"Fine," Max said with a nod.

With a thought, he opened a connection to the Dimension of Genesis.

Space rippled beside them, and Isabella stepped out from the hidden world into the open mountain basin of the Black Dragon Palace. She looked around briefly, taking in the familiar surroundings before her gaze landed on Max.

"So we are back."

Max smiled faintly.

"We are. And you should prepare well."

His tone became more serious.

"The Smelting Trial at Violet Star Palace begins soon. Use these seven days wisely. Strengthen yourself as much as possible."

Isabella’s eyes brightened immediately.

She had naturally heard of the Smelting Trial before. For disciples of third-rate forces, receiving the chance to participate in such an event was both opportunity and recognition.

"I am also heading there?" she asked.

Lucia answered before Max could.

"You were always likely to be selected as you are the Saintess of the Black Dragon Clan. Now stop wasting time and start preparing."

Isabella snorted softly but did not argue.

Then she looked back at Max, a faint smile appearing.

"You had better not grow too far ahead again in just seven days."

Max chuckled.

"I was about to say the same to you."

She rolled her eyes, though amusement remained clear on her face.

With that, Max left the two women together near the platform while they began discussing clan matters, trial participants, and possible preparations.

He then turned toward the deeper regions of the Black Dragon Palace and began walking alone.

Towering halls rose ahead of him, ancient and solemn beneath the mountain sky.

Soon Max arrived before the office of Lady Virelia.

The familiar corridor leading to her chambers carried the same quiet authority as before. Black stone walls lined with ancient carvings reflected the heritage of the Black Dragon Clan, while subtle defensive formations pulsed beneath the floor.

Even after everything he had experienced recently, returning here brought a strange sense of steadiness.

He raised his hand and knocked.

"Come in."

Without hesitation, Max opened the door and stepped inside.

Lady Virelia was seated comfortably on a long couch near a low table where tea had already been prepared. Sunlight from the side windows fell across the room, giving the otherwise stern office a warmer atmosphere.

Max walked forward and sat on the couch opposite her.

Lady Virelia looked at him for several moments before narrowing her eyes slightly.

"It seems Orion treated you rather generously," she said. "You left at the fifth level of the Law Awakening Realm and returned at the eighth. That is not the kind of progress one makes from sightseeing."

Max smiled wryly.

"Some things happened."

He then began recounting part of what had occurred on Orion. He spoke of the secret domain, the chaos among the gathered forces, the dangers of the forbidden regions, and the events that led to the conflict with Sword God Palace. However, he carefully omitted matters that should remain hidden, including the deeper truths of his personal gains.

Lady Virelia listened in silence while calmly sipping tea.

When he finished, she set the cup down gently.

"I already heard much of what happened," she said. "The news from Orion has spread throughout this side of the Divine Realm."

Her gaze sharpened.

"Those who escaped the secret domain returned shaken. Most of them still cannot explain what truly happened inside. They only know they were facing suppression from a terrifying existence one moment, and the next they were suddenly back on Orion."

Max nodded.

"That is more or less what it felt like."

He leaned back slightly.

"One moment we believed we might die, and the next we were alive again. Whatever the truth behind it is, I am not complaining."

Lady Virelia gave him a brief look that suggested she suspected he knew more than he admitted, but she did not press the matter.

Instead, she asked another question.

"I also heard that the four Primarchs of the Primordial Race appeared."

Max nodded.

"They did. Even from a distance, their presence was overwhelming."

Lady Virelia’s expression became solemn.

"Beings of that level rarely move without reason. If they appeared personally, then something inside that domain was significant."

She then changed topics.

"And then there is your matter with Sword God Palace."

Max remained calm.

Lady Virelia’s lips curved faintly.

"You truly know how to cause trouble. Offending Sword God Palace is not something ordinary disciples manage to accomplish in a lifetime, yet you did it in a single trip."

Max coughed lightly.

"They started it. They wanted my sword and they were so shameless about it that they wanted to kill me to take my sword away."

"Even so you did beat up the Young Miss of the Sword God Palace."

Even so, amusement flickered in her eyes.

She continued.

"I also heard about your interaction with War God Palace."

Her gaze became more meaningful now.

"Forming even a temporary alliance with 1st rate forces like War God Palace with them has raised your standing considerably. Many forces now view you, and by extension the Black Dragon Clan, differently."

Max nodded slowly.

"I understand."

Lady Virelia folded her hands before her.

"Good. Then understand this as well."

Her voice grew firmer.

"In seven days, the delegation heading to Violet Star Palace for the Smelting Trial will depart. You are no longer just another promising disciple."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"You will be one of the main faces of the Black Dragon Clan there."

Max straightened slightly.

She continued.

"Your name has already spread. Some know you as the one connected to the Sword Sovereign’s weapon. Some know of your conflict with Sword God Palace. Others know that War God Palace openly treated you with respect."

Her tone sharpened.

"That fame is useful, but it is also dangerous."

Max listened quietly.

"At the Smelting Trial, geniuses from many third-rate forces will be present. Some will want to test you. Some will want to humiliate you. Some may target you simply to weaken the Black Dragon Clan’s momentum."

She leaned forward slightly.

"So use these seven days well. Consolidate your cultivation. Prepare your methods. Do not grow complacent because of what happened on Orion."

Max smiled faintly.

"I never planned to be complacent."

Lady Virelia studied him for a moment, then gave a satisfied nod.

"Good."

She lifted her tea once more.

"Because whether you like it or not, many eyes are now waiting to see if you are truly worthy of the noise surrounding your name."