"Anyway, I am going to Mourning Depths you." Alice suddenly said.
Max studied Alice carefully, his brows furrowing slightly.
She was serious.
More than that—
She was determined.
And that worried him.
He sighed lightly, shaking his head.
"Anton, Bruce, and the other top geniuses from the Phoenix Order Guild might be joining the exploration."
Alice simply shrugged, crossing her arms.
"I don't know. They don't tell anything these days."
Her voice held a slight bitterness, a reminder that she was still being left out.
Max frowned.
That wasn't a good sign.
"You should ask your mother about this," he said seriously.
"Though I'll still say this—sit this one out. The Mourning Depths is one of the many forbidden places in the Lower Domain. Dangers will be everywhere. No matter how strong you are, it's not worth the risk."
Alice's expression darkened.
Then—
She shook her head firmly.
"It doesn't matter."
Her voice was resolute, unwavering.
Her gaze locked onto his, filled with the kind of determination that left no room for argunt.
"I will go there even if I have to insist to my mother about it."
She took a deep breath.
And then, softly, but with absolute conviction—
"I already missed the opportunity to be with you in the temple all those months ago."
Her fingers clenched at her sides.
"This ti, I won't."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with aning.
This wasn't just about the exploration.
It wasn't just about her guild.
It was about them.
She refused to let fate pull them apart again.
Max sighed, shaking his head as he looked at Alice.
He knew arguing any further was pointless.
She had already made up her mind.
And if there was one thing about Alice—
She was stubborn as hell.
"Alright."
His voice carried resignation, but also a hint of amusent.
"But how you manage to convince your mother? That's your problem."
Alice grinned triumphantly, clearly pleased with herself.
Max, however, wasn't done.
He crossed his arms and gave her a look.
"Also, since your mom took away your holowatch, you should ask for it back."
His voice turned firm.
"If you're going to the Mourning Depths, you'll need it."
Alice nodded confidently.
"Leave it to ! I'll arrange everything."
Her bright smile made it clear—
She had no doubt she would succeed.
Max exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
This girl...
She really had a way of making things happen.
He hesitated for a brief mont—
Then, with a small smile, he nodded.
"I guess I'll see you tonight then."
Alice's eyes shone with excitent as she nodded eagerly.
Now that she knew she would et Max again—
She didn't feel as sad about their parting.
For once, there was certainty.
"Alright, I am leaving."
Max slowly stepped out of the tree house, inhaling the cool evening air.
As soon as he did, his eyes landed on a familiar figure.
Princess Aveline.
She stood there, arms crossed, leaning lightly against the tree.
Her gaze locked onto him imdiately.
Sharp. Unforgiving.
Max stopped in his tracks.
"Thanks for understanding," he said gratefully, giving her a nod.
Aveline, however, didn't look pleased.
Instead, she narrowed her eyes at him, expression cold, calculating.
"You and her, huh?"
Her tone carried a hint of disapproval.
A heavy silence stretched between them—
Then, she sighed.
"You better keep her happy."
Her words were not a suggestion.
They were a command.
Max smiled wryly, rubbing the back of his head.
"I will. But isn't it a little early for you to be saying that?"
Aveline simply scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"Whatever."
Then, her gaze turned sharp again.
"Just don't make her sad."
And with that—
She turned and disappeared into the tree house.
Max stood there for a mont, staring at the now-closed entrance.
He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.
"She's more terrifying than Alice's mother."
And with that thought—
He vanished into the night.
"You and him? How did that happen?" Princess Alia asked as soon as she saw Alice in the tree house.
Alice giggled as she began about how they t and all.
***
The mont Max stepped into the Black Lotus mansion, his sharp gaze swept over the hallways.
The entire place was silent.
No sound of footsteps.
No hushed voices.
Even the air itself felt still.
He moved toward the doors of each room, checking them briefly—
And found them all locked.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'Nobody left their rooms?'
He frowned, finding their lifestyle incredibly dull.
No movent.
No interaction.
Just strict discipline—always silent, always unseen.
'So boring.'
But at the sa ti—
It was convenient.
He didn't have to explain where he had gone, didn't have to answer any unnecessary questions.
With a small smirk, Max stepped toward his own door, opening it quietly and slipping inside.
The mont he entered, his eyes landed on the glass of blood sitting on his table.
Still untouched.
Still emitting his fake aura from the bloodline rune.
He let out a small chuckle before moving toward it.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he removed the rune, allowing his real aura to settle back into the room.
Now, it was as if he had never left.
But his focus quickly shifted.
His pink eyes flickered toward the clock.
"The banquet starts in another hour or so."
That was plenty of ti.
Without hesitation, Max sat cross-legged on the floor.
He closed his eyes—
And in an instant, his consciousness sank into the Dinsion of Ti.
Inside the Dinsion of Ti, Max felt his body relax, his mind sharpening as he focused on his training.
Every second here was multiplied in real ti, allowing him to squeeze out years of training within re hours.
His muscles tensed—
His aura flared—
And with a steady breath, he began.
His fists moved in practiced motions, flowing through the Ten Hands of the Cultivation God, refining every strike to perfection.
His mind replayed battles, analyzing every movent, every mistake.
His power surged, his Draconic Essences thrumming in his veins as he pushed himself further and further trying to maintain the state of activeness of his Draconic Essences.
The hours inside the Dinsion passed in silence.
And before he knew it—
The night descended upon the Sun Palace.
Just then—
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