Grey didn't expect that he, someone in the Sixth stage of the Sovereign Plane would be able to actually force a Seventh stage Sovereign to advance. It's clear that no matter what the outcome of the battle is, Elder Benedict will benefit greatly from it. From what Grey knew, Elder Benedict has been stuck in the Seventh stage of the Sovereign Plane for almost a hundred and fifty years now.
Elder Benedict has been in the Pyrmond Faction for around three hundred years or so. If not for Grey and his friends who are advancing at a shocking speed, it's normal for a Sovereign to spend around ten years in a single stage. Some people are even stuck for around thirty to fifty years, especially once they are about to cross to the Mid or Late stages.