‘Haah… At the very least, they will be excellent resources for my next plan’

Eridel lamented over the fate of Sea Beasts before thinking about the gains.

Eridel was a millennial old monster. When you get to that age, instincts and emotions barely have any sway left that could affect your actions.

Eridel was not going to take into consideration the emotions of his residents if there were long-term gains to be made. And in these seas, Eridel found a valuable resource; Emotions.

Envy, Greed and Gluttony.

All of these emotions were boiling hot in the seas and Eridel was not going to waste it.

Eridel made a few mental notes and calculations before returning his attention to the World, more specifically, the 2nd brightest star on the planet; Emperor Asura.

As soon as Eridel had returned from his seclusion, he had lifted the restriction that was preventing his residents from breaking through into the 4th realm. Now, all those that were eligible for the breakthrough were undergoing shocking transformations at the same time.

The 4th Realm was very interesting, but as a matter of fact the number 3 was even more interesting. For some reason, there was a qualitative upgrade that a cultivator experienced after surpassing 3 levels. This was called the [Rule of 3 Upgrade].

Whether it was an entire realm or just a stage; If you passed 3 of them, the strength you would gain would be much more extensive than what you gained in previous breakthroughs. Furthermore, not only did these ‘Rule of 3 Upgrades’ increase your strength, but they actually allowed you to unlock the hidden or restricted potential in your body.

For example, it was possible to undergo a bloodline or constitution evolution when experiencing a ‘Rule of 3 Upgrade’.

Of course, such great benefits were not given for free; the universe did not and would never work like that. In truth, the amount of essence needed to break through on a ‘Rule of 3 Upgrade’ was enormous and that was just for stages. Trying to achieve a ‘Rule of 3 Upgrade’ for a realm was simply put, depressing. This was why you would see people that were forever limited at the 3rd, 6th or 9th Realm if they didn’t have what it takes to surpass it.

Obviously, the first Realm ‘Rule of 3 Upgrade’ was the breakthrough to the 4th Realm, this was the breakthrough that a few of Eridel’s residents were currently undergoing.

But something very, very strange was going on. Normally…

Normally, a bloodline evolution or even a constitution evolution should have been the most dazzling thing that could have happened to a cultivator, and even people in a Law World would be extremely satisfied with such a thing, however…

What…

What was that?

‘It is time.’ Eridel mentally grinned with glee.

…

(A little back in time)

Emperor Asura was looking at the strange clouds that were ominously swirling above him.

He couldn’t for the life of him understand what the hell was going on. One moment, he could feel the frustrating insurmountable barrier that was preventing him from breaking through to the 4th Realm abruptly disappear.

This had surprised him so much that he had leapt to his feet in astonishment. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, he sent the Killing Essence in his body to the barrier of the 4th Realm without thinking.

Before he knew it an enormous cloud that went on for thousands of metres was formed in the sky above his head. On top of that, the cloud was such a pure white colour that if compared to snow, the snow would look like ash.

It was the most ethereal cloud that Asura had ever seen. But he did not for a single second think it was innocent because for some reason, the cloud was instilling such a profound primal fear in him that he wondered if his next breath would be his last.

He could only watch with terror as the space at the center of the cloud was suddenly cleared with what looked like a Magic Circle occupying its space. (Of course, Asura couldn’t comprehend the strange ‘symbols’).

The Magic Circle was gold in colour and glowed with a peerless light that only grew brighter as the aura of solemnity and danger rose in correspondence.

Once the Magic Circle seemingly reached its peak, Asura gained a ‘sudden understanding’ of what was happening to him now. The ‘Heavens’ were giving him a Tribulation, a test so to speak.

A Tribulation was an event that truly barred the way to the 4th Realm. He would have to defend against 3 attacks and if he wasn’t worthy, his life was forfeit, simple as that.

Each Tribulation was based on the receiver’s entire strength along with a few other taboo factors that he had no privy to but at the very least, he understood what he must do and prepared to unleash the full might of all of his Armaments which also included…

The Heavenly Demon Mountain!

Something that he was actually able to establish a connection with when he had killed Krysos. He couldn’t achieve the same effect with the Armaments from the dead Demon Kings so he could only suspect that it was because Krysos and he were essentially ‘brothers’ and the same blood that was used to make a connection with the Mountain also flowed in him. But who knows.

He pushed aside idle thoughts as he shoved all of his focus onto the strange Tribulation ‘weapon’. Now was the time to fight for his very life.

“CYARRRRRRRR!”

Asura roared to the Heavens as he bared all four Armaments with the Heavenly Demon Mountain looming behind him supplying him with dense Earth Killing Essence.

The magic circle within the cloud pulsed as if in acknowledgement.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

A golden divine light that looked like its sole purpose was to punish all evil-doers slammed right into his body.

“CyeeAAARGHH!”

Asura screamed out as blood burst out of the holes that were torn open all over his body and it was so harrowing that the thought of just letting death claim him flicked to life in his head. But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.

Pain wracked him to the depths of his soul but he wouldn’t give up. He had come too far to just let things be and he hadn’t even gotten revenge on the Wraith King yet.

【SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT】

‘...Hm?’