100 Empyrean Tusks passed through the Varahan Enclave and exited Sumatra Continent, treading through the Sandy-Grey Void.
88 Empyrean Tusks had been left behind as the resources meant for them had been used for Gannala's birth.
Their original plan was to continue farming Empyrean Boars for another two decades. But in their hurry to birth Gannala, they ended up eradicating the Empyrean Boar race. As a result, 88 Empyrean Tusks were left behind.
The strongest 100 were leaving with Gannala in order to complete the route she had gained while the remaining 88 would build up their strength. And once they accumulated enough, they would follow the first herd to the other continent.
The herd of 100 had already discussed with the second herd, making note of some signs that the leading herd would leave behind in the Sandy-Grey Void. That would serve as a route indicator for the second herd.
The 88 Empyrean Tusks turned around from the Varahan Enclave's entrance and headed deeper into Sumatra Continent, returning to their original route.
Meanwhile, the herd of 100 Empyrean Tusks began their journey through the Sandy-Grey Void.
Two years since the journey began, Renduldu played around with Gannala who had already taken on her Empyrean Tusk form.
"Her growth is staggering," Renduldu commented as he was punched in the face by Gannala's trunk. "She's at a level above the rest of you."
Even though he was talking to Undrakha, he was addressing the 1st Empyrean Tusk through him.
In response, the 1st Empyrean Tusk relayed its thoughts to Undrakha who then communicated it with Renduldu, "She's happily aware of that."
"Happily aware, huh?" Renduldu nodded as he got up, patting Gannala when her tiny trunk continued to coil around the tentacles dangling from his face and pull them, hard.
Of course, her strength didn't even tickle him. Even the 1st Empyrean Tusk's full-powered attack would hardly bruise him, for he was a pinnacle existence.
"It's time," Renduldu spoke suddenly, causing the 1st Empyrean Tusk to stop abruptly, "I cannot hold back any longer."
"Is it time already?" Undrakha sighed.
"Yeah," Renduldu nodded, "If I hold back my cultivation any longer, I'm afraid I'll invoke divine punishment. It's time I accept the Transcendence Stage and ascend."
"And I want you to accompany me," Renduldu stared at Undrakha, "When I enter one of those worlds in the sky, I want a friend to support me."
"I'm…not strong enough, I'm afraid." Undrakha smiled wryly, "Especially when compared to you."
"Only to me, yes." Renduldu chuckled, "But don't forget that you're a solid second place in Sumatra. I haven't seen a cultivator or Pranic Beast stronger than you in my long life. You're on a level similar to the Mammoth Ancestor. Hence, I want you to come with me."
"Besides," His eyes glinted, "You too are approaching your limit. You have been at the peak for too long. You won't be able to hold back long enough for this journey to end."
"But it's a dangerous journey." Undrakha said in worry, "I need to be here in case of an emergency."
[It's alright! You can go! Your ancestor has been requesting me to send reinforcements for a while! You're needed more above than here!]
"If you're the one saying that, then I can be at peace." Undrakha sighed and stared at Renduldu, "It seems my ancestor is facing some issues in the Transcendent World."
"Then, that's another reason for you to come with me." Renduldu nodded, "As long as we have a mark in the Transcendent World, our race will continue to exist here."
"So, there's nothing for you to worry about." Renduldu nodded.
"Do I kill Brangara? He's my source of worry." Undrakha said, "As long as I'm here, even if he becomes a Mystic Beast, I can easily deal with him. But it'll be troublesome in my absence."
"It seems you have remained strong for too long." Renduldu snorted, "Protect them too much and they'll grow weak. As long as they aren't annihilated, any harm is merely training. Struggle is the primary component necessary for evolution."
"Isn't the reason the herd is leaving Sumatra because it's too easy for them there?" Renduldu stared and spoke with an admonishing tone, "So, a threat is necessary."
"It seems you know something I don't." Undrakha asked, "Care to tell me?"
"I can't," Renduldu shook his head, "I'll be erased if I were to do that."
"Fine," Sighing in response, Undrakha lovingly patted Gannala who hugged him with her trunk, "Grow big and strong, okay?"
"You'll lead us into a new era."
His ten lives began to merge into one as a torrent of power surged in Undrakha, resulting in a terrifying energy storm that forced the herd to stop. It only took a second as the ten lives merged into one, becoming a terrifying entity, one that had completed its cultivation journey, a true Deific Being.
At the same time, both Undrakha and Renduldu attained Transcendence, causing the energy storm to grow bigger. The settlement buildings were affected in response as some of them broke.
Had they not been at the Sandy-Grey Void where everything was assimilated into the region, damage by the storm would have been substantial, even if the herd didn't come into contact with it.
The energy storm soon condensed into a tornado that connected the ground to the sky, entering one of the worlds hovering beyond reach in the sky. Terrifying energy currents ran through it, possessing enough destructive power to scorch a continent itself.
Only someone at the Transcendent Stage could withstand it. And even for them, it was hard. Undrakha and Renduldu grunted in pain as numerous wounds formed on their Transcendent bodies.
But suddenly, their faces paled as a bolt of current in the energy storm was seemingly attracted out. It slammed into a building where Brangara was held captive. Once the building was vaporised, the figure of Brangara inside was revealed.
He had currently activated all his Natures. For the past twelve years, all he consumed were Empyrean Boar hearts. And pretty much all Natures stored in his body was that of his race.
Once he activated them all simultaneously, the presence of an Empyrean Boar in him strengthened to the extreme, making him have the same presence as that of a Transcendent.
That confused the energy storm for a moment. And to judge his qualifications, it sent an energy current his way, which he used to destroy his bindings.
Primary Nature—Voracious Nature!
Tertiary Nature—Cultivator!
By activating the two at the same time, Brangara transformed into an Empyrean Boar and absorbed the energy bolt. Even though its destructive power ought to have destroyed him, since he was currently being reinforced by hundreds of Empyrean Boar Primary Natures, his body withstood it.
Moreover, he was even able to consume the energy bolt, an unprecedented event. Troves of information appeared in his mind as Brangara commented, watching the two Transcendents head farther and farther up into the sky, unable to return, "So, those bolts are filled to the brim with information."
"I'm envious." He grinned like a maniac as the absorbed information was an extreme on its own. And it allowed him to condense his final Nature.
Secondary Nature—Astral Chart!
It seemed the Bolt of Transcendence was the last puzzle necessary for his race's evolution as Brangara mutated, attaining the pinnacle status, the status of supreme in Sumatra Continent that to date had been held by only one race, breaking the custom.
Mystic Grade Pranic Beast—Empyrean Boar King!