The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

The third core had formed, and Klaus poured in more Star Qi, making sure the true form of the skill started to take shape. The Ice Pillar enlarged and grew several meters taller.

But that wasn't the only change. The rate at which the arrows were firing tripled and the damage output has also been enhanced.

But Klaus wasn't finished. Not even in the slightest. With his star qi surging stronger than ever, Klaus no longer needed to hold back.

Even he did not know how much stronger he had become, so he wanted to test it out.

Boom!

Another 300-meter-tall Ice Pillar rose a few meters away from the first one.

But it didn't stop there; another one rose, and then another, until there were seven solid Ice Pillars standing tall, shooting thousands of arrows at the lightning monsters and knights per second.

Klaus flew and landed on top of one of one pillar, exuding an aura of arrogance as he gazed at the monsters dying by the second. Torrents of runes flowed into his body.

He was burning through his star qi, but with millions of runes surging into him by the minute, he didn't even feel it. Yes, Klaus had become very powerful now.

[How does it feel, brat? Now that you're feeling the surge of energy, was it worth the effort?] the senior asked.

<Indeed, Senior, having more than one core is the best,> Klaus said, smiling.

When he first learned that he would have to form nine different cores before becoming a saint, Klaus felt the weight of the challenge.

One of his qi seas was already large enough to take him months to form it. But then, he discovered he needed to form nine of them. It felt as if the heavens wanted him to fall behind.

However, now that he had formed three and was beginning to see the benefits, he started to understand the path ahead, and he didn't dislike the destination at all.

In fact, he now wanted to form more than nine cores. He was truly enjoying the rush of energy coursing through him.

<I feel like I can channel more energy than ever before,> Klaus said. Your next chapter awaits on empire

At that moment, he noticed a 12-meter-tall rhino charging toward Queenie, who hadn't even realized its presence.

Of course, Klaus didn't even need to control the Void Piercing Needles to deal with it. The Ice Pillars took care of it before it could pose any threat. Klaus smirked as he continued his conversation with the senior.

[The first paragon star diagram strengthens your body, organs, and meridians. This allows you to channel more energy without your body suffering any backlash.

Of course, your Nine Reincarnation Divine Body physique is so mysterious that it's difficult to know exactly what it's doing to your body.

You would need to study it more closely to understand it better before breaking through to the saint stage.]

<I guess I'll have to start paying more attention to it,> Klaus said, focusing intently on the tower ahead.

Of course, saying he would look into it meant consulting himself. More precisely, he would be consulting his past selves, who had been visiting him frequently as of late.

Fruity appeared first, followed by Number Three, whom he recently discovered was the infamous Asura Go, his third incarnation.

Then there was Knox, who had hair resembling that of a hedgehog. Of course, Knox's own was thick and well-groomed but still somewhat unruly.

Although they could be frustrating to deal with, he had no choice but to rely on them. After all, they were him, and he was them.

But for now, his focus is ending the tribulation which all depends on his mental strength.

Thanks to the [Sage Mind] and [Unshakable Mind] techniques, his mental strength was now more formidable than ever.

"Let me go in again," Klaus, now feeling more energetic, took to the sky once more. This time, his sword appeared in his hand.

With his ice element, he began unleashing rapid slashes using the Moon Slash skill. Klaus was having fun, his smile never leaving his face.

But to the seven Grand Elders, Klaus was an anomaly.

"I don't even know what to say," Grand Elder Zeloria muttered, watching Klaus display shocking prowess in the air.

"Just him alone is enough to take down an army of great sages and even battle sovereigns," Grand Elder Nyselle added, clearly gaining a new perspective on humans.

The Moon Race was strong—indeed, very strong. But Klaus, the first human they had witnessed fighting, was even more dangerous than they had expected.

"Are all humans this strong? Did we misjudge them?" Grand Elder Ylthia added, her voice laced with wonder.

"It was more like we underestimated them," Grand Elder Mythana said. Among the seven elders, she was the strongest.

Grand Elder Zeloria exchanged a glance with Nyselle. "This human is different. A mere grandmaster shouldn't be this strong," she said, her voice quiet.

"We thought humans were weak," Grand Elder Ylthia added. "But this one is changing everything we know of them."

Grand Elder Mythana nodded, her expression serious. "If he is this powerful, how many more are like him? We cannot act without knowing."

Grand Elder Selene, who had been silent, spoke up. "We must reconsider. An attack on Earth could be our downfall."

"Agreed," said Grand Elder Velana. "This human has forced us to see beyond our pride. We cannot remain this passive in our thinking."

Grand Elder Thyra, the youngest of the seven, sighed. "If one human can do this, our plans must change. We need to learn more before we act. Doing anything reckless will cost us dearly."

The elders fell silent, watching Klaus with new respect and caution.

Forty minutes after the three levels of the tower descended, Klaus hovered in the air, his lightning angel wings flapping behind him.

"Hmm, looks like the big guns are coming," Klaus muttered as he glanced at his sword.

<I can feel it, Senior. I feel like I am close to awakening sword intent,> Klaus said.

[Good, that would boost your sword attacks severely. Pay more attention to it,] the Senior replied.

[But you have incoming,] he added, making Klaus smile.

Rumble!

As expected, the tower descended again, revealing the fourth level. A 3-meter-tall being made of lightning wielding a colossal sword appeared.

<This one looks denser and stronger than the one I killed during my tribulation,> Klaus noted.

The new gatekeeper seemed more formidable than the one he had defeated weeks earlier.

[As the levels progress, they become stronger. But this tribulation is not yours so it's only natural] the Senior said.

<The stronger, the better.>

Klaus felt the gatekeeper lock onto him, ready to unleash the heavens' judgment sword technique. This time, Klaus was prepared.

His slaughter aura surged, and before the gatekeeper—or rather, the heavens—could lock onto him, he dispelled it.

Then he moved, his sword thrusting forward.

Before the gatekeeper could react, Klaus's long sword pierced through its neck, killing it instantly.

The heavens roared as the Level Four doors and windows opened. Thousands of Tier 7 monsters poured out, each radiating intense energy as they descended onto the tribulation ground.

The seven Grand Elders moved back 5 kilometers. Ohema and her mother did the same. Klaus, still in the air, felt the weight pressing down on him.

"Then it began." He smiled and surged into action.

The tribulation, of course, continues.