Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

Chapter 1431  Rivalry between halls!

Just as Lady Virelila finished speaking, a presence approached from the side with deliberate, unhurried steps. The faint scent of burning incense followed her arrival, and the air around her carried a sharp undertone of restrained flame energy.

Max turned slightly and saw another woman stop a short distance away from them. She appeared to be in her early thirties, her features refined and coldly beautiful, her crimson robes embroidered with patterns of coiling dragons formed from silver thread.

Lady Virelilaʼs eyes shifted toward the newcomer, and the faint softness in her expression vanished.

”Elder Seraphina Vale,” Lady Virelila acknowledged calmly.

The woman smiled, though there was no warmth in it. Seraphina Vale was the elder of the Twenty Third Hall, a hall long known for its aggressive cultivation methods and its pride in producing flame specialists. Her gaze swept across the disciples standing behind Lady Virelila, lingering briefly on Max before returning to Virelila.

”Virelila,” Seraphina said lightly, her tone smooth but edged with sarcasm, ”it seems you have gathered some promising disciples this time. I heard your hall barely managed to secure a few notable recruits during the last selection.”

The words sounded polite on the surface, yet the implication was clear.

Lady Virelilaʼs lips curved into a faint smile of her own. ”Your concern for the Thirty Third Hall is unexpected. I did not realize the Twenty Third Hall had spare attention to worry about others.”

Seraphinaʼs eyes narrowed slightly, though her smile did not fade. ”It is only natural to be curious. After all, the Thirty Third Hall has not exactly been dominating the Path to Eternal Flames in recent years. I recall that last cycle, none of your disciples advanced beyond the sixth pillar.”

Several disciples behind Lady Virelila stiffened at the remark.

Seraphina turned her attention toward Max and the others. ”The Path to Eternal Flames is not kind to those who lack foundation. It would be unfortunate if your hallʼs disciples once again struggled to even maintain composure within the first few pillars.”

The sarcasm was now unmistakable.

Max remained silent, observing the exchange without reaction, though he could sense the subtle tension thickening around them.

Lady Virelila did not respond immediately. Instead, she glanced toward the group of disciples standing behind Seraphina. Among them were several young cultivators whose expressions carried visible pride. One in particular stood slightly forward, his aura flaring faintly as if eager to be noticed.

”I see your Twenty Third Hall has once again chosen to emphasize outward display over inner stability,” Lady Virelila replied evenly. ”That disciple in front seems quite eager. I hope his flames burn steadily enough to last beyond the fourth pillar this time.”

A few suppressed chuckles rose from behind Max.

Seraphinaʼs smile thinned. ”You speak boldly for someone whose hall has consistently lagged behind. At least my disciples have the courage to push forward. Perhaps the Thirty Third Hall prefers caution over excellence.”

Lady Virelilaʼs eyes sharpened, though her tone remained calm. ”Caution preserves those who deserve to advance. Recklessness produces bright sparks that fade quickly. The Path to Eternal Flames rewards endurance and comprehension, not noise.”

The rivalry between the two halls was no longer subtle. It carried the weight of history, of repeated competitions where pride had been bruised and reputations contested. The Twenty Third Hall prided itself on aggressive flame techniques and raw explosive power. The Thirty Third Hall focused on controlled refinement and deeper comprehension of draconic essence.

”How about we place a bet on something?” Seraphina said lightly, though the glint in her eyes revealed that this was no casual suggestion.

The surrounding air seemed to tighten almost instantly.

Lady Virelilaʼs expression shifted. The faint composure in her gaze hardened into something far more serious. She understood Seraphina well enough to know that this was not a simple exchange of pride. A wager between hall elders was never trivial. It carried implications that could ripple through the internal hierarchy of the Black Dragon Palace.

”What kind of bet?” Lady Virelila asked evenly, though her voice had lost its earlier warmth.

Seraphina clasped her hands behind her back and took a slow step closer, lowering her voice just enough to create a private space between them while still allowing nearby disciples to sense the gravity of the conversation.

”It is simple,” she said. ”Let us wager on whose hall disciples will reach the highest pillar in the Path to Eternal Flames this time.”

Several disciples from both halls stiffened at her words.

Seraphina continued, her tone smooth and confident. ”We will not compare average performance. We will compare the single highest achievement. Whichever hall produces the disciple who ascends the furthest pillar will be declared the victor.”

Max felt the subtle shift in Lady Virelilaʼs aura. It was not fear. It was calculation.

The Path to Eternal Flames was unpredictable. Flame beasts, hidden opportunities, unexpected pressure shifts, and personal stamina all played roles in determining how far one could advance. Even a strong disciple could falter under unfavorable circumstances. A wager tied to peak performance meant everything would rest on one individualʼs result.

Seraphinaʼs smile widened slightly as she observed Virelilaʼs silence.

”Of course,” she added casually, ”a bet without stakes would be meaningless.”

Lady Virelilaʼs gaze sharpened. ”And what are you proposing as stakes?”

Seraphina did not hesitate. With a subtle movement of her hand, a storage ring flashed faintly. A moment later, a dark crimson object appeared in her palm. It was a jagged fragment of bone, roughly the length of a forearm, its surface engraved naturally with faint flame like patterns. Even without direct contact, a deep heat radiated from it, accompanied by a dense draconic aura.

”This,” Seraphina said calmly, lifting it slightly.

Maxʼs eyes narrowed instinctively as he sensed the ancient energy emanating from the object. ʼIf I can get this thing, I can increase my Draconic Essence and Dragon Scales to a high level and if that happens I can try to open the second vein of the Seven Divine Veins.ʼ

His eyes became a bit greedy as he eyed the dragon bone in her hands.