"That giant really wanted me dead, huh? But what's with that attitude?" Yuan found the encounter so puzzling that he couldn't even be angry at the fact that someone tried to take his life twice in a row.
However, when Yuan recalled what Tian Yang had experienced upon returning to the Desolate Continent after Kulas gained control, he was no longer confused.
After lingering for a few more moments, Yuan used his divine sense to survey the area around him until he found a city.
After a short while, Yuan set off toward the nearest city, the Southern Stronghold.
Along the way, he encountered several magical beasts, each ranging from the first to the third level of God Ascension. Yet their cultivation wasn't the most intimidating part, but their sheer size.
Upon reaching the city, he wandered through its streets, checking to see what had changed compared to Tian Yang's memories.
'It's all giants.' Yuan noticed very quickly that not a single human was present in the city.
He also noticed the strange gazes directed at him ever since he entered the city. Though many tried to conceal it, their killing intent was as plain as the sky. Yet, despite having such bloodlust, none of them tried to attack him like the giant he encountered before.
'If things are like this, then…'
Yuan had a good idea what the trial was about and heaved a deep sigh.
He left the city shortly after and began making his way toward the central region of the continent—toward Colossal Mammoth City, the capital of the continent.
However, halfway there, Yuan was forced to stop when his path was blocked by three giants at the first, second, and third levels of God Ascension.
Two of these giants had unfamiliar faces, but Yuan recognized one of them—the one at the third level of God Ascension.
"You couldn't kill me by yourself, so you brought two other people who are even weaker than you… What an odd way of thinking," Yuan remarked.
"Be careful, brothers. Do not be deceived by his cultivation, as he was able to block my strike with his bare hands," said the giant, ignoring Yuan's remarks.
"So you're done pretending you're not trying to kill me, huh?" Yuan said with a faint smile.
"Let's get him, brothers!"
Without another word, the three giants surrounded Yuan, forming a triangle formation around him.
"Sorry, but I'm not in the mood to play today," Yuan spoke in a low voice as his body suddenly surged with Eternal Essence.
"What?!"
While the giants were momentarily stunned by the immense pressure created from his explosive aura, Yuan used Void Manipulation to close his distance with the third-level giant.
"You'll go first."
Yuan threw a space-shattering punch straight at the giant's face.
The giant reacted quickly, raising both hands to block, but Yuan's fist tore through his palms and crashed into his face a heartbeat later.
The force was so overwhelming that the giant's head burst like an overfilled balloon, his blood splattering in all directions.
"?!?!"
The remaining two giants widened their eyes in shock and disbelief, but Yuan didn't give them a chance to react. He activated Void Manipulation, and in the next instant, both giants plummeted from the sky—dead before they could even move.
Without even bothering to give them another glance, Yuan continued his way toward the Colossal Mammoth City.
As Yuan continued his journey, he encountered more giants, every group larger than the last. Yet no matter their numbers, all of them were helpless before his overwhelming strength.
Eventually, Yuan arrived at Colossal Mammoth City, and unlike his last visit during the previous trial, the atmosphere was completely different—suffocating, heavy, and simmering with anger.
Yuan ignored the atmosphere and flew directly to the massive castle located on the horizon.
"Halt!"
Of course, it didn't take long before someone stepped in to block his path. This time, it was a group of giants, each clad in full golden armor and wielding a massive halberd.
"Humans are prohibited from entering this city. Leave if you don't want any trouble," said the soldier in the front.
"Prohibited? Since when?" Yuan asked.
"Since last year!"
'So it's been a year since this started…' Yuan thought to himself.
"Well, I'm here to see your leader, Giant Emperor Kulas."
"Get lost! You're not even worthy to utter his name, let alone meet him!" "Just tell Kulas that his rival is here." Instead, the soldiers raised their weapons, pointing them at him.
Yuan sighed.
Then, he took a deep breath before releasing a powerful voice that echoed through the city.
"KULAS, IS THIS HOW YOU GREET AN OLD FRIEND?! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE BEFORE I DRAG YOU OUT MYSELF!"
"T-This crazy bastard!" The soldiers exclaimed with shocked expressions.
"He's going to get us killed! We must hurry and kill him before—"
A powerful presence suddenly descended, interrupting the soldier.
Yuan raised an eyebrow at the presence. Although it was familiar, it didn't belong to Kulas.
Soon, a figure came into view.
Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly at the approaching beautiful woman with golden hair and emerald eyes and murmured, "Xie Mey."
It was Kulas' youngest daughter.
"Princess!" The soldiers greeted her.
"Please don't worry, we'll deal with him right—"
"No need," she interrupted. "Let him through. He's an acquaintance."
The soldiers stared at her with wide eyes, but they didn't dare to defy her order and acknowledged it.
Once the soldiers left, Xie Mey, with a nonchalant look on her face, said to Yuan, "Follow me."
"Where's Kulas?" Yuan asked as he followed.
"Father is… a bit busy right now."
"Why did you come here, Senior Tian?"
"Am I not allowed to visit an old friend?"
Xie Mey looked at him with a pondering gaze.
"Did you encounter other giants on your way here?" she then asked.
"I have."
"Did they do anything weird to you?" "If by weird you mean trying to kill me, then yes, they were acting quite weird."
"Sorry," she sighed.
"Care to tell me what had happened to this place?"
"In a bit," she said with a slight nod.