Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 1451 Surpassing Isabella!

"He could probably hit the middle of the tenth layer at minimum, or even get close to its top," Lilith Carol remarked after thinking it over briefly. "What convinces me is the speed he used to push through the ninth layer. His showing there was nothing short of amazing."

A subtle shadow crossed Henry Lumin's face as he chimed in next.

"Isabella made it to nine thousand three hundred miles in the ninth layer before stepping into the tenth," he stated deliberately. "With the way Max is charging ahead right now, he's got a strong shot at beating what she did in this section."

His tone carried no resentment, yet the astonishment lingered clearly. He had figured Zain would outdo Isabella's feat, and that was fine by him. But seeing yet another prodigy emerge who could match or even top a Saintess in training? That was beyond what he had foreseen.

Matthew Grimes gave a slight nod.

"He ought to go beyond Isabella's mark," he commented with a relaxed grin. "Still, figuring out just how deep he'll venture into the tenth layer is a tougher call."

In contrast to certain others, Matthew's pleasure was real and wholehearted. Max had joined their group. Every progress he made along the Path to Eternal Flames boosted the Black Dragon Clan's reputation overall. Any peak he climbed would count toward their legacy.

That full approval wasn't universal.

Garry Heron kept a bit of distance from the rest, his face set in stiffness. Earlier, when Zain had stepped into the eleventh layer, joy had lit up his features. But now, no spark warmed his stare.

Just a chill darkness hung in it.

He had once tried pulling Max into the Heron Family. Offers had been made, pressure applied, all with the firm belief he could claim such a bright talent. But that push had fallen flat. Max hadn't come aboard. He had chosen another path instead.

The sting of that refusal still burned in Garry's thoughts.

Watching Max hold steady in the tenth layer, Garry's hands clenched a touch harder out of sight. His look held zero respect.

Just bitterness bubbled under the mask.

Max's ascent hadn't been limited to one moment. From claiming the Sword of the Sword Sovereign—a relic that had thwarted endless young talents—to besting skilled heirs from enemy clans, he had time and again proven he could upend the odds.

Here in the tenth layer of the Path to Eternal Flames, he was breaking the doubts of those who had written him off yet again.

Lady Virelia heard it all in silence, her face serene. A soft curve graced her mouth, but she offered no proud retorts like some family heads or elders might.

On the huge display, Max's form endured the wild blaze of the tenth layer, with turbulent fires whipping fiercely nearby.

Whispers from the onlookers kept building.

One fact stood out to all without question.

Max was far from your average talent.

"Look. Max has started moving."

An elder's call cut through the observation area, pulling every eye to the giant screen above. Right as he pointed it out, the figure that had paused at the tenth layer's start pushed onward.

Max moved ahead boldly.

The tenth layer's fires churned wildly beside him, their thickness way beyond the earlier parts. The turbulent flame laws in this place were sharp, crushing, and loaded with power. Still, he showed no strain. His stride stayed calm. It was even.

Nine thousand one hundred miles.

Nine thousand two hundred miles.

Each mark flashed briefly on the screen readout.

A heavy quiet dropped over the area while the crowd tracked the rising figures. They grasped the weight of the event unfolding.

Nine thousand three hundred miles.

The mark of Isabella Lumin's deepest push in the tenth layer.

Max kept his rhythm as he neared it.

Nine thousand three hundred and twenty miles.

Nine thousand three hundred and fifty miles.

He went past it.

Soft gasps rippled through the elders and students.

"He has surpassed nine thousand three hundred miles."

"He has broken the Saintess in training's record in this trial."

The truth hit the group like a weight.

Isabella's body went rigid.

Her stare stayed glued to the screen, her face draining of warmth bit by bit. She had observed his start with blended anticipation and fear. Deep down, she had hoped he'd stumble short of her benchmark.

Yet he didn't.

He cleared it smoothly.

The very flames that had halted her now gave way as he pressed on.

Isabella's hands shook a little before she balled them firm at her sides. The shame she had dreaded started forming in her thoughts. The bet she had struck with him flashed back sharp and clear.

He had now fully outdone her in the Path to Eternal Flames.

The Saintess in training had been eclipsed.

Her mouth formed a tight seal, and while she fought to stay collected, the dismay in her eyes gave away the chaos inside.

Nearby, the elders mixed shock with respect in their responses.

"Incredible."

"He truly surpassed her."

"Not only did he enter the tenth layer, he has now exceeded the Saintess in training's limit."

One elder shook his head in disbelief, hiding his wonder poorly.

"This disciple continues to defy expectations."

Even Henry Lumin paused in quiet, eyes pinned to the display. His look was grim, but he offered no rejection. The figures told the plain truth.

Matthew Grimes let a small smile return.

"He keeps surprising us," he murmured softly.

Victor Veron dipped his head in accord.

"This generation truly holds monsters."

High above, Max's shape kept pressing past nine thousand three hundred miles, with the tenth layer's blaze howling back in fury.

And every stride he made stretched the lead over Isabella even more.

"Damn this kid."

Seraphina Vale's jaw locked as she glared at the screen, her eyes keen like unsheathed swords. Max had already topped Isabella's record, and he showed no sign of easing up. The grudge in her stare was plain. Each move he made hit like a blow to her ego.

But around her, wonder was quickly overtaking the doubt.