The Absolute Limit

After four months of intense training, he finally reached the final step... the very peak of the Sovereign Profound Realm. One more step and he would reach the mythical Divine Origin Realm. No one else from Blue Pole Star had ever entered this divine realm... except for the Demon Empress, who had done so with his assistance. Not only did his cultivation strength ever so slightly increase, but his comprehension of the Great Way of the Buddha also reached new heights. He broke through to the fourth stage which was truly shocking for Jasmine. His understanding of the dragon transformations increased as well as he could now bring out his wings at will. He put each transformation into phases... the next surpassing the previous in strength.

The first phase is simple dragon scale regeneration which is always active. The second phase is the Heaven Absorbing Silver Claw and Heaven Destroying Crimson Hand, I can already use those at will. The third phase is when I grow dragon wings along with more scales as protection... this phase tends to give a great increase in power. The fourth phase is even more frightening... a tail and two horns... the only person who has ever seen it is the Heavenly Demon himself. If only I could tap into that power more often...

Aerion sighed.

"Jasmine, how did you breakthrough to the Divine Origin Realm? Was it a disadvantageous battle and at the last moment, you changed the odds?"

"Hmph, this princess didn't have to do anything like that because I inherited my strength."

"Oh, I see. So you can't really help me with this... huh."

Tai Wentian's voice resounded in his head. "Pushing oneself to the absolute limit every single day is the single true way to grow! Remember that, my disciple... engrave it into your very soul!"

... I've been doing that. Or is it not enough... must I go even further?

Aerion closed his eyes and gazed at the gates of the dungeon. He turned to the forge and took out Sky Piercer. Even in the dark world of nothingness, the mighty halberd's aura of royal authority didn't diminish. It stood tall and proud like the king it was... and nothing could possibly change that. The forge's never-ending fire continued to burn in anticipation.

My first, true, weapon... how could I ever forget about you, Sky Piercer? Just wait a little longer and I will reforge you into something truly frightening.

Aerion put away Sky Piercer and walked towards the gates of the Dungeon.

"Heh, you are hoping that fighting the elder will lead to a breakthrough?" The Dragon guessed.

"You are correct. If it doesn't... then I have other means."

"That is good... it would be easier if you were to go to the Divine Realms, much easier, in fact. But the people there would notice Jasmine and that would lead to quite some trouble."

"That's why I haven't done so."

Aerion opened the gates with his ring and was brought to floor eight as he requested. He tore through the floors as if he were a demon straight from hell. He collected their gold and profound cores gladly as he continued downwards. At this point, the tiger was simply no match for him... nor was the girl who came after it. They were mere ants to his new strength.

He proceeded past the slightly stronger tigers and soon enough, the village appeared before him. The people looked happy enough... Aerion's thirst for blood started to lessen as every moment passed, he had no reason to fight them anyway. His true enemy was that elder who had humiliated him right next to the White Tiger's Divine Spirit. The elder who stood at the peak that was the frightening Divine Tribulation Realm while he was just a mere monarch. Realistically, what chance did he have against him? Even with all his power, victory would be impossible... unless he broke through!

Aerion's eyes burned bright red with determination, he was going to use everything at his disposal... even Izanagi... to ensure his absolute victory! He ignored the villagers and proceeded to the trial ground. With his one touch, the grounds opened and let him inside. The elder glanced in Aerion's direction and his face was one of shock. But then he recovered and became calm as still water, once again.

"The peak of the Sovereign Profound Realm... you have grown a bit since I have last seen you. Have you come here to fight?" The elder laughed. "You still don't stand a chance against my Divine Tribulation Realm power, it doesn't matter who you are! Even if you were in the Divine Origin Realm, I would still crush you like a bug!"

"Is that so? Hmph, then I shall open your eyes today!" Aerion spoke with absolute confidence as the Heaven Smiting Sword and Blackfyre appeared in his right and left hands respectively. His left arm was less formidable in terms of lifting strength so it would only be right for it to hold the lighter sword. Meanwhile, his right arm had the powerful crimson scales supporting it so that it could handle the Heaven Smiting Sword.

"Dual wielding? Interesting, interesting, indeed! Maybe you will be able to fight back... or even wound me! Either way, I will make you atone for your devilish deeds! Hahahaha... watch me, Divine Spirit, I will slaughter him like a pig!"

So damn arrogant... I'll humble this old fool!

SILVER CALAMITY, STAR GOD'S BROKEN SHADOW!

BANG!

What!?

