The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Back in the Tormented World, when Fruity was breaking through to the Sage stage, the final phase of the tribulation was something Yuying called the Tribulation Tower.

According to her, this tower was one of the heavenly treasures, said to contain the purest form of lightning. The Tower is part of seven heavenly treasures used during tribulations and has nine levels.

Fruity experienced the first level when he was becoming a Sage. Klaus was currently just a Master stage expert entering the Grandmaster stage. He was still two stages away from becoming a Sage, yet the Tower appeared.

One might expect Klaus to panic; instead, he was happy to see the Tower.

"If Yuying was right—which I know she is—then this level would contain very pure lightning energy, something akin to a Tier 8 core belonging to a lightning-based monster." He smiled.

"Why don't I take this as a gift from the heavens and use this chance to grow stronger, since they decided to bless me so kindly."

[Brat, the Lightning Tower has nine levels, but from the look of things, only the first two levels will be used this time since you're not a Saint yet. The third level isn't something even a Grandmaster can handle.]

"Don't worry, Senior. I've got this," Klaus said.

[Tsk, who's worried? Just don't die.] The senior's voice faded away, making Klaus smile. Inwardly, he wondered if the senior was one of his Paragon Guards or another remnant of his past deeds.

After witnessing Yuying and meeting two of his past incarnations, Klaus began to question what he was truly capable of. Perhaps, one of his incarnations has made this possible.

Rumble!

The heavens churned even harder, and before Klaus could complete his first seal, the tower descended enough for the first level to appear through the clouds.

Just the base of the tower alone was about 3 kilometers in diameter and the pressure it exuded pressed heavily on the tribulation ground.

Klaus smiled and then completed the last hand seal. In that instant, his shirt burst apart, and the first star tattoo on his back began to glow. Then, from behind him, a golden metallic circular diagram with complex patterns appeared about 3 feet in diameter.

"Go," Klaus commanded, pointing upward. The diagram moved about 230 meters off the ground, where it stopped and turned horizontally flat. Klaus formed another seal and muttered,

"Grand Lightning Source Diagram, open."

The diagram began to change shape, its intricate patterns expanding outward. In seconds, it grew to a diameter of 50 meters before halting.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

From within this circle, another diagram emerged, then another within that, creating a three-layered formation. The second layer rotated clockwise, while the third rotated counterclockwise.

Klaus nodded approvingly, and then he activated the black hole for the Tribulation Prison which appeared beside the diagram, expanding to a diameter of 140 meters.

"That's more like it," Klaus praised himself.

In the sky, a dark hole capable of swallowing lightning had formed, with a slight gap beside it. Positioned strategically, the Grand Lightning Source Diagram was also ready, signifying that the awakening ceremony for the Lightning Source Diagram was underway.

As expected from the arrogant heavens, windows, and doors swung open, and from these openings, monsters of various sizes and shapes began pouring out—lions, tigers, elephants, hawks—all advancing toward Klaus.

However, before reaching Klaus, they first had to pass through the black hole, which showed no intention of allowing them to pass.

Within Klaus's soul sea, lightning monsters began pouring into a space the senior had created for him—the Tribulation Prison. The moment they appeared there, they became docile, as if they had no will to struggle anymore.

On the other side of the dark hole, the Grand Lightning Source Diagram had also begun its work. Klaus didn't know how, but as soon as the Diagram started absorbing the lightning monsters within its range, he felt a stream of lightning energy pouring into the first star on his back.

His strength began to rise. The more the runes poured in, the stronger he became, something Klaus had the heavens to thank for.

However, not all the monsters were caught, meaning those who escaped were now headed toward Klaus, who was ready to face them.

The Nine Star Ice Lotus Bloom appeared. Since he hadn't awakened the ice element yet, he couldn't use the golden energy to strengthen it.

This meant he had to use the lightning to strengthen it, hoping that would be enough. The Tribulation Prison and the Diagram were absorbing about 70% of the lightning.

The Void Piercing Needle flashed forward, beginning its deadly work, while the Crescent Disc also started its unholy task. Two streams of energy were created—one transferring the runes into Klaus's body, the other channeling them into the Ice Lotus.

Klaus stood within the Absolute Ice domain, looking like a formidable Overlord overseeing the tribulation rather than enduring it. He wasn't affected—not in the slightest.

"However, when the Lightning Source Diagram awakens, the Grand Diagram will deactivate, which means I'll have to get more involved.

For now, let me enjoy it as it was meant to be," he smiled, and an apple appeared in his hand.

He turned to look in a certain direction and smiled.

***

"Unbelievable," Ohema said, shaking her head. "To think I was worried for his safety."

Ohema just couldn't believe her eyes. Klaus stood there, casually munching on an apple, looking at the heavens as if they were some kind of joke.

"He's daring," she muttered. "I mean, if he weren't, he wouldn't have made a move on an entire war goddess. How exciting." A tingle ran through her just watching this overbearing, arrogant side of Klaus.

"He is so hot" She muttered looking in Klaus's direction.

Nobody would have expected someone to be this audacious. The mere fact that a Master-stage expert was undertaking a tribulation of this magnitude was beyond belief. Even Sages wouldn't invoke such a tribulation.

Great Sages only withstand the pressure from the base of the tower. Only Sovereigns get to witness the first level of the tower.

But even then, only a few hundred monsters would emerge. However, for Klaus, hundreds of monsters—each stronger and faster—were pouring in.

And instead of feeling pressured, he just stood there, eating an apple. Only someone who defies the heavens could do that, and Klaus, being a paragon, knew the heavens would take offense to his arrogance and disrespect.

As expected, the heavens were really angry at the moment, so they kept sending out hundreds if not thousands of monsters every passing minute.

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"At this rate, the Tribulation Prison will be filled up before the second level even opens," Klaus pondered. After a quick decision, he shrank the dark hole slightly, allowing more monsters to come at him.

This meant he was set for a battle. But Klaus didn't even reach for his sword; he went with the Void Piercing Needle and the Crescent Disc instead.

What followed was complete and total annihilation, fueling him and the Ice Lotus Bloom. Moments later, the Ice Lotus shuddered, releasing a chilling energy that blasted the monsters within six kilometers into runes.

On the first petal of the flower, a third star glowed golden.