CHAPTER 933: ANGER OF THE TWO LEADERS

The rest of the gathered geniuses and powerhouses, who floated silently in the air nearby, turned to look at Max with varied expressions—shock, curiosity, even fear. The scene inside the secret domain had already spread like wildfire among them: Max standing above piles of corpses, his name now associated with merciless slaughter.

"Hermes," a cold, commanding voice cut through the noise. Thunder Lord, the master of Thunder Monarch Hall, stepped forward, his sharp eyes glaring directly at Emperor Hermes. His voice carried the weight of absolute authority and killing intent. "If you don’t hand over Max right now, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

"Hermes, you heard them," Tower Lord of the Void Soul Tower said, his voice no less chilling, his black robe fluttering as a dark, oppressive aura spread from his body. "Max slaughtered countless geniuses this time. He’s a menace that must be killed."

Inwardly, Tower Lord seethed with unrestrained fury. The losses to the Void Soul Tower were catastrophic—elite talents they had nurtured for years, extinguished in the blink of an eye by Max’s blade. He could barely contain the urge to strike Max down himself.

The same hatred radiated from the Thunder Monarch Hall; their own losses were equally devastating, their reputation damaged beyond repair unless Max’s blood was spilled as compensation.

Emperor Hermes’ expression hardened, a rare solemnity crossing his face. He had anticipated conflict—after all, Max’s survival in the secret domain was sure to come at the cost of many—but he had not expected it to be this severe. The sheer scale of death surrounding Max shocked even him. Yet instead of deterring Hermes, it made him reassess Max entirely.

If before he had intended to protect Max simply because he was a member of the Great Ruler Empire, now he wanted to protect him for another reason entirely—his terrifying talent. Max wasn’t just another genius; he was a force of nature, and Hermes could not allow such a potential powerhouse to be destroyed, not while standing under his watch.

"Do you really want to cause war between three forces?" Thunder Lord said, his tone dripping with menace as dark purple lightning began to rumble around his body, twisting like serpents eager to strike. The air around him buzzed violently, charged with destructive energy.

From the other side, Tower Lord’s aura flared, black insect-like manifestations crawling in a chaotic swarm around him, their eerie buzzing filling the air as he fixed his gaze on Hermes. "You can’t save him today. I will kill him with my own hands," Tower Lord declared coldly, his voice carrying unshakable resolve.

The entire sky seemed to tremble under the oppressive pressure of these three legendary figures, and all eyes shifted to Emperor Hermes, waiting to see if he would protect Max... or step aside and let him die.

Hermes frowned deeply, his gaze fixed on the two enraged powerhouses standing before him, their killing intent directed squarely at Max. He could see the sparks of violence on the verge of igniting into something far greater.

His voice came out low and heavy, carrying the weight of authority. "You two should know better than anyone—whatever happens inside a secret domain, no one is ever held responsible." His words cut sharply through the tense silence, forcing many of the watching geniuses to glance at each other nervously.

"That’s right," another voice joined in, calm yet firm. President William of the Hunter Association stepped forward, his very presence causing the chaotic energy in the air to settle slightly.

His expression was composed but his words were filled with steel. "Frankly speaking, the two of you are overreacting far too much. We’ve encountered countless secret domains over the years, and yes, many young geniuses from major forces have perished within them. But never once has anyone been held accountable for those deaths. Today is no different. If someone dies in a secret domain, it’s simply because they were unable to protect themselves. That is the harsh reality we all accept when we enter."

"President William, are you trying to interfere in this matter?" Thunder Lord snorted, his voice laced with anger, the rumbling purple lightning around his body still restless and eager to explode.

President William’s smile was calm yet unwavering. "I don’t want to, but I have to. The Hunter Association exists to maintain peace in the Middle Domain, and what you two are doing right now is inviting war over something that, by all laws and precedents, should not even be questioned. That is something we cannot allow."

His voice grew colder, sharper, carrying enough weight to silence even the murmurs in the crowd. "Moreover... for those who don’t know, Max is not just some lone genius. He is a Guest Elder of the Hunter Association. Killing him would mean making an enemy out of us, and I promise you, the wrath of the Hunter Association is not something you want to provoke."

The announcement was like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through the crowd, murmurs breaking out among the watching geniuses and elders. A Guest Elder of the Hunter Association was no small thing; it was a position of immense respect and status, one often held by legendary figures or peak experts.

They were given authority above even ordinary elders of the seven major forces, and most importantly, their lives were under the direct protection of the Hunter Association itself. The implication was clear—Max was untouchable unless one was willing to wage war with the Hunter Association itself.

Thunder Lord and Tower Lord exchanged glances, their expressions tight with frustration and unwillingness. Max had caused their forces grievous losses inside the secret domain, and letting him walk away felt like swallowing poison. Yet, with the Hunter Association’s protection now publicly declared, and Emperor Hermes already standing before Max, shielding him, their options were limited.

Even as they communicated through voice transmission, trying to figure out some alternative means to deal with Max later, a sudden loud shout interrupted everything.

"Everyone, look above!" a voice from the crowd yelled, the panic in it enough to draw immediate attention.

Heads turned skyward, and instantly, countless expressions darkened. The entire sky was changing, rapidly turning black as ominous clouds gathered at incredible speed from every direction, spiraling toward a single point high above their heads. Wind howled violently, pressure thickening as if the heavens themselves were holding their breath.