Even though Max had no clear idea where the Combat Tower of the Violet Star Palace was located, he did not slow down or hesitate. His Dimensional Sovereign Body spread outward silently, extending his perception across the vast surroundings like an invisible tide. Every structure, every pathway, every fluctuation of energy began to reveal itself within his awareness as he searched with precision.

After a brief moment of scanning, he found it.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Found it," he thought. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Without wasting another second, his figure shot forward, cutting through the air as he rushed in that direction with controlled speed.

The Combat Tower had always been one of his primary objectives.

From the very beginning, one of the main reasons Max had chosen to participate in the Smelting Trial was because of the existence of these towers. Now that he had finally arrived at the Violet Star Palace, there was no way he would ignore such an opportunity. The thought of entering the tower and uncovering what lay within stirred a quiet anticipation within him.

More importantly, he had a very specific goal in mind.

The other part of the Overlord Body Codex.

That fragment was somewhere within this tower, and Max had no intention of delaying its acquisition. He wanted to secure it as quickly as possible and put the matter to rest, so that his full attention could return to the Smelting Trial itself.

After experiencing the first trial, his perspective had shifted.

He had underestimated it at first, but now he clearly understood its true value. The Smelting Trial was not merely a test of ability. It was an opportunity to refine oneself, to push limits, and to achieve breakthroughs that would otherwise take far longer under normal circumstances. If he used it properly, his strength could rise significantly before the start of the Cosmic Ascension Conference.

That alone made it something he could not afford to neglect.

"I just hope entering the Combat Tower and taking the remaining part of the Overlord Body Codex does not create unnecessary trouble," Max muttered quietly as his speed slowed.

Soon, the towering structure came into view.

The Combat Tower stood tall and imposing, its presence radiating an ancient aura that seemed to press against the senses. It felt less like a building and more like a silent guardian that had existed for countless years, watching over those who dared to challenge it.

Max stopped a short distance away, his gaze lifting slightly as he observed it.

From what he understood, the Combat Towers across different forces were not completely independent. There was a deeper connection between them.

Since he had already reached the hundredth floor in the Combat Tower of the Black Dragon Clan, he believed that this tower would recognize that achievement. If his assumption was correct, he should be able to bypass the lower levels and directly access the highest floor here as well.

That thought alone made his eyes sharpen slightly.

However, before he could take a single step forward, a voice called out from behind him.

"Are you Max?"

The tone carried a mixture of curiosity and challenge.

Max paused and turned around.

A group of figures was approaching him.

As his gaze fell upon them, his expression shifted, becoming slightly more serious.

He did not recognize them personally, yet their faces were not unfamiliar.

They were all among the top ten of the Weapon Master Trial.

During the ranking display earlier, the system had not only shown names and scores but had also revealed the faces of the participants. Max had taken the time to observe them briefly, committing their appearances to memory.

Now, those same individuals stood before him.

Their presence was far from ordinary.

Each of them carried a powerful aura that set them apart from the rest of the participants. The pressure they emitted was steady and refined, a clear sign that they had all reached the peak of the Law Manifestation Realm. Even within a gathering filled with geniuses, their presence stood out without the need for words.

Yet among them, four individuals were noticeably different.

They did not simply stand out because of their cultivation, but because of the quiet authority in their bearing, as if they were accustomed to being at the center of attention. Their expressions remained calm, their gazes steady, and even the others in the group seemed to unconsciously give them more space.

A young man stepped forward first, a faint smile resting on his face as he looked directly at Max.

"Hehe, we have been looking forward to meeting you," he said, his tone relaxed and friendly, though there was a hint of curiosity hidden beneath it.

He placed a hand lightly on his chest as he introduced himself.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Jonathan Myres, a true disciple of the Violet Star Palace. You can simply call me Jonathan."

As he spoke, he gestured toward the group behind him, clearly intending to introduce the others as well.

"And they are—"

Before he could continue, a young woman stepped forward with graceful composure, her movements smooth and confident. Her presence carried a subtle elegance, yet there was no mistaking the strength hidden beneath it.

"I am Julie, from the Storm Alliance," she said, her voice calm and pleasant. "I have heard quite a lot about you."

Max looked at the two of them and gave a slight nod, acknowledging them without any unnecessary expression.

"Jonathan. Julie. It is good to meet you," he replied.

He recognized them immediately.

Jonathan had taken the second position in the first trial, while Julie had secured the third. Their strength and standing made their approach far more meaningful than that of the others.

However, the moment of civility did not last long.

A figure stepped forward from the side, his expression twisted with disdain, a cold sneer spreading across his face as he looked Max up and down.

"You do not look strong at all," he said, his voice filled with mockery. "So tell us, how exactly did you cheat your way to first place?"

Another stepped forward immediately after, his tone even more aggressive.

"Go on, say it. How did you do it, you cheater?"

The hostility in their voices was unmistakable.

Several others in the group watched silently, their expressions unreadable, as if they were waiting to see how Max would respond.