"It is in the hands of the Violet Star Palace," Lucia said, her voice calm yet carrying a trace of respect. "They are regarded as one of the strongest third-rate forces within this region of the Divine Realm."

Max repeated the name under his breath.

"Violet Star Palace..."

The words stirred something faint in his memory, like a ripple spreading across still water. He frowned slightly as he searched through his thoughts, then a scene surfaced in his mind.

"Was there not an elder from that force who came to our trial grounds before?"

Lucia gave a small nod.

"Yes. He came to Cyrus personally."

Her gaze shifted toward the transparent crystal wall of the star shuttle, where rivers of starlight flowed endlessly outside. The vessel moved smoothly through the dark void, silent and steady, as if gliding across a sea of eternity.

"He came to deliver an invitation to our Black Dragon Clan for the upcoming Smelting Trial."

Max turned toward her fully this time, interest appearing clearly in his eyes.

"Smelting Trial?"

The phrase was unfamiliar. It carried weight, yet he had never heard it before. That alone was enough to make him curious.

"What exactly is that?"

Lucia did not seem surprised by the question. Instead, she adjusted her posture and spoke with the patience of someone explaining a matter of common knowledge to an outsider.

"The Smelting Trial is a large-scale preparatory event held across many regions of the Divine Realm before the Cosmic Ascension Conference begins."

Her tone gradually became more serious.

"The Cosmic Ascension Conference gathers the finest geniuses of countless forces, clans, palaces, and ancient lineages. It is a place where reputations are forged, alliances are born, and futures are decided. Naturally, no force wishes to send its younger generation unprepared."

She paused briefly, letting the importance of those words sink in.

"That is why the Smelting Trials exist."

Max listened in silence.

Lucia continued, her eyes reflecting distant stars.

"These trials are created to temper disciples through pressure and danger. Some take place inside temporary secret realms that open only once every few decades. Some are ancient ruins filled with lost inheritances and hidden treasures. Others are battlefields specially prepared by major powers, where participants compete for resources while fighting one another under controlled rules."

A faint smile curved her lips.

"In simple terms, they are meant to smelt raw ore into refined steel. Talent alone means little if it has never been tested. Potential alone means nothing if it has never faced danger. The Smelting Trials turn gifted youths into true weapons before they step onto the grand stage."

Max slowly nodded.

"So it is a final chance to become stronger before the conference."

"Exactly."

Lucia’s expression shifted again, becoming slightly colder.

"Most Smelting Trials are organized by second-rate forces. They often cooperate with the strongest third-rate forces under their influence. Hosting such an event requires enormous resources, territory, formations, guards, healers, and enough prestige to make others obey the rules."

She gave a quiet, helpless laugh.

"As for our Black Dragon Clan..."

Her voice trailed for a moment.

"We are considered one of the weaker third-rate powers. Under normal circumstances, we would never be invited."

Max glanced at her, already understanding where this was going.

"But this time we did get an invite." Lucia’s eyes curved with amusement. She lifted a finger and pointed directly at him. "Because of you."

Max raised an eyebrow.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

Now there was clear admiration mixed with her teasing expression.

"You took the sword of the Sword Sovereign and became famous in the entire Divine Realm. Almost every star realms had heard of you. Half an year ago, it wouldn’t be an understatement that you were the most famous young man in the entire Divine Realm. Whether people praise you, fear you, or hate you, they all know who Max is."

She crossed her arms.

"And when your fame rose, the status of the Black Dragon Clan rose with it."

Max said nothing.

Lucia continued in a measured tone.

"Many outside powers now view our clan differently. Some suspect we have hidden foundations that were concealed for generations. Some believe our younger generation has begun producing true monsters. Some merely want to see with their own eyes whether the rumors are real."

She shrugged lightly.

"No matter their motive, the result remains the same. The Violet Star Palace sent us an invitation to participate in the Smelting Trial."

A faint smile appeared on Max’s face.

"So I raised the clan’s standing without even trying."

Lucia snorted softly.

"You also made many enemies without trying."

"That sounds less glorious."

"It is more truthful."

For a brief moment, both of them laughed. The tension in the room lightened, and even the vast darkness outside the shuttle seemed less cold.

Then Lucia’s gaze sharpened once more.

"You should understand something clearly, Max."

Her voice dropped slightly.

"This invitation is not simply an honor."

Max’s expression became serious.

"It is also a test."

His eyes narrowed.

Lucia nodded.

"Many participants will want to measure your strength. Some will seek fame by defeating you. Some will want to crush your reputation before the Cosmic Ascension Conference even begins. Others may smile to your face while plotting in the shadows."

Silence filled the cabin after those words.

Max turned his head and looked beyond the crystal wall, toward the endless sea of stars stretching across the void. Countless lights burned in the darkness like silent witnesses to the ambitions of all living beings.

Then he smiled.

"That sounds more interesting than dangerous."

Lucia closed her eyes and sighed.

"I already knew you would say that."

"Haha, by the way, you have become much stronger since the time we came to Orion," Lucia said as she looked at Max more carefully. "The eighth level of the Law Awakening Realm already? Your growth speed is truly monstrous."

There was clear amazement in her voice.

When they had first arrived on Orion, Max had only been at the peak of Rebirth Realm. In what was, to many cultivators, an extremely short span of time, he had risen eight levels as though such breakthroughs were ordinary.

For most people, advancing even one level at that realm could require years of accumulation, insight, and fortune.

Yet for Max, it seemed to happen whenever he disappeared into dangerous places.