John''s sword energy was exceptionally sharp, striking directly at the body of the Storm Dragon.


    The de pierced the dragon''s scales, sttering blood, yet the creature showed no signs of retreat.


    Seizing the moment when John attacked, a burst of tumultuous storm energy erupted from the dragon, engulfing him.


    John felt his entire body twist, as though consumed by a tempest.


    Yet, he harbored no fear, clenching his fists and channeling his inner energy to resist the storm''s onught.


    Determination shed in his eyes as he resolutely counterattacked the Storm Dragon.


    John soared into the air, his Divine de radiating a soft blue glow, aimed at the dragon''s eyes.


    The Storm Dragon didn''t dodge; instead, it opened its massive mouth, releasing a storm that devoured John''s strike.


    But with a nimble evasion, the de of John''s sword shimmered and struck brutally into the dragon''s eye.


    Intense pain elicited a sky-shattering roar from the Storm Dragon, its body trembling uncontrobly.


    Seizing this opportunity, Johnunched another assault, his sword energy slicing through the air towards the dragon''s vulnerabilities.


    With a final roar, the massive creature crashed heavily onto the ground, causing turbulent storms to rise.


    As the dragon lost its bnce, John swiftly approached, his sword shing relentlessly.


    Each strike meticulously targeted the creature''s vulnerabilities, maximizing the damage.


    The dragon roared, its ferocious ws trying to strike John, but it was too slow to match his swift movements.


    Utilizing his speed and agility, John darted around the dragon, delivering lethal blows.


    Momentster, the dragon''s massive form copsed onto the ground, devoid of strength to rise again.


    John, expression as calm as ever, looked at the fallen beast.


    In his ear, a familiar system prompt resounded.


    [Twelve Trials of the Hero, first challenge: Tower of Storm, sessfullypleted. Challenger, please be prepared, you will be transported to the next level in thirty seconds...].


    ...


    Central za of the Storm Church.


    Pope Xitell stood shoulder to shoulder with Storm City''s leader, Valerie.


    Behind them, in a straight line, stood a dozen venerable old figures.


    Judging by their attire, they were clearly senior clerics of the bishop rank.


    They had all been drawn here by John''s challenge to the Twelve Trials of the Hero.


    Now, the Scepter in Pope Xitell''s grasp had left his hand and was hovering silently in mid-air.


    The tip of the Scepter radiated a dazzling light, projecting a screen of luminance before the assembly.


    It disyed John''s ongoing challenge in the Twelve Trials of the Hero.


    "It''s truly unexpected that Galewind managed to clear the first stage in such a short span of time," remarked Valerie, standing half a step behind Pope Xitell, her face filled with astonishment.


    The venerable bishops behind her echoed the sentiment with expressions of amazement.


    The assembly was not surprised that someone managed to pass the Tower of Storm, the first challenge.


    What caught them off guard was the swift pace at which Johnpleted it.


    He faced almost no hindrance and seemingly bulldozed his way through.


    Even the guardian of the tower''s peak, the Storm Dragon, seemed utterly powerless before John. This was beyondprehension.


    What was the Storm Dragon''s stature?


    In its lifetime, it was a mount of a deity, genuinely at the semi-divine peak.


    Even though now it was reduced to a body with onlybat instincts, it wasn''t an entity to be trifled with.


    Yet, against John, it was utterly suppressed without any chance to retaliate.


    Was this young man truly that formidable?


    "Who exactly is this young man? To decisively defeat all guardians within the Tower of Storm with just a sword condensed from energy!"


    "I''m not sure. I''ve only heard that he''s the fortunate one who found the Son of the Storm. That''s why our Storm Church willingly initiated the Twelve Trials of the Hero for him."


    "Such prowess doesn''t seem to be merely attributed to luck."


    ...


    The bishops buzzed with discussions, seemingly intrigued by John''s identity.


    Spections arose about how many stages John might clear in the Twelve Trials of the Hero.


    Most believed that, given the power John had revealed thus far, he could very likely pass more than eight stages.


    Some even posited that John might make history by conquering eleven stages—a feat no one had ever aplished.


    However, amidst their diverse opinions, the bishops were unanimous on one front: John could not possibly clear all the trials.


