Titan King: Ascension of the Giant Chapter 1405 Breaking the Limits

The Sixth Layer of the Abyss: The Foundry Citadel.

Active volcanoes filled the fortress with a constant sulfurous reek, while scorching winds hammered it without mercy. For those dwelling in the Abyss, this infernal terrain seemed utterly ordinary. Delilah had adapted to it as well, although each inhale still scorched her lungs like flames.

Still, the searing pain brought an odd sharpness. After the inner blaze faded, a cool feeling of cleanliness remained. This captured the core of the Scourge Wardens' might—the power to absorb the rage of a catastrophe from nature. Only by withstanding the burning could someone harden their form and rise to a superior existence.

To trail after Orion's path, I must rise to Archlord, Delilah mused, her determination solidifying. The land is mine, and the people's belief gathers steadily. All that's missing for me is pure ability and promise.

Cross-legged in a basalt palace of the Citadel, she positioned herself. A bulky bag overflowing with Banshee Crystals rested in front of her.

With the Conquest Legion's support, she had searched the domain thoroughly to collect this treasure. It appeared like vast wealth, but Delilah doubted its sufficiency. Swallowing this whole pile of crystals could fail to close the gap from her present level to Archlord.

Reaching Lord status posed a challenge, but Archlord demanded an impossible wall. Ability counted, yet building profound base strength outweighed it. Luckily, supported by the Stoneheart Horde and Orion personally, resources flowed freely to her; she just missed the natural fire to spark them alive.

Drawing in a steady breath, Delilah plunged her hand into the bag, devouring the Banshee Crystals piece by piece.

Each crystal she swallowed intensified the God-touched mark on her. It reshaped her heritage, strengthened her frame, and pushed her physical boundaries by force. She understood the necessity. To serve as Orion's key ally in overseeing the Sixth Layer, power had to match her role. Lacking Archlord rank, she could never earn genuine deference from the "noble allies" in the Conquest Legion.

At present, they behaved politely and aided her resource hunts, driven solely by dread and awe for Orion. Should his influence vanish, a simple Legend-rank succubus such as herself would wield no sway over those beasts.

Strength. I require strength.

Fueled by pressing need, Delilah hastened the intake process. Before long, banshee shrieks mingled with a succubus's enchanting songs in the palace, weaving a eerie melody of might.

From afar, on the Four-Directional Tower, Xalathar peered at Delilah's palace, muttering under his breath.

"What's the Master's pet succubus scheming this time?" he grumbled. "That howling's ear-splitting. Hope she doesn't explode herself. Orders are clear: keep her breathing. Maybe I should peek?"

While the Abyssal Dragon pondered his choices, Standard-bearer Vex stirred from meditation and turned toward the disturbance.

"She's cultivating," Vex declared bluntly. "Everyone in the Abyss knows Succubi and Weeping Banshees feed on each other to boost their strength. You lot supplied her with enough cultivation materials to flood a metropolis. She could shatter into Archlord with one fierce effort."

Unlike Xalathar, Vex grasped Abyssal ways more profoundly. Beyond being born here, he held ancestral recollections that offered knowledge the dragon missed.

"Listen, friend," Xalathar queried, staring at the Standard-bearer. "You nearing Archlord yourself?"

Vex's presence weighed denser, more fearsome than many Archlords the dragon had faced.

"Far from it," Vex answered modestly. "Conditions here favor me greatly, but I've trailed the Master too briefly. My base remains weak. True Archlord rank lies distant still."

Upon swearing loyalty to Orion, Vex ranked as a mere Alpha soldier. Today, without the Conquest Legion's war banner enhancement, he matched Delilah closely.

"Hah. In your shoes, I'd nap endlessly," Xalathar jeered with jealousy. "That banner makes you untouchable regardless. Why grind through practice?"

"You miss the point," Vex replied, shaking his head. "As Standard-bearer, I demand unyielding personal power above all. You're far too laid-back, Xalathar. Scout the domain now."

In a twist, Xalathar coveted the banner, yet Vex yearned for the dragon's lot. What being could nest beside Orion's core, sip his essence to endlessly elevate their gifts? Solely Xalathar, the Abyssal Dragon, claimed that boon.

"Scout the domain?" Xalathar's gaze sparked with cruel delight. "That's a fine notion. Any scum defying the Stoneheart Horde deserves purging from our realm."

He launched into the sky with a wicked laugh.

Minor Hell, Ashenheart Domain.

The Deputy Commander pulled Orion from profound rest, waking Leonidas, Alexander, and the rest with him.

"No disaster unfolding," the Deputy Commander assured briskly, quelling fears before they rose. "The Champions Alliance's unique secret art is complete. I aimed to distribute it to you right away."

"Unique secret art?" Leonidas wondered, clearing drowsiness from his eyes. "When did this start?"

"Recall the Rite of the Three Idols?" The Deputy Commander bypassed the Spartan, fixing on Orion.

A keen spark lit Orion's gaze as he nodded. Seized from the vile Demigod Tusha, the Rite of the Three Idols offered a deviant, sidelong route to Archlord. Its first form birthed three fiend serpents akin to a 'body of faith.' Handed to the group for study, it appeared they had polished it at last.

"No longer the Rite of the Three Idols," the Deputy Commander announced gravely. "Now it's the Platinum Tri-Drake Effigy."

"Observe, this art forms a pillar for the Platinum Authority's assets. You, Orion, earn the honors for uncovering it. As Demigods who aided the Emerald Dream Realm effort, we five receive free versions."

Four scrolls went from the Deputy Commander to each Demigod there.

"Henceforth, others seeking the Platinum Tri-Drake Effigy must trade resources or alliance merits for access."

Regulations held firm. The art came through fierce struggle, and perfecting it drained the Commander and Deputy Commander heavily.

"Hidden within the Platinum Tri-Drake Effigy are two safeguards," the Deputy Commander whispered lower. "One targets Archlords, the other Demigods. These ensure command over followers and block disloyalty or outside grabs. When sharing with your forces, embed your chosen defenses."

Quiet settled the chamber. Orion and companions fixed on their scrolls intently.

At heart, the Platinum Tri-Drake Effigy's essence lay not in "Platinum," but the "Tri-Drake" element. Mastering the hidden art let users forge a drake idol—a faith-body-like form—matched to their unique traits.