Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100

Chapter 1639 Shock of Jonathan and Julie!

It carried the same calm expression, the same restrained aura, and the same hidden depth of power that lay beneath the surface. Even the subtle fluctuations of energy within its body mirrored his own perfectly, leaving no room for deception or misjudgment.

Max studied it carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in every detail. "Seems like an exact replica of mine. Even the aura it is releasing as same as mine."

This made Max wondered how the Celestial Forge Pavilion managed to create this trial. He was very curious about it.

There was no difference between them on the surface.

There was no flaw.

If he wished to win, he could not rely on what he already possessed.

He had to go beyond it. "Let's see if it can utilize the full power of the Saint Origin Sword Art."

A slow breath left his lips as his grip on the sword tightened.

Then the aura around him began to change.

It did not erupt outward in a violent surge, nor did it create a storm of overwhelming pressure. Instead, it gathered inward, compressing into something far more terrifying. The energy around his body became increasingly refined, as though every trace of excess was being stripped away, leaving behind only the purest and sharpest form of power.

The space around him seemed to grow heavier as that aura sharpened further, taking on a cutting quality that made even the distant observers feel a faint chill.

High above, Elder Cael's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched.

"That aura… it is condensing to an extreme degree," he murmured quietly.

Within the pavilion, one of the elders from the Celestial Forge Pavilion leaned forward, his relaxed expression completely gone. "He is not preparing for a prolonged battle. He intends to end it immediately. But that could only be possible if his current strength has already surpassed the moment when he entered the trial."

Inside the battlefield, Max slowly raised his sword.

Every movement was deliberate.

Every motion carried precision.

The Saint Origin Sword Art began to flow through him.

It was not grand or overwhelming in appearance, yet it carried a terrifying depth. The energy did not scatter outward but instead gathered into the blade, compressing further and further until it reached a point where even the air seemed to distort slightly around it.

Across from him, the reflection reacted instantly.

It mirrored his movement without delay, raising its own sword and forming the same technique with identical structure and power.

To the outside observers, there was no visible difference between the two.

Both wielded the same sword art.

Both possessed the same strength.

Both executed the same movement.

Yet as the technique took shape, a subtle difference emerged.

Max's aura continued to refine itself, growing sharper and more focused with each passing moment. Within his strike, there was something deeper than mere technique, something that could not be described through energy alone.

It was the essence of the Sword Saint, a comprehension that went beyond form and entered the realm of true understanding.

The reflection lacked that.

It replicated the movement perfectly.

It matched the energy flawlessly.

But it could not grasp the essence behind it.

Max stepped forward.

His sword descended.

At the same instant, the reflection also attacked, executing the Saint Origin Sword Art with identical precision.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though the two attacks would collide once again.

Then the difference revealed itself.

Max's strike did not meet resistance.

It cut through.

The reflection's sword art shattered instantly, unable to withstand the refined essence embedded within Max's attack. The copied technique collapsed as though it had never truly existed, breaking apart under a force it could not comprehend.

A thin line appeared across the reflection's body.

The next moment, it split apart cleanly.

The entire exchange ended in a single move.

Silence fell over the plaza as the scene unfolded across the massive screens in the sky.

No one spoke.

No one reacted immediately.

Because what they had just witnessed defied expectation. So far they had seen many battles happening in the screens but none of these battles ended as fast as Max's battle.

"He… ended it in one strike," someone finally muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"But that was the same sword art… both of them used it…"

"Then why did one break so easily…"

High above, Elder Cael's gaze deepened as he continued to observe Max.

"The reflection copied the form, but it failed to copy the essence," he said slowly, his voice carrying a quiet certainty. "But what was that sword art? It looked terrifying."

Within the pavilion, one of the Celestial Forge Pavilion elders exhaled deeply, his expression filled with shock. "That was not simply a technique. That was comprehension taken to a higher level during the execution itself. As for the sword art itself, I have no recollection of seeing it anywhere."

Another elder nodded, his eyes fixed on Max without wavering. "I also think that the sword art was a little strange. It looked too simple on the surface but the seeing how reflection used the same sword art and ended up in defeat spoke volumes about it."

Around the square, the elders of the various forces remained silent, their earlier doubts completely erased.

Because what they had witnessed was not luck.

It was mastery.

Inside the battlefield, Max lowered his sword calmly, his aura returning to its restrained state as though nothing had happened.

"As I figured." Max muttered. "The reflection could never copy the essence of the Sword Saint contain in the sword art itself."

Among the crowd, Jonathan Myres stared at the screen with widened eyes, his usual composed expression completely broken.

"…That's it?" he said under his breath, his voice carrying disbelief. "He ended it like that?"

Beside him, Julie remained silent for a moment, her gaze still fixed upward as if trying to process what she had just seen.

"I think we underestimated him a lot," she said slowly, her tone filled with shock. "His reflection didn't even last more than a single exchange."

Jonathan let out a quiet breath, shaking his head slightly as he tried to collect himself. "But that was the Heavenly Reflection Arena. It creates a perfect copy. Strength, techniques, instincts… everything should have been identical."

Julie's eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke, her voice lowering. "Identical in form, not in understanding. Did you not feel it? That sword strike… it was different."

Jonathan fell silent for a moment, replaying the scene in his mind.

"…You're saying he improved mid-battle?" he asked, his voice uncertain.

Julie did not answer immediately, but the look in her eyes was enough.

"That's not something normal geniuses can do," she finally said, her tone turning serious. "Even holding against your reflection is difficult. But to surpass it instantly… that's another level entirely. I have only seen such things among the "

Jonathan let out a dry laugh, though there was no amusement in it. "And to think I felt that I understood his strength. No wonder he is the talk of the town in the Divine Realm these days."

He looked back at the screen, his expression gradually turning solemn.

Not far from them, Ray Willer stood with his arms crossed, his gaze locked onto the same screen.

Unlike Jonathan and Julie, there was no shock in his expression.

Only a cold, simmering hostility.

"So that's your trick," Ray muttered quietly, his voice low enough that only he could hear it clearly. "A refined sword art… and some deeper comprehension."

His eyes narrowed further, a faint sneer forming on his lips.

"Do they really think that makes you invincible?"

He let out a soft scoff, though his gaze did not leave the screen for even a moment.

"Defeating a reflection means nothing. It only proves you can surpass your current self. But no matter how strong you become, in the end you are only at the Law Awakening Realm."

A faint killing intent flickered within his eyes.

"The next trial is where the legend of Max Morgan comes to and end."

Ray's expression darkened slightly as he turned away, yet the tension in his posture betrayed the thoughts running through his mind.