Max looked around the gathering once more.

A little over thirty true disciples stood assembled across the vast platform, each one carrying a powerful aura and the confidence of someone selected from among the clan’s younger generation.

Yet considering the size and reputation of the Black Dragon Clan, the number still felt smaller than expected.

He turned toward Lucia.

"Is this all?"

Lucia raised a brow.

"All?"

Max gestured lightly toward the gathered crowd.

"I mean, is this the full number of true disciples in the Black Dragon Palace?"

Lucia immediately understood what he meant and smiled.

"No, of course not."

She folded her arms and glanced around the platform.

"These are only the true disciples eligible to attend the Smelting Trial."

Max’s eyes sharpened slightly.

"There is a requirement?"

"Naturally."

Her tone carried the faint amusement of someone explaining something obvious.

"The Smelting Trial is not a sightseeing trip. It is an event where talented disciples from many forces compete for opportunities, inheritances, and resources. Sending weaker disciples would only embarrass the clan and waste precious slots."

She then spoke more clearly.

"For this trip, only true disciples whose cultivation has reached the fifth level of the Law Manifestation Realm or higher were selected."

Max nodded inwardly.

That explained the strength of nearly everyone present.

Those below that threshold had likely been excluded no matter how talented they were. The clan clearly intended to send only those with enough power to compete immediately.

Then Lucia looked at him with a teasing smile.

"Of course..."

"You are an exception."

Max gave her a flat look.

"I had guessed that."

Lucia laughed softly.

"You should."

She stepped a little closer and lowered her voice.

"You are going because of your status as the Saint of the Black Dragon Clan."

Several nearby disciples subtly reacted when they heard the title.

Though many already knew, hearing it spoken aloud still carried weight.

Lucia continued.

"Your cultivation may still be at the Law Awakening Realm, but your position is different. You are no ordinary disciple being judged only by realm."

She glanced at him meaningfully.

"The elders also know very well that your real combat strength cannot be measured by cultivation level alone."

Max smiled faintly.

"So I was carried in through privilege."

Lucia snorted.

"If it were only privilege, many people here would object."

Her gaze swept across the platform.

"The reason no one openly complains is because they know you have already proven enough."

Max followed her gaze.

Several disciples were indeed looking toward him with mixed emotions. Some were curious. Some doubtful. Some openly competitive.

But none appeared dismissive enough to protest his presence.

Lucia then added one final remark.

"Still, being the exception means something else."

"What?"

"It means more people will watch you fail."

Max laughed softly.

"And if I succeed?"

Lucia’s smile deepened.

"Then they will hate you even more."

Isabella, who had been listening nearby, nodded seriously.

"That sounds accurate."

Max looked at the gathered elites of the Black Dragon Clan and then toward the distant palace towers beyond them.

Soon, powerful auras descended one after another over the Central Region.

The gathered true disciples immediately became serious as elders of the Black Dragon Clan appeared in the sky above the platform. Each elder stood calmly in midair, radiating strength and authority. Their arrival alone caused the atmosphere below to become tense and disciplined.

Then seven figures stepped forward at the front of the elders.

The moment they appeared, everyone recognized them instantly.

These were the heads of the Seven Main Families, the true ruling pillars of the Black Dragon Clan.

At the center stood Mathew Grimes, leader of the Grimes Family and the current highest authority overseeing the clan.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his presence steady and heavy like a mountain. His sharp eyes swept across the gathered disciples, causing the last whispers below to disappear.

When complete silence fell, he spoke.

"The Smelting Trial begins now."

His calm voice echoed across the entire region.

"You were chosen because you are the strongest of this generation. At Violet Star Palace, you will face geniuses from many forces. Some will underestimate you. Some will challenge you."

He paused briefly.

"Do not forget that when they look at you, they see the Black Dragon Clan."

Many disciples straightened unconsciously.

"Fight well. Win what you can. Protect the dignity of our clan."

His eyes sharpened.

"And if anyone thinks we are easy to bully..."

A faint pressure spread from him.

"Prove them wrong."

The blood of many disciples stirred instantly.

Then Mathew raised one hand toward the sky.

"Prepare to depart."

With his short speech finished, Mathew Grimes lifted one hand and waved it calmly through the air.

The space above the Central Region trembled.

A deep mechanical hum echoed across the platform as a massive star shuttle slowly emerged from a spatial fold high above them. Its appearance immediately drew every gaze upward.

The vessel was enormous.

Its body was forged from dark metallic material that shimmered with faint runic light. Layers of formations glowed across its surface like living constellations. Dragon patterns were carved along the outer hull, while black crystal wings extended from both sides, giving it the appearance of a celestial beast prepared to cross the void.

The pressure radiating from it made clear that this was no ordinary transport craft.

This was a true clan vessel built for long-distance star travel and protected against dangers of the cosmic void.

As it descended, powerful currents of wind swept across the platform. The shuttle then came to a stop above the ground, lowering a wide staircase of light toward the gathered disciples.

An elder stepped forward and announced firmly.

"All selected true disciples, board immediately."

At once, movement began.

The gathered disciples advanced in orderly lines, one after another entering the star shuttle. Though many were proud geniuses, no one acted recklessly in front of the family heads and elders.

Max watched calmly for a moment before stepping forward.

Lucia moved beside him with her usual composed expression, while Isabella walked on his other side, carrying herself with visible confidence after the awakening of her Imperial Bloodline.

The three of them approached the staircase together.

As Max stepped onto the light bridge, he glanced once at the enormous vessel above and could not help admiring the Black Dragon Clan’s foundation. Even a weaker third-rate force still possessed strength and wealth far beyond ordinary powers.

They soon entered the shuttle interior.

Inside, the space was far larger than what the exterior suggested. Wide halls, rows of seats, cultivation rooms, private chambers, and formation chambers had all been built within. The walls glowed with protective runes, and dense spiritual energy flowed through the vessel like hidden rivers.

As Max, Lucia, and Isabella moved inward, Max’s eyes shifted toward another entrance.

There, Lady Virelia was also stepping into the shuttle along with several elders.

Their eyes met briefly.

Lady Virelia gave him a calm nod that carried both approval and warning.

Max returned the gesture respectfully.

It was clear she would be accompanying the younger generation to Violet Star Palace.

One by one, the remaining disciples continued boarding until the final selected genius entered the vessel. Soon after, the staircase of light withdrew, and the outer gates sealed with a heavy sound.

Inside the shuttle, the atmosphere turned expectant.

Some disciples closed their eyes to meditate. Some whispered among friends. Others looked outward through crystal viewing panels, eager for what awaited them.

Then the formations of the star shuttle activated fully.

Runes across the vessel ignited with brilliant light.

A low vibration spread through the floors.

Outside, the giant craft slowly rose into the air above the Central Region of the Black Dragon Palace. Elders and clan members below looked upward as the vessel ascended higher and higher.

Then, with a sudden burst of celestial light, the star shuttle shot forward.

It tore through the sky like a black star, crossed the clouds in an instant, and vanished into the endless sea of stars.

The journey to Violet Star Palace had begun.