Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 1655 Max's Caution!

However, just as the complaints were about to escalate further—

Boom!!!

An overwhelming surge of sword intent erupted fiercely from Ray's person. The razor-sharp pressure that swept out across the platform caused the expressions of multiple participants to shift in an instant. Ray's eyes adopted an incomparably frigid coldness.

"Anyone who dares to interfere…" His voice turned utterly chilling. "…shall meet their end first."

An immediate silence descended following his declaration. No one harbored any doubt regarding the gravity of his words. Ray Willer held the second position in the Survival Trial's rankings. And unlike the typical participants hailing from the lower tiers, every individual present on the eighth layer clearly comprehended the sheer terror associated with someone capable of achieving such a high standing.

Jonathan let out a sudden burst of laughter from the side. "Hahaha! How interesting!" Casually balancing his spear across his shoulder, he glanced between Max and Ray with evident excitement. "So, you've finally decided to settle this out in the open, haven't you?"

Julie also gradually retreated, brushing away the lingering spiritual energy from her body. "This platform is already chaotic enough," she stated calmly. "Watching the two of you clash might prove to be even more entertaining."

Several other top-tier geniuses exchanged significant glances. While some clearly displayed displeasure at being thwarted in their competition for the cave, none genuinely desired to become entangled between Max and Ray at that precise moment. The palpable killing intent radiating between them had escalated to an overwhelming degree.

Subsequently, one participant after another began to cease their battles, gradually withdrawing towards the platform's periphery. The central area of the battlefield slowly became entirely vacant. Only Max and Ray remained, standing in opposition.

Fierce winds continuously swept across the eighth layer, causing both of their robes to flutter sharply in the turbulent air. A terrifying pressure spread unceasingly between them, as if the very fabric of space around them had become destabilized. Ray's sword intent grew progressively sharper as he maintained his direct gaze upon Max.

Meanwhile, Max offered a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "So impatient?" Max inquired with composure. Ray's eyes narrowed dangerously in response.

"You should understand by now," Ray replied coldly, "that I have been anticipating this very moment since the commencement of the trial." The killing intent within his voice was no longer even remotely concealed. It erupted forth, unrestrained.

At that exact instant— Everyone situated on the platform grasped something profound. This was not merely an ordinary contest over a cave treasure. It represented a monumental clash between two formidable beings positioned at the absolute apex of the Survival Trial.

Max silently observed Ray, his eyes narrowed, while faint wisps of seven-colored lightning continuously flickered around his body, resembling restless dragons coiling through the celestial expanse. For reasons unknown, Ray emanated an unusually perilous aura that Max found concerning.

This sensation was not solely attributed to Ray's raw power, nor was it merely a consequence of his daunting rank within the Survival Trial. Max had previously confronted numerous formidable geniuses, including adversaries whose combat prowess significantly exceeded that of ordinary cultivators within the same cultivation realm. Throughout his journey, he had encountered an innumerable host of monstrous talents and truly terrifying enemies.

Yet, the feeling Ray evoked was entirely distinct. There was something lurking beneath the surface—something so perilous that it compelled even Max to exercise instinctive caution.

The recollection of Ray's earlier pronouncements gradually resurfaced within Max's mind. Hunter and prey. Ray had unequivocally stated from the outset his intention to end Max's existence within the confines of the Survival Trial. The more Max contemplated this, the graver the situation appeared in his perception.

Within the Soul Sealing Painting, death was ostensibly not a tangible reality. Under normal circumstances, upon a participant's defeat, their soul would simply be ejected from the painting, safely returning to their corporeal form outside. Such was the foundational rule governing the trial.

Nevertheless, despite this clear understanding, Ray spoke with absolute conviction about extinguishing Max's life. "Could he truly possess some means capable of ending me within this place?" Max pondered inwardly. His expression gradually grew more serious.

Max had never once underestimated the major powers of the Divine Realm. Especially not a terrifying entity such as the Sword God Palace. That faction stood at the zenith of sword cultivation throughout the entirety of the Divine Realm. Their foundations were immeasurably profound, and their methodologies and inheritances were so ancient and enigmatic that ordinary individuals could never fully fathom them.

And Ray Willer—He demonstrably held connections with them. That singular fact was sufficient grounds for Max to maintain extreme vigilance.

While Ray himself might not be the direct threat, the methods, artifacts, and concealed trump cards tied to the Sword God Palace absolutely held the potential to be.

At that precise moment, Ray observed that Max had not yet initiated an attack.

A chilling smirk gradually materialized on his face.

"What?" Ray inquired with blatant mockery. "Are you already faltering?"

His words were imbued with a clear sense of ridicule and contempt.

The cultivators situated nearby immediately directed their increased attention toward the brewing confrontation between the two formidable figures dominating the center of the arena.

Ray slowly raised the blade he held, his gaze unwavering and fixed intently on Max.

"You know..." he stated with apparent calmness, though the deep-seated animosity concealed within his voice grew more pronounced with each passing second, "I have harbored the desire to put you in your place for a considerable duration."

A piercing sword intent began to emanate outwards from Ray's form, accompanied by a ferocious surge of spiritual energy that swirled around him akin to an impending tempest.

"It incensed me to witness someone like you achieve renown so swiftly."

His tone grew progressively colder with every syllable he uttered.

"You materialized from obscurity, claimed the sword once wielded by the Sword Sovereign, and suddenly, the entirety of the Divine Realm was abuzz with talk of you."

The grip Ray maintained on his sword noticeably tightened.

"And all the while..."

A glint of menace gradually surfaced in his eyes.

"I endured centuries of combat, dedicated myself to cultivation, spilled my blood, and fought relentlessly to ascend."

His voice escalated gradually as the emotions churning within him became increasingly volatile.

"My efforts surpassed those of countless others."

"My training was ceaseless."

"I vanquished prodigy after prodigy."

The sword intent radiating from his being grew progressively sharper and more aggressive.

"Yet, not even once..."

The aura of killing intent enveloping Ray intensified dramatically.

"Not once did the world bestow upon me the same recognition they granted you."

The surrounding ambiance grew thick with tension as all present listened to his pronouncements in silent attention.

Even Jonathan Myres' countenance shifted towards a contemplative expression.

Concurrently, Ray's stare directed at Max became ever colder, as if years of pent-up resentment and frustration were finally erupting into the open.

"In their eyes, you are the ascendant genius of this era."

"In their eyes, you are the designated successor of the Sword Sovereign."

A sneering expression gradually formed on his face.

"But to me..."

Boom!!!

His sword intent unleashed with explosive force across the entire platform.

"You are merely a fortunate usurper who happened upon a sword!"

Overwhelming pressure surged outwards instantaneously, causing the very stone beneath Ray's feet to fracture, while razor-sharp sword intent propagated through the vicinity like unseen blades scything through the air.

The nearby participants instinctively recoiled further, registering the terrifying sharpness emanating from his person.

"And today..." Ray continued with a chilling tone, slowly directing his sword squarely at Max, "I shall unveil the truth for all to witness."

His eyes blazed with lethal killing intent.

"I will demonstrate to the world precisely how insignificant your true strength is."