The Trial Grounds.
A desolate aura spread across the landscape, with a dark sky and earth stretching as far as the eye could see.
Orion stepped into the trial grounds, quietly observing this mysterious realm.
The so-called trial grounds were actually an independent space, unaffected by time, a world unto itself.
Orion looked up, slightly awed... In the distant void, countless lights gathered around a massive heart, beating rhythmically.
This place seemed alive... Orion opened his panel to check the information:
[Ancient Titan's Heart]
[Current Level: F]
[Energy Value: 0%]
[Effect: Each beat of the Titan's Heart refreshes ancient beasts within the trial space. Defeating these beasts increases the Titan's Heart's energy value. When the energy reaches 100%, the trial is complete, and you can choose to settle or continue the challenge.]
[Note: Know your limits. The challenge cannot be interrupted, and once ancient beasts are refreshed, they will not disappear naturally.]
Once the trial begins, there's no turning back?
Orion exhaled, steadying his mindset.
At that moment, the panel displayed a newbie quest:
[For every 100 ancient beasts defeated, gain 1 random attribute point]
[Defeating ancient beasts earns trial points; the higher the trial points, the greater the rewards upon settlement]
"Great, another chance to boost my strength!" Orion's eyes gleamed.
Orion approached the Titan's Heart, murmuring his name, then bit his finger.
With a gentle wave, a drop of blood flew from his finger, merging with the endless light into the Titan's Heart.
Orion looked up at the heart of the ancient giant, radiant as the stars. Even from afar, the immense power seemed to transcend time, pressing down on him, making it slightly hard to breathe.
Soon, the Titan's Heart fell silent, the light vanishing.
But in the next instant,
Boom!
It pulsed suddenly!
A dazzling nova lit up the sky, awakening countless beasts!
"It's starting!" Orion's expression sharpened.
He saw countless scarlet eyes around him, roaring incessantly!
A giant wolf charged from the side, and Orion immediately raised his trident, pinning it to the ground!
[Newbie quest triggered: Hit with the trident 9999 times to gain Advanced Trident Mastery]
Orion: "Nice, let the storm rage on!"
A vast number of beasts began to refresh, starting with F-grade, very weak.
Orion swung his trident, easily dispatching them, using the task as a training ground to boost his attributes.
And he could earn some trial points...
Of course, Orion had other tricks. He avoided hitting vital spots, allowing an F-grade beast to withstand two hits, doubling the progress of the advanced trident task!
The beasts' strength gradually increased, becoming more challenging. Early on was the best time to improve trident proficiency!
Soon, all F-grade beasts were slain, their bodies dissolving into light.
Boom!
The sky exploded with brightness, the Titan's Heart beating like a war drum!
E-grade beasts began to refresh nearby, and Orion gripped his trident, feeling a bit of pressure: "Heh, no rest time, seems I need to slow down."
Elder Rendall had warned him before entering the trial not to pursue efficiency early on. Many challengers died from exhaustion, not lack of strength.
Indeed.
Orion wielded his trident, no longer opting for aggressive attacks, instead using a strategy of luring and area clearing.
This tactic allowed him to conserve energy while extending the trial time. Thus, Orion easily completed the E-grade trial.
D-grade...
C-grade...
B-grade...
Boom!
The Titan's Heart pulsed again, this time with a more powerful, vast sound, illuminating the entire space.
Orion knew the trial was about to get difficult.
But with 90% of the advanced trident task complete, Orion was confident!
If previous beasts' attributes increased gradually, B-grade to A-grade was a leap. Orion estimated these A-grade beasts had attributes over 20 points!
Orion fought and retreated, knowing that if surrounded by numerous monsters, he could be overwhelmed!
Then, with a panel notification, Orion smirked.
[Newbie quest complete, gained Advanced Trident Mastery!]
[You received Titan's Blessing] (Temporary BUFF)
[Advanced Trident Mastery: Base attack damage +40%, weak point hit damage +100%, chance to inflict bleeding and healing prohibition on hit, low chance to instantly kill bleeding enemies]
[Titan's Blessing: Adds splash damage when attacking enemies, disappears upon leaving the trial grounds]
[Bleeding: Continuous physical damage, stackable twice.]
[Healing Prohibition: Damage continuously triggers "bleeding," preventing healing, revival, or treatment. (Ineffective on hero-level and above)]
[Description: You know it like an old friend returning.]
Splash damage added! Orion was ecstatic; this was a huge help!
Orion swung his trident, the silver blade slicing through an A-grade beast, then piercing through, a bright silver wave radiating from him, clearing a small area.
In an instant, numerous beasts were killed by his strike!
The A-grade trial ended quickly. With the task progressing, Orion had slain many beasts, greatly boosting his attributes!
[Strength: 53]
[Agility: 48]
[Intelligence: 51]
"So strong, these attributes, I've surpassed my sister and am not far from my father!"
Orion was thrilled, and he also had 3000 trial points.
Above, the Titan's Heart glowed again, but unlike before, it didn't beat rhythmically.
Orion knew it awaited his decision.
If he exited now, he could awaken an A-grade bloodline and receive an A-grade random reward.
But Orion's goal wasn't A-grade; he hadn't reached his limit. He aimed to challenge a higher bloodline power!
Orion wiped the blood from his mouth, raising his hand to the Titan's Heart.
The Titan's Heart contracted slightly, then a more powerful, earth-shattering tremor echoed through the space!
Countless ancient beasts refreshed from all directions.
They fixed their gaze on the giant with the trident at the center, and in the next second, they charged.