Max left the house after seeing her message, but when he reached the entrance of Phoenix City, he was once again stunned.

The last time Max had come here, the sun had just begun to rise, bathing the city in soft, golden hues. Now, as evening settled in, Phoenix City transformed into a spectacle of lights that was nothing short of mesmerizing.

From the outside, the entire city radiated brilliance, its glow a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. Phoenix-shaped lanterns illuminated the air, their fiery light dancing gracefully as if alive. Intertwined with them were dragon-like figures that slithered through the skies, trailing streaks of ethereal luminescence.

The harmonious blend of traditional charm and modern vibrancy turned the city into a breathtaking canvas of glowing artistry, leaving Max awestruck by its beauty.

'This is breathtakingly beautiful,' Max thought, his eyes glowing as he took in the scene.

Entering the city again, it didn't take him long to find the Ember Heart Hall. It turned out this hall was just a short distance from the entrance and was actually a popular hangout for young geniuses.

Upon entering the hall, Max looked around for a moment before spotting a familiar figure sitting alone at a table in the corner.

He immediately headed over and sat at the chair opposite her.

"Hey," Max greeted her.

Alice turned to look at him, her expression solemn. "I couldn't find the person you asked about in our guild."

Max shrugged. "Maybe she didn't join the guild like she said she would."

Alice glanced at him. "When I couldn't find her, I did some research on you."

Max's heart thumped as she said that. "And?" he asked.

"I found out that you lived with your parents until you were 10, when they died in a dungeon. After that, you've been living alone for the past five years," she said, looking at Max.

'Huh? The information is completely wrong.' He thought wondering if Alice had mistaken or someone had been hiding his true identity, his family, and everything about him.

Max nodded with a depressed sigh. "I wasn't living alone. I had an aunt, Aunt Freya, who took care of me from time to time, but I haven't seen her lately, so I thought she might be in this guild."

Seeing the sadness and pain etched across Max's face, Alice's expression softened. She spoke gently, her voice filled with sincerity. "I'm sorry for bringing this up. I didn't mean to upset you."

"No, no, it's fine," Max said, shaking his hands. "I was about to ask you today to check my house. After I escaped that situation last time, I haven't gone home, fearing the Blades would be waiting for me there."

Alice's eyes blazed suddenly as she heard him. "I completely forgot about that," she said, glancing at Max. "How did the purple lantern not respond to your blood, and how did you control it to disappear from there?"

Max's expression turned incredibly serious at her question, his demeanor shifting instantly. He hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully, before finally speaking. "You must promise me," he said, his voice low and firm, "don't tell anyone about this. If word gets out, I'll be hunted across the entire East Region."

Alice nodded solemnly, her curiosity deepening at the weight of his words. The suspense hanging in the air was palpable, and she leaned in slightly, eager to hear more.

Max let out a heavy sigh, his gaze momentarily distant before he finally spoke again. "It's a secret. I can't tell you."

"…"

Alice stared blankly at Max, her expression frozen in disbelief for a moment. Then, in a burst of frustration, she jumped to her feet, her fists clenched as if she were ready to throw a punch.

"Ah, you're so hateful!" she shouted, her voice carrying a playful edge despite the annoyance in her words. Explore more at empire

Max couldn't help but chuckle, raising his hands defensively. "Hey, hey! I was just messing with you. Don't take it so seriously!"

Alice huffed, crossing her arms as she glared at him, though a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're impossible," she muttered, trying to suppress her grin.

Max smiled and asked, "I take it you're not here just for my aunt's matter, right?"

Alice nodded as she sat down. "Big Sis Sophia is very impressed with your strength, and she has a deal for you."

"A deal?" Max became interested. "Let's hear it then."

Alice leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she elaborated. "Here's the deal. Big Sis Sophia wants you to make your mark in the Battle Realm. The more battles you fight and win, the better. If you manage to break into the top 20 of the Novice Rankings, you'll be exempt from dungeon raids and receive a steady supply of cores and resources to enhance your level."

She paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in, then continued, "If you push further and reach the top 10, you'll be rewarded with Apprentice Rank cores and the chance to choose from a variety of advanced skills. But here's the kicker—if you make it into the top 5, Big Sis Sophia will personally train you."

Max arched an eyebrow, his intrigue evident. "The offers are quite tempting," he said, his tone thoughtful as a sly smirk crept onto his face. "But tell me, what's in store for the one who claims the number one spot?"

Alice smirked, leaning back in her chair as if she had anticipated the question. "Ah, the number one rank," she said, her tone carrying a hint of excitement. "If you reach the top—surpass every other novice—you won't just earn rewards. You'll be given the honorary title of Phoenix Champion, a legendary recognition within the guild."

She added, "Along with it, you'll receive treasures that most can only dream of: a set of custom-made enchanted equipment, a rare elemental core that could enhance your power manifold, and access to the Phoenix Vault for a full day."

She leaned forward again, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "And there's one more thing—Big Sis Sophia has promised that anyone who achieves the number one rank will get the chance to learn the guild's secret Phoenix Flame Technique, a power so coveted it's only ever been taught to the most loyal and powerful members."

Max's smirk deepened. "Now that's something worth aiming for," he said, the challenge lighting a fire in his eyes.

Max's smirk deepened as his thoughts raced. He had been itching for a chance to take down the so-called number one in the Novice Rankings, Killian Blades, and now he had a genuine reason to do so.

Not only would it satisfy his desire to knock Killian off his pedestal, but it also solved a significant dilemma—he wouldn't need to ask Master Sophia for guidance on Aura. She would become his teacher automatically once he claimed the top spot by defeating Killian. It was the perfect plan.

'Even god wants me to beat him up,' Max smiled.

"Hoho, what do we have here?"

Just then, a teasing voice echoed throughout the hall, and a young man with a group of other young men entered.

"Alice, how have you been?" The young man leading the group arrived in front of her and sat at one of the chairs beside the table.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay