'I didn't see this coming…' Devdar's gaze locked on Minos with a mixture of severity and unease. He fought to maintain his composure, though irritation simred beneath the surface at the unexpected transformation.
Seeing one of his chosen heirs twist his legacy—especially when Devdar was present to enforce his own decrees—was disconcerting. More unsettling still was Minos' display of capabilities, which seed to far exceed the boundaries he'd previously faced, effortlessly bypassing the imposed limitations on both the dinsion and its challengers.
Yet Devdar wasn't worried about clashing with Minos directly. Despite his wounded pride, his pragmatic side took over. 'If he's stronger than , there's no sense in prolonging this conflict… What a predicant. And what do I do with these three?' He cast a calculating look at the remaining competitors who had reached the final stage of the contest.
Though it was evident that none of these three posed a real challenge to Minos, the human's stance suggested he was determined to carry on with the competition.
Devdar took note, quietly questioning the motive behind such behavior.
'It's a pity I can no longer foresee his future,' he mused. 'Perhaps it's ti to step back and let him steer the outco. Maybe that's for the best.'
Gradually, the tension in Devdar's shoulders eased as his focus shifted back to his primary aim: ushering Minos into the Upper Realm.
He had not anticipated such a teoric rise from Minos, yet he had assud—if not expected—that Minos would ultimately triumph in this dispute and ascend into the Upper Realm alongside him. So, despite the disconcerting and even uncomfortable twists of fate, this Entitled Deity was already ntally prepared to celebrate the victory of his most gifted chosen one, ready to acknowledge the significant role this human would henceforth play in his grand design.
While Devdar accepted the situation as it stood, Soli and the other two opponents exchanged grim looks as they watched their rival. None of them were pleased to see such a formidable competitor in the dinsion. Though they had expected this outco, all three had hoped for Minos' downfall before stepping into this dinsion.
Now, all they could do was sigh in trepidation, knowing that the worst seed imminent.
Despite their exponential growth, mories of Minos' earlier abilities were still fresh, and none felt they matched up to his prowess. This was especially true for Soli, who approached Minos with a resentful smile, offering him the most mournful "hello" one might ever hear.
Minos returned her smile calmly, giving Devdar a mont to reflect. He addressed her gently, "Glad to see you here, Soli. Forfex will be delighted to know you've made it."
"Forfex?" She responded imdiately with a bewildered expression.
Minos chuckled lightly before clarifying, "He miraculously survived—I discovered him recently."
"Impossible… How?" she murmured, still in disbelief.
Amid the exchange between Minos and Soli, Devdar broke in with a soft clap of his hands, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as he ca to terms with the unfolding scenario.
"Well done, my chosen ones. You have earned accolades along the path you've taken thus far. Out of ten, only these competitors have reached the final stage of the inheritance. Six failed, perishing before advancing to the 13th stage. Now, it is up to the remaining four to battle for a new throne in the Upper Realm."
The four competitors shifted their focus to Devdar, even though each of them was nearly certain of the outco of this last contest. They had all trekked arduous journeys alone, each nurturing dreams of entering the Upper Realm and embarking on a lifeti of immortality.
Devdar continued, "Due to the losses among your colleagues, this last contest will be shorter—with fewer opportunities and diminished hazards for you."
"What are we to do?" Minos inquired, his tone as respectful as it always had been when addressing Devdar.
Though Minos had grown stronger, he still held the sa deep reverence for Devdar, recognizing the elder's vast reservoir of knowledge—a guide and ntor unmatched.
Devdar fixed his gaze on his favored one and replied, "Allow to explain the rules of this contest. During this concluding phase of the inheritance, you will vie against each other, both physically and spiritually. The contest will conclude when only one of you remains standing—either through the voluntary withdrawal of your peers or by their demise.
For those who choose to withdraw and are spared by their opponents," he paused, his eyes briefly eting Minos', "you may return to the realm from which you ca. Naturally, I will then seal your mories of the inheritance and every shared ordeal among you."
Minos wasn't taken aback, even though he remained uncertain whether this twist had been preditated or was a reaction to his previous actions.
The other contestants, unaware of the deeper ramifications of their predicant, regarded the new rules with cautious optimism.
Soli then asked, "What about the scenario? All the previous inheritance phases had logical purposes and opportunities. Will this one be the sa?"
Emboldened by their progress, the other two competitors also spoke up, eager to address their questions directly to Devdar.
Devdar's smile deepened as he let go of so of his concerns and returned to his planned agenda for the day. "Indeed, you stand in a replica of what the Upper Realm looks like. But let explain—the true Upper Realm is an underwater dinsion. The purpose of this final challenge is not rely to test you, but to reveal the fate that awaits the victor.
Of course, I cannot fully recreate the Upper Realm here. Rather, whoever triumphs will eventually be transported to a far more powerful dinsion, one defined by denser laws and greater pressures. To your benefit, once one of you enters that realm, you will be awarded your throne and promotion, ascending to the status of an Entitled Deity. At that mont, your lineages will evolve, elevating you to imperfect immortals—a level far superior to that of ordinary Celestials."
A shiver ran through them at Devdar's last words. They knew that by stepping into the Upper Realm, they would achieve immortality in the sense that aging would no longer be their concern. While they might still fall victim to beings capable of causing harm, ti itself would cease to be an enemy.
Just a few more cultivation steps—up to level 130—stood between them and true immortality!
Devdar concluded, "Before you reach that exalted level, you must compete against one another and earn recognition." As he spoke, he gestured upward. The four of them followed his motion, their eyes drawn to a semi-transparent golden throne suspended above this space, hovering with an authority that surpassed even his own in this contest.
"Decide amongst yourselves. May the best win, and may your choices be the wisest. I wish you luck, but now the choice is yours. I will accompany the winner at their consecration. But now, you must fight!"
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