I STACK ATTRIBUTES IN THE APOCALYPSE -MyOwnEdit-

In truth, ever since the Black Feather Tribe's attack, Huo Sheng had sensed something amiss.

It took Amang and his tribe a full 20 days to travel from New York to Nanxiang. Huo Sheng had overheard phrases like "killing the males, capturing the females" during their conversations.

Traveling such a long distance to capture live captives... Why the elaborate effort?

The specifics eluded Huo Sheng, but he knew there had to be a reason. He had even discreetly inquired during Velo's previous visit, but Velo remained tight-lipped.

However, subtle cues told Huo Sheng that Velo knew something. His group was unique within the Black Mist Zone.

Upon hearing Huo Sheng's question, Velo paused for a moment, then said, "This is going to be a long story."

He sat down, looking at Lu Ming and Huo Sheng. After some thought, Velo decided against using this as a bargaining chip. Instead, he began to explain directly.

"Before I talk about your identities, I need to start with the origin of the Black Mist Zone."

Lu Ming and Huo Sheng leaned forward, their curiosity piqued.

The Spirit Clan's history was ancient, once rivaling the Undead and Insect Clans in power. Their knowledge of the Black Mist Zone's secrets was not necessarily inferior—they had simply faded into obscurity.

"According to our ancestors' records," Velo began, "the Black Mist Zone was created by the Supreme Divine Being."

"The purpose behind this special space was either to please the Supreme Divine Being or to serve as a test, a selection."

He paused, then added, "It could also be seen as the playground or proving ground of the Supreme Divine Being, where they choose allies or candidates."

Lu Ming and Huo Sheng exchanged glances. Velo's explanation, though fantastical, aligned with Huo Sheng's theory about a puppet master orchestrating events from behind the scenes.

Before they could speak, Velo continued. "With this as the main premise, let's talk about the Tribulation Transcenders."

"Tribulation Transcenders?" Huo Sheng asked. "Are you referring to us?"

Velo shook his head. "Not just you. Us as well..."

When the Black Mist Zone first appeared, there were no intelligent races within it. Only mutated beasts existed, reigning as the overlords of this strange new world.

"However, after the Holy Tower appeared," Velo continued, "everything changed."

It was unknown which world it was, but it was the first world chosen by the Supreme Divine Being.

Everything that happened at the beginning mirrored the experiences of Lu Ming and the other humans.

"In the center of a city or gathering place, the Holy Tower rose from the ground," Velo explained. "It released Origin Power, turning the old and weak into zombies. The outside was shrouded in the black mist. Stepping into it brought one into the Black Mist Zone."

Then, the black mist continued to shrink, squeezing the space within until it pulled all intelligent lifeforms into the Black Mist Zone.

"This was the experience of the first generation of tribulation transcenders and all subsequent ones."

"There's a saying in the Black Mist Zone," Velo continued, "that all races currently residing here are either tribulation transcenders or their descendants. I believe this saying is reasonable and based on fact."

Once Velo finished speaking, Huo Sheng pointed at himself. "In other words, we're the new generation of tribulation transcenders?"

"Yes, you're right."

"Then, is there anything special about us?" Huo Sheng asked, and Velo immediately began to explain.

"I mentioned earlier that the Black Mist Zone is the Supreme Divine Being's playground or testing ground. Those who undergo tribulation are either gamers or trial targets."

"The reason we're called tribulation transcenders is because every time a new survivor appears, it signifies the beginning of a great calamity. This is related to an incident called the Heaven Ascension Stairs."

"The so-called Heaven Ascension Stairs," Velo began, "is also known as the Ladder to God or the Path to Divinity!"

"Because the goal of the Heaven Ascension Stairs is to create a god! To birth a new divine being!"

"Divinities?" Lu Ming was intrigued. "Are there really divine beings within the Black Mist Zone?"

Velo nodded affirmatively. "Yes, and there's more than one! All contemporary major clans possess one or even several ancestral gods. Clans without the protection of a god don't deserve to be called major clans within the Black Mist Zone."

