The trio—Max, Victor, and Seraphina—moved deeper into the core region, joined by the other surviving geniuses who had only just arrived through the golden barrier. The moment they began their journey inward, they noticed how profoundly different this place was from any region they had traversed before.

In the outer and inner regions, every step forward had been a battle. Each trial was guarded by beasts, illusions, and traps designed to push them to the edge of despair. The air there had always carried a sense of danger, a silent warning that death could appear at any instant.

Here, however, the core region was quiet.

The stillness wasn't the kind that came before battle—it was the calm of sacred ground. The divine energy that filled the air earlier now grew thicker with every step. It wrapped around their bodies in invisible waves, nurturing their flesh and calming their minds. Each breath they took seemed to nourish their very souls. Even the faintest wounds from their earlier fights began to heal naturally as that divine essence merged into their systems.

Victor exhaled softly, his expression somewhere between awe and disbelief. "It's strange," he said. "After everything we went through to get here, I expected chaos. But this place… it's too peaceful."

Seraphina nodded, her crimson eyes scanning the luminous terrain around them. "Almost unnaturally so," she replied. "No beasts, no traps, no trials. It feels like the domain itself wants us to reach something."

Max didn't answer. His gaze remained fixed ahead, his senses spread out through the surroundings. The energy currents in this part of the world flowed with precision, almost as if guiding them somewhere. There was no malice in the air, no killing intent. Only direction—an invisible pull leading all of them toward the same destination.

As they continued walking, the scenery gradually began to shift. The glowing mist that had filled the area started to thin, revealing enormous stone structures rising from the ground. The terrain flattened, giving way to wide stone pathways engraved with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with golden light. The ground beneath their feet felt stable and sacred, like walking across the heart of the world itself.

After what felt like hours of silent travel, the path finally opened into a vast plain—and at its center stood a colossal circular arena.

The sight made every genius stop in their tracks.

The structure was massive—so large it could have easily held an entire city within it. Its walls were carved from smooth, radiant stone that shimmered with the colors of countless elements—red for flames, blue for water, gold for light, black for shadow, and silver for space. It was ancient beyond measure, yet perfectly preserved, as if time itself dared not erode it.

Pillars taller than mountains surrounded the arena, each one engraved with moving inscriptions that told stories of battles fought by gods and mortals alike. A faint hum echoed across the area, resonating with the rhythm of their heartbeats. The air inside the arena carried a pulse of energy that made the divine essence around them feel alive.

Victor stared at it in astonishment. "What in the world is this place?"

Seraphina's voice was low, almost reverent. "It feels like it was built by the gods themselves."

Max didn't respond immediately. He stepped closer, feeling the ground beneath his boots vibrate faintly with spiritual power. "This should be it," he said after a moment. "The gathering point. The place where the final trial will begin."

They walked closer, their footsteps echoing softly across the stone. As they neared the entrance of the massive arena, they could see movement within. There were already hundreds of geniuses gathered inside—some standing in small groups, others meditating in silence or discussing quietly. Their crowns gleamed faintly above their heads, and the aura radiating from them was nothing short of overwhelming.

These were the strongest of their generation, the ones who had entered the core region long before Max and the others.

Max recognized many of them instantly. Some bore the unmistakable markings of other worlds—their robes, their weapons, their energy signatures all distinct from those of his own realm. And among them, he could sense several golden-crowned geniuses, their presences sharp and imposing. They stood apart from the rest, their expressions calm yet filled with confidence.

Victor let out a soft whistle. "Looks like we're late to the party," he said, his tone half-joking but his eyes sharp as he observed the gathered figures.

Seraphina's gaze hardened. "These are the ones who led others into the core region," she said quietly. "The strongest geniuses from each world. They've already been waiting for something—maybe the next trial or the Divine Platform itself."

Max nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the arena. He could feel countless eyes turning toward them and the newly arrived group. The atmosphere changed subtly. The older arrivals, already familiar with each other's strength, now regarded the new entrants with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

"Let's go in," Max said, his tone calm but resolute.

They stepped through the open archway, the faint golden mist swirling behind them as if sealing off the outside world.

The moment they crossed the threshold, the arena seemed to come alive. The runes engraved across its vast surface shimmered faintly, responding to their presence.

The divine essence in the air grew denser still, to the point where even breathing felt like absorbing a constant flow of energy. Their bodies reacted instinctively, drawing in that essence to strengthen themselves further.

Victor clenched his fists experimentally and smiled faintly. "Even standing here increases my strength. This entire place is like a divine cultivation ground."

Seraphina nodded. "No wonder this is the core region. The energy here could make anyone stronger just by existing in it."

Max glanced around one more time, his gaze lingering briefly on the center of the arena. The ground there was engraved with an enormous sigil that pulsed faintly with light. The energy coming from it was deep and immeasurable. Whatever awaited them next would start there.

He could already tell—this was no longer a simple test of strength or comprehension. The core region was the stage where everything would converge.

"The Divine Platform should appear soon," Max said quietly.

Victor and Seraphina exchanged a look, both feeling the same thing. The calm before the storm. The silence before something far greater descended upon them.

As they stood within that colossal circular arena, surrounded by the strongest geniuses of countless worlds, all of them could sense it—the air trembling faintly as if the heavens themselves were preparing to open.

The final trial was drawing near.

Just as everyone in the arena waited for the Divine Platform to descend completely, the air grew heavier. A faint hum vibrated through the atmosphere, and the golden mist above began to twist slowly, forming intricate circular patterns as if the heavens themselves were preparing for something monumental.

The geniuses around the arena grew silent, their gazes fixed upward, anticipation and tension thick in the air.

While most of them focused on the sky, Max quietly stepped away from Victor and Seraphina. His eyes swept across the vast arena, and not far from where they stood, he spotted a familiar group—figures cloaked in black with faint black symbols glowing faintly on their clothing.

They stood together in perfect formation, calm and silent amid the restless energy of the crowd.

They were the Black Lotus Guild, his guild.

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