CHAPTER 345: ASCEND

Taking another deep breath, he consciously suppressed his turbulent emotions, choosing instead to channel all his remaining strength and resolve into steadily continuing his ascent.

Time seemed to blur into a meaningless haze, each step feeling heavier than the last. Sweat and blood mixed upon Orion’s battered scales, exhaustion tugging relentlessly at his consciousness.

Yet he refused to falter, relentlessly pursuing the distant silhouette of Valerian steadily climbing above him.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, both Orion and Valerian arrived near the middle section of the staff.

Orion’s breath was slightly ragged, every muscle trembling visibly from the exertion of resisting the immense pressure that now felt much higher than before. He glanced upward, noting that Valerian had stopped momentarily, seemingly deep in thought.

Valerian’s expression was serious, eyes narrowing slightly as he murmured quietly to himself, his voice tinged with an odd mixture of caution and excitement. "The first real test should come now."

Hearing these cryptic words, Orion’s heart tightened slightly, sensing something immense and unknown awaiting ahead.

He paused briefly, forcing himself to calm once more, stabilizing his breathing and gathering his remaining determination.

Looking upward, he stopped and calmly waited for Valerian to move forward to see what was ahead.

Valerian paused at the midpoint of the towering celestial staff, the radiant energy pulsating around them, illuminating his pale face in shades of ethereal silver and ominous crimson.

His narrowed crimson eyes flicked downward, meeting Orion’s cautious, waiting gaze below.

A slow, amused smile curled onto Valerian’s lips, and a dry chuckle escaped him, echoing softly in the oppressive stillness. "Looks like you got smarter, huh?" he drawled mockingly, his voice laced with a blend of genuine amusement and veiled contempt.

Orion didn’t reply, maintaining his composed vigilance as he silently watched Valerian, his dual-colored eyes cold yet deeply analytical.

His Draconian body stood quietly upon the colossal celestial structure, battered yet majestic, his muscles taut with readiness.

Despite fighting at peak intensity for hours against the generals and then against Valerian, he remained standing atop the staff with calm breath.

Valerian turned forward again, eyes glittering sharply with anticipation and caution. He extended his leg calmly, placing his foot past the invisible dividing line that marked the halfway point.

The instant Valerian’s foot settled upon that unseen threshold, a massive, oppressive force slammed down upon him without mercy. Pressure tens of times greater than before crashed into his body with brutal intensity.

His proud form bent sharply, a startled growl of pain escaping his gritted teeth as his body trembled visibly beneath the overwhelming force.

His pale face contorted briefly, veins bulging visibly beneath his porcelain skin, muscles flexing desperately to resist the powerful force seeking to crush his foundation and soul.

Blood seeped slowly from the corner of his mouth, dripping down his chin in thin, dark trails. Yet despite the severe struggle, Valerian refused to falter, eyes blazing fiercely with a twisted determination.

The intense pressure persisted mercilessly for several grueling seconds, threatening to crush him into oblivion, then vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.

Valerian gasped softly, his body relaxing slightly as the oppressive force receded, replaced with a milder, manageable weight only slightly heavier than before.

Valerian slowly straightened, regaining his elegant composure swiftly. He chuckled lightly, wiping the blood from his lips with a pale hand, eyes glinting in sinister amusement as he glanced back at Orion.

"That was invigorating," he mocked calmly, voice dripping with dark humor. Without waiting, he continued ascending, seemingly unconcerned by the brutal trials awaiting them above.

Orion, watching this carefully, took a slow, deep breath, steadying his heart and soul as he stepped cautiously toward the dividing threshold.

He paused momentarily, collecting himself as he prepared to withstand whatever terrifying force awaited him. Gritting his teeth lightly, he took the step forward decisively.

Immediately, the immense pressure crashed down upon Orion with crushing ferocity. The oppressive force assaulted his foundation and soul simultaneously, brutally testing the very essence of his existence.

However, almost instantly, a powerful surge from his triple Emperor bloodlines flared fiercely within him—crimson-gold flames, azure lightning, and an unknown energy coursed protectively throughout his body, negating most of the relentless pressure on his physical form and mana foundation.

Simultaneously, the radiant World Tree Sapling resting peacefully within his Sea of Consciousness suddenly emitted a gentle, nurturing pulse of verdant energy, effortlessly shielding Orion’s soul from the intense force pressing upon it.

Orion’s initial grimace relaxed into quiet astonishment as he felt the oppressive force swiftly dissipating beneath the protective embrace of his profound lineage and soul guardian.

After a few seconds, the overwhelming pressure vanished completely, replaced by a mild, manageable weight only slightly stronger than previously encountered.

Orion exhaled slowly, his confidence bolstered by the realization of how potent and resilient his newfound foundations truly were.

Yet he knew better than to celebrate prematurely. Glancing upward cautiously, Orion noted Valerian steadily progressing above, his figure outlined ominously against the radiant celestial energies swirling violently around the staff.

For the next grueling phase of their ascent, the two beings encountered increasingly severe trials, tests of immense elemental energies, potent pressures, and mysterious soul-weighing phenomena, each trial uniquely designed to challenge their resolve and foundation.

Valerian, despite his immense power and experience, visibly struggled with each subsequent trial, forced to call upon ancient techniques of darkness and blood to face off against these ruthless challenges.

His expressions shifted continually from intense concentration to moments of painful struggle, yet he ascended steadily, refusing to surrender.

Orion, meanwhile, found himself relying steadily upon the dual blessings of his mighty Dragon/Human Emperor bloodlines and the soothing presence of the World Tree Sapling hosting his soul.

Each test, no matter how demanding, became manageable under these extraordinary protections, his determination strengthening with every step upward.

They climbed higher and higher, facing tests of searing flames that threatened incineration, violent thunderstorms charged with catastrophic lightning, crushing pressures of gravity that sought to obliterate their very bones, and soul-chilling icy tempests that clawed mercilessly at their foundations.

Each trial became more vicious, yet both figures endured with stubborn defiance, each unwilling to concede defeat to the other, their wills hardened to an unyielding resolve.

The competition was no longer merely between Orion and Valerian, but between their foundations, their lineages, and the indomitable strength of their souls.

Finally, after an exhausting ascent that seemed to span countless eternities, Orion and Valerian found themselves approaching the pinnacle, the final and most mysterious test awaited them just above.

Valerian halted momentarily, his face etched deeply with seriousness as he assessed the radiant, swirling energies ahead. His eyes narrowed sharply, glinting with a mix of excitement and grim understanding.

He spoke softly, almost as if reminding himself, "Finally, the last trial."

Orion reached the platform shortly after, stepping deliberately beside Valerian. Though neither trusted the other, they momentarily ceased their hostile intentions, their gazes locked solemnly upon the radiant unknown ahead.

"Why don’t you go ahead and try the trial, leech?" Orion coldly said, looking directly at Valerian.

Valerian smirked slightly, "Maybe I will. Who knows, I might get the treasure right after completing this trial."

Orion’s expression hardened as he understood that he can’t let that happen.

Valerian slowly continued, "Now, Little Draconian, let us see who truly deserves this prize."