CHAPTER 348: CHAPTER348-DANIEL’S STRENGTH

Across the human communication network,Daniel’s effortless instant kill sent shockwaves that spread like wildfire.

When the figure of the previous Human Emperor had appeared, everyone had expected a dramatic and difficult battle.

Many had looked forward to witnessing the clash between the old and the new.

No one, however, had imagined that Daniel would need only a single punch to completely shatter his predecessor.

"Wait, what? Are you telling me the fight ended already? I just rubbed my eyes for a moment, and it was over?!"

"Yes, it’s over! Emperor Odin was defeated instantly, dropped with one punch!"

"My heavens... Daniel is unbelievable!"

"As expected of His Majesty! I always knew his strength was extraordinary, but this is beyond what I imagined!"

"But hold on a second. Shouldn’t Emperor Odin be stronger than that? He’s one of the strongest humans in history, isn’t he? He shouldn’t have been beaten so easily!"

"Yeah, that’s right! Odin was no weakling. He was considered the peak of our people for so long!"

"I think you’ve misunderstood. It’s not that Odin was weak—it’s that Daniel is simply too terrifyingly strong!"

Indeed, most people knew perfectly well how powerful Odin was.

That was common knowledge, something no one disputed.

So the only explanation was that Daniel’s strength had reached a level that surpassed even their wildest imaginations.

For although people knew in theory that Daniel was strong, very few had ever actually witnessed him fight.

Until now.

And after seeing him in action with their own eyes, even for just that single decisive moment, countless awakeners of the human race were left in awe.

They realized that Daniel had already stepped into a realm of strength that could hardly be described in words.

"No wonder he’s Daniel! The man who has created miracle after miracle, the one who has rewritten fate itself—of course his strength would be beyond comprehension!"

"Daniel! Daniel! Long live our Human Emperor!"

"His Majesty is unmatched!!"

Meanwhile, Daniel himself remained oblivious to the uproar raging across the network.

He was focused only on what lay ahead.

Without hesitation, he took another step forward and advanced into the second stage of the trial.

As before, the mist around him shifted and condensed.

Three silhouettes emerged from the fog.

Daniel recognized them instantly.

They were the figures of three former Human Emperors.

The true difficulty of the Human Emperor’s Trial lay in this:

to pass each stage, one had to defeat the incarnations of the emperors of the past.

Every single one of them had been a peerless genius in their own age, the strongest of their generation.

Facing even one such figure was a formidable challenge.

To face three simultaneously should, by all logic, have been nearly impossible.

Indeed, when Human Emperor Odin had once attempted this very trial, he had struggled for years.

He had challenged the second stage not once, not twice, but thousands of times.

After studying the weaknesses of each of the three predecessors in painstaking detail, and after hundreds of practice runs, only then had he finally managed to clear it.

As for the third stage, Odin had abandoned it entirely.

He had known with certainty that reaching the second stage was his absolute limit.

But Daniel?

He simply raised his hand and struck once.

Only once.

That single blow was enough to completely obliterate the three emperors.

Their HP bars dropped to zero in an instant, leaving not a trace behind.

Daniel did not pause.

Instead, he stepped forward again without hesitation.

The mist swirled violently, and this time eight new figures appeared before him.

Outside the trial, the spectators watching through the communication network were stunned into silence.

They had known, of course, that Daniel was strong enough to clear the second stage.

His many legends already attested to his unmatched power.

But no one had expected him to finish it that easily.

Not against three Human Emperors at once!

The sheer difference in strength was overwhelming, almost frightening.

Some people hadn’t even been able to see what had happened.

By the time their eyes caught up, the battle was already over.

"His Majesty... His Majesty is terrifying. His strength has already reached such a dreadful level?"

"Second stage... cleared in a single move. I can hardly believe it."

Inside the trial itself, Daniel’s lips curved slightly in a faint smile.

He studied the eight figures before him.

They were not just the incarnations of past Human Emperors.

Among them were also the strongest individuals humanity had ever produced across the ages.

It was here, upon seeing this very sight, that Odin had once chosen to give up.

Though confident in his own strength, Odin had recognized that the challenge was far beyond him.

To confront eight of the greatest champions of humanity simultaneously was madness.

And so, with clarity, Odin had walked away.

Now, however, across the entire continent of myriad races, every living being turned their eyes to Daniel’s trial.

The tension was palpable.

Those who had been resurrected in recent times watched with especially keen interest, eager to see what kind of future this new emperor would shape.

Would Daniel, newly crowned Human Emperor, succeed where Odin had failed?

Could he conquer the third stage of the trial?

All waited to see.

Meanwhile, in the distant Flesh Continent,a certain abomination stirred.

Fleshheart—the monstrous entity—had already sensed Daniel’s ascension as Human Emperor.

At once, its massive form convulsed with agitation, driven into a frenzy of uncontrollable rage.

But suddenly, its movements froze.

The atmosphere grew unnaturally still, as if time itself had paused.

A strange, oppressive silence spread through the land.

And then, before Fleshheart, a new shadow emerged.

The shadow was pitch-black, yet arcs of unstable lightning flickered across its surface.

Fleshheart’s many eyes narrowed.

"Edward," it rumbled. "What are you doing here?"

A mocking laugh answered him.

"Hahaha! I came to pay a visit to an old friend, of course. Long time no see... you pitiful failure."

The insult struck like a spark on dry tinder.

Fleshheart’s flesh rippled with agitation.

"Pitiful failure? Do you dare mock me? I am a being who once reached the Fake God realm! You are merely a demigod. Do you not fear that I will tear you apart where you stand?"

Edward only grinned wider.

His lips peeled back to reveal two sharp, fang-like teeth.

"Yes, I am merely demigod rank. But you forget something important."

"I am a devotee of a god."

His voice rang with unshakable confidence.

"I think you understand what that means, don’t you? My potential is limitless. My future is secure. And you..."

His grin sharpened.

"You are nothing more than a pathetic loser, a contender who failed to ascend to godhood."

The words were daggers, but Edward showed no fear.

If anything, he reveled in his mockery, pressing on with deliberate cruelty.

Meanwhile, Fleshheart’s colossal form trembled violently.

Its rage boiled over like a volcano about to erupt.

How dare a mere demigod insult him!

The insult was unforgivable.

In a flash, countless tendrils of flesh uncoiled from Fleshheart’s body, lashing outward like a forest of whips.

They surged toward Edward, seeking to engulf him completely.

Yet Edward merely chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"What’s wrong? Do you really intend to kill me?"

"Perhaps I should be trembling in fear right now. Perhaps I should beg for mercy, like this..."

He suddenly clutched at his chest, staggering in mock terror.

"Oh no, mighty Fleshheart! Spare me, I beg you! Don’t kill me!"

His exaggerated performance would have been comical if not for the danger in the air.

Despite the mock cries, his expression betrayed no trace of actual fear.

Instead, tears of laughter streamed down his face as he howled,"Ha! Ha! Ha! I’m so afraid—please, don’t kill me!"

Then his tone shifted, his grin turning razor-sharp.

"Tell me, have you seen the sun lately?"

"Do you realize that Dark Star Jarvan has already replaced Apollo?"

"And what about that so-called Human Emperor? Can you not sense who he truly is? He is none other than the long-time companion of the Moon Goddess Luna herself."

Edward’s voice dropped, gaining a note of seriousness.

"Even before Luna ascended to godhood, I could already sense his aura upon her. That boy has always been close to her."

At that thought, a flicker of unease crossed Edward’s face.

The memories of the past were heavy, and their weight still lingered upon him.

For even one such as he, the events of that time had left scars that could never truly fade.