Chapter 202 Aion

After half an hour, Max finally reached the Inner Circle.

The scene before him was a stark contrast to the vast wilderness he had been flying through.

Flying vehicles streaked through the skies.

Ground vehicles moved in orderly lines along the streets.

Buildings stretched high, towering over the urban landscape.

'It's been a long time since I was here.'

Max sighed, his eyes drifting over the familiar sights.

His mind flashed back to William and Zixi.

'I wonder what they are doing right now?'

But then—

Another person came to mind.

His gaze hardened.

'Let's head to the Core Circle.'

With a sigh, Max picked up speed—

Soaring deeper into the heart of the East Region.

As Max soared through the Inner Circle, something caught his eye.

A billboard—

A massive digital screen floating in the air.

His eyes widened at what was displayed—

It was a video.

A battle between him and Revenna.

Max stared in shock—

'Damn, they made copies of my battles?!'

Not only that—

They even spread it all the way to the Inner Circle?!

At that moment, he understood everything.

Why his name had spread so fast.

Why everyone in the East Region already knew who he was.

Why the Envoy from the Lost Continent might be looking for him.

'Anyone can access my battles if they're available on the Extranet.'

That meant—

News outlets were covering it.

People were watching and analyzing his fights.

Discussions were happening everywhere.

His battles weren't just famous—

They had gone viral.

'Damn this!' Max cursed as he sent a mental message to the Blob in his Dimension of Spirits.

"Blob! You just had to live broadcast our battles outside the temple?!"

The Blob's response was casual, as if it had done nothing wrong.

"It was one of the rules master had set for the Battle of the Strongest. Every battle in the Battle Realm had to be broadcasted to all the regions from where the other geniuses came from. So, I did what I was asked."

Max felt his head throb.

'All planned...?'

The Blob then mused thoughtfully.

"But I guess he was scheming something deeper... considering he planned to take over the body of whoever defeated everyone in the Battle Realm and became the strongest."

A chill ran through Max's spine.

'So, the Temple Master… He made sure the strongest genius would be the most famous one, so when he took over their body, he would already have influence and power?'

But why?

The Blob hummed in thought.

"I wonder what his true plans were…" Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire

Max's expression darkened as he processed the Blob's words.

'That damn Temple Master… He schemed so deeply, even beyond death?'

It didn't make sense.

What was the benefit of gathering so much fame?

Max preferred to stay unnoticed—to move in the shadows.

Now, because of this, he couldn't walk down a street without someone recognizing him.

'If he planned to take over my body, did he also plan to use my fame for something bigger?'

It was troubling.

But—

Max let out a sigh of relief.

"Good thing I decided to wear a mask. Phew."

He secretly thanked Zax, who had warned him about standing out too much.

Now, at least—

His real identity was still hidden.

As Max soared through the Core Region, a figure suddenly appeared, blocking his path midair.

Max instinctively tensed, his sharp gaze locking onto the intruder.

It was a young man, his long black hair cascading down to his shoulders.

His expression—calm and relaxed.

The young man raised a hand, his voice polite.

"Brother, I see you wear a mask—so don't be alarmed."

His tone was gentle, almost too casual.

"I have no ill intentions."

He smiled.

"I only wish to ask for directions."

A pause—

Then—

"Could you take me to the Phoenix Order Guild?"

Max narrowed his eyes.

"You're looking for the guild?"

The young man nodded.

"I want to take the recruitment test—but I don't know where it's held."

His words carried no hostility, no hidden edge.

Just a simple request.

Max gave him a quick glance, scanning him from head to toe.

The young man's aura was undeniably powerful—Peak Adept Rank—yet he didn't know where the Phoenix Order Guild's recruitment test was held?

'I guess I'm not the most ignorant person in this world after all.'

Max shook his head, sighing inwardly.

Still, there was no reason to refuse.

"Alright, follow me."

The young man nodded.

"My name is Aion, by the way."

He paused, his expression amused.

"I won't ask for yours—since you're wearing a mask."

Max smirked beneath his mask.

"Smart. Now keep up."

Without another word—

He soared forward, heading toward the Phoenix Order Guild—

And Aion followed close behind.

An hour later, Max and Aion finally arrived at the entrance of the Phoenix Order Guild.

As they touched down, their feet landing on solid ground, Max raised a hand, stopping Aion.

"Wait a minute."

Without another word—

Max tapped his holowatch, contacting Alice.

The moment she picked up, her voice exploded through the line—

[It's done—AND WHERE ARE YOU?! ARE YOU BACK?!]

Max sighed, shaking his head.

[I'll see you in a minute.]

Closing the communication, he turned back to Aion.

"Someone will come and take you to where the recruitment test is held. Just wait here."

Aion nodded politely.

"Understood, brother. Thank you."

Max smiled behind his mask, then—

His figure blurred, disappearing into thin air.

Aion watched him go, a small smile forming on his lips.

His gaze lingered for a moment—

Before he turned towards the guild's towering entrance, awaiting his next step.

—

Max materialized at the portal leading to the guild, hidden deep near the entrance.

Without hesitation—

He stepped forward, his body passing through the portal in a flash of light.

A moment later—

He emerged inside the Phoenix Order Guild.

The scene was unchanged—

Guild members moved about, some entering the portal while others, like him, were arriving back from their missions.

The air buzzed with familiar energy—the liveliness of a guild constantly in motion.

Max's eyes swept over the surroundings—

His lips curled into a small smile.

'I'm back.'

The weight of the outside world momentarily lifted.

Here—

At least for now—

He was home.

However—

Before Max could even take a step—

A horde of guild members rushed in, surrounding him in a tight formation.

Weapons were drawn—

Their aura surged—

Eyes filled with caution and hostility.

"Who are you?! Put away the mask and reveal your face!"

A sharp voice cut through the air.

Max glanced at the guild members surrounding him—

His expression calm, but inwardly—

He was genuinely impressed.

Despite knowing nothing about him, they had no hesitation in surrounding him.

A person in mask.

'I guess they didn't fear someone in the apprentice rank.'

He mused.

Then—

Without breaking eye contact, Max raised a hand—

And slowly, he reached for his mask.

The guild members tensed, watching in anticipation.

Then—

Max removed his mask.

A deep silence followed—

As if time itself had paused.

The guild members who had surrounded Max—

Froze in place.

Their eyes widened—

Their breaths hitched—

Their minds reeled in disbelief.

Some even—

Rubbed their eyes.

As if they were seeing an illusion.

As if—

The face before them—

The one they had seen everywhere—

On the Extranet.

On billboards.

In news reports.

In battle replays.

—Was too unreal to be standing right in front of them.