Trial Space, Feather Island.
This secret realm perfectly simulates the bizarre environmental characteristics of the Wind Elemental Plane.
Composed of ice crystals, cilia, charged dust, and a vast array of flocculent complexes, the island resembles a vast gray feather, floating thousands of feet in the sky.
In the center of the island stands a magnificent domed palace.
To those uninitiated, it seems incredible!
The "ground" of Feather Island resembles soft snow.
It seems as if one step on it would sink into it, piercing through the entire island and plummeting to the earth.
How could such a soft structure support a magnificent castle?
In reality, Feather Island's gravity, like that of the Wind Elemental Plane and the Astral Plane, has no fixed direction.
Residents living here can adjust the direction of gravity at will.
Foreign trialists who master this technique can walk on the clouds without relying on flight spells.
As for the castle in the clouds, it is the residence of Kalida, the mistress of Feather Island.
The castle is guided by gravity, and at the mistress's will, it can float in the clouds like a feather.
Kalida is a wind djinni.
In the mortal world, wind djinni are more commonly known as "djinni."
It is said that making a wish to a djinni will grant your wish.
This legend is partly true and partly false.
It's not limited to "djinni." The four great djinni of water, fire, wind, and earth do possess the magical power to grant wishes, so much so that they are considered gods by mortals.
However, only djinni of rank seven and above can even begin to awaken this miraculous power, capable of creating something out of nothing and altering reality within a limited scope.
The mistress of Feather Island, the noble Lady Kalida, is unfortunately only a sixth-rank wind djinn.
She currently lacks the ability to cast the seventh-level "Limited Wish."
Otherwise, she would surely use this ability to free herself from this predicament!
Above the island, a storm roars, thunder and lightning roar!
A great battle is underway!
Both sides are using air-based skills.
On Feather Island, air-based magic and martial arts are enhanced, increasing their power by 50% and doubling their range.
This automatically grants the "Strength" and "Range" super-magic effects.
Kalida, the wind djinn, resembles a sapphire-skinned giantess from the upper body.
She has a voluptuous figure, a gorgeous face, and flowing hair.
A mithril forehead ornament, which enhances magical power, adorns her forehead.
Due to excessive magical power overdraft, the wind magic stone embedded between her brows had already begun to show fine cracks, threatening to shatter at any moment.
From her waist down, Kalida transformed into a blue whirlwind.
Perfectly matching the common image of a "djinn."
Controlling the storm and summoning thunderstorms were Kalida's signature skills for ruling the Feather Island.
Unfortunately, the thunderstorm across the way, emanating the evil aura of the abyss, was equally adept at summoning lightning and controlling storms.
Kalida still remembered the beautiful blonde girl who called herself Pamela.
She looked like a noble young lady.
But her behavior was brutal and rude, like a bandit!
This witch, accompanied by three companions, had intruded into the Feather Island.
They engaged in a brawl along the way!
Kalida's wind elemental guards were no match for the four bandits.
After breaking into the castle, Pamela challenged Kalida on the throne to a duel.
Kalida was initially dismissive.
Pamela's cultivation had just reached the early sixth stage.
Kalida's strength was comparable to that of a late sixth stage wind elementalist.
She had reason to believe that Pamela's challenge was too arrogant!
The enraged wind djinn rose from his throne, shaped like a giant oil lamp, and, transforming into a whirlwind, pounced on Pamela.
He was going to rip this arrogant little girl's golden hair off and torture her mercilessly!
See if she could still maintain this arrogant air while she wailed and begged for mercy!
And then...Kalida's fate was tragic.
Pamela's rank was indeed inferior to hers.
However, a sorcerer's strength isn't solely determined by their rank.
Challenging opponents of higher rank is commonplace for a gifted young woman like Pamela.
When she activated her sixth-level atavism, transforming into an abyssal storm shimmering with blood-red lightning, Kalida regretted her decision.
Compared to the vast storm cloud, Kalida seemed dwarfed and was quickly engulfed.
The ensuing battle was a one-sided devastation.
Pamela's three companions, Am, Phil, and Sean, also activated their fifth-level atavism.
