DARKS(DxD)

Final trial: (Steps 81-100)

Sun Wukong spoke in a rather mischievous way, "This time you will have a little different challenge. No more riddles and answers," he said while laughing. "On the last trial, you need to defeat one of the 5 great Dragon Kings, Yun-Long the Jade Dragon, my partner. GOOD LUCK, kid," he said, grinning.

My heart dropped suddenly upon hearing it. "THE DRAGON KING!!! THEIR PURE DESTRUCTION CAPABILITIES RIVAL THE ULTIMATE-CLASS DEVILS, AND ON TOP OF THAT, HE IS THE ONE WHO TRAVELED WITH SUN WUKONG IN 'JOURNEY TO THE WEST,' AFTER SUN DEFEATS HIM AND MAKES HIM A HORSE TO RIDE!! HOW IN THE WORLD SHOULD I FIGHT HIM?" I panicked, my heart racing and my brain calculating solutions.

~Partner, calm down first. Let's think of a solution together. You shouldn't panic at times like these. Let's fight this together with everything we've got,~

Ddraig's voice reassured me, preventing me from overthinking.

I took a series of deep breaths, regaining my composure. "You're right, Ddraig. I should think level-headedly at times like these instead of panicking. I need to break this old habit of mine," I admitted. "Okay, let's consider this: if we fight with everything we've got and employ a hit-and-run strategy, we might have a chance to win this battle. It's the most favorable approach for the fight to proceed. Hmm, fight, fight?... FIGHT!! That's it! I think I've figured it out, Ddraig!! You're the BEST!!" I exclaimed with joy.

"Huh? What? Yes, of course, I am the best. Muhaha," Ddraig chuckled proudly.

With newfound confidence coursing through my veins, I ascended the 81st step and entered the formidable cave of the Dragon King, Yu-Long.

As I ventured deeper into the cavernous lair of the Dragon King Yu-Long, I was met with a sight that struck me with awe.

Yu-Long was nothing short of majestic, an embodiment of ancient power and wisdom. His scales glistened like emerald gemstones, and his eyes radiated an ageless, contemplative intelligence. Each movement he made seemed deliberate as if he had seen centuries pass with every blink.

It was clear that challenging him would not be an ordinary feat.

The exchange began with his deep, resonant voice echoing through the cave, "HO, you decided to enter here this fast. Very well then, should we begin?"

"Yeah, Jade Dragon," I replied confidently, my voice resonating with newfound determination, "IT'S TIME TO DU-DU-DU-DU-DU-DU-DU-DU-DU-DUEL!"

"HUH?!?!" Yu-Long's response was a blend of surprise and curiosity as if he hadn't expected such a challenge.

With the stage set, we began our duel, but this was no clash of swords or display of magic; it was a battle of intellect. We sat across from each other, and I pulled out a deck of cards, ready to engage in a game of Blackjack.

Yu-Long, his eyes fixed on the cards, observed my every move with a mixture of intrigue and amusement. It was as if he found the concept of the Human Child playing such a game with him.

The game commenced, and I chose to approach it with a unique strategy. While I had a basic understanding of card counting, I knew that relying solely on it would not be enough to outsmart a being as ancient and wise as Yu-Long. Instead, I decided to utilize my knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and logical reasoning.

With each hand, I meticulously analyzed the probabilities, calculated the odds, and made decisions that were based on sound mathematical reasoning.

As the game progressed, I gained an edge by predicting the flow of the cards and strategically managing my bets. I showcased my ability to make calculated decisions that maximized my chances of winning without relying heavily on card counting.

Yu-Long, while a formidable opponent, couldn't match the precision and strategic depth of my mathematical reasoning. The chips began to pile up in my favor, and it became evident that victory was within my grasp.

In a critical moment, I made a bold move, doubling down on a hand that had the potential to secure my triumph.

With bated breath, I awaited the final card, the culmination of our intellectual clash. It descended onto the table—a 10 of Hearts. I had achieved Blackjack!!!.

Yu-Long's ancient eyes widened in a display of respect, and a subtle nod of approval escaped his majestic form. "Impressive, kid," he conceded, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You are a worthy challenger."

"So, Now are you ready to fight me?" he continued and asked me.

To this, I calmly responded, "No."

"Good, let's fight—wait, what? You won't fight?" he asked, clearly baffled as if my refusal had caught him completely off guard.

I elaborated, "No, actually, to be precise, I don't need to fight you."

"Ehh? Then how can you pass the trial? Don't you want to pass it?" he questioned, perplexed.

With a sly grin, I explained, "Dragon King, I've already passed the exam. You see, the trial was to defeat you to pass, but it never mentioned I had to fight you, just defeat you. It doesn't matter how, or in this case, in what way," I said, giving him a moment to process it. "By the condition that you are defeated, even in a game of blackjack, it's still considered defeat. So, my trial is complete," I concluded, my grin stretching from ear to ear.

Yu-Long, the Jade Dragon, pondered this unexpected turn of events. His emerald eyes narrowed as he considered the implications of my clever interpretation of the trial.

