As the figures of the three completely vanished into the white light, a deputy came to Abel Vance's side and asked in a low voice:
"Commander, do you think they will... succeed this time?"
Abel Vance's gaze still fixated on the empty stone platform, his fingers unconsciously tapping on his trouser leg.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke:
"With that girl from the Winslow Family, the chances of passing this trial... are fifty-fifty."
After all, it's the highest level trial, and even if all three of their Beastbonds are at Legendary Level, Abel Vance wasn't confident.
Last time, a genius with SSS-Level potential and two others with SS-Level potential participated in the trial.
But the three of them couldn't even get past the second stage.
After sighing, he took one last glance at the stone platform and turned to walk out of the hall.
"We've done everything we could, next..."
"Let's leave it to fate!"
...
Inside the Trial Grounds.
The pitch-black soil seemed to be drenched in ink, ruins everywhere, a desolate sight.
"Hey, country bumpkin."
Caelus Quinn suddenly stopped in his tracks, the thick branches of the Warbark Treant rustling behind him.
"No matter how you faked your way to an SSS evaluation, when danger approaches, just hide behind me and Crystal."
He lifted his chin, his face full of arrogance.
"With us around, at least your little life is safe in danger."
Aster Grant raised an amused eyebrow.
This young master from Oridian, although arrogant, wasn't a bad person.
It's just that he hasn't experienced the harsh realities of society, hence he's overconfident.
Yet, within the trial, various monsters won't increase your Beastbond's level upon defeat.
He's happy to make a move, and that's just fine for him.
"No problem, you lead the way; I won't steal your spotlight."
Saying this, he deliberately stepped back a couple of steps, even making an exaggerated gesture of "please go ahead."
Lazuli tilted her head in confusion but obediently stepped aside at Aster Grant's signal.
"At least you know what's good for you."
Caelus snorted contentedly, striding to the forefront of the group.
Meanwhile, Crystal Winslow seemed to entirely disregard these matters, focusing wholly on bonding with the Ice Phoenix on her shoulder.
Soon, the three encountered three monsters.
[Trial Puppet: Balanced Type]
[Level: Awakened Tier Six]
[Power: 100]
[Constitution: 100]
[Spiritual: 100]
[Speed: 100]
[Skills: Volleyfist, Balanced Force Field]
Seeing the information of these three Trial Puppets, Aster Grant finally understood the difficulty of the Abyssal Trial.
These Trial Puppets with All Attributes of 100 reached the level of an Excellent Tier Six Demonic Beast.
And because of their balanced attributes, their strength even surpassed beasts of the same level.
Scarier still, this was merely the first wave of monsters in the trial.
Monsters they would encounter next would gradually become stronger.
However.
Caelus seemed unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
Taking big strides forward, Caelus said, "Crystal, you don't need to act; I can handle these lumps of metal."
Crystal Winslow considered for a moment before nodding slightly, agreeing to his proposal.
Regardless, as someone evaluated with SSS-Level potential, dealing with these three Trial Puppets posed no issue for Caelus.
"Treant, Root Strangulation!"
At Caelus's command, the thick roots of the Warbark Treant burst from the ground, wrapping around the three puppets like giant pythons.
The wooden fibers scraped against metal shells with a piercing sound, ultimately shattering the puppets into pieces amidst three explosive noises.
"How's that? My Treant!"
Caelus turned around proudly, looking at the others with a face expecting praise.
Aster Grant and Lazuli exchanged a knowing look, both giving a thumbs-up.
Lazuli even thoughtfully added, "Amazing!"
Caelus, elated by the compliments, spoke in an even higher-pitched voice.
"Even though your skills lag behind, by observing my battles, you'll surely learn a lot!"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Aster Grant nodded repeatedly, casually stopping Lazuli from voicing a retort.
From then on, Caelus took on the role of the pathfinder.
Only, as they ventured deeper, the Trial Puppets they faced became increasingly powerful.
When five Awakened Tier Seven Trial Puppets blocked their path, Caelus finally couldn't keep his smile.
He was drenched in sweat!
[Trial Puppet]
[Level: Awakening Tier Seven]
[Power: 120]
[Constitution: 120]
[Spiritual: 120]
[Speed: 120]
Five Trial Puppets with an average attribute of 120 points were exceedingly challenging for the Warbark Treant to handle.
Sweat gathered on Caelus's forehead, his clenched fists trembling slightly.
"Caelus, need a hand?" Aster Grant kindly asked, getting closer.
"N...no need!"
Caelus gritted his teeth and held on, but anyone could see he was forcing it.
Yet Crystal Winslow lightly patted the Ice Phoenix on her shoulder, her voice cool:
"I'll control, you attack."
Hearing Crystal speak, Aster Grant was surprised, raising an eyebrow.
This ice-cold beauty actually spoke!
And when Caelus heard Crystal was joining the fray, he instantly sighed in relief.
These five Trial Puppets he could deal with, but it would come at a certain cost.
But this was only the first stage of the trial....
With Crystal now in the fight, the situation instantly turned around.
The Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix spread its wings, and the joints of the Trial Puppets were instantly covered in frost.
The Warbark Treant seized the opportunity, raising its thick branches to shatter the frozen puppets one by one.
For the remainder of the journey, Aster Grant enjoyed taking a back seat.
Crystal Winslow and Caelus Quinn's teamwork meant that Trial Puppets barely lasted a round against them.
He and Lazuli became outsiders in no time.
Soon enough, Crystal Winslow and Caelus Quinn stormed through the first stage.
The trio arrived at the end of the first stage, facing three dark corridors.
This was the second stage of the Abyssal Level trial.
According to Abel Vance's information, the three corridors had to be chosen, one by each, to independently complete the trial along the entire path to proceed to the third stage.
As for the content of the third stage?
Even Abel Vance didn't know!
The previous trialists reached the second stage at most.
At this moment, Caelus suddenly turned, his gaze lingering on Aster Grant, his tone laced with obvious doubt:
"Are you... capable?"
He had no worries about Crystal Winslow's strength!
As the top of Oridian City's novice trials, her capabilities even surpassed his own.
But if this country genius in front of them dragged them down...
Even if he and Crystal passed the second stage, it would still mean this trial ended in failure for them.
Even the usually indifferent Crystal Winslow slightly turned her head, waiting for Aster Grant's response.
After all, along the way, Aster Grant hadn't made a move, leaving her unable to gauge this companion's strength.
Facing Caelus's question, Aster Grant didn't argue; he merely smiled and walked straight toward the middle path.
"A man should never say he's not up to it!"
...
...