revealing a spacious and brightly lit office.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the entire room with warmth and brightness.
Several large posters hung on the walls, depicting highlights from past Sacred Fire Trials.
There were scenes of Blazing Lions running across a crimson land, Iron Fist Apes leaping and battling among rocks, and group photos of contestants overlooking the Secret Realm from a mountaintop.
In the center of the office was a large desk, with several terminals and a stack of documents on its surface.
A young woman was standing by the window, talking on the phone. Hearing the door open, she turned her head and gestured for Liu Yi to sit.
Her gaze lingered on Liu Yi for a moment, then fell upon the golden figure in her arms, her eyes brightening slightly before she quickly averted her gaze and continued her phone call.
“Yes, all spots are filled, all 200 people confirmed... Mm, much faster than expected... Okay, I understand.”
She hung up the phone, walked over quickly, and sat down opposite the desk.
“Contestant Liu Yi?” Her gaze fell on Jinyao. “Is this Jinyao?”
“Mm.” Liu Yi nodded.
“So beautiful,” Wen Ruoxi said softly, then averted her gaze and took a document from a drawer. “This is the detailed explanation for the Sacred Fire Trial. Please take a look first, and you can ask me if you have any questions.”
Liu Yi took the document and opened it.
【Sacred Fire Trial - 13th Session - Participant Notice】
I. Trial Duration: November 10th - November 22nd (13 days total)
II. Trial Location: Saint Glow Secret Realm (Jointly managed by the Saint Candle Beast Tamer Association, the Blazing Lion tribe, and the Iron Fist Ape tribe)
III. Participants: All high school students in the Saint Candle Region (including contestants assigned to the Glorious Domain for the second stage of the National High School League), 200 people in total.
IV. Trial Content:
1. Adaptive Training (November 10th - November 14th): Free training in designated areas of the Saint Glow Secret Realm to familiarize participants with high-temperature environments and special terrain.
2. Task Stage (November 15th - November 21st): Participants must complete the main Secret Realm tasks and several side tasks.
3. Summary and Commendation (November 22nd): Announce task completion, present awards.
Rate on N.U.