"Young one," he finally spoke, his tone a mixture of amusement and respect, "you have indeed outwitted me with your creativity. While I expected a physical contest, you have demonstrated the power of intellect in its own right."

With a graceful movement, he extended one of his colossal claws and raked it across the stone floor, revealing a shimmering portal. It seemed that my unorthodox victory had satisfied the conditions of the trial.

"Pass through this portal," Yu-Long urged, "and you shall continue your journey to meet the Great Monkey King. May your wits serve you well in the future."

I nodded, thanking the wise Dragon King for his understanding and cooperation. As I stepped through the portal, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. My ability to think outside the box and adapt to unexpected challenges has saved me from this crisis.

As I ventured deeper into the mystical realm of the Monkey King, I encountered a surprising sight. Sun Wukong, the legendary figure himself, was lounging on a massive peach tree in his human form. He appeared youthful, full of vigor and life, a stark contrast to the aged image I had seen in "High School DxD". What caught my attention was his appearance, which bore a striking resemblance to Jin Mori in his Monkey King form from "God of High School."

Seeing me approach, Sun Wukong jumped down from the ancient tree and stood before me. He exuded an aura of boundless energy and youthfulness, his appearance defying the passage of time. His visage was a testament to his enduring vitality and power.

My shock must have been evident, for he greeted me with a knowing smile as if he had anticipated my reaction. "Monkey King," I stammered, struggling to comprehend the sight before me. "You... you look so young. I always heard that you are an old and wise figure."

Sun Wukong's smile deepened, his eyes glittering with a hint of mischief. "Kid, you see sometimes," he began, "Appearances can be quite deceiving. What you've heard is both true and false. You see, I employ clones and transformations to play tricks on others, especially beings like Indra."

His enigmatic response intrigued me, but I knew I had come here with a purpose. Gathering my wits, I explained, "Monkey King, I sought an audience with you because I wish to learn from you. I want to master the art of combat, the way of killing, and unravel the mysteries of Youjutsu and Senjutsu, two of the most elusive forms of magic. Will you be my mentor in these pursuits?" I asked, cupping my hands.

"Interesting, you want to learn martial arts from me?" he was taken aback for a moment." Yes, I sincerely wish to become your disciple," I replied, my hopes hanging by a thread.

"Hao, I accept you as my disciple," he said with a serious tone. His demeanor left no doubt that he was not joking. Quickly, I knelt before him and performed a deep kowtow. "DISCIPLE GREETS THE MASTER."

"Good, good. At least you know some etiquette and manners. Stand up now; let's go to your friends. Especially that little cat of yours," he said as we began to walk.

As we walked, my mind raced with questions about why he had accepted me so readily. Seeing my puzzled expression, he asked, "You're wondering why I accepted you so quickly, aren't you?"

"Um, yes, Sifu," I admitted, voicing my doubts.

"Well, first, you passed the trials and climbed the mountain. Second, you impressed me with your wits during the last trial. But third, and most importantly, you practice the old way of cultivation, 'The Path of Immortals and Devils,' and you show great potential," he explained as we continued walking.

His words shocked me. "How... How did you know I was a cultivator?" I asked, my surprise evident. I had concealed my presence completely, with even Ddraig helping me to mask it a second time.

He grinned and replied, "Surprised that I could see through your concealment without using any of my skills? That's because you are in my Domain, kid."

"Now, listen carefully; this will be your first lesson. Domains are special area-wide skills that extend around the user. They are typically categorized into two types: magic domains and ki domains, commonly used by today's generation. But there's a special ability, far superior to these, something ancient, and now exclusive to gods, Buddhas, and other top-level beings in their pantheons."

"It's called Divine Sense. It's a potent ability that can pierce through the defenses of beings at the same level or lower when they're within its range. This knowledge was lost over the centuries, known only to a few supernatural beings, including dragons who possess Draconic Senses."

"However, this ability was not exclusive to supernaturals; it was once known to ancient humans on the path to godhood, specifically, cultivators. Unfortunately, wars and tragedies caused it to be lost, along with the original cultivation methods. Humans now primarily use chi to enhance their healing and defensive capabilities, but it's not as effective as absorbing Qi from the atmosphere, leaving many exhausted."

"Most have turned to Merlin's Magic, causing this path to be forgotten by history. But you are already on this path, and I won't inquire how you've managed it. As my disciple, I can teach you and guide you in The Path of Immortals and Devils. You possess a strong foundation and a resilient body for your age, both physically and mentally."

"You are the perfect candidate to carry on my legacy, my disciple. I already have a descendant, but he is not my successor. You, on the other hand, are my disciple and can continue my teachings."

"Hehehehe. I'll instruct you in the ancient ways of cultivation, 'The Way of Slaying Gods and Killing Buddhas.' So tell me, Grey, are you brave enough to challenge the heavens? To become unrivaled under and above the heavens?" He asked me, his fiery expression burning with determination.

"Yes, Sifu! I shall Dominate the Three realms!" I declared, feeling a surge of excitement that the Monkey King himself would guide me on the path to becoming an emperor and conquering all worlds.