Chapter 529: Comprehension Hall

Chapter 529: Comprehension Hall

The moment Max stepped out of his room, the crisp morning air of Obsidian Dragon City greeted him with a subtle warmth laced with fire energy, and just ahead, he noticed a familiar presence waiting silently—Silus.

The ever-composed attendant stood with his hands behind his back, his demeanor as calm and unshaken as always. “I have been ordered to take you to Lady Virelia,” Silus said evenly the moment his eyes met Max’s.

Max gave a nod. “Lead the way.”

Without wasting a breath, Silus turned and began walking, and Max followed closely behind as they passed through the sprawling inner courtyards of the palace sector.

But this time, they did not return to the same Hall of Trials where the Ancient Dragon Scroll had tested his potential. Instead, Silus led him through a side corridor carved from obsidian-veined stone.

Eventually, they emerged into a different sector entirely—larger, livelier, and far more intense. Here, hundreds of young elites were gathered, all moving with determined purpose toward a central direction.

They were dressed in dark uniforms, many carrying their own personalized weapons—flaming spears, glimmering sabers, and rings that pulsed with magic. Their strength radiated like a forest of swords—Peak Expert Rank, and even the weakest among them stood firmly at level 5 or 6 of the Expert Realm.

Max walked through the crowd of geniuses, calm but observant, taking in the silent hierarchy that lingered within their every glance. These were not the outer fringes of talent. This was the crucible of the Elite Class.

After weaving through the dense crowd, Max was led to a grand hall—its towering arch carved from crimson-gold stone, with dragons etched across its surface in poses of battle and wisdom. It was surrounded by clusters of geniuses, each standing near powerful instructors or mentors.

Some of those experts gave off an aura so dense that Max couldn’t sense a single trace of their realm. They were veiled in power—likely Master Rank or beyond.

“This is the site where one comprehends their chosen totems,” Silus said quietly, his voice low yet filled with weight.

Max glanced around again, his eyes taking in the silent intensity of the place.

Just then a familiar presence approached, and Max turned to see Lady Virelia walking toward him, her long crimson hair flowing behind her like a banner of flame.

Max stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Instructor Virelia.”

“Hm,” she responded with a curt nod, then glanced around at the gathered youths. “As you can see, this is the site reserved for Elite-Class geniuses—those chosen either by bloodline or performance. Every genius here is being advised by someone, guided by a mentor, an instructor, or a personal elder. You… are under my wing.” Her tone was calm, but her eyes were sharp, as if silently warning him that privilege did not come without expectations.

Max nodded, accepting her words with composure.

Lady Virelia turned slightly, her eyes drifting toward the center of the hall where ancient totems were being set up for individual meditation.

“One can only pass the True Inheritance Trial,” she began, her voice steady and clear, “by fulfilling two conditions—comprehending the truths of their chosen Totem Stones, and passing the test of the Nine Dragons Painting. Only then will the true benefits of the Black Dragon Palace’s legacy be granted.”

Max’s eyes flickered with resolve.

“What is the Nine Dragon Painting test?” Max asked, curiosity glinting in his eyes as he turned to face Lady Virelia.

Lady Virelia gave him a sideways glance, then answered in her usual calm, no-nonsense tone. “It is exactly as the name suggests—a painting, vast and ancient, depicting nine dragons, each one a manifestation of power, will, and law. But it is not just a painting… it’s a trial realm. You will be drawn into it, body and soul, and within that space, you must fight. Survive. Endure. However, there’s a catch.”

She paused briefly. “Inside the painting, you are forbidden from using any Concept except the Concept of Flames and the unique insights you gain from your chosen Totem Stones. The moment you activate another Concept—whether it be Sword, Space, Lightning, or otherwise—you will be rejected by the painting. That alone will end the trial in failure.”

“I see…” Max nodded thoughtfully, the restriction making sense to him. It was a clever and brutal way to refine one’s understanding of fire.

“How does one pass the test?” he asked after a moment, wanting to know the thresholds.

“It’s simple,” Lady Virelia replied, though her voice carried weight. “The Nine Dragon Painting is divided into nine floors, each one far more difficult than the last. If you can reach the fourth floor, you officially pass. That’s the minimum requirement to complete the trial. Reaching the fifth floor earns you additional rewards—sometimes a legacy, sometimes a rare treasure. The sixth floor is where true geniuses stand; that floor marks you as someone extraordinary.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “The seventh floor… that is where true geniuses of the Divine Realm dare to tread. Just reaching it makes you a candidate for the most elite forces in the Black Dragon Palace. The eighth floor… is considered forbidden. Very few have ever reached it in the long history of the Palace, and even fewer have returned from it unchanged. And lastly…”

She hesitated for just a breath, “the ninth floor. That floor is the realm of legends. No one, not a single soul from the Mortal Realm or even the Divine Realm, has ever reached the ninth floor since the painting’s creation. It is a threshold that has yet to be crossed.”

“Oh…” Max exhaled softly, his eyes widening with a flicker of intrigue. The more he heard about the Nine Dragons Painting, the more it called to something deep within him—something hungry for challenge, for the unknown.

But just as that fire began to burn hotter within him, Lady Virelia’s voice cut through his thoughts with quiet warning. “One can only attempt the Nine Dragons Painting three times,” she said, eyes calmly observing him, clearly sensing his eagerness. “So use those three chances wisely. Don’t be reckless.” Her voice was gentle, but the caution in her tone was firm, carrying the weight of experience.

It wasn’t just a trial—it was a crucible that could break a genius before they ever reached their potential.

Max nodded, the fire in his chest tempered by her words. He would not charge in blind. He wanted to try it, yes—but not without preparation. Not without the right understanding. He would not waste even one of his chances.

Bang!

Just then, a resonating bell echoed across the entire hall like thunder rolling across a quiet sky. The deep tone rang with ancient authority, shaking the ground slightly beneath their feet—it was the signal.

The official commencement of the comprehension period for the Totem Stones.

Lady Virelia turned her eyes toward the wide arched entrance leading to the inner sanctum. “The comprehension of the Totem Stones has begun,” she said calmly, then looked at Max. “Go on. You have two months to fully comprehend the Totem you’ve chosen. How far you go in this time will determine everything.”

She paused, her voice softening just a touch. “If you encounter anything you cannot understand… if your perception falters or your path becomes cloudy, you may come and ask me. I’ll be stationed just outside the Comprehension Hall during this period.”

Max gave a firm nod, inhaling deeply as if to steady himself for what lay ahead. And so, without a word, he turned and began walking forward—his steps steady, his heart calm, his mind sharp.

Around him, dozens of geniuses were moving toward the massive entrance that led into the Comprehension Hall, their faces focused, their eyes gleaming with ambition.

Max joined them, stepping into the flow of talent, a silent current of resolve burning within him.

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!