Leveling Endlessly with the Strongest System

The Water Celestial nodded slowly, his eyes filled with understanding.

"I see. You couldn't ignore the call of destiny, even if it meant giving up your chance to awaken as a soul herder again."

Arlo smiled wistfully, "That's exactly it."

Fifteen years of hard work went down the drain because he stepped up to teach Roy, but he didn't regret it in one bit.

"That boy is indeed worthy of your sacrifice," the Water Celestial remarked.

"That's high praise coming from you. So what do you think about him?" Arlo questioned.

"I have divined that he has the potential to lead us back to our home," the Water Celestial replied. "But whether that potential is realized is a completely different matter."

"I will make sure that he survives whatever "they" throw at him," Arlo asserted.

"It won't be easy. Chaos isn't to be feared. It's just an insect that can be squashed if the proper conditions are met. It's Death that we need to look out for. He was the most dependable person I knew after Alkheim. He was I and countless people respected. But after the fall of Celestia, I don't know what he has faced, but he completely changed. Now he is the worst enemy I know. He has become twisted, and he takes pleasure in the agony of others. If you stick with that boy, there will come a time when you will have to choose between watching him die or dying to save him," the Water Celestial warned. "He will make it happen."

"Is it fated?" Arlo inquired.

The Water Celestial paused before answering, "Fate is hard to discern for an old man like me. I can only see glimpses of the future. But the probability of that event happening is quite high. It's bound to happen unless, of course, he is hidden from the world."

"There's no need for that. I won't let him live in fear. If that day does come, I would rather laugh in the face of death and engage it in the last dance of my life than watch my nephew fall," Arlo chuckled.

"Think about your wife and children!" the Water Celestial scolded.

"I have already thought about it. There will be people to look after them after my death. Damien is all grown up. He can become the man of the house once I am gone," Arlo said. "But there won't be another person with the potential to surpass the strongest man alive in this world and Death itself after Roy. There's also Victor. I hope that boy lives up to the expectations of his parents and climbs up to the top of this world alongside my boy."

The Water Celestial stared at him sternly. "That's why I was against your relationship. You are a good man. You think about the bigger picture more than yourself or your family. You're selfish. But my daughter and grandchildren don't deserve it. She should have gotten together with a man who only had eyes for her, who would have grown older with her."

His eyes became heated, with unshed tears in them.

"She knew what she was getting into when she married me. She loves me for who I am. I guess I am her type," Arlo laughed, rubbing the back of his head.

"Since you are already determined to take that step when the time comes, make sure to temper him furiously. Hammer him as hard as you can and refine him into a proper man. But don't overdo it. A road can crack under great pressure, and even a mountain can crumble under too much stress," the Water Celestial advised.

"For your information, I have already trained him rigorously and pushed him to his limits. It led to him breaking his limiter. The last time I inspected him, he had already broken three. And he's yet to awaken. He is already a monstrous force."

Hearing his words, the water celestial realized that Roy wasn't as soft as mountains. He couldn't be shattered no matter how harshly he trained!

Suddenly, the Water Celestial looked out the window of the room.

"Hmm? Interesting!" he muttered.

"What caught your eye?" Arlo asked.

"You came to ask about his whereabouts, right? Well, he has safely returned to the village. Moreover, he has poached the first piece of the stone of history. I can sense its presence all over him." the water celestial answered.

"No wonder I couldn't find him no matter how much I searched. He had entered the Ashen Land!" Arlo exclaimed as he stood up to leave.

…

Damien and the others climbed up the slope of the Ashen mountain and returned to the mansion.

"Thank you guys for everything you have done for me. And once again, I would like to apologize for causing you trouble."

Roy thanked them loudly.

He couldn't help but feel grateful for the people in his life. They were always there for him, even when he made mistakes.

He made a mental note to never take them for granted again.

They nodded in agreement, and together, they proceeded to the living room and settled on the sofa.

"The medicine should have helped Julian recover by now. Wake him up and begin packing," instructed Damien to Sandra. "We have been delayed for too long and cannot afford to waste any more time. As soon as Arlo returns, we will head for Constantine County."

"You are also coming with us?" Roy's eyebrow raised.

Damien nodded. "I have remained cooped up in the mansion for so long it has gotten boring. So I want to head out to get some fresh air. Besides, there are some clowns that have been acting up recently. My reappearance in the capital will suppress them."

It was at this moment that the mansion door opened, and in walked a bald man.

"Welcome back, Arlo!" Roy exclaimed as Arlo walked through the front door. "We were just talking about you."

"You gave us quite a headache, boy," Arlo replied calmly. "Anyway, what were you guys saying about me?"

"We were just talking about leaving for Constantine county as soon as you returned," Roy explained.

"Actually, we need to get going to Constantine County right away. I received some concerning news from my good friend a while ago. We can catch up on the way there," said Arlo, with a serious experience.