Max had been following the group for hours, his steps soundless as he moved behind them at a careful distance. Yet no matter how far they traveled, the wasteland showed no sign of ending. The violet ground stretched endlessly in every direction, broken only by withered trees and bleached bones. It felt like an infinite stretch of desolation.
'It is fortunate that the Heavenly Lord Secret Domain has no time limit,' Max thought, his eyes steady as he continued to trail them. 'I can take my time here without needing to rush. The trial will reveal itself sooner or later.'
Hours turned into a full day. Nothing appeared to them—no ruins, no treasures, no trials—only the same barren wasteland. But as time passed, one change became undeniable. The pressure pressing down on their bodies grew heavier with each step.