They all stood on the periphery of the battlefield, their arms folded across their chests, quietly watching Pamela defeat the wind giant.
These three sorcerers, all descended from the Randolph family, had not only advanced their cultivation through this period of trials, but their bloodlines had also been elevated.
Am, the earth elemental sorcerer, ascended to the earth djinn bloodline, reaching the late fifth stage.
He resembled a smooth stone giant, his eyes like gleaming agate.
Phil, with the early fifth stage fire elemental bloodline, advanced to a fire djinn sorcerer.
Phil, in his fire djinn form, resembled a demon.
This sturdy giant's skin resembled red-hot charcoal.
A pair of short, jet-black horns sprouted from his head.
His lower body was a ball of blazing flames, emitting black smoke with a strong odor of sulfur.
Sean, a water elemental sorcerer, also reached the early fifth stage.
Even after ascending to the water djinn sorcerer, he retained his handsome and elegant appearance, as well as his narcissistic personality.
His skin was smooth and delicate, his eyes were like sapphires, his teeth were as white as pearls, and his long, cyan hair flowed to his waist.
From the waist down, they transformed into liquid, like a surging fountain.
All three of them successfully advanced to the genie sorcerer stage with Pamela's help.
The genie bloodline possesses greater potential than ordinary elemental creatures.
They can usually ascend to the seventh level, awakening the "Limited Wish" spell.
It is said that a very few lucky genie sorcerers can ascend to the ninth level and master the legendary "Wish" spell!
Wish magic is truly magical!
Its uses are too numerous to list.
For a sorcerer, its most important use is to simulate other spells.
Limited Wish can simulate any spell up to the sixth level.
Wish can simulate any spell up to the seventh level.
You don't need to have a deep understanding of the object being simulated.
Once you've seen someone perform a spell once, you can perfectly replicate the same spell!
Possessing the power of a wish is equivalent to pre-learning most magic in the world, transcending the limitations of a sorcerer's bloodline!
This is why mortals compare djinn to gods, believing they can grant any wish!
Amm and the others, having successfully advanced to the djinn bloodline, were already content.
However, they couldn't understand why Pamela wasn't satisfied.
There was a simpler way to advance to wind djinn, but she stubbornly chose the more risky bloodline fusion.
With a mournful cry, the mistress of Feather Island ultimately met her end at Pamela's hands.
Her hair was brutally ripped from her head, sending it flying into the air.
Snap!
The forehead ornament shattered, and a puff of blue smoke drifted out.
This was the elemental spirit of the wind djinn, Kalida.
Pamela transformed back into human form, holding a wind magic stone the size of a walnut.
Reciting an incantation, she absorbed the Wind Giant's essence.
The Wind Demon Stone was covered in blue, flocculent veins, resembling cloud patterns.
Having absorbed Kalida's essence, it had transformed into a Soul Jade.
Pamela smiled faintly.
Then she swallowed the Soul Jade into her mouth.
With a gulp, she swallowed it.
After swallowing the Soul Jade alive, she could attempt to devour the Wind Giant's essence sealed within it through a special method.
If the devouring succeeded, she would merge with the Wind Giant's bloodline.
But what if it failed?
It was understandable that her own bloodline would be unable to harmonize with the foreign Wind Giant's bloodline, leading to rejection and even collapse.
Pamela was well aware of the risks of bloodline fusion.
She had made some preparations beforehand.
For example, increasing her rank, injecting holy medicine, and strengthening her attributes.
Even so, the theoretical success rate of bloodline fusion is only 50%.
‐Is it worth taking this risk?
‐Am, Phil, and Sean didn't understand.
‐They had tried to persuade Pamela that there was no point in gambling with her future.
‐But Pamela remained unmoved.
‐"I chose fusion over advancement for a simple reason."
‐"The Wind Giant bloodline is only compatible with Storm Elemental bloodline, but it will repel my Abyss bloodline. I can't bear to part with it!"
‐Pamela's answer sounded reasonable.
‐But there was still a problem.
‐Her Storm Elemental bloodline came from a direct descendant of the Randolph family.
‐But how could she have Abyss bloodline?
