As the month progressed, the atmosphere within the Asura Clan shifted. The tower, now open to the young generation, became a crucible for their ambitions. Witnessing Rudhra's unbelievable feat, the other children, driven by both awe and a competitive spirit, began pushing themselves harder than ever before. The once quiet and serene halls of the Asura Clan were now alive with the sounds of training and determination.
Aryan and Rajan, who had always been seen as prodigies, found themselves facing a new challenge. The first floor of the second region, which had previously seemed insurmountable, was now their goal. They poured every ounce of their energy into training, driven by the desire to match, if not surpass, Rudhra's achievements.
By the end of the month, both Aryan and Rajan managed to clear the first floor of the second region. However, as they stepped into the second floor, they were hit with a pain that felt as if their very souls were being torn apart. It was a crushing, all-encompassing agony that drove them back almost instantly. The two young prodigies were forced to acknowledge the terrifying difficulty of the second region—a region that Rudhra had not only survived but thrived in.
Meanwhile, Rudhra's focus was elsewhere. With his trademark calm and confident demeanor, he prepared himself for the final floor of the second region. Dressed in his usual black attire, his long hair tied back, Rudhra exuded an aura of quiet determination. The last time he had entered the eighth floor, he had barely survived ten minutes. The gravity here was not just oppressive; it was lethal. Needle-like gravity spells assaulted his body and spirit, threatening to tear him apart.
But this time, Rudhra was ready. Over the past weeks, he had come to understand more about his bloodline spirit. The majestic lion that had accompanied him was not just a symbol of power but of resilience. It had nearly been destroyed by the needle-like gravity spells before, but Rudhra had noticed something crucial—it healed itself, albeit slowly. Over the past week, Rudhra had worked on accelerating this regeneration process, strengthening both himself and his spirit.
As he stepped onto the eighth floor, the assault began immediately. The gravity seemed to weigh down on him with a force that was almost unbearable. Needle-like spells pierced his body, drawing blood and leaving him riddled with wounds. His bloodline spirit, the lion, roared in defiance as it too was assaulted by the gravity. But this time, Rudhra and his spirit were prepared.
He gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. Each step felt like a battle, each breath a struggle, but he moved forward, refusing to be defeated. The gravity sought to crush him, to break his spirit, but Rudhra's will was unyielding. He had come too far to back down now.
The onlookers outside the tower watched in awe as Rudhra pushed himself to the very limits of his endurance. The screens displayed his every movement, and the tension in the air was palpable. Elders, warriors, and the younger generation alike couldn't tear their eyes away from the spectacle unfolding before them.
"He's... crossing the second region," one of the elders whispered, disbelief coloring his tone. "This is impossible, even for a peak Spirit Realm genius."
"But he's doing it," another elder responded, her voice filled with awe. "We're watching a young emperor in the making."
Rajan and Aryan, who had barely managed to survive the first floor of the second region, watched in stunned silence. The gap between them and Rudhra was becoming more apparent with each passing moment. Rajan's thoughts were a swirl of emotions, a mix of admiration, frustration, and a growing respect for the boy he had once considered a rival.
Even Miko, Rudhra's loyal monkey companion, was not spared from the intense gravity. The little creature, usually so carefree and playful, was now huddled close to Rudhra, its small body bearing the brunt of the needle-like spells. But Miko, like its master, refused to give in. It endured the pain, staying by Rudhra's side as they both pushed forward.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rudhra reached the end of the eighth floor. His body was riddled with holes, blood seeping from countless wounds, but he had done it. He had passed the final floor of the second region—a feat that was beyond the comprehension of most.
As Rudhra stepped out of the tower, the silence was deafening. All eyes were on him as he walked towards the gathered crowd. His black attire was stained with blood, his hair disheveled, and his expression one of calm satisfaction. Miko, despite its injuries, clung to Rudhra's shoulder, its tiny chest heaving with exhaustion.
Without a word, Rudhra made his way over to where his mother and father were seated. The king and queen, both powerful and respected figures in the Asura Clan, watched their son with a mix of emotions. King Varunas, usually so composed, found himself at a loss for words. His son had done something that was beyond extraordinary—he had achieved the impossible.
As Rudhra sat down next to his mother, he began eating the food laid out before him, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Miko, ever the opportunist, began nibbling on the food as well, its little hand reaching out to pat Rudhra's back, urging him to slow down.
The queen, Ananya, usually so cheerful and light-hearted, found herself uncharacteristically silent. She was one of the most powerful and knowledgeable demi-gods on the continent, but her own son... she wasn't sure what she felt. There was pride, of course, but there was also something else—something deeper.
A smile tugged at her lips as she watched Rudhra eat with an almost feral hunger. Without a word, she took a cloth and gently wiped the crumbs from his chin, a simple gesture that spoke of a mother's love.
The silence was eventually broken by one of the queen's sisters, Ira, who had been watching the scene with wide eyes. "He... he really passed the second region," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
Her elder sister, Rhea, nodded, her expression thoughtful. "This isn't just talent. It's... something more. I've never seen anything like it."
The younger sister, still in awe, added, "And the monkey... it endured the gravity too. What kind of creature is it?"
An elder from the Deva Clan, who had been watching alongside them, chuckled softly. "It seems the Asura Prince isn't the only extraordinary one here. That monkey... it's not ordinary. There's something special about it."
Rajan, who had been standing off to the side, finally spoke up, his voice filled with a mix of emotions. "He's... unstoppable. Even without special veins or a unique bloodline, he's invincible."
Aryan, who had always prided himself on his calm demeanor, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. But as he watched Rudhra, that envy slowly transformed into admiration. "He's not just a genius," Aryan said quietly. "He's something else entirely."
King Varunas, who had been silent up until now, finally found his voice. "He's going to change everything," he said, echoing his earlier thoughts. His voice was filled with a pride that was tempered with a hint of fear. "He's no ordinary genius. My son... is a force of nature."
The queen, still smiling softly, continued to fuss over Rudhra, wiping away the blood and dirt from his face. "You're going to be the death of me, my son," she said with a chuckle, her tone affectionate. "But I couldn't be prouder."
Rudhra, still focused on his food, simply nodded. He didn't need to say anything—his actions spoke louder than words. He had conquered the second region, something that no one his age should have been able to do. And yet, for him, it was just another step on his journey.
As the gathered crowd watched Rudhra and Miko eat in silence, a sense of awe and respect filled the air. They had witnessed something truly extraordinary, something that would be remembered for generations to come.