Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 1333 Meeting Alice and Lenavira!

With heavy, deliberate steps, Max approached Lucien and Freya, every movement burdened by the invisible pressure weighing upon his soul. The atmosphere surrounding him grew thick and distorted, as if the fabric of reality itself was fighting his existence. He halted a short distance away and observed them, his brows furrowing at the sight of their tranquil expressions.

"Don't you guys feel the pressure of ascension?" Max questioned, his voice remaining firm despite the underlying strain as he looked between the two.

"I don't," Freya answered with a soft smile, her posture completely at ease as if the world wasn't attempting to eject her. "When we descended into this mortal realm, my power was sealed by the world. What you've witnessed until now is merely a fraction of my true self. I have only unsealed enough power to function within this world without destroying it, and even now, my genuine strength remains suppressed."

She paused briefly before continuing in a calm tone. "Now that the ascension tunnel has been fixed, I can return to the Divine Realm properly. Once I arrive, I can utilize the divine energy of that realm to safely unseal the rest of my power. Because of this, the world does not view me as an entity that must be instantly expelled, so I am not suffering from the forced ascension pressure you are currently experiencing."

Max nodded slowly as the realization dawned on him. Prior to his conflict with Mark, he could have endured that level of pressure with little effort, so it was logical that Freya, whose foundation began far beyond this world, remained unaffected.

He then shifted his attention toward Lucien.

Lucien gestured lightly and released a soft sigh. "Don't look at me like that," he remarked with a subtle, weary smile. "I am a being born of this world, but I have been trapped at the peak of Divine Rank for years. This pressure you feel is something I have lived with for a very long time. Eventually, you simply become accustomed to it."

Max observed him for a moment before nodding. Now that Lucien had pointed it out, he could sense it. The pressure was present around Lucien, but it no longer bothered him; it was like a persistent background force he had learned to live with.

"I can ascend at any time now," Max stated quietly, casting his gaze toward the far horizon as if he could perceive what lay beyond the sky of Acaris. "The world is no longer concealing its intentions. However, before I depart, there is one matter I must resolve."

He turned back toward them with a resolute expression.

"I need to make sure someone inherits the crown."

"The crown has been hovering in the air above Acaris for three months," Lucien noted with a slight frown, looking up toward the sky as if sensing its distant presence. "It should still be seeking a worthy candidate, but it has not reacted to anyone yet."

Max exhaled a long sigh. Three months had elapsed since the war's conclusion, and peace had returned to the world, yet the crown remained without a master. He could feel its presence at all times—silent, watchful, and seemingly judging every soul beneath it.

"Do not worry too much," Freya said soothingly, her voice filled with quiet confidence. "The crown will not choose just anyone in a hurry. It searches for someone capable of sacrificing their own life, their loved ones, and everything they cherish for the sake of the world. Such determination is rare, and finding such a person will never be a simple task."

Max nodded, grasping the weight of her words. The burden of being a crownbearer was more significant than any cultivation realm, a fact the crown understood better than anyone.

"You should go and prepare for your ascension," Freya suggested with a playful smile. "I believe your two friends are waiting anxiously for you."

Max couldn't help but grin at that. He gave her a short nod, and in the next instant, his form blurred and vanished from sight.

Once he had departed, Lucien turned to Freya. "When will we be ascending?" he inquired.

"Just after my brother ascends," Freya answered without a second thought. "I will only feel comfortable following him once he has safely reached the Divine Realm."

Lucien nodded slowly. "Then I will handle a few personal matters," he said. "I will see you again when Max ascends."

Freya bowed her head in acknowledgment.

With a small smile, Lucien disappeared, leaving Freya standing by herself.

----

Alice and Lenavira stood together on the balcony of Alice's room in the Phoenix God Nation, the warm radiance of the setting sun painting their faces. Though the sky was vast and clear, both women appeared distant, their eyes reflecting a quiet sorrow they made no attempt to hide.

They understood the significance of this moment. Max's ascension to the Divine Realm was imminent, and regardless of how much they desired otherwise, they were unable to go with him.

Their current strength was far from enough to enter the Divine Realm. Ascension was a goal they both cherished, but it was a path that demanded time, effort, and endless challenges. For the time being, they could only watch and wait.

Just as the silence became stifling, Max appeared behind them.

"What are you two thinking about?" Max asked gently, wrapping his arms around them both and pulling them close, resting his chin softly upon their heads. He could sense the weight in their hearts even before seeing their faces.

Alice took a deep breath and looked up at him, her eyes burning with resolve rather than hopelessness. "We will ascend to the Divine Realm when we reach the peak of Divine Rank," she declared firmly, her voice steady and certain.

"Yes," Lenavira chimed in, nodding her agreement as she turned toward Max. "We definitely will ascend."