The shock from Max's eighth lotus petal had barely begun to settle when a sharp, excited voice broke through the crowd. "Hey—look! After the bloom of the eighth lotus petal… the Divine Path Lotus hasn't disappeared yet. Could this be…?
The words drew immediate attention like a spark in dry grass. Heads snapped toward the phenomenon in the sky, eyes widening as they realized the speaker was right—there was no sign of the Divine Path Lotus fading away.
The petals still shimmered, radiant and steady, as if they had no intention of leaving. Murmurs erupted instantly, the disbelief spreading through the masses like wildfire.
"How… how is that possible?" Thunder Lord's voice was unusually unsteady, the composure of the hall's master cracking as he stared upward.
