Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

After sealing the soul contract with Lyra, Max didn't waste any time. Together, they left Windless City, heading straight for Whisker City—the most renowned city in the entire Stormwind Region, where the recruitment assessment of the Great Ruler Empire would take place.

Unlike Windless City, which felt more like an entryway to the region, Whisker City pulsed with life and grandeur, a true gem among cities. As Max looked out from the window of Lyra's Void Shuttle, he was momentarily stunned by the sheer size of the public arena they approached.

It wasn't just an arena—it was a colossal architectural marvel, larger than any structure he had witnessed in the Lower Domain. It was like a living monument built from white jade stone fused with gleaming black alloy beams, standing at the heart of the city like the spine of a god.

The arena was built in a circular form, surrounded by grand tiered seating that spiraled upward like a giant coliseum, able to accommodate nearly half a million spectators. Massive floating crystal screens hovered above the structure, ready to broadcast battles for the public who couldn't enter.

At its very center, a flat battle stage large enough to host multiple skirmishes at once gleamed under the sunlight, surrounded by shimmering energy shields that pulsed with mana, designed to protect the audience from aftershocks of high-level duels.

At this moment, Max stood aboard Lyra's Void Shuttle—a vessel that felt less like a simple transport and more like a mobile palace. It was sleek and massive, with multiple decks and compartments, its frame engraved with runes and powered by cores Max couldn't even identify.

Compared to Aria's shuttle, this was a flying fortress in the skies, clearly belonging to someone with influence and wealth. From the transparent glass dome of the upper deck, Max could see hundreds of thousands of people already gathered around the arena, forming rivers of experts, warriors, and spectators, each with their own purpose and excitement.

"There's always a crowd like this whenever the recruitment assessment is held publicly," Lyra said from beside him, her tone casual as she gazed at the city below. "And believe it or not, this is nothing. There's still a week left before the event. When the time comes, the entire Whisker City will overflow with people. You won't find a single empty inn or restaurant."

Max gave a silent nod, taking it all in. He could already sense the pressure that came from just the sheer scale of it all. This wasn't just another entrance trial. This was a battlefield for geniuses from countless regions, an opportunity to ascend into the heart of one of the strongest forces of the Middle Domain.

"I'll take you to our resting place in Whisker City," Lyra said a few moments later as the Void Shuttle slowly began its descent.

Eventually, the shuttle landed soundlessly atop a towering building nestled close to the heart of the city. The structure was magnificent—an obsidian skyscraper carved from a single mountain-sized crystal, infused with swirling veins of glowing blue energy.

It stood like a pillar of authority amidst the city skyline, surrounded by defensive formations and protective sigils. As Max stepped out onto the rooftop platform, he could feel the density of mana intensify, and he realized that even the building itself was a high-grade artifact meant for cultivation and defense.

The city spread beneath him in a stunning panorama—high-tech and ancient design interwoven, floating islands and flying beasts overhead, with countless towers, sky bridges, and hovercrafts darting through the sky.

Max exhaled slowly.

This... was truly the Middle Domain.

As they stepped down from the towering shuttle platform, Lyra's voice rang calmly beside Max, her tone both informative and deliberate. "You are currently one of the seed recruits this year," she said, her violet hair catching the sunlight as she walked beside him through the private corridor that led into the upper floors of the structure.

She continued, "Even though we made a deal, and you're now bound by soul contract to represent the Great Ruler Empire in the Divine Mandate Grand Tournament and enter the top ten, you still need to follow the formal procedure. That means you must participate in the recruitment assessment just like everyone else—and pass it. Only then can you officially become part of our empire."

Max listened quietly, the logic behind her words already forming in his mind. It made sense. While their contract guaranteed his loyalty and efforts, it didn't change the public face of things.

Lyra couldn't risk drawing suspicion by having a complete outsider accepted without any testing or record, especially in a place like the Great Ruler Empire, where countless geniuses fought tooth and nail just for the chance to be recognized.

"The most I can do," she added, "is name you one of the seed participants. That status will allow you to skip the earlier rounds of the assessment and begin directly in the final round—where only the strongest candidates remain. As of now, including you, there are only five seed participants."

Max nodded thoughtfully. The designation made things smoother, yet didn't rob him of the chance to prove himself. In a way, it was perfect.

Only Lyra truly knew the extent of his talent and potential. No one else in the empire had the faintest idea of who he was or what he could do. If she pushed to induct him without any trials, it would undoubtedly raise the brows of the elders and high-ranking figures within her empire—people who valued power, merit, and hierarchy.

And once questions were raised, doubts would follow, possibly even resistance. That would hurt both his position and her influence.

He understood. This way, by going through the final round openly as a seed participant, he could display his strength to everyone. It would silence the skeptics and make his entry unquestionable.

Moreover, Max had never feared battle—if anything, he thrived in the spotlight of combat.

He looked at Lyra and nodded. "I understand."

They finally arrived at the hall—an expansive chamber built with towering pillars of shimmering blue crystal and golden inlays carved with ancient runes.

The high arched ceiling glowed softly, casting warm light down upon a central platform where a wide floating screen projected vivid images of two fierce one-on-one battles, each pair of fighters clashing with dazzling skill and ferocity.

Four middle-aged figures stood at the edge of the platform, observing the fights with arms crossed and eyes sharp.

Three of them were men—one with short brown hair and a thick, long moustache, another with a bald head and sharp eagle-like eyes, and the third with streaks of silver in his beard.

The other two were women, one wearing a silver robe embroidered with phoenix feathers and the other with a stern expression, her long black hair tied into a braid that reached her waist.

They were some of the many elders of the Great Ruler Empire—veteran powerhouses tasked with overseeing the recruitment assessment here in Whisker City.

As soon as Lyra entered the room with Max at her side, the elder with the long moustache glanced away from the floating screen and immediately frowned. His sharp eyes swept across Max's figure, instantly catching the fluctuations of his energy.

"Princess Lyra," he said, his tone respectful yet heavy with scrutiny, "who is this kid?" His gaze lingered on Max's aura, clearly sensing that he was only at the 8th level of Expert Rank.

The other elders turned their attention from the battles to Lyra, their expressions shifting from neutral to sharp-edged curiosity—and then to something colder as they focused on Max. Their eyes drilled into him like invisible blades, filled with the kind of pressure only experts of immense experience could exert.

"He is Max Morgan," Lyra said calmly, her voice unwavering as she stood beside Max. "The final seed participant for this year's recruitment."

The hall fell silent.