    In the long annals of Storm Church''s history, no devotee had ever managed toplete all stages.


    The Twelve Trials of the Hero, personally established by the god of storm for the Storm Church, were designed to select the next Pope.


    Over the years, countless gifted yers from the Storm Church entered the trials, yet none had ever breached all its stages.


    Despite the fervent discussions among the bishops, Pope Xitell, standing at the forefront, remainedposed.


    "Enough," he began, "Let''s not discuss these inconsequential matters. Regardless of how far this young man progresses, it holds no significance for our Storm Church. He isn''t one of ours. His current ss attributes have no bearing on us."


    Upon the Pope''s words, the surrounding bishops promptly bowed in respect, then quieted down to focus intently on the scene projected in front of them.


    Standing beside Pope Xitell, Valerie shook her head, "Originally, when I received reports from the capital iming Galewind had led the Devil Elite Team to sessfully drive an actual Devil back to the abyss, I was somewhat skeptical. But now, it seems that information might indeed be true."


    Xitell, gazing at John''s image on the screen, had a peculiar glint in his eyes.


    "We mustn''t underestimate this young man''s power. Even I might not be his match. The great god of storm has shown me the way: we can only be allies with this young man, never enemies."


    Valerie spoke gravely, "Even you cannot defeat him? Could it be that Galewind truly has be unparalleled in this world?"


    Pope Xitell slowly shook his head, expressing a hint of helplessness. "In our world, there are countless deities. The great god of storm is not the mightiest among them. We, as his followers, have consistently failed to live up to his expectations. Without spreading our faith, few powerful beings are inclined to join our cause..."


    "During my prayers yesterday, I received a divine revtion. The day when the abyss will engulf everything is fast approaching. The Godyer Continent might soon be consumed by unending warfare... This is why we must rally all the strength we can muster to ensure our own survival."


    "This young man before us may very well have entered the domain of demi-gods. If we can foster good rtions with him, he may yet bring unexpected blessings to the Storm Church."


    Valerie nodded gravely. "No wonder you bestowed the trial guide upon Galewind. You aimed to form an alliance." She then gazed back at the projection of John and remarked with admiration, "Such a young demi-god is truly beyond belief."


    Suddenly, Pope Xitell turned to her, his voice low. "I''ve heard that this young man, much like those who''ve recently changed their ss within our church, hails from an unknownnd?"


    Valerie confirmed, "Yes, but Galewind seems to be an anomaly among them. From the moment of his appearance, he disyed a prowess that set him apart from other yers of that unknown origin."


    "The Empire''s higher echelons have investigated this matter. However, these individuals from the unknown keep their movements so covert that it''s impossible to glean any useful information. Each seems to possess the ability to return to their homnd whenever they wish. This power doesn''t exhibit the usual fluctuations of spatial abilities. It appears to be a method far beyond ourprehension."


    Pope Xitell fell silent, his expression as tranquil as still water.


    Yet, the flicker in his eyes revealed that beneath his serene exterior, a storm raged within.


    ...


    Inside the trial zone.


    When John''s silhouette emerged again, he had arrived at the second challenge.


    [System Notification: Commencing the second stage of the Twelve Trials of the Hero: Thunderous Maze.]


    Gazing at the three passages that materialized before him, John fell deep into contemtion.


    The name ''Thunderous Maze'' suggested that this second stage might not demandbat but rather require solving a puzzle.


    Such stages were, ironically, less favorable to John.


    Against a straightforward enemy, he could rely on his sheer strength to plow through.


    But when it came to puzzles, all of John''s astounding abilities seemed moot.


    He would have to rely solely on his wit.


    He flipped open the trial guide in his hand.


    The description for the second stage was crisply detailed.


    The Thunderous Maze was a uniquebyrinth constructed within a subspace, permeated with the element of thunder.


    Every step taken meant enduring a jolt of electric agony.


    The maze offered three entrances, yet only one led to the true exit.


    Furthermore, the paths within the maze constantly shifted.


    Should one inadvertently step into a cul-de-sac, they''d instantly trigger a thunderstorm explosion.


    Many trialists before John had experienced the engulfing sensation of such storms.


    Their descriptions of that excruciating pain were vividly chronicled in the trial guide.