Chapter 1725: The Second Trial Is About To Begin!

After seeing what everyone had gained, we moved outside of the large room within the Resting Area of the Dungeon Inheritance area, reaching the huge living room, where we greeted the rest of our party. Everyone had grown rather shocked when a true System Status popped out of nowhere in front of them, it was understandable.

I had to go through several rounds of explanations about my new form, my evolution, and what I had become with the rest of my friends, all while we enjoyed an enormous feast, and I distributed all the treasures I got from the Raid Shop with everyone.

Thanks to this, everyone was able to make their souls even stronger, gaining a few bonus stats and also they gained Fire Dragon and Fire Titan Bloodlines, if they hadn't already, while those that already had one strengthened it.

"It's truly amazing, we've accompanied you for all these years... We knew you since you were still a Mortal Dragon, and now you've become a Venerable, the pinnacle that any person could achieve in this world..." Rakasha was truly moved to tears. "This is... incredible, you've worked so hard, my friend. You deserve this more than anybody I know. I am sure you will become a righteous and heroic Venerable, one that the world will grow to love and pray to."

"A-Ahahah, I am flattered, but you're praising me too much, man. I'm still the same as before," I laughed, Rakasha was putting a bit too many responsibilities on my back.

I mean, I know what I must do, and I will protect the world too. And I have to admit that right now, it is quite obvious I lean mostly towards justice and righteousness, though I am not really an angel either.

"But he's right..." Ruby said. "It has been a long time, and well, it is quite amazing what you've done. You're now at the same level as my ancestor!"

"I wouldn't say that..." I said. "Venerables have levels of strength, right now I am at the bottom. Your ancestor at his peak... Was probably so strong not even in my current form would I have stood a chance."

"Oh..." Ruby muttered. "B-But you can get stronger now! So that's good! Also your power affects the whole world, right? Do you get something from it?"

"Yeah, I can accumulate Ascendancy Law Essence in this way," I said. "I've been accumulating considerable quantities over time."

I can see why the Venerables became so strong over time, their Laws themselves affecting the world and becoming a pillar of it by itself would give them Essence.

After a few years, their Essence amounts would skyrocket, and they would be able to grow rapidly and passively, there weren't that many threats back then in their reigns either.

So I suppose they were just chilling... for the most part. Although the definition of "chilling" would change from Venerable to Venerable.

Sometimes it meant protecting and healing a wounded world, other times it meant to help the mortals attain knowledge and enlightenment.

And other times, it was either about sitting inside a mountain crafting things endlessly and obsessively or trying to destroy the world or make it worse.

I don't think I'll be doing much of any of that, other than protecting it.

"I wonder if others can become Venerables now? What about your Benladann?" Tisha asked. "Or us? We're Rank 9 after all so Rank 10 is not that far..."

"The World's Laws probably won't allow another Venerable," said a pink fox, appearing by my side. "Although Andromeda and Fuyu might be also at Venerable levels of power, they're connected to Drake, so its technically just a single Venerable at the end of the day. If you try to forge your own Ascendancy Laws right now, it will end in great disaster, and you might... Well, die."

"Wait, really?" Benladann felt slightly disappointed.

"It's not that Yggdrasil doesn't want it, but if it happens, the world could be completely ruined, do you get it, Benladann? It's something dangerous," said Belle. "Each Venerable has forged their own Law that has become a layer upon the ruined world, healing it and creating more and more pillars over the previous one. This has created a balance over millions of years. However, when a Law is fresh, another one trying to squeeze in might result in destruction. I learned this from master, when she told me about another guy that tried becoming a Venerable when she was active. It ended in him blowing up into pieces."

"Huh..." I muttered. "So what... can we do then? If they can't really become Venerables..."

"Well, I said they can't become Venerables, but with your insane powers, do you think there's no other way?" Belle smiled. "Heh, with the power you've given to everyone else, it's quite clear what's ahead is surpassing Rank 10. Even if they can't get their own Ascendancy Law, they can continue growing stronger in both divine power, physical capabilities, and magical abilities. Also, for Benladann and your children, it shouldn't be an issue either, as they're all Divine Dragons, they can become as strong as Venerables without needing to become one naturally."

"I see..." I nodded. "Andromeda, is this true?"

"It certainly is! Everyone can now level up even as gods. Those at Rank 9 Peak Stage might be able to reach Rank 10 once they level up enough, perhaps once they Rank up their Class," said Andromeda. "Although no Ascendancy Law will be given, it is as if everyone is sharing yours through their System Status."

"Hoh, so that's how it works and how it allows others to break through to Rank 10!" I nodded. "Interesting... Very interesting."

"Now the only thing left is... resting..." Emerald yawned. "I'll sleep for the rest of the break, we need to be well prepared, master Drake."

"I'll join him too, I'm quite dizzy as well," Amehia nodded.

"I shall polish my skills meanwhile," Tyrannus said.

"Alright, I guess that's a call to end this, everyone, you're free to do whatever you want for the next... ten hours," I said. "Sleep, eat, train, do whatever you want. I'll personally practice my abilities and probably rest. Once the time is up, I'll call everyone."

"Alright!"

And like that, slowly, ten hours passed.

Eventually, a huge, crimson-colored portal materialized in the living room.

It was time for the Second Trial to begin.

"Everyone's ready? Let's go!"

I led my party of dozens, as we passed through the crimson portal, arriving at the area where the second trial would develop.

And it wasn't much unlike the previous Trial's area, it was a huge open area with a sky of its own, clouds, sun, and an endless sea of trees, a lush jungle full of life.

There were four large Aztec-like pyramids rising from four points within this enormous territory, connected by these lush jungles.

"This place's huge again, mama..." Kate said.

"I can see! The air is quite fresh, isn't it?" Andromeda asked.

"Yeah, it's good~" Benladann smiled. "Huh? Drake?"

Although everyone was enjoying the view, I couldn't.

I quickly walked forwards, as my eyes immediately met with someone.

"Pandemonium."

His group of two arrived at the other side of the desert surrounding the jungles.

Although we were far away, his crimson eyes pierced through my very soul.

No, I cannot be intimidated anymore.

I am different now, I've become stronger.

"Drake... You've become stronger, huh? How about we settle this already?"

Within a second, he appeared in front of me.