"Master Sky-devouring Dog, may I ask what I am doing here?" Austin asked respectfully.
'What's happening? I've won the competition, so I'm supposed to get out of the Fallen Divine Valley, right?
But, why am I the only one that was brought here by the sky-devouring dog?
Does it want something from me?
I'm not sure I could fight it. If it tried to attack me, I don't think I have a chance to survive.'
A lot of questions simultaneously popped as he began to worry.
"I don't really like it when someone mentions my name.
So, you can just call me sir," the sky-devouring dog told Austin in a serious tone.
"Yes, sir," Austin replied as he bowed his head.
"You don't have to be afraid, young man.
I know you're wondering why you are here, so let me tell you in advance.
I brought you here because I took an interest in you," the sky-devouring dog said straightforwardly as it looked directly into Austin's eyes.
Austin was also looking back at the dog's huge pair of shining eyes.
He didn't quite understand what it meant. So, he couldn't help but ask, "What? I am married and I love my wives."
Austin misunderstood the sky-devouring dog so he alertly took a few steps back.
The sky-devouring dog immediately saw hints of panic in his eyes.
"Hey, brat, I told you not to be afraid of me.
What are you thinking?! I'm not interested in you in that way!" the sky-devouring dog yelled at Austin as it saw his reaction.
"Don't get me wrong.
When I said that I took an interest in you, I meant that I got the feeling that you were the one I have been waiting for.
You have no idea how many years I spent in this place just to wait for the right person.
Well, since the beginning, I've been looking forward to meeting you.
Now, you're finally here," the sky-devouring dog explained briefly.
"What do you mean that you were waiting for me?" Austin asked with an awkward smile.
'This is really confusing.
I can't follow what it's saying, ' he thought to himself.
"I know my answer was still vague.
Let's first sit down, and I'll explain it to you in detail," the sky-devouring dog said.
Hearing that, Austin just nodded and sat with his legs crossed.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the huge sky-devouring dog began to shrink.
It continued to shrink until a yellow-colored, ordinary-sized dog appeared in Austin's eyes.
It squatted in front of Austin and made itself comfortable.
"So brat, I'll call you Austin," the sky-devouring dog said.
"Okay, sir," Austin replied.
"Well, where do we start?"
The sky-devouring dog paused for a while before beginning.
"Austin, do you know how the strength levels of the divine gods are ranked?" it asked.
"Yes, sir.
From what I've heard, the divine gods are categorized into five levels.
The preliminary-grade divine gods, the medium-grade divine gods, the premium-grade divine gods, the governing gods, and lastly, the gods of chaos," Austin replied.
"That's right.
The preliminary-grade and medium-grade divine gods can be found everywhere in the vast Sea of Chaos.
You probably know about this because you've already encountered a lot of them.
But when it came to premium-grade divine gods, their number is much lower than the first two levels.
It is known that the premium-grade divine gods only stay in select supreme universes.
Then, there are the governing gods. Their number is even smaller compared to the premium-grade divine gods. Even in the entire Sea of Chaos, one can only count them with his fingers.
Lastly, there are the legendary gods of chaos. Even I, in the countless years that I've lived, haven't seen or heard a god of chaos really existed.
Yes, they exist in legends, but no one really knows where they are," the sky-devouring dog remarked.
"I see," Austin replied.
"It was about the same information that I've heard," he added.
'The sky-devouring dog isn't just any ordinary being. It must have seen and experienced lots of things.
So what does it really want from me?' Austin thought.
"My master was actually a governing god," the sky-devouring dog said out of nowhere.
As the sky-devouring dog got to this point of its story, its eyes were instantly filled with tears. It was a ferocious being, but its loyalty for its master couldn't be matched.
"My master didn't want to die and vanish like that. Hence, he decided to create the Fallen Divine Valley.
He poured all of his remaining omnipotent skills to set this place up in order to choose his rightful successor.
Back in his time, my master was a powerful hero that no one in the Sea of Chaos could be his match.
Therefore, the responsibility and burden of taking on the role of his successor are so heavy.
With that, my master ensured that he could select the most appropriate successor through his last masterpiece—the Fallen Divine Valley.
Over the years, a large number of divine gods have explored this place.
But none of them was able to draw my attention," the sky-devouring dog explained further.
"Choose a successor?"
Austin suddenly realized where this conversation was actually going to.
"So, the tests were—"
"Yes," the sky-devouring dog suddenly cut in.
"After countless years of waiting, I finally found the most suitable prospect.
It's you, Austin," the sky-devouring dog said firmly as it fixed its eyes upon Austin.
"But sir, how could I be that person? I don't think I'm qualified.
I'm not even a divine god…" Austin came up with excuses because he didn't know how to respond.
"Since you entered the Fallen Divine Valley, I've paid close attention to you. I watched your every move.
I told you that the standards I held were directly from my master. But ever since the Fallen Divine Valley was built, you were the only one who caught my attention. Your tenacity, determination, power, and everything else; they were different from everyone else.
In the last competition, I deliberately set it up that you would be unable to find any chaotic magic treasure or any kind of treasure for that matter.
But in the end, you still got what? About five or six chaotic magic treasures and a large number of other kinds of treasures? Do you understand that? I even gave you a handicap but you still prevailed.
The total points you have acquired was the highest among all of the participants. And yes, you said so yourself, you're not even a divine god yet. All of these just proved that I was right about you.
Let me tell you a secret. You remember how the last competition went, right? That was specially designed for you.
All of the other divine gods? They just there to help test your strength," the sky-devouring dog said with a straight face.
"What? No way!
You mean that it was only held because of me?" Austin asked with his eyes wide open.
"You know that there's no merit for me to lie to you. The right to be the successor of my master is the one at stake here," the sky-devouring dog answered flatly.
Austin wasn't able to utter another word after hearing all that the sky-devouring dog had said.
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