When Tatsumi looked around once again, he saw another summoning light. Well, he described it as a summoning light because from the pillar of light came several scientists that Tatsumi knew worked with Charlene.Not only that but then he saw Long Wu, Maito Dai, Charles Xavier and Kushina.
“This arrangement…is obvious.” Tatsumi said while looking at the greatest expert from both the technological side and the transcendental side.
“Looks like we are going to be divided into two teams.” Charlene realized the issue immediately.
“Welcome to the Two Trials, everyone.” Dian opened his mouth. Then he continued, “I have called the best expert from both the technological and the transcendental side to gauge our civilization’s mastery on the path of technology and the path of transcendence.”
“From the technological side, there is Charlene, Annie, and the others who have been working hard on developing the technology for the civilization.” Dian pointed to one side where Charlene and the scientists were located.
Dian became the separator as he was in the middle.
“From the transcendental side, we have the most brilliant minds from Tatsumi, Ame, Long Wu, Maito Dai, Charles Xavier and the others. The number of each team is a dozen. These trials are for our civilization to show its prowess to the other civilizations in our Universe Field.” Dian added.
“We are going our separate ways then.” Tatsumi said as he glanced at Charlene and she also looked back at him with a smile.
“Please show those civilizations our prowess.” Charlene pumped her hand and clenched her fist.
“Show them that there is a bright mind in our civilization.” Tatsumi grinned as he said this to Charlene.
Then the two teams were separated, and the locked door suddenly opened.
Dian and the two teams entered the open door and found themselves on a crossroad. One path led to the Tower Trial while the other led to the Abyss Trial.
Tatsumi and the others in his team went to the Tower Trial.
-
The moment Tatsumi and the others entered the Tower Trial, they were transported to the barren land where sand flew because of the wind that blew around them.
Tatsumi used his mental power to scan his surroundings and found out that large scorpions were approaching.
“Well, the trial seems to test our transcendent base as well as our combat prowess. Don’t bring embarrassment to our civilization!” Tatsumi rallied his team, seeing the approaching enemies.
Then, one by one, the individuals who were chosen for this team separated to form a circle with Tatsumi in the middle. The middle was actually the formation linking everyone’s transcendent energy.
This formation was called the Eight Direction Formation. Eight directions were covered by the individuals who became part of the formation.
With this formation, even if they were outnumbered, they would still come out victorious. Tatsumi became the core of the formation while the other eleven formed the inner and outer rings.
The large scorpions then used their stingers to attack but the transcendents could just evade and counterattack at the same time.
Tatsumi could feel the entire battlefield in his mind and commanded the formation, the likes of a maestro to a symphony.
“At your three o’clock.” Tatsumi reminded Maito Dai. The bob cut man then showed his lean muscles and used his footwork not only to dodge the stinger attack but also to kick the large scorpion’s head.
The scorpion was kicked to its death as green liquid came out of the dead scorpion.
But then the blood and the corpse were used by Maito Dai as nourishment for the undead element and then absorbed into his body.
“Haha, finally I can become stronger!” Maito Dai sensed that absorbing the multiplied undead element was allowed in the Tower Trial.
Long Wu then became more proactive in hunting the large scorpions along with Kushina.
Charles Xavier let out a mental storm that could be considered a consciousness attack. The large number of scorpions affected many, causing many to fall. Then the others finished them off.
Tatsumi breathed out and he detected a faint trace of Ether in the air. Ame also detected this and looked at Tatsumi for further directives. In this Tower Trial, he was the leader that Father God had appointed, so they needed to defer to him.
He quickly regulated the Ether in his body and quickly cleansed the Ether inside of impurities. Then after that he let the purified Ether form an ecosystem of his planet in his lower dantian.
“Hmm, quite good. But compared to the strengthening by the Outer Being, it is lacking.” Tatsumi said and shook his head, helpless about the matter.
“This is the best we can get without much risk. So at least appreciate it.” Ame went to his side to check things on him.
This was a routine and a form of concern. Tatsumi had the evolving dragon’s blood inside him. Whenever he advanced, he had to gather more Ether than the ordinary transcendent. Now, his dragon’s blood was also at Rank 3 so the effect became more apparent.
Tatsumi became much stronger but also needed more transcendent energy. He was still stuck at the fourth heavenstage of the Planetary Realm. While Ame had a feeling that she could advance to a higher heavenstage.
Other than that, he felt more prone to thinking about something else. Although it was subtle, Ame could still perceive the restless sensation Tatsumi was holding himself. The stronger the dragon blood, the stronger his libido would be.
‘At least that is what Smagenrog has said. If it is true, then Tatsumi is in danger of losing himself due to his repressed feelings.’ Ame thought and unconsciously blushed a bit before she focused on the newcomer, large scorpions.