‐I had never heard of any of Pamela's direct relatives being associated with Abyss demons.
Moreover, it wasn't until four years ago that she inexplicably awakened her Abyssal Bloodline.
At that time, she was already over sixteen.
Generally speaking, awakening a hidden bloodline at that age is unlikely.
The unknown origin of the Abyssal Bloodline has always shrouded Pamela in mystery.
She refused to explain, and others didn't dare to inquire.
"Miss, I wish you success in integrating the Wind Giant Bloodline."
Phil was the first to break the silence.
"Are you going to retreat for a while?"
"Of course not."
Pamela smoothed her hair, her expression calm.
"Tomorrow morning, the Dragon Kingdom and the Plateau of Power will go to war. Let's all join in the fun and look for opportunities to reap some benefits."
"Miss, do you plan to join the Giants or the Dragons?" Am asked.
"Of course, the Dragon Clan!" Sean rushed to say. "That way, Miss can leverage the power of the Dragon Clan to hunt down Storm Giants during the chaos and obtain Bloodline Essence, which will be very beneficial for strengthening her Storm Elemental Bloodline."
"Hehe..."
Pamela shook her head and chuckled.
"You guessed wrong. I plan to join the Giants."
"Huh?!" Sean was stunned.
Am and Phil exchanged bewildered glances.
What benefits could there be in joining the Giants?
"There are two reasons," Pamela explained calmly.
"First, the Dragon Vein Warlock from North Island College will definitely join the Dragon Clan tomorrow. I hate those and don't want to be associated with them."
"Also, I heard from a friend that joining the Giants offers a chance to obtain an extremely powerful Bloodline Essence!"
"What bloodline?" Phil asked curiously.
"Titans!" Pamela said gravely.
...
The next day, early in the morning.
Alan and Tanya were teleported to the Plateau of Power early in the morning.
This secret realm simulates Jotunheim, the "Home of Giants."
A cross-section of the plateau resembles a stepped pyramid.
Giants of different ranks (castes) inhabit different levels of the "pyramid."
Geographically, this reflects the caste system of giant society.
The division into different residential areas also implies class rigidity and even a prohibition on interspecies marriage.
Living at the bottom are the lesser subspecies of giants.
For example, trolls, ogres, and minotaurs, the untouchables of giant society.
The farms and pastures higher up are the home of hill giants.
Their living conditions are even worse than those of the untouchables; they can only be described as dirty, messy, and smelly!
Hill giants are nothing more than a bunch of fools whose minds are preoccupied with eating, drinking, and mating. Their habit of urinating and defecating in public is disgusting!
Thus, in the eyes of the higher-caste giants, hill giants are nothing more than larger ogres.
Further up lies the middle layer of the Power Plateau, the most densely populated residential area.
This area is divided into three main settlements.
The Stone Giants live in caves or crypts.
Their dwellings are shielded from the sun, but they are kept clean and tidy.
Stone Giants are the artisans and artists of Giant society.
They have dark, smooth skin, devoid of a single hair.
They appear bulky and clumsy, and are not good at speaking, but they are actually delicate and thoughtful.
Stone Giants rarely venture out in the sun. They either retreat into the depths of caves, meditating on philosophical questions about life and death, time, and eternity.
‐‐Or they patiently polish exquisite stone tools.
‐‐These stone artworks are highly sought after by the upper classes.
‐‐The Frost Giants inhabit the bitterly cold lands north of the plateau.
‐‐These massive figures, with pale skin tinged with bluish hues, live a lifestyle similar to the medieval Vikings of Alan's past life.
‐‐They are rude and barbaric, yet also innocent and simple.
‐‐In giant society, the Frost Giants are the best source of soldiers.
‐‐The Fire Giants, who inhabit the volcanic regions south of the plateau, are also a fiery and warlike people.
‐‐However, besides military service, Fire Giants have another career path: blacksmithing.
‐‐Utilizing the abundant local iron ore and the natural volcanic furnaces, they craft weapons and armor that are not particularly refined but are sturdy and durable.
‐‐Further up, at the summit of the plateau, lies the Cloud Giants' royal city.
