Chapter 168: Tribulation Expert and Heaven Ascension Stairs!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In fact, ever since the incident with the Black Feather Tribe’s attack, Huo Sheng had already sensed that something was amiss.
It took the Black Feather Tribe, led by Amang, a full 20 days to travel from New York to Nanxiang.
From their conversation, Huo Sheng overheard phrases like “killing the males, capturing the females.”
Traveling such a long distance and capturing live captives…
Why was he making such a great fanfare?
The specifics eluded Huo Sheng, but he knew there had to be a reason.
During Velo’s previous visit, Huo Sheong had even discreetly inquired about it, but Velo had been tight-lipped.
However, Huo Sheng could glean from subtle cues that Velo definitely knew something and that his group was unique within the Black Mist Zone.
Upon hearing Huo Sheng’s question, Velo thought for a moment and said,
“This is going to be a long story.”
As he spoke, he sat down, looking at Lu Ming and Huo Sheng. After some thought, Velo did not use this as a bargaining chip but instead proceeded to explain directly.
“Before 1 talk about your identities, 1 need to start with the origin of the Black
Mist Zone.”
Lu Ming and Huo Sheng could not help but prick up their ears.
The history of the Spirit Clan was ancient, once being one of the top clans within the Black Mist Zone.
Regarding certain secrets within the Black Mist Zone, the Spirit Clan was not necessarily less knowledgeable than clans like the Undead Clan or the Insect Clan—just that they had faded in prominence.
“According to the records of our ancestors, the Black Mist Zone was created by the Supreme Divine Being.”
“The purpose behind creating this special space was either to please the
Supreme Divine Being or to serve as a test. It’s a selection.”
“It could also be understood as the playground or proving ground of the
Supreme Divine Being, where they select allies or candidates!”
With Veto’s words, Lu Ming and Huo Sheng exchanged glances.
Although Velo’s explanation was somewhat unbelievable, it did align with Huo Sheng’s previous theory about a puppet master behind the scenes.
Before Huo Sheng and Lu Ming could speak again, Velo continued.
“With this as the main premise, let’s talk about the Tribulation Transcenders next.”
“Tribulation Transcenders? Are you referring to us?” Huo Sheng asked, only to see Velo shake his head, “Not just you, us as well…”
When the Black Mist Zone first appeared, there were no intelligent races within it.
What existed here were only mutated beasts everywhere. At that time, they were the overlords of the Black Mist Zone!
“However, after the Holy Tower appeared, everything changed.”
It was unknown which world it was, but it was the first world chosen by the supreme god.
Everything that happened at the beginning was similar to what Lu Ming and the other humans had experienced.
“In the center of a city or gathering place, the Holy Tower rose from the ground. It released source power, turning the old and weak into zombies. The outside was covered by the black mist. Stepping into the mist brought one into the Black Mist Zone.”
Then, the black mist kept shrinking, squeezing the space inside until it pulled all the intelligent lifeforms into the Black Mist Zone.
“This was the experience of the first generation of tribulation transcenders and all the subsequent tribulation transcenders.”
“There’s a saying in the Black Mist Zone that all the races currently in the Black
Mist Zone are either tribulation transcenders or descendants of the tribulation transcenders. I believe this saying is reasonable and based on fact.”
Once Velo finished speaking, Huo Sheng pointed at himself.
“In other words, we’re the new generation of tribulation transcenders?”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“Then, is there anything special about us?”
Huo Sheng had barely asked when Velo began to explain.
“I mentioned earlier that the Black Mist Zone is the Supreme Divine Being’s playground or testing ground. Those who undergo tribulation are either gamers or trial targets.”
“The reason we’re called tribulation transcenders is because every time a new tribulation survivor appears, it signifies the beginning of a great calamity. This is related to an incident called the Heaven Ascension Stairs.”
“The so-called Heaven Ascension Stairs, is also known as the Ladder to God or the Path to Divinity!”
“Because the goal of the Heaven Ascension Stairs is to create a god! To birth a new divine being!”
“Divinities?” Lu Ming was interested. “Are there really divine beings within the Black Mist Zone?”
Velo nodded affirmatively, “Yes, and there’s more than one! All contemporary major clans possess one or even several ancestral gods. Clans without the protection of a god don’t deserve to be called major clans within the Black Mist Zone.”
To put it simply, the presence or absence of gods was the foundation determining whether a race could thrive within the Black Mist Zone!
