Max only gave a wry smile.

Truthfully, even he had not expected such an outcome.

After devouring the corpse of the ancient black dragon, he had assumed nearly all of the absorbed essence would be used to refine his bloodline and push the Black Dragon Chaotic Bloodline to its highest stage.

Instead, after the bloodline completed its transformation, the remaining power had surged through his body and raised his cultivation from the fifth level of the Law Awakening Realm straight to the eighth.

Even now, when he thought about it, the gains were absurd.

Lucia watched his expression and narrowed her eyes slightly.

There was something suspicious about the whole matter.

She knew Max had gone into Dragon Death Valley and returned stronger, but the extent of that growth was too unreasonable. Three levels at his stage, along with the deepened aura he now carried, clearly meant he had gained far more than he admitted.

Still, she did not press him.

Everyone had secrets, and Max had more than most.

Instead, she simply gave him a meaningful look.

"You really are impossible to measure."

Max laughed softly.

"I will take that as praise."

"You should."

Then, after a short pause, Max asked the question that mattered next.

"So when are we heading to Violet Star Palace for this Smelting Trial?"

Lucia answered without hesitation.

"In one week."

She leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms.

"The clan will need time to gather the selected participants, prepare supplies, and arrange the route. Violet Star Palace is not some nearby branch force. Even with star travel, reaching their territory requires proper planning."

Max nodded calmly.

"One week..."

That was enough time to consolidate his recent gains, become familiar with his new bloodline abilities, and perhaps make a few more preparations before entering another major opportunity.

Lucia glanced at him and smirked.

"Do not tell me you are already planning how to cause trouble there."

Max looked out toward the stars through the shuttle window and smiled faintly.

"I am planning how to become stronger."

Lucia sighed.

"That answer somehow worries me even more."

----

A few hours later, after traveling through countless streams of starlight and crossing several spatial routes, the star shuttle finally entered the territory of the Verdant Sky Realm.

The moment they crossed into its borders, the atmosphere outside the vessel subtly changed.

The stars here seemed brighter, and the surrounding spiritual currents were far richer than those near Orion.

Vast celestial islands floated in the distance, connected by rivers of light that drifted through space like living streams. Ancient mountain chains hung suspended above cloud oceans, while enormous beasts could occasionally be seen gliding between realms as naturally as birds crossing the sky.

Even the air carried a sense of old prosperity.

This was not a chaotic battlefield world like Orion.

This was a true realm shaped and ruled by powerful forces over countless years.

Lucia looked outside with a familiar calm, while Max observed everything with quiet interest.

"The Verdant Sky Realm..." he muttered.

Compared to many places he had seen recently, this realm possessed both order and strength.

The shuttle continued descending through layers of cloud and defensive formations. Brilliant runes lit up across the hull as it passed several checkpoints before being recognized and allowed through.

A few minutes later, the vessel lowered toward a secluded region hidden among enormous black mountains.

The area was isolated from the bustling zones of the realm, surrounded by towering peaks that curved inward like natural walls.

Thick forests covered the lower slopes, and dark mist drifted between the cliffs. Streams rich with energy flowed through the valleys, while ancient formations shimmered faintly across the land, concealing the region from ordinary eyes.

Then Max saw it.

The Black Dragon Palace.

It rested deep within the mountain basin like a silent sovereign fortress.

Its structures were built from dark stone and black metal, rising in grand layered halls and towering spires shaped with draconic motifs. Massive statues of black dragons coiled around pillars, while banners bearing the clan insignia moved in the wind. The palace did not flaunt luxury like some divine sects.

Instead, it radiated strength, discipline, and ancient pride.

The star shuttle descended slowly before landing on a wide stone platform near the outer palace grounds.

A deep mechanical hum faded as the vessel settled.

The hatch opened.

Max stepped out first and felt the familiar dense energy of the area brush against his skin immediately. It was many times richer than ordinary places and perfectly suited for cultivation unlike the chaotic aura of Orion.

He looked around the secluded basin and found there to be empty.

Lucia stepped out beside him and stretched lightly.

"We are home."

Max glanced toward the Black Dragon Palace once more.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"And just in time."

One week remained before the Smelting Trial.

"I think you should go and check on Aunt Virelia before going anywhere else," Lucia said as they stood near the landing platform. "She must have been worried about you this whole time."

Max nodded.

That had already been his intention. No matter how many opportunities he encountered outside, returning and meeting his master first was only natural. Lady Virelia had supported him from the beginning, and after everything that had happened on Orion, she would certainly want answers.

Just as Max was about to leave, Lucia suddenly spoke again.

"Wait."

He turned back.

Lucia crossed her arms and looked at him directly.

"You should release Isabella first."

Max blinked once, then immediately understood what she meant.

Lucia continued in a practical tone.

"She is one of the stronger young geniuses of our side and will likely be among those heading to Violet Star Palace for the Smelting Trial. We only have seven days left. If she remains hidden away any longer, she will lose valuable preparation time."

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"And if she finds out you kept her inside your secret world while everyone else was preparing, she may personally try to kill you."

Max coughed lightly.

"That is also possible."

He could not deny her logic.

The Smelting Trial would gather elites from powerful factions. Even for someone talented like Isabella, entering such an event unprepared would be foolish.