She just used her transformed Myriad Manifestation Umbrella, changed it into dual pistols and then shot at the scorpion with a barrage of shots. The shots were actually Ame’s own transcendent energy so she could shoot as many as she could.
Kushina used a buster sword as she grinned and slashed at the incoming large scorpions, even slashing their stingers in two.
Hecates was splitting the head of the scorpion in two with his axe. Maito Dai kept punching and kicking the large scorpions until they turned into mush.
“I can’t help it. The feeling of getting stronger this fast…is indescribable.” Maito Dai said as he was grinning from ear to ear.
Compared to the current transcendent energy on the Cerulean Planet, the transcendent energy in the Tower Trial was higher and could be used as a true training ground.
Tatsumi had to agree. This place was a haven for transcendent like them. But Tatsumi reminded, “Although it is so but this is just a temporary place. It is not meant to be inhabited by us for long.”
“My husband is right. This advantage is only for us to get a better result in this trial. Please maintain the formation and try to survive everyone.” Ame added.
Then they tried to get rid of the large scorpions in the shortest time possible. This increased their capability while also absorbing the undead element, enhancing their strength at the same time.
After making sure that there was no longer a scorpion in the area, they found a ladder that led them to the next floor.
Tatsumi, as usual, was the leading figure in the team while Ame and the others followed behind her in an orderly line.
Then they found out that the area was the same as the first floor, but now in the distance there was a wolf pack heading in their direction.
“Formation!” Tatsumi only shouted this to activate the Eight Direction Formation.
Outside, Dian and the half-beast raccoon were in front of the large tablet showing the current rank of each floor.
On floor one of the Tower Trial, the team led by Tatsumi was able to reach the top three in terms of overall score, but it was not satisfying for Dian. Because he knew the full capability of his teams when he sent them there.
“They are trying to assess the situation as well as what is being tested.” Dian said, trying to convince himself with that excuse. Although it was also the truth since Tatsumi and his group had to assume that they were on a time attack, so they tried to eliminate the enemies as soon as possible.
Returning to the Tower Trial, Tatsumi found out that while the team was developing, their enemies were developing faster than them so he shared this with all the members.
“It’s fine. We are here to test the water for the future generation. We are called the Pioneers after all.” Long Wu smiled at the challenge. It was a good time to test himself on the transcendence path.
“The wolf pack is coming from the front while the scorpions come suddenly in ambush. Prioritize eliminating the wolf pack.” Ame ordered as the second-in-command while Tatsumi tried innovating the formation that they used.
The formation was simple in that it connected the transcendent energy of transcedents who used Ether or the undead element. This was possible because converting either to another was possible in the first place.
That was also the reason why the formation became so versatile. But it also meant the burden of the formation lies in the core. Tatsumi who was at the core felt this slightly. If he were not at the Planetary Realm, he would have been overwhelmed by the energy influx.
‘And the space inside the Tower Trial is reinforced. Those animals are at the early Revolutionary Realm at the very least.’ Tatsumi observed and realized this. Ame seemed to realize this as well as she turned her head and looked at him.
Tatsumi nodded and Ame returned to do her mission.
They managed to clear the second floor of the Tower Trial at the fastest rate ever. Then they climbed to the third floor. The third floor was still the same environment, except the animals and monsters there increased by one variety.
This time, there were groups of mummies with bandages covering their bodies. Their form varied but they were definitely humanoid.
The team then went on a rampage, eliminating the enemies they encountered as quickly as possible. Only after the enemies were eliminated that the team started absorbing the transcendent energy to their bodies.
This process was important because it strengthened them, empowered them, and increased their transcendent base, elevating their power.
Tatsumi absorbed the transcendent energy in the air, forming a large vortex of transcendent energy funneling toward him. He breathed in the transcendent energy before converting them to Ether.
Ame felt competitive due to this and was also trying to absorb as much transcendent energy as possible. While not as large as Tatsumi, she also managed to get her share of the transcendent energy in the air but she needed to keep some distance from Tatsumi.
Powerful auras and transcendent power emitted from the team increased dramatically. Their transcendent base, which had already stagnated, was now stirred and even climbed higher.
Only Long Wu felt that the undead element felt insufficient. Since he was also sharing with the others, he felt that the transcendent energy was a little insufficient for him but he sighed and let the others absorb their part.
He was already stronger than them so fighting over resources meant for them would make him seem like a petty person. So he let them while he just used the undead element produced from the corpses as a recovery tonic.
“That should be all.” Tatsumi opened his eyes and looked around. He did not feel the transcendent energy floating in the air anymore.
All of them were absorbed by him and Ame.
“We are getting stronger!” Maito Dai shouted with excitement.
“Looks like I can feel the next Mind Palace.” Charles Xavier was doing some introspection to his mind and could feel the next direction he needed to take.
Of course, with the help of Tatsumi, who was already a Planetary Realm transcendent, it became easier for him to detect the Mind Palace.
