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

Once Lady Virelila's bet was finalized, a profound hush fell over the dome's interior. The whispers among the halls died away bit by bit, supplanted by a charged expectancy that hung in the atmosphere like the stillness right before a tempest.

Max lingered silently with the disciples from the Thirty Third Hall, his eyelids gradually descending as he shifted his focus deep within himself.

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

All those elements could wait for another time. Right now, his breaths grew even and measured. He guided the flow of his Divine Essence while executing the Primordial Elemental Scripture, steadying its movement along his meridians and through the lone divine vein that had unlocked inside him.

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

Moments slipped by in quiet succession.

Almost an hour afterward, activity rippled high above the dome's heart. Grand Elder Waller materialized once more suspended in the air, positioned directly over the golden path's gateway. His arrival demanded instant focus, silencing all chatter immediately.

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

He halted for a moment, surveying the assembled disciples 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 route. But don't confuse the lack of a time limit with any form of mercy. The deeper you press on, the more intense the strain will grow."

His stare grew piercing.

"The farther you venture, the richer the prizes you might claim. Hold out as long as possible. You'll only get removed if you black out inside the path. Up to that point, feel free to test your boundaries."

The golden trail below him pulsed softly, as though echoing his pronouncement.

With unyielding resolve in his voice, Grand Elder Waller declared, "Now, every disciple, step into the Path to Eternal Flames."

His command held the weight of an unbreakable verdict.

At once, action burst forth throughout the dome. Disciples of all Thirty Six Halls started moving ahead in structured lines, each group adhering to their hall's specific order. The hovering displays overhead flared more vividly, ready to broadcast the advancements of those about to plunge in.

Lady Virelila faced her disciples for one final glance.

"Go on ahead and give it your all," she instructed steadily, even as her gaze conveyed clear hopes.

The Thirty Third Hall's disciples responded with determined nods.

Leading the way were Aden, Dale, and Jane, the hall's foremost three talents. Their faces showed iron resolve, with their energies already subtly awakening in readiness. They moved straight toward the golden path without a second thought.

Max, Carl, and Laura came next in line behind them. The remaining disciples from the hall followed right on their heels, their steps resounding softly on the dome's sleek ground.

As Max neared the golden path's threshold, the warmth surged markedly stronger. The space in front of him wavered with thick fiery power. This wasn't a typical blaze that scorched from outside. It was an insidious energy that infiltrated the frame, challenging endurance from the core.

He lifted his eyelids unhurriedly.

The route extended onward resembling a stream of liquid gold, fading into folds of warped thermal haze far off. Past the initial segment, the doorway to the second pillar loomed just visible, shrouded in a richer scarlet 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 form in unseen strain. He held his ground without pulling back. Gritting his teeth, he advanced with another stride.

Dale and Jane came right after him.

Then Max made his move.

The second his sole met the golden surface, a torrent of blazing force swept into his frame. It didn't strike like a savage creature. It bore down on his flesh, filtered through his sinews, and tried to breach his meridians. The blaze burned hot, but with precision. It hunted for vulnerabilities instead of raw devastation.

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

Trailing him, Carl and Laura entered the path, their features hardening under the initial pillar's load.

Disciples from the remaining halls joined in one after another. On the screens floating high, various views started appearing, capturing the forward march of each hall's members as they pushed into the initial segment of the Thirty Six Pillars of Eternal Flames.

The challenge was underway.

From the instant the disciples planted themselves fully on the golden ground, the Path to Eternal Flames unveiled its genuine ferocity. What seemed serene from a distance turned into an unyielding ocean of burning force the more they delved. The blaze wasn't just on the surface. It pierced into skeletons and meridians, bearing down on heritage and soul in equal measure.

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

Up ahead marched the elite representatives from the diverse halls. Dale, Jane, and Aden of the Thirty Third Hall progressed with firm drive, their presences taming the surrounding fires as they moved on.

From rival halls, equally mighty participants charged ahead with poised assurance. These were warriors who had tempered their physiques and lineages to sharp perfection. The opening hundred miles unfolded beneath them with little pause.

Upon reaching the three hundred mile point, slight ripples started twisting in the air nearby. The fires thickened, and the golden light underfoot shifted to a richer tone, threaded with lines of ebony blaze.

Still, the vanguard didn't waver. A few unleashed mild draconic shifts, with faint armor plating emerging on their limbs. Others bolstered their forms using focused fiery core. Their advance stayed 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 wildly, whipping up twisting spires of fire that struck out like probing lashes.

Nevertheless, the mightiest in this leading wave broke past. Dale's face grew taut but stayed even as he covered the last distance over the line. Jane trailed near, her energy flaring with restrained power. Aden's strides landed solid and steadfast as he passed the barrier.

They formed the initial batch to finish the first pillar.