Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 1433 Second Trial Begins!

Once the bet from Lady Virelila was finalized, a thick quietness enveloped the dome's interior. Whispers among the halls died down bit by bit, giving way to a charged expectancy that hung in the atmosphere much like the stillness preceding a tempest.

Max remained still amidst the followers of the Thirty Third Hall, his eyelids gradually shutting as he turned his focus inward.

He refused to let the nearby Isabella Lumin distract him, nor the overwhelming presence of Zain Heron, and certainly not the radiant Red Horn Dragon bone that had flashed into view moments earlier.

Those elements could wait for afterward. Right then, his breaths turned even and measured. He guided the movement of his Divine Essence while executing the Primordial Elemental Scripture, steadying its passage along his meridians and through the lone activated divine vein in his form.

A subtle warmth emanating from the golden route in front grazed his awareness, but he chose not to fight it. Rather, he let himself attune to its essence.

Time slipped by in silence.

Almost an hour afterward, activity arose over the dome's heart. Grand Elder Waller materialized once more in the sky, his form suspended above the golden path's gateway. His arrival demanded focus right away, silencing all chatter instantly.

"I assume everyone has learned about the Path to Eternal Flames," Grand Elder Waller started, his words echoing sharply throughout the expansive dome.

He halted for a moment, surveying the assembled followers from the Thirty Six Halls.

"This trial carries no deadline," he went on. "Advance at whatever speed suits you. You're permitted to adjust slowly to the flames as you delve further along the path. But don't confuse the lack of a time limit with ease. The more you progress, the more intense the strain grows."

His stare intensified.

"The farther you push, the richer the prizes you might claim. Hold out as long as possible. Elimination strikes only if you black out inside the path. Up to that point, feel free to test your boundaries."

The golden path under him gleamed softly, as though echoing his statement.

With a tone of certainty, Grand Elder Waller declared, "Now, all disciples, step into the Path to Eternal Flames."

His statement held the weight of a decree.

At once, action burst forth throughout the dome. Followers from every one of the Thirty Six Halls started moving ahead in structured lines, each hall adhering to its particular order. The hovering displays overhead flashed more vividly, readying to broadcast the advancements of those about to proceed.

Lady Virelila faced her followers for a final glance.

"You all go ahead and do your best," she stated evenly, even as her gaze held clear hopes.

The followers of the Thirty Third Hall nodded with determination.

Leading them were Aden, Dale, and Jane, the hall's foremost three talents. Their faces showed unyielding resolve, their energies already subtly awakening in readiness. They moved ahead without delay toward the golden path.

Max, Carl, and Laura came next in line behind them. The remaining hall members followed right after, their steps resounding softly on the dome's smooth ground.

As Max neared the golden path's entry, the warmth surged markedly stronger. The space ahead rippled with thick fiery power. This wasn't a typical blaze that scorched from outside. It was an infiltrating energy that penetrated the frame, challenging endurance from the core.

He lifted his eyelids gradually.

The route extended onward resembling a stream of liquid gold, fading into folds of warped thermal distortions far off. Past the initial segment, the access to the second pillar was hardly visible, hidden by a richer red radiance.

Aden placed his foot on the golden expanse first.

As soon as it connected, a burst of dark flame power flared quietly around him, wrapping his figure in unseen strain. He held his ground. Instead, he gritted his teeth and advanced with another stride.

Dale and Jane came right behind.

Max then advanced.

The second his sole met the golden route, a torrent of blazing force swept into his being. It didn't strike like a savage creature. It bore down on his flesh, filtered into his sinews, and tried to breach his meridians. The blaze was intense, but polished. It hunted for flaws instead of raw ruin.

Max drew in a deep breath while channeling his Divine Essence to manage the fiery burden.

Carl and Laura entered the route after him, their faces stiffening under the initial pillar's load.

Followers from the remaining halls joined in sequence. On the screens floating high above, views started appearing from various perspectives, capturing the forward movement of each hall's members as they pressed into the initial one of the Thirty Six Pillars of Eternal Flames.

The test was underway.

Right when the followers completely touched the golden ground, the Path to Eternal Flames unveiled its genuine ferocity. The serene look from a distance shifted into an unyielding ocean of burning force the more they delved. The blaze wasn't just on the surface. It invaded skeletons and meridians, bearing down on heritage and soul equally.

Before long, gaps in base and power stood out clearly.

Up ahead raced the prime representatives from the diverse halls. From the Thirty Third Hall, Dale, Jane, and Aden progressed with firm drive, their presences calming the surrounding flames as they moved on.

Out of the other halls, equally powerful followers charged ahead with restrained assurance. These were people who had tempered their forms and lineages to sharp perfection. The opening hundred miles slipped past beneath them with little pause.

When they reached the three hundred mile point, slight ripples started twisting in the surrounding atmosphere. The fires thickened, and the golden light underfoot turned to a richer tone, threaded with lines of ebony blaze.

Still, the frontrunners didn't waver. A few unleashed mild draconic shifts, faint scales emerging on their limbs. Others bolstered their frames with focused fiery core. Their advance stayed cautious. It was calculated, purposeful, and unstopping.

In short order, a handful neared the one thousand mile line, marking the close of the first pillar. The blaze close to the edge spiked fiercely, creating twisting spires of fire that whipped out like probing lashes.

But the mightiest in this leading bunch broke past. Dale's face grew taut yet steady as he made his last strides over the line. Jane trailed near, her energy flaring with managed fervor. Aden's steps rang solid and steadfast as he passed the barrier.

They formed the initial batch to finish the first pillar.