The presence or absence of gods was the foundation of a race's survival and prosperity within the Black Mist Zone.

With the birth of each new god, the territory of the old gods was squeezed, leading to calamities.

The great calamity of divine wars! The great calamity of clan annihilation!

When a new god ascended, an old god perished.

Or vice versa.

"How powerful are these gods?" Lu Ming inquired.

"The Mortal Realm, the Physique Realm, the Spirit Realm, the Source Realm, and the Ancient Realm," Velo replied. "Above the Ancient Realm are the realms of gods! Moreover, there's no other way to cross the threshold of the Ancient Realm into the Divine Spirit Realm except by ascending to the heavens! In other words, the only path to godhood is through the Heaven Ascension Stairs!"

Lu Ming fell silent, comprehending the immense power of these so-called gods based on the realms Velo had described.

Velo continued, "Not only that, but there's also an agreement regarding the Heaven Ascension Stairs."

"The qualification to ascend to the heavens can only be obtained by contemporary tribulation transcenders..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huo Sheng's brow furrowed.

A moment later, Huo Sheng nodded pensively. "In that case, it seems this is the fundamental reason we're being targeted."

According to the rules of the Heaven Ascension Stairs, only contemporary tribulation transcenders could ascend. This meant only they had the potential to achieve godhood through the Stairs.

However, if that were all, things would be simpler.

"Is there a way to plunder the qualifications to ascend to the heavens?" Huo Sheng asked.

Velo nodded. "Yes, there are many ways... Some of these methods are widely known and spread."

"For example, the simplest method is the Blood Essence Extraction Method."

"Through special tools, you can extract the blood essence of a current Tribulation Transcender. With that blood essence in hand, you can step onto the Heaven Ascension Stairs."

Considering the importance of gods to the clans...

The situation of the current tribulation transcenders was dire. To become a god, one had to ascend the Heaven Ascension Stairs.

However, to ascend, qualifications were necessary. And to obtain those qualifications, one had to target the Tribulation Transcenders of this generation.

"It looks like we've become a prized delicacy..." Huo Sheng smiled bitterly, summarizing their predicament.

Velo was unfamiliar with the term, but he understood the sentiment from Huo Sheng's expression.

He nodded gently. "So now, do you understand your situation?"

Understanding was one thing, but questions remained.

"What is a Supreme Divine Being? Has anyone seen one before?" Huo Sheng asked.

Velo shook his head. "No one has seen the true form of the Supreme Divine Being. Not even the gods."

"The gods haven't seen it?"

"I don't know... But the gods always claim that the Supreme Divine Being truly exists. We've chosen to believe them."

Huo Sheng inquired further, "How long is the interval between the appearance of each generation of tribulation transcenders?"

"At least a few hundred years, at most tens of thousands of years," Velo replied.

This made Huo Sheng sigh. For the next few hundred years, at least, humanity couldn't rely on other races to share their burden.

"Lastly," Huo Sheng continued, "the Heaven Ascension Stairs... When will they begin, and in what way?"

At the mention of this, a strange expression crossed Velo's face.

"The Heaven Ascension Stairs have actually already begun..." he said.

Huo Sheng fell silent.

Then, in a strange tone, Velo revealed, "Mortal Realm Level Five individuals, those who can interact with the Holy Tower, guided by the Holy Tower, can begin the Heaven Ascension Trial..."

Before Lu Ming and Huo Sheng could process this shocking revelation, Velo added, "I know how you must be feeling... This is considered a benefit given by the Supreme Divine Being to the new generation of tribulation transcenders. You missed it."

"However," Velo reassured them, "there's no need to worry. Those who reach the Heaven Ascension Stairs first might not have an advantage over those who enter later. Based on past data, it's more likely that those who come later have a greater chance of achieving godhood."

He paused, then offered a glimmer of hope. "Now, you can also immediately begin the Heaven Ascension Trial by interacting with the Holy Tower."

Huo Sheng's eyebrows shot up. "Where is the Holy Tower in the Black Mist Zone?"

Velo's answer was straightforward. "In the core territories of the major clans."