Chapter 252: The Rise of the Interim Bull God
As the drop of the Universe Tree sap entered Gastro, an overwhelming surge of energy coursed through his being, a sensation so profound it felt as though an ancient dam within him had burst. The energy that poured forth wasn't just potent—it was transformative.
In the bull race, energy was measured in Bullian Joules, akin to the Kaelrian Joules of Tessa's kind. Gastro's energy began a meteoric rise: from 200 Bullian Joules to 400, then 800, and soon it broke into the thousands. By the time it soared past 10,000, Gastro felt invincible.
He clenched his fists, his body brimming with unimaginable power. "I could crush a wall with my head and not even feel it," he thought, glancing at Tessa with unrestrained gratitude.
When Gastro first appeared at the Lower Realm Power Evaluation Grounds, his only hope was to gain a meager amount of godhood energy—just enough to help his struggling family back on the bull planet. He never imagined he'd reach these heights. What had started as a stroke of luck had turned into a divine blessing. Yet after his previous mishap with Tessa, he'd nearly abandoned hope. Despite her promise, he feared he'd remain powerless forever.
Now, that promise was being fulfilled in ways he couldn't have fathomed.
The energy within him continued to surge. It climbed to 40,000 Bullian Joules, then doubled to 80,000. Soon, it surpassed 100,000 and kept rising—300,000, 400,000. Gastro's astonishment was palpable. By the time he crossed the 1,000,000 threshold, he had transcended the Lesser God rank, entering the domain of an Interim God.
At this level, he could sense the unseen realm and even manipulate aspects of nature. The sheer power flowing through him made him feel like he could topple mountains with a single blow. Yet, the rise didn't stop.
His energy skyrocketed further: 4,000,000, 8,000,000, and finally stabilized at 11,000,000 Bullian Joules—a power just shy of the 20,000,000 needed to ascend to the Higher God rank.
Gastro could scarcely believe it. His hands trembled as he felt the latent strength coursing through his veins. He was no longer just a simple bull warrior; he had become an Interim Bull God.
Tessa watched Gastro's transformation with a measured expression, her piercing gaze dissecting every aspect of his newfound strength. There was a glimmer of approval in her eyes, though it was guarded. She knew the power he wielded now was immense, but she also understood its potential fragility. This moment wasn't just a triumph for him; it was a test of his resolve and loyalty. Could he hold onto this strength, or would it consume him?
"How do you feel?" she asked finally, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. Her cheongsam-like garment fluttered gently in the breeze, accentuating her aura of effortless grace and power.
Gastro's grin stretched wide, his excitement uncontainable. "Thank you, Tessa. I feel… alive!" he roared, his laughter resonating like a thunderclap. "If I faced the Clover Manufacturing Mercenary Group now, the outcome would be vastly different!"
The mercenaries, still bound and subdued, instinctively recoiled. The sheer weight of Gastro's power pressed against them like a palpable force, leaving them trembling in its wake. They could sense it—he was a force of destruction now, capable of annihilating them with a mere gesture.
Tessa's lips curved into a knowing smile, one that hinted at unspoken thoughts. "Good. But first, you need to stabilize this power. Strength without control is a danger to yourself and others," she said, her tone sharp yet nurturing.
She paused for a moment, then asked with a tilt of her head, "What do you plan to do now? Will you return to your race, or will you follow me as you said you would?" Her voice softened, but the intensity of her gaze made it clear that this was no casual inquiry—it was a test, one far more critical than any battle.
Unbeknownst to Gastro, her decision hinged on his answer. If he chose to leave, she would let him go, but her support would end here. However, if he stayed true to his word and continued to walk her path, she would ensure he ascended even further, breaking into the realm of higher godhood.
Gastro furrowed his brows, his face contemplative as he mulled over her question. Then, with a casual shrug, he replied, "I wouldn't want to leave my best friend behind now, would I?"
Tessa raised an eyebrow, feigning playful disdain. "Young Bullrace man, I'm a pregnant woman. Don't start wooing me with words like 'best friend.'"
Her remark sent a flush of red across Gastro's cheeks, his earlier confidence now reduced to shy embarrassment. "I… I didn't mean it like that," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper as he avoided eye contact.
The prisoners, despite their dire situation, struggled to suppress their laughter. The sight of this mighty bull warrior—who moments ago seemed capable of splitting mountains—now flustered and fumbling over a single comment was too comical to ignore.
"Hmmm… women," one of the mercenaries muttered under his breath, eliciting a few muffled chuckles from his comrades.
Tessa let the moment linger before chuckling softly. "Gastro, I was only teasing you. Of course, you're one of my closest friends. But my best friend is a woman back on Earth—her name is Nyala. I'll tell you about her later." Her smile turned sincere, her tone warm. "Now, let's move. We have work to do."
Relief washed over Gastro as he nodded earnestly. Tessa's heart lightened slightly; his decision to stay reaffirmed her belief in him. He wasn't driven by greed or arrogance but by loyalty and gratitude—a solid foundation for the journey ahead.
As they began their trek to the whale spaceship, Gastro glanced at the wreckage of the Clover Mercenaries' ship. "What about their spaceship?" he asked.
Tessa didn't bother with a verbal reply. She raised her hand, and with a flick of her fingers, the massive vessel crumpled in on itself like paper, reduced to a heap of scrap metal in an instant.
Gastro's jaw dropped, but Tessa had already turned, ascending the staircase of her whale spaceship with effortless elegance. He followed closely behind, his awe at her power only deepening his resolve.
The prisoners, still bound by energy restraints, trailed after them. They dared not protest, the crushing aura of Gastro's newfound power serving as a silent warning.
For Gastro, this was just the beginning. He had tasted power, but he knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. Yet with Tessa as his guide, he was determined to rise even further—to prove his worth and ascend to the realm of the higher gods.