CHAPTER 920: HELPING ETERNAL SUN GUILD

Its round belly wobbled as it turned its head away in mock anger, refusing to move even when Max waved a radiant sixth-grade spiritual herb in front of it.

Max couldn’t help but chuckle at the little creature’s antics. "Come on, little guy. Don’t be like that. There are bound to be better treasures in Falling Dust Valley. Think of all the spiritual energy you’ll get to absorb," he coaxed, playing the emotional card.

The Little Rat twitched its whiskers and rolled its tiny eyes but eventually relented, its nose twitching as it sniffed the air for scents of rare herbs. With a squeak, it scurried off ahead, its earlier laziness forgotten.

Their cooperation paid off almost instantly. Max’s storage ring grew heavier as they traveled, collecting rare herbs along the way, including several high-grade spiritual medicines.

Of course, this wasn’t without cost—ferocious monsters prowled these regions, forcing Max to cut them down swiftly, leaving their bodies lifeless among the rocks.

He also had to maneuver carefully to avoid running into groups from rival forces, many of whom would kill first and ask questions later in a treasure-rich area like this.

Just as Max was beginning to enjoy the quiet efficiency of his journey, a sharp sound cut through the air.

"Ding, ding, ding!"

The crisp clash of metal and the hum of spiritual weapons rang from deeper ahead, along with waves of mana fluctuations strong enough to ripple the surrounding air. From within the chaotic noise, bursts of golden brilliance flared like miniature suns exploding one after another, painting the sky in radiant hues.

Max narrowed his eyes. ’That’s... solar essence power.’

Given his knowledge of regional forces, only one group wielded such brilliance so dominantly—the Eternal Sun Guild. With his cautious nature, Max would normally avoid such conflicts entirely, but this was the only route to Falling Dust Valley, and turning back wasn’t an option.

Besides, the Great Ruler Empire, to which he had ties, shared an alliance with the Eternal Sun Guild. If their opponents were dangerous enough, he wouldn’t mind stepping in.

Suppressing his aura until even the wind couldn’t trace him, Max crept closer. Each step was light, calculated, and silent, blending him into the shadows as he navigated around jagged rocks and sparse foliage. Within moments, he reached a vantage point and crouched low.

What he saw confirmed his suspicions: nearly ten figures soared through the sky, their attacks fierce and unrelenting, focused entirely on the Eternal Sun Guild members. The battle in the air was violent and dazzling, bright golden rays of the Sun’s power clashing against ominous strikes from the enemy.

Seeing this, Max didn’t hesitate for even a moment. He launched himself forward, the Blue Dragon Sword already in his hand, its edge humming with suppressed power.

"Swish."

The blade cut through the air with terrifying speed, releasing a dazzling burst of sword energy that instantly stretched to a hundred feet long. It roared down like a falling sky pillar, aimed directly at the man before him—a man whose aura revealed he was at the 7th level of the Legend Rank.

The sheer force of the attack shook the ground beneath them, whipping the air into violent currents.

The man’s eyes widened slightly at first, a flicker of shock passing through them, but he reacted quickly, his hand snapping out in a powerful strike.

His palm slammed into the oncoming sword energy with brutal precision, a booming explosion echoing as sword and palm force collided. The glowing hundred-foot blade shattered apart like glass breaking under a hammer, scattering fragments of energy into the surroundings before fading away entirely.

"Who are you?" the man demanded, his voice filled with irritation and curiosity. He had assumed that the one attacking him so suddenly must be from the Eternal Sun Guild, but when he got a closer look, he saw a young man who looked barely twenty, still at the peak of Master Rank.

For someone so young to dare make such a bold move was shocking enough to give him pause.

"Max?" one of the other geniuses muttered in disbelief. Soon, more voices followed, eyes widening as they all turned toward him.

These youths were members of the Eternal Sun Guild, and they had been told by their elders and leader to assist any members of the Great Ruler Empire whenever possible. Seeing Max appear here, of all places, had clearly caught them off guard.

"Max, are you Max?" one asked again, as though confirming it was really him.

But their moment of surprise quickly turned to hostility. One by one, the yellow-shirted youths focused on Max, their gazes growing cold and unfriendly, tension filling the air like storm clouds gathering before lightning strikes.

Max looked at them, unbothered, and asked calmly, "Are you members of the Obsidian Order?"

The young man in the yellow shirt, who seemed to be their leader, straightened his back slightly and nodded with pride.

"That’s right," he said in a voice as sharp as a blade, his eyes narrowing at Max. "We were originally looking for you, but who would’ve thought you’d deliver yourself right to us?"

Max smirked faintly, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes. "Oh? Do the members of the Obsidian Order also want Arnold to owe you a favor?" he asked, his tone laced with a strange, mocking edge.

But the response he received was unexpected. The yellow-shirted young man sneered with open disdain and said, "Arnold? Is he worthy?"

Max’s expression stiffened for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "Then I wonder," he said slowly, "just how did I offend you all?"

The young man snorted coldly. "Hmph, Max, I won’t waste words with you. You’ve offended Miss Luna. She told us that if we ever met you, we were to teach you a lesson you wouldn’t forget." His tone was proud, as though he was speaking about some sacred decree.

"Luna?" Max blinked, momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected this at all. That woman was holding a grudge? He had saved her life, and yet she repaid kindness with enmity? For a brief second, his thoughts turned bitter. ’It seems the ancients were right,’ he thought, ’villains and women truly are hard to please and even harder to raise.’