With the birth of each new god, the territory of the old gods was squeezed.
Calamities ensued!
The great calamity of the divine wars! The great calamity of Clans Annihilation!
When a new god ascended the throne, the old god perished.
Or vice versa.
Lu Ming asked again, “How powerful are these gods?”
Velo replied, “The Mortal Realm, the Physique Realm, the Spirit Realm, the Source Realm, and the Ancient Realm. Above the Ancient Realm are the realms of gods! Moreover, there’s no other way to cross the threshold of the Ancient Realm to the Divine Spirit Realm except by ascending to the heavens! In other words, the only path to godhood is by way of the Heaven Ascension Stairs!”
Lu Ming could not help but fall silent.
This was because from the Mortal Realm, Physique Realm, Spirit Realm, Source Realm, and Ancient Realm, he could comprehend just how powerful the so-called gods truly were.
Velo continued, “Not only that, but there’s also such an agreement for the
Heaven Ascension Stairs.”
“In other words, the qualification to ascend to the heavens can only be obtained by contemporary tribulation transcenders…”
As soon as he finished speaking, Huo Sheng suddenly frowned.
A moment later, he nodded pensively. “In that case, it seems this is the fundamental reason we’re being targeted.”
According to the setting of the Heaven Ascension Stairs, only contemporary tribulation transcenders could step onto the Heaven Ascension Stairs. This also meant that only contemporary tribulation transcenders had the potential to achieve godhood through the Ascension Stairs.
However, if that was all, things would become simpler.
Is there a way to plunder the qualifications to ascend to the heavens here?”
Huo Sheng asked, only to see Velo nod and say, “Yes, there are many ways… Not only are there many ways, some of these methods are widely known and spread.”
“For example, the simplest method is the Blood Essence Extraction Method.”
“Through special tools, you can extract the blood essence of a current Tribulation Transcender and with the blood essence in your hand, you can step onto the Heaven Ascension Stairs.”
Considering the importance of gods to the clans…
The situation of the current tribulation transcenders could easily be deduced.
To become a god, one had to ascend the Heaven Ascension Stairs.
However, to ascend the Heaven Ascension Stairs, qualifications were necessary. If one wanted to obtain the qualifications, they had to target the Tribulation Transcenders of this generation.
“It looks like we’ve become a prized delicacy…”
Huo Sheng smiled bitterly, summarizing their identities.
Velo was unfamiliar with the concept of a “prized delicacy,” but from Huo Sheng’s expression, he understood what he meant.
He nodded gently and said, “So now, do you understand your situation?”
Understanding was one thing.
However, there were still many questions.
“What is a supreme divine being? Has anyone seen a supreme divine being before?”
Facing Huo Sheng’s question, Velo shook his head and said, “No one has seen the true form of the Supreme Divine Being, nor has anyone seen the Supreme Divine Being.”
“Those gods have never seen it before?”
“I don’t know… but the gods will always claim that the Supreme Divine Being truly exists. We’ve chosen to believe their words.”
Huo Sheng asked again, “How long is the interval between the appearance of each generation of tribulation transcenders?”
“At least a few hundred years, at most tens of thousands of years.”
This made Huo Sheng sigh.
At least for the next few hundred years, humans could forget about having other races share their burden.
“Lastly, the Heaven Ascension Stairs… When will the Heaven Ascension Stairs begin and in what way?”
At the mention of this, a strange expression suddenly appeared on Velo’s face…
He said, “The Heaven Ascension Stairs have actually already begun…”
Huo Sheng remained silent.
Then, he heard Velo say in a strange tone, “Mortal Realm Level Five, those who can interact with the Holy Tower, guided by the Holy Tower, can begin the Heaven Ascension Trial…”
Before Lu Ming and Huo Sheng could recover from their shock, Velo added, “I know how you must be feeling… This is considered a benefit given by the Supreme Divine Being to the new generation of tribulation transcenders. You missed it.”
“However, there’s no need to worry. Those who reach the Heaven Ascension Stage first might not have an advantage over those who enter later. Based on past data, it’s more likely that those who come later have a greater chance of achieving godhood.”
With that said, Velo paused briefly and added, “Now, you can also immediately begin the Heaven Ascension Trial by interacting with the Holy Tower.”
Huo Sheng raised his eyebrows, “Where is the Holy Tower in the Black Mist Zone?”
Velo gave a matter-of-fact answer, “In the core territories of the major clans..”