Solanky slowly walked toward the edge of the pond, his gaze fixed on its tranquil depths.
Far below the crystal-clear surface rested a massive cocoon covered in countless mysterious engravings. As he observed it more carefully, he realized that the symbols carved across the cocoon were remarkably similar to those etched onto the glowing crystals embedded throughout the pond's bed.
There was, however, one noticeable difference.
The brilliance of the crystals had dimmed ever so slightly compared to when they had first entered the cave.
Solanky frowned for a brief moment but did not dwell on the matter.
Instead, he turned his attention to preparing the resources Elisa would need for her breakthrough.
With a wave of his hand, his refining cauldron appeared before him.
He retrieved the medicinal herbs he had gathered earlier, then took out five transcendent grasses of eternity.
Without hesitation, he began refining.
Possessing refinement skills that had already reached the transcendent level, Solanky's movements were flawless and efficient. Every hand seal flowed naturally into the next as flames danced gracefully beneath the cauldron.
Before long, ten flawless pills emerged.
Each one radiated a faint transcendent aura while releasing an indescribably fragrant aroma that seemed capable of nourishing both body and soul.
Using his mental power, Solanky carefully guided the ten pills toward the cocoon resting beneath the pond.
The instant they landed upon its surface, they disappeared.
Not dissolved.
Not melted.
They were absorbed instantly.
Solanky's eyes widened.
Even Commander Hanks, a peak entity-level powerhouse possessing nine hundred and sixty thousand times the strength of an Infinite Source God, would require several days to completely refine the medicinal energy contained within a single pill of that quality.
Yet the cocoon had absorbed all ten in less than a heartbeat.
Before Solanky could recover from his astonishment, the engravings covering the cocoon suddenly burst into dazzling radiance.
At the same time, the runes carved into the crystals beneath the pond rapidly lost their glow, as though their energy was being siphoned away.
Then another shocking change occurred.
The flow of time beneath the pond accelerated at an unimaginable rate.
In only a few breaths, it reached a terrifying level.
One samsara beneath the pond became equivalent to a single day above its surface.
Solanky immediately rose to his feet.
Without wasting another moment, he activated his observational eye technique.
His eyes shimmered with profound light as he attempted to peer through the pond and uncover the secret hidden within.
Nothing.
No matter how many times he tried, every attempt failed.
The pond completely rejected his perception.
Even his unparalleled observational technique could neither analyze nor deduce what was happening beneath its waters.
Refusing to give up, Solanky stepped forward and attempted to enter the pond himself.
The moment his body touched the water, an invisible force erupted outward.
Bang!
He was thrown backward before he could even break the surface.
After stabilizing himself, Solanky focused on sensing Elisa's life aura.
His expression gradually changed.
Her aura had already reached nine hundred and ninety thousand times the strength of an Infinite Source God.
At that level, she already stood among the absolute strongest beings below the transcendent entity realm.
Yet her ascent had not stopped.
Her aura continued climbing.
Moments later, it shattered the very limitation imposed by Infinite Source Energy itself.
The instant that boundary was broken, Elisa's aura vanished completely from Solanky's perception.
No matter how carefully he searched...
He could no longer sense her existence.
...
Far outside the trial grounds, within the forsaken realm, an unprecedented phenomenon unfolded across heaven and earth.
Countless ferocious beasts and extraordinary lifeforms emerged from every corner of the realm.
Like an endless tide, they advanced toward the trial grounds with overwhelming momentum.
It appeared as though they intended to force their way inside.
Yet the moment they approached the trial space...
Every single one of them stopped.
Then, without exception, they lowered their heads in reverence.
Even the elite disciples personally trained by the Beast Emperor arrived before the trial grounds.
Upon their arrival, they immediately knelt before the sealed space.
The unbelievable sight stunned every spectator present.
Even the venerable ones overseeing the competition could not conceal their shock.
A transcendent entity observing from afar narrowed her eyes.
"This matter must be reported to the generals and the venerable ones within the courtroom."
The next instant, she disappeared.