Cloud giants are the de facto ruling class of giant society.
From military commanders to civil officials, most positions are held by cloud giant nobles.
Storm giants, as the priestly caste, are the smallest in number but hold the highest status.
They care little for worldly matters, delegating military and internal affairs to cloud giants. They either travel extensively or retreat to monasteries to study ancient texts.
They only preside over ceremonies during festivals.
Those storm giants who remain at home dwell at the highest point of the Plateau of Power.
Atop the mountain behind the Giant King's City stands a temple.
For most of the day, the temple is shrouded in white clouds, making it barely visible.
Only on a clear, cloudless midday can one briefly witness the temple's magnificent fullness.
This cloud-filled temple is the Storm Giant Monastery.
The temple is said to house a colossal golden Titan statue, the idol worshipped by the Titans. It depicts Annan, the "God of Titans"—the original Titan, born with the universe.
Annan used one of his own ribs to create his sister and wife.
The couple gave birth to twelve children, the first twelve demigod Titans.
These twelve demigod Titans, male and female, formed families and bore children.
These tall and handsome children became the Glorious Titans.
As their tribe expanded, strife arose within the Titan family.
Factional conflicts became irreconcilable, eventually leading to division.
Some Titans embarked on a path of betrayal and corruption.
These rebels who turned to evil became known as the Dark Titans.
Despite the fall of the Dark Titans, the Titan race of the ancient times generally thrived.
Later on, there was the long war between the Titans and the Dragons.
The ancestors of the various tribes on earth saw the man wearing a golden helmet.
A giant in golden armor battled a dragon in the clouds, reverently calling it the "Golden Titan."
This was the "Golden Age" of the Titan race.
Even the noble and mighty Titans could not escape the law of prosperity and decline.
As a people, the Titans' population continued to grow and expand.
However, their bloodlines began to degenerate.
The number of newborns with Golden bloodlines was decreasing.
The inferior Silver Titans gradually became the majority.
This marked the Titans' "Silver Age."
Later, the Bronze Titans, with even inferior bloodlines, became the majority, ushering in the "Bronze Age."
The Titans of the Bronze Age could no longer maintain their high-altitude existence in the clouds.
To obtain resources, they were forced to humble themselves and migrate to the earth.
Gradually, the Titans came under the influence of the various surface races, and due to political necessity, they could no longer uphold the traditional prohibition of intermarriage with outsiders.
The Titans wedded the ancient elemental giants, giving rise to the ancestors of various giant races, including the Stone, Frost, Fire, Cloud, and Storm, who continue to thrive to this day.
Furthermore, driven by perverse lust, some even forged alliances with monsters, producing inferior offspring like the Hill Giants, who were a disgrace to the Titans!
This is the creation myth of the Titans and various giant races.
The division of Titans into three classes, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, as well as the caste system of Titans, can all be found in these creation myths.
However, Alan felt that another possibility could also be ruled out:
The aforementioned creation myths were actually invented by later Titan and Giant scholars, who embellished and exaggerated the original texts. The goal was to maintain the existing caste system and legitimize it through the invention of a set of mythological traditions.
…
Early this morning, the alarm bells rang in the Cloud Temple.
It warned the major giant tribes that the dragons living across the "Hunting Bow Strait" were about to invade the Power Plateau!
Upon hearing the bells, the giants immediately donned their armor, grabbed their weapons, and hurried up the mountain to assemble at the Giant King's City.
To join the sacred war to defend the city and the temple!
Among the hurried crowds were two slender figures.
Alan and Tanya.
The two, a senior and a junior, were teleported to a landing point halfway up the mountain.
The path up the mountain was thronged with giants.
They climbed the mountain in formation, according to their castes.
The crowds were dense, and the giants were large and ill-tempered, so bumps and bruises were inevitable.
Arguments, even fights, were everywhere.
Tanya covered her ears, a look of frustration on her face.
The giants were too loud.
Hundreds, even thousands, of them quarreled, the horrific noise a hundred times louder than a market!
She and Alan, holding hands, couldn't hear each other's words.
They had to shout into each other's ears.
It was impossible to have a good conversation in this environment.