After checking on everyone, Tatsumi and Ame then located the next staircase that led to the next floor.
Then they returned to the team and led them to the staircase. They could feel that the power emanating from the stair was stronger than the ladder they climbed before.
As expected, the moment Tatsumi stepped on in, a pressure pressed on his body. Fortunately, he was a Planetary Realm transcendent, and this pressure meant nothing to him.
“Be careful, there is a pressure in these stairs.” Tatsumi reminded.
Ame was the next one to step on the stairs. She also felt the pressure but could easily endure it since she was also a Planetary Realm transcendent.
But for the others, the pressure was quite good. Maito Dai laughed before he stepped on the stairs. His physical body was trained for this. His breath became more focused, his entire body felt the pressure but he could keep stepping forward.
Fortunately, the stairs were letting out pressure that let everyone pass with some difficulty if they were at the Revolutionary Realm. But for a Planetary Realm transcendent, the pressure became a joke.
One by one, everyone in the team passed the stairs and arrived at the fourth floor.
The fourth floor was surprisingly a grassland. They could see the view at 360 degrees without being obstructed.
“Formation.” Tatsumi murmured, and everyone was ready to deploy the Eight Direction Formation.
Tatsumi used his mental scan to feel the surroundings and what he perceived was the presence of something, like a wind but invisible to the naked eye. Only when using mental scan did he receive confirmation of their existence.
“Use mental scan to detect them.” Ame realized this and ordered.
Everyone then used mental scan to detect the invisible living beings that went to their direction.
-
Dian could see that the Tower Trial score from Tatsumi and his group was slowly increasing, and their floor increased too.
But the higher they climbed, the harder it was for them. Dian could already imagine it. The struggle of the transcendent team as they eliminated numerous enemies.
But what he did not expect was that the team would become stronger because of the Tower Trial itself. It was something that was given as a reward for the Tower Trial climbers from the Planet Master System.
-
“This is the ninth floor. The next should be the tenth.” Tatsumi counted and knew that this was the ninth floor of the Tower Trial.
“What do you think of the trials so far?” Ame asked.
“They are designed to test our body, mind, and technique. I don’t know what kind of test the tenth floor should be, but I am sure it is the most comprehensive of the three. So stay alert.” Tatsumi said while remaining cautious.
Ame then added, “But I am afraid that since it is the tenth floor, the trial’s difficulty will increase dramatically. It is a basic operation.”
“Yeah, I can feel and see that.” Tatsumi grinned but he made sure that the others could hear what they said.
The stairs to the tenth floor was wide enough for all of them to go together. So they did.
Tatsumi used the ladder to refine his dragon’s blood, while the others were given some pressure, which was slightly negated by Tatsumi, who was at the front. But still, the team barely managed to go to the tenth floor.
The tenth floor was different in a sense that Tatsumi did not sense a large number of enemies or hostiles.
Instead, he felt a presence strong enough to be considered a trial.
“Formation.” Tatsumi said, and the others barely formed a formation when something flew and came to their direction.
“It’s a dragon.” Tatsumi said as he felt a resonance from his dragon’s blood to the figure that appeared among the clouds.
“What?” Long Wu was surprised, but then he became elated. He wanted to slay a dragon too, so that he would not be outshone by his disciple.
Tatsumi could feel a slight pressure coming from the dragon. Ame felt similar to Tatsumi as Long Wu also felt. But to the rest, they felt suffocated facing a dragon directly for the first time.
“Is this how you feel when you faced Smagenrog?” Maito Dai said while grinning. He turned fear into motivation, and that seemed to work on him.
“Ha, this is stronger, alright.” Tatsumi shook his head and locked his gaze on the eyes of the dragon.
The dragon returned his gaze. The dragon n question was grey in color. Its wings spread at fifteen meters and its length at twenty meters. Its grey scales did not reflect light but absorb it.
“So how about letting us fight it first?” Kushina asked with her Buster Sword ready in her hand.
“Sure. Safety first.” Tatsumi nodded.
Then the Eight Direction Formation shifted as they moved. Tatsumi moved to accommodate the people who wanted to attack the dragon.
Long Wu stayed behind since he wanted to see the dragon’s response to the threat. Different dragons meant different power and responses.
Kushina, Maito Dai, and Charles Xavier were the first ones to engage in a fight against the grey dragon.
Kushina slashed at the dragon’s head, Maito Dai kicked at the torso, while Charles Xavier used mental shock to see the dragon’s reaction to it.
The mental shock was not effective; the attack to the dragon’s torso was shifted slightly so it would not hit the inverse scale, while Kushina’s attack was directly blocked by the dragon's hard snout.
“Tch, its head sure is hard.” Kushina said as she spun around and used her transcendent energy to use a flying sword attack to hit its inverse scale.
The grey dragon shifted once again, barely avoiding the hit to its inverse scale. Then it swept with its tail at them.
The three then moved around the dragon.