novelraw Chapter 429: First Hurdle in the Tower—2
Chapter 429: First Hurdle in the Tower—2
"I am Velrith Moonscar, mid-level administrator of this Ascension Tower and the one who will be personally conducting your trial evaluation today... Mister Paragon."
His tone dripped with obvious amusement on that last part, as if the name itself was a joke.
"What a remarkably bold name you’ve chosen for yourself. Quite... presumptuous and arrogant for someone of your obviously humble origins."
He was clearly looking for a reaction, trying deliberately to provoke Leon into revealing something through anger or pride.
But Leon kept his guard up at all times, maintaining his expression carefully neutral despite the blatant condescension and insults.
Velrith smiled slightly at the lack of visible reaction, seemingly pleased by Leon’s control.
Then he descended from his floating position without warning.
WHOOSH!
In an instant—not through spatial teleportation but through pure, overwhelming physical speed that Leon’s eyes could barely track—Velrith appeared directly next to him, less than a meter away.
Leon could only flinch reflexively when the man had already arrived right in front of him. His body moved on pure instinct, immediately backing off several quick steps to create distance and defensive space.
"Relax, human," Velrith said casually, waving a dismissive hand. "I’m not going to harm you."
Yet, his amused eyes seemed to silently add.
But Leon kept his guard up regardless of the reassurance, not trusting a single word from this obviously condescending and potentially hostile creature.
Actions speak louder than words. And his actions show superiority and disdain.
Velrith’s smile widened slightly at Leon’s continued wariness and refusal to relax. Then he reached out with one elegant hand and took something from apparently thin air—clearly pulling an item from a high-quality spatial storage artifact.
Leon’s eyes immediately locked onto the object with focused attention.
It was an extraordinarily luxurious bottle, clearly made of some form of crystallized mana or precious material. Inside swirled a shimmering liquid that seemed to shift fluidly through multiple vibrant colors—deep red, brilliant blue, radiant gold, pure silver—in mesmerizing, hypnotic patterns.
Leon could tell instantly it was something genuinely extraordinary just from the powerful ambient energy it radiated, even while contained.
Suddenly, without him even attempting to identify it, detailed information appeared floating in golden text directly in front of him:
[Prismatic Awakening Elixir]
[Rarity: Legendary]
[Primary Effect: Permanently increases ALL physical and mental stats by exactly 100 points]
[Secondary Effect: Awakens one random Rank 6 elemental affinity in the consumer]
[Note: Affinity awakened will be completely random - cannot be selected or influenced]
[Value: Immeasurable - Wars have been fought over lesser treasures in certain worlds]
This was an incredibly, extraordinarily valuable item!
Leon’s eyes gleamed involuntarily, seeing those powerful effects listed so clearly.
With this, Seraphine would become so much stronger immediately...
The first trial separation had made him realize with absolute crystal clarity how critically important it was for Seraphine to become even more powerful independently—to develop into a genuine powerhouse in her own right rather than someone who constantly needed his protection.
For that ultimate goal, he’d already made the firm decision that she would soon undergo her class reawakening process, which would make her significantly stronger than her current already-impressive state.
And this particular item would make her vastly better prepared when taking future dangerous trials. Having three distinct elemental affinities instead of just two would provide an enormous tactical and power advantage.
Three elements to combine and utilize. The versatility alone would be incredible.
The trial overseer observed Leon’s facial expression carefully with predatory interest, clearly seeing the obvious desire and interest written across the human’s features.
He chuckled slightly, the sound carrying deep satisfaction.
"You recognize quality when you see it. Good. You can have this item, human. Take it with my blessing."
He paused deliberately for effect.
"All you need to do is answer one simple, straightforward question of mine. That’s all I ask."
Hearing that seemingly generous offer, Leon kept his complete silence, his wariness increasing dramatically.
Nothing is ever free, especially from someone like this.
The overseer simply proceeded with his question anyway, despite the lack of response, his voice carrying unmistakable pride and superiority.
"This elixir is something that even among people of my Level and exalted status is desperately coveted and fought over. Despite the affinity awakening being ’only’ Rank 6, it’s still an additional complete affinity—something absolutely worth killing for in most circumstances."
He paused for dramatic emphasis, letting that sink in.
"Rank 7 affinity elixirs are legendary items that entire powerful factions and ancient clans wage prolonged wars to obtain even a single dose. Even these Rank 6 versions are extraordinarily difficult to acquire through any means, depending on the specific affinity involved and market availability."
Rank 7, there are items that can awaken rank 7 affinity out there!! Leon thought greedily, flashing his eyes, and from the way it seemed, both these items are extremely valuable.
His purple eyes focused intently on Leon with laser precision.
"So tell me, human. Answer this one simple question, and all of this is yours."
Another deliberate pause.
"How does a human from an obviously lower world, with cultivation at merely Ascendant rank, somehow possess a higher-grade cosmic system?"
The question hung in the air between them like a suspended blade ready to fall.
Leon’s expression didn’t change externally, but internally, his mind raced at incredible speed.
So that’s what he detected when I probed him. He knows I have a higher-grade system than normal. How much does he actually know?
The overseer continued speaking, his tone becoming increasingly curious and hungry for information.
"It’s completely unprecedented in all my considerable experience and knowledge. Absolutely unheard of. I attempted to check your basic status information, but for some utterly incomprehensible reason, I cannot even perceive your name, which is absolutely absurd given our massive level difference."
Velrith’s eyes narrowed slightly with genuine confusion and frustration.
"I can tell you’re at Ascendant rank cultivation—that much is obvious. But the secrets you hold are clearly heaven-defying in nature. Are you perhaps some ancient, powerful being’s carefully planned reincarnation? Even that extreme explanation doesn’t adequately explain how you possess a cosmic system of that apparent grade."
He leaned forward slightly, intense interest radiating from his entire posture.
"Or why I—someone more than one hundred full levels higher than your current pathetic rank—cannot probe even your most basic information like name. Your Class and affinity could theoretically be hidden from detection since I also possess a higher-grade cosmic system myself. But your physical stats, your skills, your name, your Age, your race details—everything? That should be completely impossible through any known method."
The beastfolk’s smile turned distinctly predatory, showing hints of sharp fangs.
"I cannot let this fascinating mystery go unanswered and unexplored. This secret alone—whatever method you’re using—would allow me to earn rewards and recognition worth vastly more than this measly elixir, valuable as it is."
Leon thought for only a brief moment, then spoke clearly and firmly.
"I decline your offer entirely."
His voice was hard, carrying absolutely no hesitation whatsoever.
With enough causality accumulated over time, I can buy items matching this effect or even higher quality directly from the cosmic shop. Or I can obtain similar powerful rewards by climbing the Tower itself and completing challenges, which is almost certainly how this overseer obtained that elixir in the first place.
Leon doesn’t know that for normal people, even those who had become immortal, the number of casualties was too much.
Earning causality was not such an easy task.
But who can tell him that when he was scamming higher being who can erase his world with their fart alone, well if they knew about it.