The next day arrived beneath a sky of brilliant violet light.

As the first rays of dawn spread across the enormous planet of the Violet Star Palace, the entire guest district came alive. Doors opened one after another. Disciples emerged in fresh robes, weapons at their sides, eyes sharp with anticipation. Elders moved with calm expressions, yet even they carried a faint seriousness today.

This was the day the Smelting Trial would begin.

Within the Black Dragon Clan residence, Max stepped out after a night of cultivation. He appeared very calm and composed. Lucia and Isabella soon joined him, both looking refreshed and composed.

Lady Virelia appeared last.

Her gaze swept over the younger generation before she spoke only one sentence.

"Do your best out there."

Then she turned and led them out.

Across the guest district, similar scenes were unfolding in every mansion. Delegations from one third-rate force after another emerged and headed toward the central grounds of the Violet Star Palace. Some traveled in groups with imposing discipline.

Others laughed loudly, radiating confidence. A few walked in silence, their auras restrained so deeply that they felt more dangerous than those who flaunted power.

As the Black Dragon Clan group advanced, Max observed everything carefully.

There were disciples wearing crimson robes marked by blazing sun emblems. Others wore silver armor etched with beast symbols. Some carried giant sabers, while others floated above the ground without even walking. Bloodlines, physiques, strange energies, and hidden killing intent could be sensed everywhere.

This gathering was far beyond anything an ordinary competition could compare to.

Soon, they arrived at the central square.

Max’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The square was colossal, so vast that entire cities from mortal worlds could fit within it. The ground was paved with star-patterned jade tiles that shimmered faintly under the sunlight.

Towering statues of ancient experts stood around the perimeter, each one radiating a pressure that made weaker cultivators instinctively lower their heads.

At the far end rose a massive platform suspended above the square, clearly meant for the Violet Star Palace elders and trial overseers.

And the square was already filled.

Thousands upon thousands of young geniuses from different third-rate forces had gathered there, standing in clusters according to their factions. Every direction was packed with youth at the peak of talent, each one carrying pride, ambition, and the desire to rise above the rest.

The atmosphere was tense.

Invisible clashes of aura spread constantly through the crowd as disciples sized one another up. Some looked arrogant. Some calm. Some eager for battle. Others hid themselves like crouching beasts waiting for the right moment to strike.

The younger generation stood together at the center of the square.

Meanwhile, the elders of each force gathered at a distance behind their disciples, separated from the main crowd. They formed their own rows, speaking quietly among themselves while observing the young talents with measuring eyes.

Lady Virelia stood with the Black Dragon Clan elders, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on Max and the others.

Max, Lucia, and Isabella took their place among the Black Dragon Clan geniuses.

For the first time, Max truly felt it.

This was not a local contest.

This was a gathering of countless stars.

And every single one of them wished to shine brighter than the rest.

It was then a huge platform appeared in the air. The sheer size of the platform was massive.

The massive square gradually sank into complete silence as every gaze turned toward the platform above. The restless energy that had filled the crowd moments ago disappeared almost instantly.

Thousands of geniuses from different third-rate forces stood upright with solemn expressions, while even the elders gathered at the rear became visibly more respectful.

A powerful presence had arrived.

High above the platform, dozens of figures descended from the sky with calm and measured steps. None of them displayed any flashy movement technique, yet each stride carried them across hundreds of meters as though space willingly shortened beneath their feet.

They wore deep azure robes embroidered with golden threads, and on the chest of every robe was the same insignia, a celestial furnace surrounded by nine revolving stars.

The moment they landed, the atmosphere of the entire square changed.

Max narrowed his eyes immediately. These people were on a completely different level from the experts he had sensed since entering the Violet Star Palace. Their auras were restrained to the extreme, but that very restraint made them more dangerous.

At the center of the group stood an old man with silver hair flowing down his back. His face was lined by age, yet his posture was straight as a spear. His eyes were deep and steady, carrying the weight of countless years. He did not release the slightest pressure, but simply standing there made everyone below instinctively pay attention.

He stepped forward.

His voice was not loud, yet it spread across the colossal square with perfect clarity.

"Welcome, juniors of the various forces, and greetings to the elders who have escorted them here."

"I am Elder Cael Varion of the Celestial Forge Pavilion."

The moment the name was spoken, visible ripples moved through the crowd. Some younger disciples drew in sharp breaths, while several elders lowered their heads slightly in greeting.

The Celestial Forge Pavilion was not a force that could be compared to ordinary regional powers. It was a genuine second-rate force whose influence stretched across many star realms. It controlled trade routes, inheritance grounds, forging domains, and countless subordinate factions.

The Violet Star Palace itself, mighty in the eyes of many, was merely one of the prominent third-rate forces under its sphere of influence.

Elder Cael allowed the murmurs to settle before continuing.

"This Smelting Trial is organized by the Violet Star Palace under the supervision of our Celestial Forge Pavilion. It exists to temper promising juniors, reveal hidden talent, and prepare worthy participants for the path ahead."

His calm gaze swept across the sea of young cultivators below.

"Some among you have come for fame. Some seek resources. Some desire to test yourselves against rivals from distant realms. Others hope to gain good rankings for the Cosmic Ascension Conference."

His tone grew firmer.

"Whatever your reason may be, only those who prove themselves here shall move forward."

The square became even quieter after those words.