The military district leader's style is indeed swift and decisive.
Aster hadn't yet reacted when he felt a sudden tightness around his waist...
Abel Vance actually took him and Lazuli soaring into the sky directly!
"Whoosh——"
With the sound of breaking through the air, a giant bird that could cover the sky suddenly tore through the clouds.
The three landed steadily on its broad back, and Aster instinctively probed the information of this Beastbond:
[Skyswallow]
[Talent: ???]
[Level: ???]
[Attributes: ???]
[Skills: ???]
The uniform question marks sent a shock through Aster's heart.
But what shocked him even more was that, despite Skyswallow's speed being fast enough to shred the air, they felt no wind pressure.
This indicated that the Beastbond beneath them was at least Commander Level, and very likely had reached Monarch Level.
Before long, a distorted blue light curtain stretched across the horizon.
"This is the space passage connecting the two worlds. Flying through here, after a few more hours, will take you to the Trial Grounds," Abel Vance's voice remained clear in the roaring wind.
Skyswallow let out a long cry and flapped its wings, diving into the light curtain.
And below them—
More than twenty teams surrounded Mason Cheney and that Succubus like stars encircling the moon.
The leading captain fawningly said, "Young Master Cheney, rest assured, with us elite teams assisting, you'll surely break through to Awakening Tier Seven!"
Yet Mason Cheney turned a deaf ear.
He stared intently at the space passage, his eyes swirling with a sinister cold light.
"Aster..." His clenched fist pulsed with veins, "Competing with the Cheneys over resources? I will make you understand what despair means."
"Twenty teams assisting me in leveling up... What do you have to compare with me?!"
...
Three hours later, Skyswallow landed at a military base surrounded by mountains.
When Aster jumped off the giant bird's back, he immediately noticed that besides the soldiers, there were also two young people on the camp's square.
These two should be the companions joining him in the trial!
"Crystal Winslow, Caelus Quinn, from Oridian, SSS-Level potential."
"Aster, Lythos, likewise SSS-Level potential."
"This trial will be tackled by the three of you together!"
Abel Vance briefly introduced the information about the few people.
Standing on the left, Crystal Winslow was draped in white, with a translucent icy bird perched on her shoulder.
Upon hearing Abel Vance's introduction, she nodded slightly at Aster.
However, her gaze lingered on Lazuli for a few extra seconds, with a hint of surprise flashing through her ice-blue pupils.
Aster also politely exchanged greetings, then proceeded to inspect this woman's Beastbond information.
[Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix]
[Talent: Legendary One Star]
[Level: Awakening Tier Five]
[Power: 120]
[Constitution: 130]
[Spiritual: 178]
[Speed: 150]
[Skills: Cold Cone Piercing, Frost Storm, Frost Ring Imprisonment (Beastbond enters a weakened state upon use)]
As for Caelus Quinn on the right, he crossed his arms, with a three-meter-tall bronze-colored Treant standing beside him.
He glanced sideways at Aster with a trace of disdain in his eyes.
Lythos?
Never heard of it!
Could there also be talents in such a small city?
Most likely, only managed to get an SSS-Level rating by exploiting loopholes!
However, considering Abel Vance was present, he didn't voice his thoughts, just stood nearby, feigning aloofness.
Aster noticed Caelus Quinn's attitude but was indifferent.
He wasn't participating in this trial to make friends; his goal was that Light Crystal.
As for his trial companions, it would be nice if they got along.
If not, it wouldn't matter much since they wouldn't meet after this trial.
That being said, he still checked the other party's Beastbond information:
[Warbark Treant]
[Talent: Legendary One Star]
[Level: Awakening Tier Five]
[Power: 160]
[Constitution: 165]
[Spiritual: 112]
[Speed: 105]
[Skills: Root Strangulation, Giant Wood Bombardment, Ironwood Barrier]
Aster carefully compared the data of the three Beastbonds, and gradually formed a judgment in his mind.
"Both have Legendary One Star talent, yet the disparity is so evident..."
Lazuli's various attributes might not be top-notch, but she excelled in balanced development without any shortcomings.
What's more crucial is she has four skills, one more skill slot than the other two Beastbonds.
Crystal Winslow's Ebon-Frost Ice Phoenix is clearly superior to Caelus Quinn's Warbark Treant, especially that [Frost Ring Imprisonment] skill, making Aster particularly attentive...
This skill is similar to Lazuli's [Song of the End], requiring a certain cost to use.
Aster speculates, the higher the cost to release, the more terrifying the skill's power.
This seems to be somewhat equivalent to a Beastbond's Finishing Technique!
[Song of the End (Beastbond falls into slumber upon release)]
Seeing Lazuli's skill, he decided not to release it unless in life-and-death situations.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Caelus Quinn's Warbark Treant...
This Beastbond, besides its excellent power and constitution attributes....
Seems to have no other outstanding points!
All three skills are mediocre, and it doesn't have a "Finishing Technique" either!
Aster silently estimated, this Warbark Treant just barely touched the threshold of Legendary Talent.
Having understood the strength of Crystal Winslow and Caelus Quinn's Beastbonds, Aster's gaze finally rested on Lazuli.
All things considered, his own Little Angel still pleases him more.
"Master?" Lazuli tilted her head in confusion.
His slender fingers instinctively touched Lazuli's silver hair, the soft texture at his fingertips warmed his heart.
"Master?"
Lazuli tilted her little face up in confusion, her golden eyes filled with puzzlement.
She subconsciously nuzzled Aster's palm, this affectionate gesture making his heart tremble.
How sinful... how sinful...
Fortunately, Abel Vance spoke again, drawing Lazuli's attention, preventing this Little Angel from noticing anything unusual about her master.
"Do you have anything else to prepare? If not, I'll take you to the Trial Grounds," Abel Vance's gaze swept across the three of them.
Aster cleared his throat, discreetly withdrew his hand, the silky touch of Lazuli's hair still lingering on his fingertips.
"Ready to depart anytime."
Crystal Winslow and Caelus Quinn also indicated that they were ready.
Soon, Abel Vance led them to an ancient temple.
Though the temple was in ruins, details still revealed its former magnificence.
"This place was once the Elven Race's sacred land, but for unknown reasons, the entire Elven Race vanished, leaving only these Trial Grounds."
"Clearing this trial should earn you good rewards."
"However, if you encounter danger, promptly withdraw because your safety is paramount."
"Rest assured, Chief Vance!" Caelus Quinn promised, patting his chest, "With me here, this trial is as good as done!"
Abel Vance gave him a long look: "I hope so!"
"No need to say more," Abel Vance pointed to the stone platform in the temple's center, "Place your hands on it to begin the trial."
"Finally," with his sonorous voice, all the soldiers snapped to attention and saluted, "Wish you all a triumphant return!"
Under everyone's gaze, the three simultaneously placed their hands on the stone platform.
In an instant, blinding white light surged into the sky, completely engulfing their figures.
...
...