The first individual to reach the fifteen thousand foot point was, to no one’s surprise, Li Qingfeng.

However, right at that moment, everyone saw a sudden change take place around his body. Gray wisps of flame materialized around him and quickly condensed into a long, gray-flame dragon. 

The dragon circled around Li Qingfeng before passing directly through him.

It did not incinerate his clothes, but as soon as it made contact, Li Qingfeng immediately halted in his steps and a trace of pain could be seen on his handsome face.

This was known as the Dragon's Infernal Baptism.

When one first crossed the fifteen thousand foot mark, they would experience a trial that served to exemplify how difficult the Dragon's Ascent truly was.

The gray-flame dragon would ignite one's flesh, blood, bones, and even their resonant power. This effect would renew every time the dragon circled around the individual, which was a tremendous test of one's will.

However, this smelting would also destroy the...