Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 1382 Trouble

With a broad grin spreading across his face, Max greeted, "Hello, Lucia," the instant he laid eyes on Lucia Grimes in person once more. Their previous encounter had been in Obsidian Dragon City, and countless years had slipped by since. Her presence in the Divine Realm evoked a subtle nostalgia, like an echo from his history suddenly resurfacing.

Lucia let out a soft sigh, gently massaging her temple while gazing at him. "Max Morgan…" she murmured. "Trouble always seems to chase you no matter where you turn."

Max gave a helpless shrug. "What can I say?" he responded. "It's hardly my doing that the sword I wanted turned out to be the Sword Sovereign's."

After a prolonged stare, Lucia drew in a deep breath. "Do you have any idea of the mess you've stirred up?"

"Tell me more," Max answered steadily. He was aware that plenty of folks eyed his sword greedily, yet he figured that wasn't cause for real concern. After all, he wasn't about to surrender it just because someone asked.

Folding her arms across her chest, Lucia's face grew stern. "Over the last three months, just one name has resounded across the Divine Realm," she explained deliberately. "Max Morgan, the man who snatched the Sword Sovereign's blade."

She halted for a moment, then went on. "What you've done has pulled the whole Verdant Sky Realm into the spotlight of various second-rate and even first-rate star realms. Luckily, our third-rate star realm, the Verdant Sky, holds enough power to hold its ground. If not, hordes of lesser third-rate star realms would have swarmed us already, all eager to claim that sword from your grasp."

A wave of real surprise washed over Max at her words. He had expected taking the sword to create some uproar, but never dreamed it would attract notice from the entire Divine Realm, much less from superior star realms.

This exceeded his preparations by a wide margin, and for the first time after acquiring Dragonheart, Max fully realized the burden now in his possession.

Sighing as Lucia's revelation sank in, Max admitted, "This is quite the hassle."

"Quite the hassle?" Lucia's eyes narrowed, and she shook her head in astonishment. "You really lack any sense of proportion," she remarked before pivoting away. "Come with me."

Lucia started guiding Max from the cluster of disciples without waiting for his reply. The throng, moments ago filled with eager schemes and bitterness, automatically cleared a path for her.

Max refrained from asking their destination. Right then, his main thought was to separate himself from the anxious mob that appeared intent on shadowing his every move.

Soon enough, they reached a gigantic teleportation portal. This one dwarfed any Max had encountered previously, etched with intricate runes that throbbed softly with energy. The surrounding atmosphere hung thick and warped, as if reality was bending and squeezing to ready for the journey.

Carl's voice rose evenly as they neared. "Max, here's our teleportation portal. It lets disciples journey to any spot in the Verdant Sky Realm. Certain forbidden areas are off-limits to regular disciples, but beyond them, it links to nearly all key parts of the realm."

"Oh," Max responded, a spark of true curiosity lighting his features. The effortless utility of the portal highlighted the immense, organized scale of the Divine Realm. Simultaneously, he pondered with growing intrigue just where Lucia planned to lead him.

Turning to her, Max inquired, "Where to?"

Lucia's gaze stayed locked on him. "To see Aunt Virelia," she replied. "The chaos you've unleashed this time can't be ignored so easily. You'll need to face the consequences."

Though her statement made Max's brow crease a bit, he held back from probing deeper. No matter what lay beyond the portal, he understood evasion was no longer possible.

As they passed through the portal, Lucia continued in a composed yet firm tone, "You should have been called the second you claimed that sword. But you went into seclusion right away, and nobody risked interrupting. Now that you're out, postponement ends here. You have to confront the Seven Main Families head-on."

Max's forehead furrowed again at "The Seven Main Families?" The phrase lingered in his thoughts. He had a rough notion of its implications, but stating it outright added undeniable gravity. He kept quiet, opting to watch and wait instead of guessing, certain that clarity would come shortly.

Behind them, the portal's glow dimmed, revealing a breathtaking vista to Max that left him speechless. A enormous palace loomed ahead, immense and boundless, dominating the skyline as if it ruled supreme on its own.

Towering walls of dark stone ascended toward the heavens, inscribed with age-old draconic symbols that glowed subtly in deep red hues. Enormous columns resembling twisting black dragons upheld grand arches, their eyes almost watchful as they overlooked newcomers.

Along the palace's outlines, dark flames flickered persistently, not devouring the material but strengthening it, infusing the whole expanse with an air of unending supremacy.

The estate sprawled in tiers and vastness, featuring numerous levels, soaring walkways, and airborne platforms held aloft by mysterious means. Over it all rose a primary tower so lofty its summit dissolved into ominous clouds teeming with draconic essence.

Amid those clouds, vague outlines of massive dragons glided lazily, their distant bellows rumbling like celestial storms. The very atmosphere pressed down here, laden with intense force that conveyed command, might, and total mastery.

Observing Max's awe, Lucia spoke measuredly, "This is the Black Dragon Palace. The genuine seat under the direct rule of the Seven Main Families."

In quiet awe, Max scanned the intricate features of the imposing edifice. At that instant, he comprehended that his prior experiences had merely touched the surface of the Divine Realm's real power.

No simple home or base, this palace embodied rule, a nexus where the mightiest clans' influences united—and now, due to a single sword, he found himself at its core.