"Sister, let's teleport directly outside the royal city gates. It should be quieter there."
Alan took Tanya's hand and activated "Thousand Miles of Leisure Garden."
The two of them vanished.
A few seconds later, they reappeared outside the magnificent city gates.
At this point, outsiders were prohibited from entering.
Alan and Tanya had to activate their ancestral forms, displaying their respective Titan characteristics, before they could enter the outer city gates and register at the conscription office.
Alan transformed into an ogre. Tanya into a giant-horned minotaur.
As soon as the two completed their transformations, the crowd around them dispersed with a roar! Titans of all kinds avoided them.
Their gazes were filled with undisguised contempt! "It can't be helped.
We belong to the lower caste, the so-called 'untouchables.'" Tanya shrugged and smiled bitterly.
Alan frowned slightly and adjusted his appearance slightly.
He transformed into a slender, handsome, bluish-skinned poisonous giant.
However, his treatment didn't improve.
The other giants, upon seeing him, covered their noses and walked around him.
As if there was something dirty about him! Fortunately, the city gate guards didn't make things difficult for them.
Two frost giant guards, holding their noses, waved their hands, signaling them to hurry inside and stop hanging around, it was annoying!
The brother and sister entered the city gate and saw a sign for the military recruitment office.
Just as they were about to approach, the recruiting officer screamed at them.
The recruiting officer was a female cloud giant.
Her skin was pale, not particularly attractive to begin with, and she had dark circles under her eyes, like a panda, and looked like she had indulged in excessive sexual activity.
Seeing Alan and Tanya from afar, she still pretentiously clutched her chest, as if she were suffocating.
"You two, just stand there. Don't come near me!"
"Ma'am, we're here to join the army!"
Tanya couldn't help but speak with anger.
"Judging from your appearance, you two aren't locals, are you?"
"We're trial-takers."
"Hmph! No wonder you look so strange! I wonder what disgusting bloodline you've been mixed with. It's truly disgusting!"
The female recruiting officer, holding the roster, asked them from a distance what their names, bloodlines, and ranks were.
Tanya answered truthfully.
As for Alan, aside from the fact that his claim to be handsome was convincing and plausible, the rest of his information was fabricated.
Since it was just a formality, no one cared about the authenticity of the registration information.
Although the female recruiting officer's attitude wasn't very friendly, she was still responsible.
After registering, she instructed the siblings to go to the Cloud Temple to receive the Dragon Sealing Spell.
After learning this spell, they could use magic stones to seal dragon souls of corresponding attributes and refine soul jades.
After the war, rewards will be based on how many Soul Jades you've accumulated and the level of Dragon Soul you've sealed.
Alan took Tanya's hand and teleported directly to the mountaintop.
Guarding the temple gate were twelve stone giants, twelve fire giants, and twelve frost giants, all clad in ornate armor.
The fire and frost giants showed clear disdain for the two.
The stone giant, on the other hand, looked on indifferently.
He glanced at the two and turned away.
After verifying their bloodline and identity, the two entered the temple.
The golden Titan statue across from them was a full thirty meters tall!
Tanya marveled.
Alan, however, thought it was no big deal.
He transformed into a behemoth, almost as tall as a Titan.
At the foot of the statue stood an altar.
A violet-skinned female Storm Giant, clad in a long, ritual robe, was filling a massive, eternally burning lamp with oil.
After all, cultured people possess refinement, and even Titan society is no exception.
As a member of the highest caste, the most respected priestly class, this Storm Giant woman showed no obvious dislike for Alan and Tanya.
With a polite smile, she instructed the two to place the magic stone on the altar and offer a sacrifice.
How much should the sacrifice be?
There were no specific requirements.
It was itself a form of fundraising, much like donating money for incense at a temple—a gesture of appreciation.
The priestess was well-mannered, not displaying a snobbish disdain for the rich.
After their donation, the two received the "Dragon Sealing Spell" telepathically from the priestess.
They took it to heart, thanked her, and departed.
Back in the royal courtyard, I suddenly heard a familiar voice calling from behind.
"Alan! What a coincidence! You're here too!"