"You have grasped the surface of it, but that is not the whole matter," Lady Virelia said, her gaze steady as she looked at Max. Her voice carried a weight that made it clear the situation ran deeper than simple political pressure. "The Dark Phoenix Clan and the Heavenly Kirin Clan have already made their move. Each of them has sent a candidate from their younger generation to challenge you directly. Their condition is straightforward. If you are defeated, the Dragonheart Sword will be sealed once more and returned to the place where it remained untouched for thousands of years."
Max sneered faintly at her words, a cold glint flashing through his eyes. "Even if I were to lose," he said slowly, "do they truly believe that no one from the Black Dragon Clan would ever use that sword again? Do they think the blade would simply become irrelevant after tasting battle once more?"
