The old man finally stopped in front of one of the mansions and turned toward them.

"You will stay here tonight."

His calm voice echoed lightly through the courtyard.

"The Smelting Trial will officially begin tomorrow morning. Use this time to recover yourselves and prepare. Once dawn arrives, representatives from every invited force will gather."

He swept his gaze across the disciples, his expression remaining indifferent.

"Do not wander recklessly. Certain areas of the Violet Star Palace are forbidden. Remain within the guest district unless summoned."

After speaking, the old man lightly waved his sleeve. The mansion gates slowly opened on their own, revealing a spacious inner courtyard, training grounds, and several luxurious chambers within.

"Rest well."

With those final words, the old man stepped away and soon vanished into the distance like drifting smoke.

For a moment, silence remained.

Then many disciples inhaled sharply as they stared at their temporary residence with shining eyes.

"This is where we stay for one night?"

"One night here is better than a year in some dormitories."

"The Violet Star Palace truly deserves its reputation."

Even Lucia’s usually calm eyes flickered with surprise, while Isabella quietly admired the beauty of the courtyard.

Once inside the mansion, the disciples of the Black Dragon Clan were immediately shown the scale of Violet Star Palace’s hospitality.

The interior was vast and elegant, with halls lined by smooth crystal walls that reflected streams of soft violet light. Every room carried a rich concentration of spiritual energy, making even breathing feel refreshing. Spacious guest chambers had already been prepared, each furnished with cultivation mats, medicinal incense burners, and polished furniture crafted from rare spirit wood.

The younger disciples quickly dispersed.

Some entered secluded rooms to meditate and stabilize their cultivation in preparation for tomorrow. Others took out weapons and began polishing them with serious expressions. A few gathered in small groups, discussing rumors about the Smelting Trial and the geniuses who would participate from other forces. Nervousness and anticipation could be felt everywhere.

No one wished to embarrass the Black Dragon Clan tomorrow.

Max had only just entered the courtyard when a familiar voice sounded behind him.

"Max. Lucia. Isabella. Follow me."

Lady Virelia stood there with her arms crossed, her long hair swaying gently as she looked at the three of them with sharp eyes. There was no trace of leisure on her face.

The three exchanged glances before immediately following.

She led them deeper into the mansion grounds until they arrived at a private training field located behind the residence. The area was surrounded by high formation walls, while the ground itself was forged from dark star metal capable of enduring heavy impacts. Ancient runes glowed faintly beneath the surface.

Lady Virelia turned around and spoke calmly.

"You three will train a little before resting."

Lucia smiled faintly, already understanding what was coming.

Isabella blinked once, then looked toward Max with interest.

Lady Virelia pointed at the center of the field.

"A three-way battle. Lucia and Isabella against Max."

Max almost thought he heard wrong.

"Against both of them?"

Lady Virelia’s lips curved slightly.

"You heard correctly. If I am not wrong you will be targeted heavily tomorrow and so you might as well be prepared for this. But don’t use any techniques in this battle. Just use your basic attacks to fight. "

Max exhaled slowly before stepping onto the field.

He knew very well that among the three, he was currently the weakest in direct cultivation. Lucia possessed deep and steady strength with frightening combat control, while Isabella’s Imperial Bloodline gave her a natural superiority that even elders respected.

Yet Max’s eyes did not waver.

The moment Lady Virelia waved her hand, the battle began.

Lucia moved first.

Her figure blurred like a phantom as she closed the distance instantly, her palm carrying compressed force of black flames strong enough to crack mountains. At the same time, Isabella raised one hand and released streams of black dragon flames that curved through the air like living serpents, sealing Max’s retreat paths.

A normal disciple would have been defeated in the opening breath.

But Max stepped forward instead of back.

Lightning exploded beneath his feet as he twisted through the narrow gap between the flames, then tilted his body just enough to avoid Lucia’s palm by a hair’s breadth. The force of her strike blasted the ground behind him apart.

Without hesitation, Max countered with a fist toward Lucia’s ribs.

Lucia blocked, but her eyes flickered slightly at the force hidden in the strike.

Before either could continue, Isabella descended from above with black fire condensed around her leg. Max raised both arms and received the blow head-on. The impact drove him several meters backward, his boots carving deep lines across the star metal floor.

Lady Virelia watched silently.

The battle only intensified.

Lucia attacked with relentless close-range precision. Isabella dominated the field with wide destructive pressure. Their teamwork was not intentional, yet both naturally cornered Max from two directions.

Still, Max refused to collapse.

He moved constantly, reading their attacks through his Dimensional Sovereign Body. He used speed to break angles, timing to create openings, and ruthless counters whenever either underestimated him. Several times he was struck and sent reeling, yet every time he rose instantly and charged back in.

At one point, Lucia’s palm locked onto his chest while Isabella’s flame spear descended from behind.

Even Lady Virelia narrowed her eyes.

Yet Max suddenly spun low, using Lucia’s incoming force to redirect himself sideways. Her palm missed by inches while Isabella’s spear passed through the space Max had occupied. Max then drove an elbow into Lucia’s shoulder and kicked Isabella backward before leaping away.

Lucia laughed softly.

"You are such a tough guy to fight."

Isabella’s usually calm eyes shone brighter.

"He is troublesome."

Minutes turned into an hour.

Sweat covered the three geniuses. Cracks spread across the training field. Shockwaves repeatedly slammed into the barrier walls.

Yet one fact remained clear.

Though Max was the weakest in realm and raw power, he had not been defeated.

He stood there breathing heavily, bruised and battered, but still upright. His eyes burned hotter than before.

Lady Virelia finally raised a hand, ending the match.

The field fell silent.

She looked at Max for a long moment before speaking.

"Good."

That single word from her carried more praise than a hundred compliments.

Then she turned toward all three.

"This is enough for now. Go ahead and rest you three."

Max wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled faintly before heading to his respective room to rest.

Only Lady Virelia remained standing on the training ground.