Tower of Heaven

They could have reached the Celestial Ladder quickly, as nothing much stood in their way, but they took their time to make the journey.

If they were not together in the next trial, it would likely be some time before they could meet again and work together. As such, they took some days to slowly make their way to the ladder, choosing to instead enjoy the journey.

Nevertheless, they had to reach it eventually. They entered it together as they always did, with the same confidence they always did.

Knowing that this was pretty much a farewell, they took the time to make it worth something.

"If either of you lose in the next trial or die, I'm finding you myself to beat some sense into you," Artemia said, holding her fist out.

Horus raised his to join it.

"You can be assured that nothing like that is going to happen. I'll be waiting for you guys on the other side, since I will be the one to finish first."

Atlas looked at their small gesture and shook his head with a smile.

In the end, he raised his fist as well.

"Stop talking like this is the end. We're going to make it through this trial like nothing and meet on the other side. Then, rather than working together, let us race to see who can reach the 50th Floor the fastest."

Artemia grinned.

"I like that plan."

Horus nodded contently.

"I feel the same."

Their fists formed a triangle, a symbol of unity, and their eyes were filled with fighting spirit.

In this life, they were both rivals and friends. They were Ascenders, and no matter what, they would ascend.

One by one, their bodies turned to light as they were transported into the next floor's trial.

However, the pact they made then, that they would meet again one day as friends and rivals, would remain within this moment forever, giving the empty Celestial Ladder a meaning bigger than itself.

It was a short time. They spent no more than some months together.

Yet, it was the most time Atlas had spent with anyone other than his masters since he entered this Tower.

'Having companions is great in many ways.'

It was a sentiment he didn't possess before. It was a new thing that he didn't hate.

'A Society formed not just to control subordinates, but also to support companions and allies…'

A picture was forming in his mind, and perhaps it was a bit influenced by the nature of this trial.

When Atlas could see light again, he was standing in the clouds. He could see the world below him as clear as day, and when he concentrated his attention on it, his perspective changed to show him the view from the ground.

He could not touch that world. He was separated from it by the cloud barrier. If it weren't for the trial description, he would have wasted quite some effort attempting to break through the barrier.

[40th Floor Cumulative Trial: Civilization]

[Description: During the Ancient Era, all races were equal under Heaven…equally weak. Although they had limitless growth potential, they also had no understanding of how they should go about doing so. It was only through Heaven's Blessing that these races later learned of cultivation and began evolving toward perfection.]

[You will take the place of the Heavens and grow the race of your choosing. After [10,000 Years] of simulated time, you will lead your race into war against an opposing Ascender group.]

Time Limit: Undetermined

Conditions for success:

1. Grow your race into the dominant race of the continent

OR

2. Evolve your race to its perfect form

AND
Continue your saga on empire

3. Defeat the race grown by the opposing Ascender group.

[Rewards: Based on contribution]

[Available Races]

Neurics

Neanderthals

Giants

Demons

Angels

Dragons

[Choose a race within the designated time limit.]

[00:09:24]

'So, am I a God then?'

The Gods who observed him throughout his travels were different. They were gods in the spiritual sense, as they were worshiped by many, but their titles came mainly from their cultivation achievements.

In this trial, Atlas was to become an entity similar to Eiryu, the hidden village's Harvest God. Only, he had real power over the race he chose.

'I could also be called the Heavenly Dao itself. This is an interesting position to take as a cultivator.'

There wasn't much time for deliberation. In ten minutes, Atlas had to make a decision that would influence the entire trajectory of this trial.

'Dragons, Demons, and Angels are all extremely powerful races. As the second half of this trial is a war, they seem to be the best choices.'

To an untrained eye, they were indeed the best, but Atlas knew better.

'Firstly, Dragons have an interesting evolutionary path. If they are not born dragons, then they can begin as any small animal or lizard that leapt over the dragon's gate. It is very difficult to create dragons that weren't born dragons, which makes it too risky of an option.'

That one was immediately eliminated. As were the other two.

'Angels are beings that abide strictly by the laws of Heaven. It is extremely difficult to give them intelligence and free will. Demons are the complete opposite. As they oppose the Heavens entirely, they will not abide by my will.'

'Giants and Neanderthals are both good options. Giants are very naturally talented, while Neanderthals can quickly evolve into humans. They have a lot of uses and are quite receptive to higher powers. As for the last option…'

Neurics, an uncommon species of subterranean goblins. They were the most obvious trap choice, as anyone who knew about Neurics knew that they were good for nothing but some minor thievery.

'That is what I believed as well. It would have been what I continued to believe… if it were not for the Formation Spark.'

The Formation Spark dealt with alchemy, forging, and formation arts. Never once did Atlas think there would be information about living beings contained within it.

'However, the Formation Spark tells of Neurics that are far different from what average people know.'

It told him a truth that was hidden from the world.

'The Formation Spark does not lie. It only provides information and potential.'

Then, if he followed the path the spark was proposing…

'I will achieve something nobody else has achieved.'

Just as he'd done in the Empire of Ataraxia, he could create a miracle.

The reward back then was the Sacred Chains. They had not been put into use yet, but their usefulness did not need to be elaborated upon.

This trial also provided rewards based on contribution, so of course Atlas wanted to do the best he possibly could.

When those ten minutes trickled down, Atlas made a choice that almost nobody else ever made.

He was transported to a different part of the sky, and the world below changed.

His perspective entered a large cavern attached to a branching cave system with several stems.

Living there was a race of creatures that were the same color as the surrounding rock. They stood at a measly three feet in height and had skinny bodies that were more than just ill-equipped for battle.

The starting point for Atlas was far below anyone else.

But, believing in their potential, he made first contact with these beings.

It was time for him to become their God.