Inside the courtroom, one powerful figure after another manifested before the enormous portals lining the grand hall.
At the center stood the First Venerable.
He was the strongest transcendent being beneath the forsaken god himself, his trusted right-hand man, and the undisputed leader of the courtroom.
Beside him stood the Second Venerable and the Third Venerable.
After surveying everyone present, the First Venerable spoke solemnly.
"The last time we gathered like this was to welcome the destined one."
"At that time, the forsaken god personally guided us."
"This time..."
He slowly shook his head.
"Even I have no idea what is happening."
"The trial grounds are heavily restricted against transcendent beings."
"We can do nothing except observe from outside."
His gaze shifted toward the distant trial space.
"However, with every beast and special lifeform in the realm converging there..."
"I have arrived at two possible conclusions."
"If either proves true..."
"...it would explain why even transcendent beings are forbidden from entering those special trial grounds."
Silence filled the courtroom.
Every transcendent listened intently.
The First Venerable continued.
"Before departing on his journey, the forsaken god once told me that a terrifying existence would eventually emerge from one of the many trial spaces."
"The moment it awakened, its strength would already rival my own."
"And in the future..."
"It is destined to stand at the same level as the forsaken god himself."
A heavy pressure settled over the courtroom.
The First Venerable's voice remained calm.
"Once that being leaves its seclusion, it will become the strongest existence beneath their level."
"It alone will possess enough power to destroy half of the transcendent beings of our realm."
"And should it ever choose to flee..."
"...even the forsaken god himself would be unable to stop it."
The entire courtroom fell into stunned silence.
For the first time in countless years, genuine unease appeared on the faces of the transcendent beings.
No one knew what kind of existence was growing inside the trial space.
No one knew whether it would emerge as an ally...
...or an enemy.
The First Venerable spoke once more.
"My second theory concerns the behavior of the beasts."
"Since every beast and special lifeform outside the trial grounds has gathered here..."
"...then every beast and special lifeform inside the trial grounds is likely converging upon a single location as well."
"Because of this unprecedented event, many contestants have acquired transcendent-level techniques, treasures, and herbs."
"However..."
"Not a single one has obtained anything beyond the transcendent level."
"Furthermore, nearly ninety-five percent of the participants have already been expelled."
"Only those possessing the greatest talent and potential remain."
He turned toward several disciples of the Beast Emperor standing nearby.
"I questioned the Beast Emperor's disciples."
"They told me that this overwhelming instinct resembles what they experienced when their souls first acknowledged the Beast Emperor as their ruler."
His expression gradually became more serious.
"But this phenomenon..."
"...is far stronger."
The golden-armored figure standing nearby suddenly spoke.
"Could it be..."
The First Venerable nodded.
"Exactly, Goldie."
"A new Beast Emperor has been born."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"More accurately..."
"It is likely the legendary Beast Ancestor spoken of throughout the beyond realm."
"The mere existence of such a being strikes fear into the hearts of countless races."
"Even existences standing at the level of the forsaken god pay close attention whenever such an ancestor appears."
Seeing the anxiety spreading throughout the courtroom, the First Venerable offered reassurance.
"Do not worry."
"Before leaving, the forsaken god revealed one final prophecy."
"He said the destined child his companion spoke of would one day help us befriend this new Beast Ancestor."
"Their destinies..."
"...are deeply intertwined."
The moment his words ended, a deafening roar erupted throughout the entire forsaken realm.
The roar shook heaven and earth.
Every being below the peak entity level instantly lost consciousness as the overwhelming sound invaded both their minds and souls.
Without hesitation, every transcendent inside the courtroom disappeared.
An instant later, they all appeared outside the portal leading into the trial grounds.
Working together, they formed countless hand seals in perfect unison.
For the very first time since the forsaken god had departed...
They activated the forsaken god's barrier.
Long ago, the forsaken god had given every venerable and every general a single command.
The moment a roar echoed throughout the entire realm...
They were to activate the barrier immediately.
Without question.
Without hesitation.