Ignoring the crowd and Zar, Maximus quickly made his way to his family.
"Husband!"
"Maximus!"
"Father!"
"Grandfather!"
Hearing their voices, seeing them safe and stronger than ever, Maximus heaved a sigh of relief.
Despite only a thousand years passing outside, countless epochs had elapsed for them within the trial.
He could endure it, but he didn't know if they could.
Seeing them energetic and unharmed, Maximus couldn't help but smile warmly.
After a brief reunion and inquiring about their well-being, his children quickly explained the situation.
"Hmm? That guy defeated Paragon?"
Looking at Zar, still staring at him with burning intensity, Maximus felt intrigued.
Over a hundred thousand times amplification, yet Zar stood as if it was nothing.
Even Maximus could only sustain such a state for a dozen seconds at most.
"Interested now?" Zar grinned.
For the strong, the chance to fight another powerful opponent was irresistible.
Unless one lacked confidence or courage, no one would back down from such a confrontation.
"Dad, let the world see why you're called the Supreme Primordial Candidate!" Max clenched his fists excitedly.
The rest of his family also cheered, eager to witness how far their father's strength had grown.
As for losing? That thought never crossed their minds.
To them, Maximus was invincible.
From childhood to the present, they had never seen their father defeated by anyone in the same realm.
Looking at their eyes brimming with admiration, Maximus couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"Then watch me beat the bad guys..."
Striding toward the arena, the crowd from the Dimensional Alliance and the Devourer Faction parted silently.
Passing by Paragon, Maximus paused.
"Be careful. He's strong," Paragon warned.
"Is that so?"
Jumping into the arena, he faced Zar, whose power remained amplified over a hundred thousand times.
"Your body is strong," Maximus remarked casually.
"Catch my fist first!"
Without further words, Zar lunged, his fist hurtling toward Maximus at full force.
Maintaining such a power boost without any visible weakness or damage amazed him.
The potential in Zar's body seemed immeasurable.
It was like an Overlord's body, capable of absorbing limitless power, as though pouring a bottle of water into a dam the size of an ocean.
As Zar reached Maximus at arm's length, his power peaked at a staggering million times amplification.
Without tricks or hesitation, Zar stretched out his hand, aiming to land a single, decisive punch.
"NOW DIE!"
"As do you,"
Not backing down, Maximus also clenched his fist, throwing a punch to meet Zar's.
BOOOOM!
With a clash of their fist, an explosion of energy instantly rippled across the arena.
As the shockwave spread, everything in its path began to disintegrate, ceasing into existence.
"Not good!"
Feeling the crushing pressure of death, the crowd began to panic.
No one had expected watching a fight between Tier 10 individuals could be deadly.
Though this was the Virtual Realm, the sense of looming death was far from false.
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Desperately trying to escape, the crowd watched in horror as the wave of energy advanced, ready to pulverize them.
"Noooooo!"
Just as they screamed in despair, a massive hand appeared, encapsulating the destructive energy and halting it in its tracks.
As the chaos subsided, the crowd, trembling and gasping in fear, turned their gaze toward the source.
Standing there was a figure they all recognized: Elvian Nexus, the Overlord of Virtuality.
"It's the Virtual Overlord! We're safe!"
Meanwhile, Maximus and Zar remained locked in place, their fists still connected, their eyes gleaming with mutual respect and intent.
Before Zar could attack again, an invisible force restrained him, binding him in place.
"Now, now. I can't allow further chaos in my territory."
"It's you! Elvian Nexus! Let go of me!" Zar growled, struggling against the invisible hand.
Unperturbed by Zar's protests, Elvian turned toward Maximus with scrutiny.
"It's time we formally meet; I'm Elvian Nexus, Overlord of the Virtual Realm."
"Maximus Shadowcrest." He simply said.
"You bastard! Let me go! I'm not done fighting!"
"Do you still want to continue?" Elvian ignored him, turning to Maximus.
"No. I think I've already shown enough..."