Chapter 777: Involvement of Four Major Forces
"No need to thank me," Max said, waving off Rose’s gratitude as though swatting away an insect. His tone was light but his words carried weight. "The Mountain Gods Valley and the Thunder Monarch Hall are birds of a feather. They deserve what’s coming to them. Eliminating a two-star member of the Mountain Gods Valley will only be a good thing for my Great Ruler Empire."
Gayle blinked, as though taken aback by Max’s casual admission of killing a prominent member of one of the seven overlord forces, but quickly composed himself and cleared his throat. "I wonder... where are you planning to go next, Brother Max?" he asked, cautiously respectful, a trace of curiosity edging his voice.
Max shook his head slowly, his expression thoughtful yet distant as he looked off into the deeper shadows of the trees. "I don’t have a fixed place to go," he replied calmly. "I came to the Hundred Battles Region to gain experience—and perhaps find a few opportunities worth grabbing."
Gayle seemed to hesitate, his gaze shifting toward Rose, who gave him a small, encouraging nod. A series of conflicting emotions flitted across his face—gratitude, caution, and finally, a resolute determination. He drew in a slow breath, as though steeling himself for what he was about to reveal.
"Max," Gayle began, his voice low, glancing around as if to ensure no one else was listening in the forest. "I... I have an incomplete map of the cemetery of a Divine Rank expert from ten thousand years ago. I wonder if you’d be interested in searching for that cemetery together." His words came out in a rush, as though once he started, he could no longer hold them back.
Originally, Gayle might have preferred to keep such a secret close to his chest, but Max had saved both his and Rose’s lives—a debt that weighed heavily on the Absolute Sword Palace disciple’s conscience.
Moreover, Gayle knew that the path to such a place would be fraught with peril. Having someone as monstrously strong as Max along could well be the difference between success and becoming a forgotten corpse in an ancient tomb.
"An incomplete map?" Max repeated slowly, his voice curious yet cautious, his sharp gaze studying Gayle’s face for any hint of deception. "Is there any other map? Or is yours the only one?"
As he spoke, Max’s mind churned. Kar had told him nothing about maps. If there were fragments of maps circulating, then it suggested a larger secret—perhaps an inheritance far more valuable than any single rumor about star stones. And he knew better than anyone that trying to locate such a place with only an incomplete map would be close to impossible.
Gayle nodded, his features still pale from the poison, but his eyes sharp with clarity and purpose as he spoke. "There are four copies of the map in total," he explained, his voice low, as if afraid the whispering wind in the trees might carry his words away to unwelcome ears. "They appeared at an auction held by the Obsidian Order. The participants at that auction were some 2-star members and a few 3-star members—namely my Absolute Sword Palace, Eternal Sun Guild, Mountain Gods Valley, and Void Soul Tower."