Max Level is 100? I Can Upgrade All skill s to Lv99999!-Chapter 160 --Spectral Steed

What on earth had just happened!?

Caelan squinted his eyes, instinctively scanning the surroundings. The earthquake had rattled the area, yet he maintained his composure, his senses alert to every subtle shift.

Beside him, Audrey seemed almost used to such chaos. She instinctively sought shelter with Caelan, pressing herself close to him in a manner that suggested both trust and dependence.

From the very first tremor, Audrey had latched onto Caelan like an octopus, her grip unyielding. It was clear she had adopted this habit of relying on him in tense situations.

Feeling the soft warmth of Audrey pressed against him, Caelan frowned slightly. It was a subtle reaction, more out of surprise than discomfort.

At that precise moment, however, the ground before him suddenly split open, forming a massive fissure. The rupture appeared out of nowhere, jagged and ominous.

From the gaping crack, a creature emerged. Its appearance was striking, ethereal and majestic, resembling a Spectral Steed in every aspect. It materialized into Caelan’s sight as if conjured from thin air, its presence commanding attention.

Audrey, still clinging to him, suddenly pointed excitedly at the Spectral Steed. Her eyes sparkled with unrestrained delight as she exclaimed:

"Its back carries a real treasure! Even more valuable than all the treasures we’ve obtained before combined!"

"Caelan! You absolutely cannot miss this!" she urged, practically bouncing with excitement.

At that instant, Caelan had already noticed something even more important. Even before Audrey’s enthusiastic words, his attention had been drawn to the small treasure chest strapped onto the Spectral Steed’s back.

The chest was extremely tiny, perhaps no larger than a mobile phone box. Yet despite its size, Caelan felt an inexplicable, compelling intuition.

He was certain that the item he truly needed was contained within that chest. This was more than a hunch; it was an instinct that he could not ignore.

Even if Audrey had not pointed it out, Caelan had already been preparing to take action. He was ready to seize the treasure immediately.

However, just as he was about to make his move, the Spectral Steed’s figure vanished in an instant. Its speed was so overwhelming that even afterimages were impossible to catch.

"This is something I must get my hands on. I have to find a way to catch it!" Caelan gritted his teeth. Determination flared within him, and he surged forward at full speed, chasing the vanishing figure of the Spectral Steed.

Meanwhile, in the deepest part of the [Dark Maze], a palace thick with dark elemental energy suddenly appeared. Its architecture was sinister and grand, radiating an aura of foreboding.

Within the palace, four powerful awakeners of different races had gathered. Their presence alone was enough to fill the surroundings with tension and authority.

The awakeners exchanged brief glances, then simultaneously turned their attention to a massive crystal positioned at the center of the palace.

This crystal was no ordinary gem. It was a product of the drifting abyss, rare and invaluable beyond ordinary comprehension. Its dark brilliance seemed to pulse with latent power.

Every person present focused intently on the center of the large crystal. There, inside the translucent depths, they could see Caelan’s figure moving swiftly.

Ahead of him, the Spectral Steed raced furiously, its form blurred by speed. The connection between Caelan and the creature seemed almost preordained.

A momentary silence fell over the group. Then, one of the awakeners spoke in a measured, calm voice:

"It is almost certain now. The Chosen One has appeared again. Judging by his intent, he is clearly searching for an item he desires."

Another awakener suggested, half jokingly, half earnestly: "I say, why not just let him have it and send him on his way? This guy is a walking powder keg. Letting him linger in the [Dark Maze] any longer is a risk for all of us."

Most of the other awakeners nodded in agreement. The words were practical and rooted in self-preservation.

The first awakener continued, adding a touch of reluctance: "I am not opposed to this, but it is regrettable that we cannot face the Chosen One in combat. Still, since it is the decision of His Majesty, we must comply."

A murmur of discontent rippled through some of them. "I don’t understand why His Majesty seems to care so much for this human awakener," one whispered. "Even placing the Spectral Steed directly in front of him—it is as if we are meant to assist him."

"Tell me, who is stronger—Caelan or His Majesty? I think their relative strength would be a reference worth noting," another speculated quietly.

The others immediately lowered their heads, pretending not to hear such dangerous conjectures. Discussing matters like that in the presence of His Majesty’s mandate could very well be suicidal.

In reality, the sudden appearance of the Spectral Steed was no coincidence. This creature, and the treasure it carried, had been prepared specifically for Caelan.

By His Majesty’s design, Caelan’s potential was meant to be elevated without limit. Every obstacle he faced, every challenge he overcame, was part of a larger scheme to strengthen him.

Thus, under His Majesty’s directive, more and more Spectral Steeds began to appear around Caelan. Rare creatures that were normally hard to find now swarmed around him, almost obediently.

Caelan could hardly contain his satisfaction. Seeing these majestic beasts in abundance, each carrying precious supplies, brought a thrill that was difficult to describe.

It was as if a new layer of fortune had descended upon him. Each Spectral Steed carried valuable materials—treasures that could change the balance of any encounter or transaction.

Yet, despite this windfall, Caelan could not help but wonder: why had everything gone so smoothly since entering the [Dark Maze]? Was it fate, or perhaps some intentional guidance from above?

Elsewhere, many awakeners observed this seeming favoritism with growing resentment. Caelan’s good fortune was blatant, undeniable, and yet it appeared to be sanctioned by His Majesty.

Why was it that, despite being the rightful occupants of the [Dark Maze], they received no such assistance? Spectral Steeds were finite in number, and treasures lost to Caelan meant fewer rewards for others.

The realization that most of these Spectral Steeds clustered around Caelan frustrated them greatly. It implied that future entrants would have to wait for new treasures to appear, or risk losing valuable opportunities. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Despite being orchestrated by His Majesty, the inequity of the situation could not be ignored. Many awakeners chose to depart, intending to reclaim what they believed was rightfully theirs through their own means.

The most powerful among them, Meunier, an eight-star awakener, set out to intercept Caelan. His confidence and strength made him a formidable threat.

Those watching from the palace remained in their positions, eager to observe the unfolding scene. They understood that Meunier might struggle to succeed.

Even an eight-star awakener could not easily defeat the Chosen One, whose path was being carefully guided by His Majesty.

Back in the [Dark Maze], Caelan continued to pursue the original Spectral Steed with unwavering focus. Other Spectral Steeds that appeared were deliberately ignored; they were not his immediate concern.

Audrey, despite her own efforts, could not keep pace with Caelan. Recognizing this, he chose to carry her, ensuring her safety while maintaining full mobility.

His current speed was not yet at maximum. There was no rush; he intended to seize the Spectral Steed at the right moment. Precision was more important than haste.

Audrey’s cheeks were flushed with excitement, her beauty heightened by the thrill of the chase. "Caelan! Perhaps we can move even faster!" she encouraged enthusiastically.

"Just ahead is the way. The Spectral Steed cannot escape now!" she added, confidence shining in her eyes.

"Catch it! I know you can, Caelan!" Her encouragement was sincere, filled with admiration.

Caelan nodded calmly, his face composed. Yet a deeper layer of thought shadowed his expression. He had not yet moved to intercept the Steed fully, because he was testing something.

The test’s result, however, caused him to frown. The Spectral Steed was deliberately leading him into a dead end.

Every movement, every turn, was part of a carefully constructed trap or guidance. Caelan’s instincts warned him that this was no random occurrence.

He remained cautious, determined to act with precision rather than reckless speed.