"I would say he could reach at least the middle of the tenth layer, perhaps even approach its peak," Lilith Carol said after a mont of consideration. "The pace at which he crossed the ninth layer is what shapes my judgnt. His performance there was extraordinary."
Henry Lumin's expression darkened slightly as he spoke next.
"Isabella reached nine thousand three hundred miles in the ninth layer before entering the tenth," he said slowly. "Given Max's current montum, there is a high chance he will surpass her performance here."
There was no bitterness in his voice, but the surprise remained evident. He had expected Zain to exceed Isabella's achievent. That much he could accept. But the ergence of another genius capable of rivaling or surpassing a Saintess in training was sothing he had not anticipated.
Matthew Gris nodded faintly.
"He should be able to surpass Isabella's distance," he said with an easy smile. "However, how far he can go within the tenth layer is far more difficult to predict."
Unlike so of the others, Matthew's satisfaction was genuine and unreserved. Max had been recruited into their ranks. Every step he took within the Path to Eternal Flas strengthened the prestige of the Black Dragon Clan as a whole. Whatever heights he reached would be recorded under their banner.
Not everyone shared that satisfaction.
Garry Heron stood slightly apart from the others, his expression rigid. Unlike earlier when Zain had entered the eleventh layer and pride had filled his face, now there was no warmth in his eyes.
Only a cold shadow lingered there.
Once, he had attempted to recruit Max into the Heron Family. He had extended offers and exerted pressure, confident that he could secure such a promising talent. That effort had ended in failure. Max had not joined him. Instead, he had aligned himself elsewhere.
That rejection had not faded from Garry's mory.
As he watched Max standing calmly within the tenth layer, Garry's fingers tightened slightly behind his back. In his gaze, there was no admiration.
Only resentnt simred beneath the surface.
Max's rise had not been confined to a single event. From seizing the Sword of the Sword Sovereign, an artifact that had resisted countless prodigies, to overcoming the talented disciples of rival clans, he had repeatedly demonstrated a capacity to defy expectations.
Now, standing within the tenth layer of the Path to Eternal Flas, he had once again shattered the assumptions of those who underestimated him.
Lady Virelia listened quietly, her expression composed. A faint smile touched her lips, though she did not respond with boastful words from either the elders of the family heads.
On the projection screen, Max's figure stood amidst the raging flas of the tenth layer, the chaotic fire swirling violently around him.
The murmurs of the crowd continued to rise.
One thing had beco undeniable to everyone.
Max was no ordinary genius.
"Look. Max has started moving."
An elder's voice rang out sharply across the viewing platform, instantly drawing every gaze toward the massive projection overhead. The mont he spoke, the once still figure at the entrance of the tenth layer began to advance.
Max stepped forward without hesitation.
The flas of the tenth layer surged violently around him, their density far beyond anything in the lower regions. The chaotic fla laws here were refined, oppressive, and heavy with authority. Yet he did not appear strained. His pace was not frantic. It was steady.
Nine thousand one hundred miles.
Nine thousand two hundred miles.
Each milestone flickered faintly on the projection display.
A tense silence fell across the platform as everyone watched the numbers climb. They all knew the significance of what was about to happen.
Nine thousand three hundred miles.
The number that marked Isabella Lumin's furthest distance within the tenth layer.
Max did not slow as he approached it.
Nine thousand three hundred and twenty miles.
Nine thousand three hundred and fifty miles.
He crossed it.
A faint wave of murmurs erupted among the elders and disciples.
"He has surpassed nine thousand three hundred miles."
"He has broken the Saintess in training's record in this trial."
The realization settled heavily upon the crowd.
Isabella's figure stiffened.
Her eyes were locked onto the projection, her expression gradually losing color. She had watched him begin to move with a mix of hope and dread. Sowhere within her heart, she had wished he would falter before reaching her record.
But he did not.
He passed it cleanly.
The flas that had once forced her to stop now parted around him as he continued forward.
Isabella's fingers trembled slightly before she clenched them tightly at her sides. The humiliation she had feared began to take shape in her mind. The mory of the wager she had made with him resurfaced vividly.
He had now officially surpassed her performance in the Path to Eternal Flas.
The Saintess in training had been overtaken.
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and though she attempted to maintain composure, the shock in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.
Around her, the elders reacted with a mixture of astonishnt and admiration.
"Incredible."
"He truly surpassed her."
"Not only did he enter the tenth layer, he has now exceeded the Saintess in training's limit."
One elder shook his head slowly, unable to conceal his amazent.
"This disciple continues to defy expectations."
Even Henry Lumin stood silent for a mont, his gaze fixed upon the screen. His expression was dark, yet there was no denial in it. The numbers did not lie.
Matthew Gris allowed a faint smile to appear once more.
"He keeps surprising us," he said quietly.
Victor Veron nodded in agreent.
"This generation truly holds monsters."
Above them all, Max's figure continued to advance beyond nine thousand three hundred miles, the flas of the tenth layer roaring in resistance.
And with each step he took, the gap between him and Isabella widened further.
"Damn this kid."
Seraphina Vale's jaw tightened as she stared at the projection, her eyes sharp like drawn blades. Max had already surpassed Isabella's record, and now he was not slowing. The resentnt in her gaze was unmistakable. Each step he took felt like a strike against her pride.
Around her, however, awe was steadily replacing disbelief.
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