Chapter 208: Tenth Platform

Chapter 208: Tenth PlatformThey all watched their respective clan representatives advance steadily, their eyes flickering with hope and anticipation as they ascended the treacherous paths ahead. Yet their attention kept drifting toward the ninety-nine floating platforms suspended high above—a sight that sparked both awe and reverence.

This secret space was said to be a masterpiece, crafted with immense effort by the ancestors of the Titania Clan. The creation of such a realm had taken countless years, with the sole purpose of forging future legends and tempering the next generation.

This mystical realm was known as the Heavenly Path of God, and its significance was not lost on anyone. Climbing through the platforms wasn’t just a show of strength—it was a rare opportunity to lay the foundation for reaching the elusive god state.

"Only those who reach the highest platforms can glimpse the essence of divinity," an elder murmured, eyes filled with both fear and ambition.

Even among the top clans, very few had succeeded in reaching the uppermost platforms throughout thousands of years.

Each step forward on the path was a trial of endurance, understanding, and willpower, with the floating platforms growing exponentially more difficult the higher one ascended.

The spectators whispered among themselves, speculating who among the current participants had what it took to climb far enough to carve their names into history.

With time inside the space, the group of participants finally started to cross the first platform.

The moment the group crossed it, the gravity on them instantly doubled, even making many of them almost lost, but it wasn’t just that, as this time it wasn’t just physical pressure, but there was spiritual pressure as well.

The sudden shift was brutal. Those who had confidently crossed the first platform found themselves staggering under the combined weight of doubled gravity and an oppressive spiritual pressure. It was as if invisible hands clutched their minds and souls, squeezing mercilessly.

Marianne gasped, clutching her temples. "This... this is insane!" She could feel her thoughts scatter like leaves in a storm, her every movement sluggish and laboured.

Matheo furrowed his eyebrows, beads of sweat trailing down his forehead. "It’s alright, just strengthen your mind."

Apollo, however, remained calm, though his eyes gleamed with new intensity. The spiritual pressure coiled around his consciousness like a serpent, probing for weaknesses, but he welcomed it.

His spiritual defence is unbreakable; after following the path of Mage, his spiritual strength didn’t lose to his body at all, so he wasn’t feeling weak spiritual pressure like almost anything at all.

"Let the pressure collide with your spirit," Apollo said evenly, his voice cutting through the turmoil. "Slowly control your spirit and let it strengthen your mind by following the hundreds of refinements, just like a blacksmith who hammers iron hundreds of times to create a perfect refined iron."

Marianne and Matheo exchanged quick glances, then followed his lead, focusing their minds and spirits on using the spiritual pressure from the floating platforms to strengthen their spirits.

It was difficult, but as they adjusted, the crushing weight on their minds became slightly more manageable.

Other participants were also not faring as well. Many felt very uncomfortable, but the mage or any other spiritual path user was in much better condition. And although it was uncomfortable, it wasn’t a massive problem for the five hundred geniuses here, as they weren’t weak but elites countless times better than most.

Despite the growing fatigue, the group pressed on with unwavering resolve, moving ahead one step at a time. Even though nothing unexpected had occurred so far, the sheer difficulty of each platform gradually became more apparent. With every ascent, the gravity intensified, and the spiritual pressure grew heavier, pressing down on both body and mind.

Yet, no one faltered. Their pride as top talents drove them forward, and with efforts, they climbed one platform after another, determined not to be left behind. The ninth platform was finally reached without a single participant dropping out—a testament to their strength and discipline.

However, as they came close to the tenth platform, many began to realize that the real challenge hadn’t even begun yet. The air felt thicker, and the invisible pressure hinted at something greater ahead.

The first one to step on the tenth floor was a middle clan participant whose strength wasn’t weak at the peak of the fourth rank and who understood the law domain. He was going ahead of others with fast speed and wanted to stay ahead.

