The Asura Prince’s Ascent

Rudhra stepped into the first floor of the second region of Heaven's Crucible, and immediately, the oppressive force of the gravity nearly brought him to his knees. It wasn't just his body that felt the weight—his very spirit felt as though it was being crushed under an invisible burden. His insides churned, and even his heartbeat seemed to struggle against the pressure. But instead of retreating or showing any sign of fear, Rudhra threw his head back and laughed.

"This is what I've been waiting for!" he exclaimed, exhilaration evident in his voice.

Without wasting any more time, Rudhra surged forward, pushing himself through the first few floors of the second region. Each step he took felt like wading through a quagmire, each breath labored as though the air itself was resisting his progress. Yet, he didn't falter. The challenge spurred him on, each moment pushing him further into the depths of his potential.

As Rudhra reached the fifth floor, he found himself unable to move. The gravity on this floor was so intense that his muscles began to crack under the strain, blood seeping out of the tiny fissures forming on his skin. The pain was excruciating, but instead of despair, it ignited a fierce determination within him.

Knowing that he couldn't rely solely on his physical strength anymore, Rudhra called upon his bloodline spirit. A majestic, winged beast with the face of a lion materialized behind him, its presence formidable and awe-inspiring. The phantom's aura infused Rudhra with renewed strength, and he pressed forward, each step a battle against the overwhelming force pressing down on him. By the time he cleared the fifth floor, his body was at its limit. He could go no further.

Rudhra collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily, but a satisfied grin spread across his face. He knew he had reached his current limit, and rather than feeling disappointed, he was content. He had pushed himself farther than he ever had before.

Miko, still perched on Rudhra's shoulder, seemed unfazed by the intense gravity. The little monkey had passed through the floors alongside Rudhra, seemingly without effort. As Rudhra sat down to recover, Miko calmly rummaged through his pockets, pulling out a recovery qi pill. Rudhra chuckled at the sight and handed another pill to Miko. The monkey began chewing it contentedly, washing it down with a swig from his feeding bottle filled with alcohol.

Back on the first floor, one by one, the other children began to drop out. Rajan and Aryan had both managed to reach the fifth floor, but the sixth floor proved too much for them. Aryan, the last to leave, walked out of the tower looking tired but proud. He had maintained his calm, collected demeanor throughout the trial, but as he approached his elder sister Rhea, he noticed an odd expression on her face—pity.

Aryan frowned, trying to make sense of it, but then his eyes caught sight of the screen that displayed the interior of Heaven's Crucible. The image showed the final floor of the first region, and it was a dark, oppressive mix of red and black hues. At first, Aryan assumed that the figure sitting alone in the center was still in the first region. However, as the realization dawned on him that this was actually the second region, his heart skipped a beat.

There, on the screen, Rudhra sat calmly in the center of the floor, cultivating alongside his monkey, Miko. Both appeared completely at ease, despite the crushing gravity around them. Aryan's jaw tightened as he stared at the image. How could this be possible?

Rajan, who had been watching silently, felt a mix of emotions swirling within him. His thoughts were unknown, but his gaze remained fixed on Rudhra's figure on the screen. There was no envy in his eyes, just a deep contemplation of what this meant for them all.

The others had varied reactions—most were awe-struck. Aryan had been the clan's pride, but now Rudhra's display was shifting the perceptions of everyone present.

One of the younger elders murmured, "Is that... a monkey? How can it endure the gravity of the second region?"

Another elder, slightly older and more experienced, replied with a chuckle, "It seems that Rudhra's pet is as extraordinary as its master. I've never seen such a creature handle these pressures so easily."

"It's not just the monkey," a third elder added thoughtfully. "It's Rudhra himself. His spirit is... unnatural. The second region is feared because it affects not only the body but the spirit as well. For a child without a fully formed spirit, the pain and damage inflicted are tremendous. And yet, look at him—he's enjoying it."

Queen Ananya, her eyes fixed on her son, felt a strange mixture of pride and concern. She was proud of Rudhra's strength and resilience, but there was something else, something deeper. She glanced at King Varunas, whose expression was unreadable.

Varunas, however, felt a weight in his chest that wasn't from pride alone. What he saw in his son was beyond mere genius. Rudhra's ability to thrive in the second region was not just a testament to his physical prowess; it spoke of a spirit so fierce that it seemed unbreakable.

"The second level affects the spirit," Varunas said quietly, more to himself than to anyone else. "Before one enters the Spirit Realm, the spirit isn't fully formed. The pain and damage it can cause are beyond comprehension, yet... he seems to be relishing it."

Rhea, who had initially suggested the competition, was now at a loss for words. Her prodigy brother Aryan, whom she had been so proud of, seemed almost ordinary in comparison to the boy on the screen. Her gaze shifted to Ira, who was also watching the screen intently.

Ira's usually calm and composed demeanor had given way to something else—an emotion she couldn't quite name. Awe? Envy? Admiration? Perhaps all of them. This was the first time she had encountered someone like Rudhra, someone who defied expectations in every possible way. The fact that he was a year younger than her only made his accomplishments all the more astounding.

As the elders continued to watch, the conversations quieted down. The room was filled with a tense anticipation as they realized what Rudhra was attempting. To enter the second region at his age and at his cultivation level was nothing short of madness, yet he had done it. And more than that—he was thriving in it.

As the night wore on, the only sound that could be heard was the steady hum of the tower's energy, the flicker of the screens, and the soft murmurs of disbelief and admiration. All eyes remained fixed on Rudhra, who was still sitting in the dark, oppressive environment of the second region, his figure calm and composed as ever.

And then, as if sensing that the entire room was focused on him, Rudhra opened his eyes and looked directly at the screen, his gaze sharp and unwavering. There was a fire in his eyes that spoke of a hunger for more—a hunger that would not be easily satisfied.

King Varunas, seeing this, felt a shiver run down his spine. His son was no ordinary genius. Rudhra was something else entirely, something that perhaps even he, with all his years of wisdom and power, could not fully understand.

"He's going to change everything," Varunas whispered, his voice filled with both pride and an unspoken dread