The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Klaus entered a spacious room filled with various training equipment. He glanced at a few of the machines and weights but didn't approach any of them. Instead, he walked over to a mat, sat down in the lotus position, and focused inwardly. His main objective wasn't physical training today; it was to cultivate the First Star Diagram, which was also a type of physical training.

According to the knowledge in his mind, he needed to temper his bones using the energy of a star. The instructions were clear: each time he leveled up, he had to temper all his bones before advancing again.

Currently, Klaus was just a Level Ascended, so this was the perfect moment to begin the tempering process.

He closed his eyes, letting his mood settle and his mind clear. Then, with deliberate precision, he formed several hand seals. A diagram began to glow on the ground beneath him. Klaus smiled slightly, pleased that he had formed the correct seal. Next, he created another hand seal, causing the diagram to start spinning slowly.

It rotated for a while before coming to a sudden stop. As soon as it did, Klaus felt his spiritual energy stir within him, heating up and circulating faster. His body began to feel warm and loose, a sign that the tempering process was beginning.

Suddenly, Klaus felt a foreign energy enter his body. His bones began to feel soft and hot. The energy was both violent and soothing, making him sweat on his back while remaining calm. It started at his head and flowed through his entire body.

The process lasted only a few seconds before it abruptly stopped. Klaus then felt a violent shaking in his soul sea. A part of his consciousness was drawn into it. As he looked around, he saw the soul sea quaking as if a storm were approaching.

Then, the first door creaked open slightly. From behind it, Klaus saw what appeared to be a world, a rather strange sight. He didn't dwell on it, though, since something else caught his attention.

For just a fleeting moment, he saw a blood-red star boiling like blood on fire. A wave of bloodthirsty energy emanated from it. Even though the sight was brief, it left a deep impact on Klaus. He felt a profound shift within him as if something fundamental had changed. By just a single glance, his mood shifted unknowingly.

Suddenly, a torrent of blood-red energy erupted from the door, filling Klaus's entire soul sea. He was jolted by the surge, and before he could call for help from the senior behind the door, he was forcefully pulled back to his physical body.

Once back in the training room, Klaus immediately felt his bones being soaked in a powerful, painful, and terrifying energy. His bones started to heat up as the red energy began to flood his body. The entire room was suffused with a dense red qi, almost corroding everything.

The red energy surged from Klaus's head to his toes. With each cycle, he felt an overwhelming power build inside him. Yet, when the next wave of energy hit, that earlier strength seemed insignificant in comparison. He could do nothing but endure the increasing pain he was going through. The process seemed automated, making him unable to stop even if he wanted to.

"The tempering process is something you must endure," a voice echoed in his mind. "After each cycle, the pain multiplies several times over. You must cleanse your bones of all impurities first."

"Senior," Klaus replied, his voice shaking slightly. "Are you saying the process hasn't even started yet? I am dying here even if my strength is also rising."

The voice chuckled, almost mocking him. "Foolish brat, do you think this is the real power of the Star Diagram? This is merely the beginning. Once you complete the first Bone Tempering stage, you'll be able to crush even a Tier 6 monster with just a slap."

Klaus's heart pounded in his chest at the senior's words. Even now, without the true tempering, he felt several times stronger than before. He believed he could smash through any opponent with a single punch. But the senior's words made it clear: the real tempering hadn't even begun.

Just how monstrous is this technique? Klaus thought, stunned by the potential it held. Klaus immediately clenched his fists, channeling even more energy into his body. Right now, he craved strength, and since he had found a path, all he could do was endure and grow stronger. The pain was the payment.

"Don't resist it," the senior's voice instructed calmly. "Let the energy flow through your body. The star energy will temper not just your bones but your entire body. Your bones form the structure of your body, and with each tempering, your body will adapt to your ever-growing strength."

Klaus gritted his teeth and released his resistance. A surge of energy poured into him, and an intense burst of power erupted from his body, shaking the training room.

"Now, guide the energy along the path set in the diagram," the senior continued. "Once this step is complete, you'll sense the star energy more. Only then can the true Bone Tempering begin."

Klaus nodded, focusing his mind as he moved the energy. He started from his head, allowing the energy to flow down to his toes. As it passed through him, he felt a wave of nourishing energy cleanse his body. It was as if all the impurities had been washed away, leaving him feeling light and refreshed, as though he had been reborn.

"This feeling is amazing!" Klaus exclaimed, marveling at the newfound strength coursing through him. He could feel his body growing several times stronger.