Three more months had passed, and Luke had become a Tier 5 mage. Currently, the whole family was gathered in a large living room discussing Luke's future.
Maxwell, with his wife and child, sat on the left side of his father, while Luke and Jack sat to the right of their father.
Luke said, "I will leave to search for the trial ground in two months. As for you all recommending me to advance my warrior path, I'm already a Tier 3 Warrior, and I don't think I can advance it any further without putting considerable time into it. As you know, if I put too much time into a path that does not have great affinity with me, like my mage path, I may get stuck at Tier 5 for the future. So, as I've advanced to Tier 5, I wish to see the trial grounds and ascend to the upper realm."
Listening to him, nobody had any words of advice, as whatever he said was just and based on true facts. An awkward silence prevailed after Luke's statement.
Maxwell then asked, "Then, what do you need to prepare for the search of the trial ground? I'm sure, as many people have left to search for the trial ground, there must be some inheritance to guide you there. It's in the family tradition to give the trial taker as much support as possible, and I'm sure the ability to track down the trial ground is a very valuable help."
His father shook his head and said, "Anyway, you guys have grown up. I will provide as much help as possible. And while it's true that there are inheritances that can help in tracking down the trial ground, the trial will appear only when the trial ground deems you worthy for a trial. The journey to search for a trial ground is in itself a way to prove that you are worthy for the trial ground to appear before you and let you take the trial."
Maxwell became confused by his father's words. He had thought that after reaching Tier 5, there could be no improvement in their strength. But maybe they needed to define themselves and have the most efficient control of their Tier 5 strength for the trial ground to appear before them. And if that's the case, if the trial ground deems someone unworthy, that person will not have the chance to ascend to the upper realm. To clear his confusion, Maxwell asked his father, "Then, father, if someone is deemed unworthy by the trial grounds, does he have no way to ascend to the upper realm?"
His father replied, "Indeed, if someone is deemed unworthy, he will have a very hard time ascending to the upper realm. One of the ways is to breakthrough to Tier 6, and you will automatically be sent to the upper realm. It will also have a reward from the trial ground if it deems that it was wrong in its judgment. But if you promote to Tier 6 by some unjust or unorthodox means, the trial ground will avoid you. Even if you are promoted to Tier 6 and ascend to the upper realm without the blessing of the trial ground, you will be weaker than a normal Tier 6 of the upper realm. So, the blessing of the trial ground is very important, and if you perform exceptionally, you may be rewarded."
Maxwell went into deep thought after listening to his father. This information was not recorded in the books, and he had not obtained it from any other sources. It seemed to him that his father was sharing this knowledge to prepare and warn them from doing anything foolish if they fail to ascend.
Deciding to focus on the matter at hand, Maxwell looked at all the family members. Since no one was going to discuss anything else, he turned back to his father. Some small talks happened mainly to advise Luke and Maxwell. Luke was advised on how to prepare for the search of the trial ground, and Maxwell was given some advice for reaching Tier 5, which he graciously accepted, even though he didn't need it. It might be helpful in the long run.
After the meeting, everyone returned to their own rooms. As Maxwell walked with Alice and Falkor towards their room, a sudden thought struck him, and he asked the system, "System, will my strength stagnate after I reach Tier 5, or will it continue to increase towards Tier 6?"
The system replied, "After you reach Tier 5, your body needs to adjust and assimilate its strength. But after it is completely adjusted and assimilated, your strength will start rising again."
"That means my plan of spending some time with Falkor and Alice is ruined," I expressed my despair.
In response, the system replied, "You don't need to fret. After you reach Tier 5 and inherit the bloodline skills, there will be a skill that will allow you to put a tracker or mark in the space of this realm. Using that mark, you can return from the upper realm at any time. But be aware that it will be costly, as every time you use this skill, you will have to pay a price for it."
Maxwell was greatly relieved after hearing this. Even though he may have to pay a price, he would still be able to return to his child and wife and stay with them as long as needed. But the system dashed his dreams as it said, "You will only be able to stay in the lower realm for a short time even if you have paid a steep price. The strength of Tier 6 or above is very demanding in the lower realm, and it may lead to the destruction of the lower realm."
Maxwell let out an exasperated sigh at the system's antics of not giving him the full information at once. Despite that, he decided that, as much time as he had left in this realm, he would stay by his wife and child's side to show as much care as possible.