CHAPTER 934: MYSTERIOUS LEADER OF THE OBSIDIAN ORDER

"What’s going on?" someone asked, their voice trembling slightly.

"This... this couldn’t be the Wrath of the World, right?" another said, eyes wide, their face paling.

"Seems like it... but who in their right mind would attempt to break through to Mythic Rank here, in such an unstable place and without proper preparation?" an elder muttered, his voice grim.

The oppressive aura grew heavier, thunder rumbling within the gathering storm clouds, carrying a destructive energy that sent chills through even the most hardened warriors present.

Whatever was happening above them was no ordinary phenomenon—and everyone instinctively felt that something far greater and more dangerous than their petty conflict was about to unfold.

Looking at the thick black clouds churning ominously above their heads, everyone present came to the same terrifying conclusion—someone was attempting to level up to Mythic Rank.

In this world, there were only two advancements that could provoke the dreaded descent of the Wraith of the World: the leap to Mythic Rank and the even rarer breakthrough to Divine Rank. Both events shook heaven and earth and invited punishment from the very laws of the world itself.

But just as whispers of confusion began to ripple through the gathered experts, a massive golden lotus manifested in the sky. It was not yet in bloom, its petals tightly closed, forming a massive, elegant bud that radiated golden brilliance across the darkened sky.

"Divine Path Lotus!" one elder exclaimed in shock, his voice trembling. "And... it’s still a bud? No petals at all? How is that even possible? A Divine Path Lotus like that belongs to someone advancing only to the Master Rank!"

"And yet it triggered the Wraith of the World?" another expert shouted, his disbelief mirroring everyone else’s. "Who could possibly be such a monster to provoke this kind of reaction from heaven itself with a Master Rank advancement?"

All eyes were locked on the golden lotus bud floating amidst the black storm clouds, curiosity and fear painting every expression. Who owned this Divine Path Lotus? Who could be powerful enough to cause this yet abnormal enough to have no petals bloomed?

"It’s Max," President William said suddenly, his voice calm but edged with astonishment. His gaze was locked firmly on Max, who now shone with a radiant golden hue, his entire figure enveloped in dazzling divine light.

The crowd turned instantly, their eyes landing on Max, who floated quietly in mid-air, seemingly unconcerned as all heaven and earth focused on him. Gasps filled the air.

"How can he cause the Wraith of the World when he’s only leveling to Champion Rank?" Emperor Hermes said, his brow furrowed deeply as his gaze swept from Max to the unusual Divine Path Lotus. "And why hasn’t a single petal bloomed on his Divine Path Lotus?"

A voice transmission reached his ears—Princess Lyra’s soft but solemn voice. "Father, when Max advanced to Master Rank, his Divine Path Lotus didn’t appear at all. This is the first time it has manifested."

Emperor Hermes’ frown deepened further, a rare shadow crossing his normally steady face. There were unshakable rules to the paths of power: upon breaking through to Master Rank, one’s Divine Path Lotus would appear and bloom its first petals.

Upon stepping into Mythic Rank, the heavens themselves would answer with the Wraith of the World. Yet Max had broken both conventions—his lotus had never appeared at Master Rank, and now, with just a step into Champion Rank, he was invoking heaven’s wrath. It was an anomaly that even someone of his experience could not fully comprehend.

"Everyone, stay as far away from Max as possible!" President William’s commanding voice boomed, snapping everyone out of their stupor.

In an instant, reality crashed back into focus, and every powerhouse present hurriedly retreated. Their bodies blurred into streaks of light as they fled backward, widening the distance until Max floated alone in the center, an empty three-kilometer radius forming around him.

Max floated calmly, his golden aura intensifying as the black clouds swirled tighter above him, thunder rolling violently in response to his presence. He gazed upward at the massive golden lotus bud and the storm clouds brimming with destructive lightning. His lips curved slightly, and his eyes sharpened with resolve.

’Wraith of the World? This time, I should be able to withstand it,’ he thought, locking his focus on the lotus and the oncoming storm, his entire body bracing for the judgment of heaven itself.

"This is very interesting," the Palace Master of the Absolute Sword Palace muttered, his usually calm and composed expression betraying a spark of curiosity.

In all his years of ruling one of the most formidable forces in the Middle Domain, he had never once heard of such abnormalities. The Divine Path Lotus appearing late, its petals completely closed, and yet triggering the Wraith of the World during what should have been a mere Champion Rank breakthrough—this was unprecedented.

Even for someone who had witnessed countless experts ascend to power, this was something entirely new. He folded his arms and fixed his gaze on Max, eager to see how this would unfold.

"Of course this is interesting," Guild Master Orion of the Eternal Sun Guild said with a laugh that carried equal parts amusement and respect. "Max possessed the combat strength of a Legend Rank expert while still at the Master Rank. Even Heaven Grade geniuses pale compared to him. If there’s ever a chance to witness the birth of another Star Grade genius in this era other than Lucien and Freya, I’d say this is it."

"Star Grade genius?" Thunder Lord scoffed openly, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. His eyes narrowed, his face hard with disdain. "You think too much. Star Grade geniuses grow at a rate that defies logic itself. Both Lucien and Freya skyrocketed through the realms, their growth completely unreasonable. And this brat? He hasn’t even reached Champion Rank yet. Humph. Don’t throw the term ’Star Grade’ around so easily."

But before anyone could respond, a cold yet oddly commanding voice echoed among them. "This is indeed interesting."

A figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his presence so sudden and quiet it sent a ripple of shock through the crowd. He wore a distinctive tiger mask that obscured all but his piercing, predatory eyes, which glowed faintly beneath the mask. His aura was deep and oppressive, hinting at unimaginable strength tightly leashed under layers of control.

"I sensed the aura of the Wraith of the World from afar," the masked man said, his voice like distant thunder rolling over a stormy sea. "And to think it was caused by a mere Master Rank kid... truly fascinating. We might very well be witnessing the rise of another Star Grade genius."

The gathered powerhouses stiffened, eyes widening as recognition dawned on their faces. The man before them was none other than the mysterious leader of the Obsidian Order, a figure both feared and respected across the entire world—a being whose strength was rumored to be unmatched, shrouded in secrets and speculation.

His sudden appearance made the air itself feel heavier, as though the heavens had descended just to listen to his judgment.

Even Thunder Lord and Tower Lord, who had been fuming moments ago, instinctively restrained their auras, their expressions tightening with unease. The leader of the Obsidian Order rarely appeared in public, and his showing up here was proof that whatever Max was doing had transcended ordinary curiosity and reached a level that drew even the eyes of monsters.