Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 1383 Forces of the Verdant Sky Realm

After traversing the palace's inner hallways, Max and Lucia reached the entrance to Lady Virelia's quarters. The route to her chamber stayed hushed and grave, bordered by dark rock barriers carved with dragon motifs that appeared to pulse subtly with leashed might.

Carl had to stay back at that threshold, as only Max and Lucia could advance further, leaving him to watch over the area while the huge doors gradually sealed shut behind the pair.

The interior chamber stretched wide but remained stark, ruled by obsidian crystal supports and a subtle shimmer from shadowy fires that floated steadily in the atmosphere. Lady Virelia sat there already, her mere aura weighing down the area with commanding presence. As soon as Max caught sight of her, he moved ahead and offered a deep bow of respect.

"Master," Max greeted.

"I like what you did three months ago," Lady Virelia stated right away, skipping any small talk. Her eyes pierced keenly but steadily as they fixed on him. "I do not care what others may say. You were able to take that sword not because of luck or coincidence but because you possessed the ability to do so."

Without a break, she went on. "That sword has remained in the Treasure Hall for more than a millennium. Not a single disciple managed to even touch it, let alone claim it. You succeeded, and that means the sword rightfully belongs to you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master," Max answered with resolve. He had never once thought about surrendering the sword. It had selected him, and since the instant he seized it, it had merged into his journey.

Lady Virelia gave a nod of satisfaction. "Do not concern yourself with the Seven Main Families of the Black Dragon Palace. Even though they rule this place and possess immense authority, they are not so shameless as to seize something a disciple has lawfully obtained from the Treasure Hall."

With composure, she added, "When you face them, you only need to answer a few questions. Nothing more."

"I will keep that in mind," Max responded, sensing a bit of the strain lift away.

Lady Virelia's face grew even graver then. "The real issue does not lie with our Black Dragon clan. It lies with the other two clans within the Verdant Sky Realm."

"The other two clans?" Max inquired, truly puzzled. "Who are they?"

At that point, Lucia chimed in. "Have you not read the book about the Verdant Sky Realm? It lists all the major forces ruling our star realm."

Max chuckled dryly. "I was too absorbed in training and neglected to read it," he confessed. He dimly remembered Carl handing him that volume, yet back then, cultivation and readiness had swallowed up every bit of his attention.

For a short while, Lady Virelia observed Max quietly, as though assessing both his power and his readiness to bear the fallout from it. When she spoke once more, her tone stayed even and measured, but each phrase held undeniable weight. "Then it is time you learn. The sword you carry has placed you in the sight of forces far beyond the Black Dragon Palace alone. From this point onward, ignorance will only invite danger."

Slowly, she stood from her position and started to elaborate, her stare wandering as if summoning dusty tomes of lore forged in bloodshed and inferno. "The Verdant Sky Realm is ruled by two great factions. The first is known as the Divine Four Clans, which consist of the Azure Dragon Clan, the White Tiger Clan, the Black Tortoise Clan, and the Golden Phoenix Clan. These clans uphold ancient orthodox doctrines and present themselves as the guardians of balance within the star realm."

Her gaze grew a touch keener. "Opposing them are the Dark Trinity Clans. These include our own Black Dragon Clan, the Dark Phoenix Clan, and the Heavenly Kirin Clan. Though we are labeled as dark by the Divine Four, that title is born from ideology rather than morality. Our methods differ, our paths diverge, and because of that, conflict between the two sides has been inevitable."

Lady Virelia halted, giving Max space to take in the burden of her words. "Throughout history, the Divine Four Clans and the Dark Trinity Clans have clashed countless times. Entire star regions have been scarred by their wars, and generations have grown up beneath the shadow of these battles. Despite this, there exists a delicate equilibrium that prevents open war from erupting at all times."

Her pace slowed further, her voice shifting to a reflective hue. "Within the Dark Trinity Clans, however, there has always been a mutual understanding. The Black Dragon Clan, the Dark Phoenix Clan, and the Heavenly Kirin Clan do not merely coexist. They function as allies bound by shared interests and survival. This understanding has kept our side unified even when facing pressure from the Divine Four."

A quiet breath slipped from her as she arrived at the core truth. "Your actions have disturbed that balance. By taking the sword of the Sword Sovereign, you have unsettled the other two clans of the Dark Trinity. They are uneasy, not because the sword was taken, but because it was taken by a disciple of the Black Dragon Clan."

Her eyes locked back on Max, intense and searching. "To them, this symbolizes a shift. The Sword Sovereign was a figure respected and feared across the Divine Realm, and his blade carries authority beyond mere power. The Dark Phoenix Clan and the Heavenly Kirin Clan now fear that the Black Dragon Clan may gain an overwhelming advantage, and that fear has pushed the fragile mutual understanding to the brink of fracture."

In a hushed, firm tone, she wrapped up. "Whether you intended it or not, your rise has already begun to reshape the political currents of the Verdant Sky Realm. From this moment onward, every step you take will be watched, weighed, and judged by forces that do not tolerate uncertainty."

Max's brow furrowed sharply as Lady Virelia's words sank into his thoughts. He had never aimed for any of this. He sought no sway, nor had he desired to upset the tenuous harmony of the Verdant Sky Realm.

All he desired was a blade that echoed his way, a weapon that wouldn't break under his force or fail him amid combat. But that one decision had already dragged him into a tangle of rivalries vastly larger than his own scale. He exhaled gradually, calming his mind, before at last expressing the worry brewing inside him.

"So this is why I was summoned," Max stated, his voice steady yet tinged with discomfort. "Not only to be judged for taking the sword, but also because the palace intends to use me as a piece against the other two forces of the Dark Trinity. Is that correct?"