The elder stopped his Heaven Smiting Sword with one hand and Blackfyre with the other. Just with his hands... Aerion powered up again. Scales began to appear at a rapid pace and dragon wings spread out of his back. Aerion retreated and swung both of his weapons again. The elder stopped both weapons, in the same way... but Aerion had managed to make a cut with his Heaven Smiting Sword. It was a minor wound... but a wound nonetheless.

"Not bad, my turn!"

Star God's Broken Shadow.

Aerion didn't give him the chance as he appeared behind him.

DESTROYING SKY... DECIMATING EARTH!

BOOOOM.

After the explosion went away, all he could hear was mocking laughter. "Good, very good... that was absolutely brilliant! You actually managed to put a sizeable wound on this elder... allow this elder to repay the favour!"

That was all... I put everything into that attack...

Aerion grip on his weapons tightened as he prepared to dodge the elder's incoming blow. He succeeded in dodging it but then came another... and another. Each was faster than the last, the elder started to use his lightning arts in order to become even faster. Aerion's Sharingan could easily keep up... but his body was having troubles.

His first blow hit Aerion straight in the gut, he vomited out a mouthful of blood. It splattered onto the white marble floor and corrupted its heavenly, pure, shine. The elder didn't stop there...

"Lightning Lance!"

He sent him flying into the ceiling with a lightning profound skill.

"Tiger's Resounding Roar!"

ROOAAAARRRR.

BOOM.

A bolt of lightning which was led by a tiger struck Aerion in the chest, further wounding him. The elder watched Aerion fall down onto the ground and started to walk towards him. Aerion laughed, which caught him off-guard. Aerion stood up and stared into the elder's eyes.

"Is that the best you can do!? This young emperor is truly disappointed... I expected more from your 'Divine Tribulation Realm power'. I thought I'd be no more than ash, but here I stand, practically unharmed. Tsk, tsk, tsk, you are an embarrassment to everyone in the Divine Tribulation Realm."

"You dare humiliate this elder!? I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU... THUNDEROUS TIGER SLASH!"

Heaven Absorbing Silver Claw.

BOOM.

Aerion's entire left arm exploded. He looked to his left in shock... the attack was simply too much. The elder had put all of his strength into that attack so he could have easily killed Aerion if not for the sacrifice of his arm.

"BEGONE, LIGHTNING LANCE!"

Susanoo!

Crack... crack... boom!

The lance exploded and almost managed to completely penetrate Aerion's crimson Susanoo.

Damn it... I'm running out of time...

"Let's try this again... LIGHTNING... ugh..."

Genjutsu: Sharingan.

Aerion grasped the Heaven Smiting Sword and charged all of his profound energy into one attack while the elder was stuck in a daze. His Susanoo dispersed almost instantly. The combination of his own and the large sum of energy the Heaven Smiting Sword had gathered resulted in a frightening attack. In a few moments, the elder managed to break free but Aerion was already prepared. Just before releasing the attack... a new burst of power overcame him as he came closer to becoming a dragon.

HEAVENLY... WOLF... SLASH!

Aerion released the monstrous attack.

The elder hastily created profound barriers to protect himself.

BOOM.

Aerion held onto the Heaven Smiting Sword... his breathing was heavy yet his blood furiously burned with rage, keeping him conscious. He realised that he had grown a tail and two horns just before releasing the attack... yet he didn't have the time to celebrate yet. The elder managed to stand. There was a massive slash engraved into his chest which continued to flow with never-ending blood. A mad laugh erupted from the elder, reverberating across the entire trial ground.

"HAHAHAHAHA, YOU TRULY ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL! BUT I DARE YOU TO TRY THAT AGAIN!"

I have no profound energy left... no left arm, even with this transformation... there is only one thing I can do!

Aerion's eyes began to glow and his Mangekyou Sharingan pattern began to spin.

IZANAGI.

His profound energy returned and his wounds disappeared like they never existed. Then a huge smirk surfaced on his charming face. "As you wish, old man... you better not regret it!"

The elder looked at Aerion and another wave of shock overcame him. His sudden resurrection had frightened the old man. He decided to end the battle as soon as possible, his purple lightning turned into a frightening white shade of lightning. Aerion's Heaven Smiting Sword exploded with white, ghost-like, flames in response. A heavenly, golden, aura surrounded his body as his power continued to increase. Aerion saw the image of black chains... one by one, they all broke apart and released the Crimson Dragon. His eyes glowed a chilling shade of Crimson.

ROAR!!!

Aerion and the Crimson Dragon both let out a dragon-like roar... it was a thunderous roar, a roar which could shake both Heaven and Earth!

"SOUL SHATTERING SLASH!"

"THUNDEROUS TIGER SLASH!"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM.