Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

Max blinked at him, stunned for a moment by the simplicity of his words. Then a dry smile tugged at his lips, bitter yet genuine. ”Follow what my heart desires, huh?” He shook his head faintly, his crimson hair falling across his glowing eyes. ”That’s easier said than done.”

But as he looked back at Lenavira’s still form, his expression steadied. He knew Lucien was right. His entire life—every battle, every step forward—had been nothing more than him following the voice of his own heart, no matter how reckless or dangerous. Lenavira’s case wouldn’t be any different.

”But... is there nowhere else I can find it?” Max asked, his brows furrowing as his crimson eyes burned with restrained hope. His fists loosened slightly at his sides. ”If there’s any way to get the Lotus of Clear Serenity without stepping foot into Bright Buddha Palace, then I would rather do that. I don’t want to risk waking what’s sealed there unless I absolutely have to.”

For a moment, Lucien said nothing. His red hair shimmered faintly under the lamplight as his expression shifted, thoughtful, almost reluctant. Then, at last, he spoke.

”There is another place where the Lotus of Clear Serenity can be found.”

Max’s eyes snapped toward him. His chest tightened, his voice quick and urgent. ”What? Where?”

Lucien leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. His gaze turned sharp, his tone deliberate. ”The Celestial Beast Temple.”

The name struck Max like a hammer. He blinked, his crimson aura flickering faintly. ”Celestial Beast Temple?” he echoed.

Lucien nodded. ”Yes. The place where the third portion of Mark’s soul was sealed. That temple stands upon the ancient battlefield where the four Divine Beasts first descended into our world, shaking the heavens and rewriting the land itself. It is a place steeped in primal power, where even time feels older.”

His tone grew heavier. ”But that temple is not always accessible. It only opens once every thousand years. You’re fortunate, Max—if I’m not wrong, the Celestial Beast Temple should open again in only a few months. If you truly wish to seek the Lotus, you can try your luck there.”

Max’s heart pounded in his chest. His crimson eyes gleamed faintly, flickers of both relief and apprehension crossing his face. A few months... that gives me another path. Another chance.

But Lucien’s voice hardened, his tone carrying a warning sharp enough to cut. ”However, do not take this lightly. You, who are already overflowing with infernal energy—if you step into the Celestial Beast Temple, where Mark’s third soul fragment is sealed, it may not end well. The temple’s seals are delicate, intertwined with the remnants of Mark’s power. Your presence might... stir it.”

Max’s fists tightened again, his wings twitching faintly behind him.

Lucien leaned forward slightly, his eyes glowing faintly red. ”So think carefully. Bright Buddha Palace is a trap you already suspect, and the Celestial Beast Temple is a snare tied to Mark’s soul. Either choice carries consequences far greater than just you or Lenavira. Either choice could shift the balance of the entire Middle Domain.”

For a moment, silence thickened between them. Then Lucien spoke once more, his voice calm, almost dismissive.

”Whatever you decide to do, know this: the second portion of Mark’s soul remains sealed safely within the Tower of Truth. No matter what happens in the Celestial Beast Temple, he cannot regain his full strength. On that, at least, you can rest assured.”

His words hung in the air, solemn and heavy.

Max stood in silence for a long moment, his crimson eyes burning faintly as he pondered over Lucien’s words. The room seemed to tighten with the weight of his thoughts, his infernal aura pulsing slowly, like a storm barely restrained. Finally, he raised his head, his voice low but steady.

”There’s something I’ve been wondering for a long time.” His gaze locked firmly onto Lucien. ”Can I devour Mark’s soul? You see... I have an ability that lets me devour certain things. Not just energy or power. Souls. I’ve done it before. I’ve erased fragments, consumed essence. So tell me—if I were to devour Mark’s soul sealed in the Tower of Truth, could I completely erase that portion of him?”

For the first time since their conversation began, Lucien’s casual composure shifted. His expression hardened, his eyes narrowing, his voice dropping into a tone as sharp as steel.

”Are you a fool?”

The words rang through the chamber, cutting cold. Lucien leaned forward slightly, his red hair falling across his eyes as his gaze bore into Max’s. ”You should never—never—underestimate Mark.”

Max’s brows furrowed, but Lucien continued before he could speak.

”There is a clear difference between him and me. I am called the strongest human of this world. That is true. But Mark...” Lucien’s eyes darkened, his tone filled with a weight that carried centuries of memory. ”...Mark is called the god of this world. Do you understand what that means? He was not revered as a genius, nor as a sovereign. He was worshiped. He was called a god because his strength had already transcended every boundary known to man. A god... is someone you cannot kill. No matter how hard you try.”

The room fell heavy with silence, but Lucien’s words pressed harder, his voice growing grim.

”The person who sealed Mark... came from the Divine Realm. Not a mortal, not a expert from our world, but a true being of that higher plane. And yet, even with all his power, even with every weapon and technique at his disposal—he could not kill Mark. Not even him.”

Lucien’s eyes gleamed faintly red, his tone turning colder. ”In the end, he had no choice but to bury Mark’s body, split his soul into three fragments, and seal each piece away in different corners of the world. That was the only solution. A half-measure. And even then—”

He paused, his voice dropping even lower. ”Even then, he underestimated him.”

Max’s breath caught. His crimson aura flickered violently.