Tower of Heaven

The breakthrough took time to complete. As Atlas expected, Horus was already close to reaching the next level before he came to the trial. However, it was still an ordeal that he had to go through.

The Earth Sage breakthrough was particularly important as it signified the first step of a young cultivator into the ranks of true magical beings. To consolidate the dantian, form the earthly boundary, and connect with the Dao was of utmost importance in the overall journey to the peak.

Despite being in a time of crisis, Horus had to be careful and methodical with every step.

Nevertheless, there was no need to describe the process quite yet. He rushed, keeping his foundation as solid as possible, and ascended right then and there.

The Earth Sage Realm was practically a requirement for the floors after this one. Horus was happy with his achievement, but he understood that there were more pressing matters to attend to.

Counting roughly, it had been around ten minutes since he closed his eyes. The fact that he was able to peacefully complete the entire process meant that he was protected by the only other person in the trial space.

He had to do his part as well.

The second he opened them, he noticed that much had changed. The fire was still raging and had consumed more of the forest than before, however, did its malicious aura disappear?

The fire Horus perceived seemed to be in unison with the forest. They looked like enemies on the outside, but they were working towards one goal.

'The Great Dao…?'

The thought came to Horus' mind without any prompting. It wasn't his own, but something bestowed upon him. An understanding beyond his level that would help him immensely in the long run was unintentionally bestowed upon him.

'Harmon is…'

Horus steadied his mind and glanced around.

'...there.'

The masked man could be seen leaning against a tree with his head down. He was close to the flames, but they did not touch him. To the untrained eye, it looked like they regarded him as a deity.

'How did he manage to do this much while I was unaware?'

Instinctively, he could feel that everything was already set up for him. As the fire was no longer an enemy, the surrounding vitality no longer resisted his will as he gathered it in one place.

With the strength he gained from his breakthrough, he was able to exert far more control. The perilous situation was no longer anything of the sort.

Atlas had, well, it was embarrassing to say, but he did lose consciousness. He barely managed to prop himself up against the tree before doing so, but now that there was a strong movement in his surroundings, he awoke from his slumber.

'My body is…mostly healed.' Find your next favorite at m vl-em|p-yr

The burns were not extremely severe to begin with, but his regeneration definitely worked better when he was unconscious.

'I feel a slight drain in my psyche, but it is not worth mentioning.'

This power of recovery…

It was what kept him alive as a child. When he was without his memories and sight, living as a beggar, it would have been impossible for him to survive without that ability.

'Is this also the work of that treasure?'

It was worth questioning, but he wasn't going to complain. He had some natural misgivings about the mysterious entity, but as long as it was helping him, there was no need for him to antagonize it.

'The only time it shows itself is when I am in need of its services. I only know of its existence through vestiges of memories that I cannot find in my mind. I know of its function only through the times that it has aided me. Before I regain myself, I am forced to keep all questions about its identity to the side.'

Atlas gazed at Horus while he examined the state of his own body. The man was making good progress. He could now wield the vitality with some proficiency and take it into his body without causing a huge fuss.

'On another note, he did well.'

He made it look easy, but it wasn't anything of the sort. Atlas knew just how difficult it could be to take that first step.

Back then, without any guidance, Atlas took more time than he'd like to admit before he was able to progress past the Warrior Realms. Seeing the younger generation of this time, he realized how much the world changed while he was away.

'I no longer need to worry about this trial.'

Horus would take care of it. A better course of action for him was to prepare for the future.

'After all, his situation is likely not unique. This trial is that kind of environment.'

He was the only one with such a strange condition for his breakthrough. All others who had some talent were likely breaking through around this time as well.

'In terms of cultivation alone, I will lag behind them for a period.'

Then, Atlas needed to ensure that cultivation alone could not define his strength.

His past life's knowledge, his experience as a cultivator, and the talents he gained in this life needed to come together into a comprehensive force that could support him through all of his battles.

But that wasn't easy. The reason could be tied back to a question that still remained about this entire incident.

It became dangerous very rapidly, but it also calmed down just as rapidly. Was it because Atlas made some sort of grand realization?

Not necessarily.

What did he do to make it so easy for Horus to do what he struggled with previously?

To say he tamed the fire was correct, but the actual method was something even he couldn't properly describe.

Atlas was also curious about his own state. The more qi he gained, the more of his abilities he was able to use, the more he felt it.

His entire being was disorganized.

Sometimes, he could display power beyond his capabilities to overcome his circumstances. However, he could not willingly call upon that power when it did not appear on its own.

Whether it was because of his treasure, his reincarnation, or something entirely unrelated was unknown.

Still, now more than ever, he realized how urgently he needed to reach Vanatos so he could take a decent amount of time to train by himself.

'I am too chaotic.'

Everything surrounding him was either unknown or too disorderly to properly understand.

As the Heavenly Emperor, he valued order very highly. He was a man who liked to be in control over all things despite also respecting the workings of fate.

That was why he felt such a pressing need to continue onward.

'Faster. Harder. I am not doing enough.'

These were the thoughts that plagued him at all times. He felt like he was wasting time even sitting down and recovering in the moment.

Nevertheless, he remembered to be rational. [Perfect Adaptability] helped him stay away from the recklessness that inherently arose in his youthfulness.

Shakily, he stood up and straightened his back. He took a deep breath behind his mask, calming himself.

'I am at the early stages of life once again.'

And because of that, he was bound to be filled with questions that couldn't be answered. Being bogged down by them would never solve anything.

He was already climbing at a good pace. Even this trial was already over.

Within a few minutes, the flames would entirely die down and Horus would release the vitality back into the world so it could return to its natural state.

'I am absolutely justified in my desire to progress. Only, patience and slow steps are the key to steady and fast pacing.'

As Atlas wrapped up his thoughts and firmed himself, Horus also turned his attention over.

"We've done it."

With those simple words, he let go of the energy that had gathered in his hands.

It spread back into the world, painting it in a faintly visible greenish hue. Nothing changed immediately and the forest remained charred, but just like Atlas himself, this place just needed time.

Eventually, the seeds that were placed in this very moment would grow and sprout. Eventually, a new and more beautiful scenery would replace what was lost.

Both of them just needed to wait for that moment.

And both of them just needed to move on.

Atlas nodded with a smile directed at his current travel companion.

The clear road that formed in between them and the exit to this area was enough proof.

They could now move on to the last of the four trials they faced upon entering this area of the tomb.

The mysterious eye that attracted Horus' attention from the start.