But the moment he steps on the tenth platform from the sky, powerful waves of blazing flames come like a tsunami, knocking him out immediately because of his carelessness and becoming the first guy to be eliminated.

Szz... Szzz... Boom!

The explosion echoed ominously across the other platforms, causing participants still climbing to freeze in their tracks by such a turn of effects. The fiery waves didn’t merely threaten the body—they targeted the soul, making it clear that this was no ordinary flame.

Apollo narrowed his eyes. "That wasn’t just an elemental attack... it carried the mark of law of a very high level of law."

Marianne paled. "What kind of place is this? The challenge escalated too fast."

The spectators stirred anxiously, as they witnessed the brutal elimination.

"Flames of Divine Punishment," murmured an elder from the Spirit Flames Clan, who understood what kind of flames that was. But he noticed that it wasn’t the real Flames of Divine Punishment, as that is a divine flame; even gods will be burned if they get in contact with them, not to mention these young talents.

The flames just seem to have a hint of the law of Flames of Divine Punishment that is millions of times weaker than the original, but still, it wouldn’t be easy for the participants.

Apollo watched the waves of fire recede, leaving a scorched path ahead. Participants who had followed closely behind the eliminated climber slowed, their earlier eagerness replaced by caution.

"Marianne, Matheo." Apollo’s voice was calm but firm. "The tenth platform marks the beginning of the true challenge. From here on, everything—strength, willpower, and understanding—must be flawless."

They nodded, the weight of his words settling over them like a heavy cloak.

As they neared the edge of the platform, the blazing mist above shimmered, giving off subtle pulses as if alive.

Apollo closed his eyes for a moment, focusing. From now on, they need to use their understanding of the law to protect themselves and move ahead.

Another participant from a lesser clan attempted to step onto the tenth platform cautiously, channelling his own law of wind to create a barrier.

But the moment his foot touched the scorched ground, the flames surged again, faster than before—twisting into serpents of fire that coiled around him. He fought back, the wind howling, but the flames devoured his efforts as his understanding of the law wasn’t enough. With a cry of frustration, he vanished in a beam of white light.

The remaining climbers paused, their faces grim. The sense of invincibility many had carried into the trial began to crumble under the weight of reality. Each failure was a stark reminder that the path was designed not merely to test strength but to master its law and essence.

Yet, among the crowd, the representatives of the top ten clans remained unfazed. Their expressions were cold, focused—eyes gleaming with the confidence of warriors accustomed to impossible challenges.

Whether it was the young master Drakins who was covered in blood aura, Kassandra who was covered in lightning, or other representatives of the top ten clans, They steadily entered the tenth platform without difficulty, even though the moment their feet touched the land, they were bombarded with scorching flames.

They all have a good understanding and high level of control over their laws, making it easy for them to move on ahead.

Seeing this, other clan representatives, not wanting to be left behind, quickly followed them, and one after another they started to enter the tenth platform. But although it was easy for the top ten clan representatives, it wasn’t for the most.

Many of the participants from different clans and forces started to lose from here on. The seemingly easy path started to become difficult.

A participant from a mid-level clan tried to block the flames with a hastily conjured water barrier. It hissed and evaporated instantly, leaving him vulnerable. He screamed as the flames consumed him, and with a flash of white light, he was eliminated.

Another young man wrapped himself in wood energy to speed through, hoping to protect himself from flames entirely. But the fire reacted violently, feeding on the wood energy, growing fiercer and overwhelming him. His desperate struggle ended in failure as he, too, vanished.

Participants began to fall like dominoes, their hurried attempts turning into moments of disaster.

Apollo, Marianne, and Matheo stood quietly, watching the chaos unfold behind them.

"We’re already seeing the fallout," Matheo muttered. "Most of them won’t make it past the tenth platform at this rate."

Apollo’s expression remained calm, his sharp gaze locked on the participants still attempting to push through.

Marianne was the most anxious one among them, as she knew her strength and her law of wood seemed to be a bad match for these extreme flames.