Flarong soon brought Merlin and Setoh to the capital of the Flare Nation!

It was called Flare City, and from a distance, it looked like a mass of flame or a sea of fire. There was a faint but formless force shrouding the entire city.

"This is Flare City?"

Merlin asked softly. Flare City was not simple at all. The hidden protective layer had made him feel slightly troubled. Only someone comparable to an Honored Legend would be able to make that.

Wizard Setoh's expression was also grave as he said, "Be careful. This civilization isn't simple!"

Flarong easily flew the three birds in the sky, and swiftly landed outside a palace. The three then jumped down.

"Gentlemen, let's go. This is where His Majesty the King recruits contenders."

As they followed Flarong into the palace, they found around twenty to thirty people had gathered, all with a fire marking on their foreheads. Therefore, Merlin and Setoh were very conspicuous when they arrived.

However, Flarong, who was leading Merlin and Setoh, seemed to be quite extraordinary. Many of them looked at him respectfully.

"Wait here, you two. They all also volunteered to be recruited."

Everyone could hear the sarcasm in Flarong's voice as he spoke.

Indeed, when Merlin's Mind Power swept casually, although he was unsure what the strength of those people was, he could feel their general strength and knew that none of them were stronger than Flarong.

Soon, a dignified man in a magnificent robe emerged from the inner court. The people rose slightly and shouted, "Your Majesty the King!"

It turned out that this dignified man was the King. The fire marking on his forehead was more vivid, and flashed with a faint golden light, making it appear very special.

"What a strong life force. I'm afraid he's comparable to an Honored Legend!"

Merlin and Wizard Setoh glanced at each other. For the first time in this world, they had sensed an existence that was comparable to an Honored Legend. However, Flarong already mentioned earlier that not only was the King an extremely powerful person but he was also one of the most powerful in the Flare Nation.

Therefore, Merlin also generally deduced that the strongest contenders in the Flare Nation should be comparable to Honored Legend. Furthermore, there were certainly more than one.

"Looks like the Flare Continent produced many contenders!"

Merlin murmured softly. He already knew that this continent was called the Flare Continent, and everyone belonged to it. The enemy, Flame Nation, used to be part of the Flare Nation in the past but was split up for some reason.

There was more than one existence comparable to an Honored Legend in the Flare Nation, which was quite amazing for a civilization. In the Golden Light Tribe, there was only one existence comparable to an Honored Legend, Maya.

Therefore, Honored Legends were extremely difficult to produce. Once they were produced, a civilization would no longer be considered weak. The Flare Nation could have an existence comparable to an Honored Legend, and there was more than one. There might even be more powerful beings.

"I'll check with my Mind Power!"

Merlin's Mind Power immediately stretched out and investigated the entire Flare City. Although his Mind Power was not powerful enough to check the entire Flare Continent, it was more than enough for a mere city.

"Oh? There are three life forces no weaker than this King!"

Merlin's Mind Power was formless. Even in the Void Zone, it would be very difficult for foreign tribes to detect his Mind Power, let alone such a special world.

No one was aware of Merlin's Mind Power. Thus, he detected three beings comparable to Honored Legends. Including the King, it would be four in total!

"Just Flare City itself has four beings comparable to Honored Legends. They're considered strong… Merlin, are you sure there isn't anyone stronger?"

Wizard Setoh asked repeatedly, appearing very cautious.

Merlin hesitated for a moment as if checking again, and nodded, "I'm sure, unless someone can completely shy away from my sensing, but that's almost impossible. I'm sure there are only four beings comparable to Honored Legends in Flare City."

If Merlin had not broken through the Illusory Heart realm, then four Honored Legends would be hard to suppress just by using Mind Power. However, since he had broken through, it did not matter how many Honored Legends there were.

Wizard Setoh also breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes were fixed on the King, and a smile appeared on his lips. "This King must know a lot of things but we won't make any moves for the time being. Let's see how they recruit contenders first."

In an unfamiliar environment, Wizard Setoh still chose to be cautious. With their strength, even if they did something earth-shattering, it would not matter much.

"Everyone, the Flare Nation is facing troubles now. I'm very happy that all of you have the courage to enlist to be contenders for my royal family. As long as you're strong enough, no matter what you did in the past, no matter what identity you have, the royal family will not investigate! However, the royal family is recruiting contenders, so there must be a screening. I've reared some one-horned fire beasts. If you can defeat them, then you shall pass. How does that sound?"

The King's tone was very calm. It was clearly not the first time he had encountered volunteers.

"One-horned fire beast? Alright, I'll go first!"

Many people had never heard of a one-horned fire beast before so a burly man with a fire marking on his head shouted first.

"Very well. Release the one-horned fire beast. We'll do it here."

As soon as the King finished speaking, a terrifying beast covered in flames was released.

This fire beast seemed to have no true body, and only consisted of endless flames. The power it emitted was almost as strong as the birds that Flarlong and the others rode.

"Roar…"

The one-horned fire beast gave a loud roar. It opened its mouth slightly, and flames instantly turned into a net of fire and enveloped the burly man.

The fire marking on the man's forehead flashed brightly, and strong power burst out but it seemed to have no effect. He was instantly drowned by the fire beast's flames.

Dead!

The burly man died so easily. This fire beast had reached the level of Legend. Some people were already trembling with fear.

The King's face was cold. Ever since the recruitment order was issued, all types of people wanted to volunteer. It was now time to let them know that not anyone could be easily recruited.

If you did not have enough strength, then there would only be death!

"Who's next? Who else wants to try?"

The King's icy gaze swept through the crowd, only to see many people retreating, their expressions full of fear. No one dared to step forward again.

"Useless. All useless!"

At first, the King seemed to be very restrained but he suddenly exploded. The Flare Nation was in trouble, and he even began to publicly recruit contenders.

However, at present, only a few contenders had been recruited. Most of the time was like this – the people only volunteered, hoping to try their luck and get recruited by the royal family.

"Did you think getting recruited by the royal family would be that easy?"

The King's tone was icy as he waved his hand. The terrifying fire beast gave a sharp roar and started to madly attack the people in the hall as if it could swallow several people in one bite.

Immediately, the hall was filled with shrieks and cries.

"Roar…"

The fire beast was very excited. With a roar, its eyes fixed on Merlin and Setoh, and its raging flames immediately surrounded them.

Merlin glanced at Flarong, whose eyes were calm as he remained silent. He must be watching how Merlin and Setoh would react. After all, the royal family was recruiting contenders!

"Let's move!"

Setoh suddenly raised his head. However, he did not look at the fire beast. Instead, he stared directly at the King coldly.