Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 1607 Making a Lie!

Still positioned at the treacherous cliffs bordering the forbidden zone, Lucia and Rose remained.

Lucia, despite her attempts to appear composed, had clearly been consumed by anxiety. The instant she observed Max emerging alive, her eyes widened, replaced swiftly by an overwhelming wave of relief.

"You have finally returned," she exclaimed, moving swiftly to meet him. "Do you even realize the duration you spent within?"

Max offered a subtle smile.

"Sufficient time to attain something of significant value."

Rose, positioned slightly behind Lucia, scrutinized him intently.

The moment her gaze landed upon him, her expression underwent a subtle transformation.

She could perceive it. The Max who had ventured into Dragon Death Valley and the Max who had now reappeared were fundamentally different individuals.

His aura possessed a newfound depth, and his very presence resonated with increased gravity.

Even in his stillness, he emanated a potent pressure, hinting at a terrifying degree of advancement.

Rose narrowed her eyes. "You discovered something within that place."

Max met her gaze with a smile. "One might interpret it that way."

Lucia, looking between the two, then folded her arms across her chest.

"You two can deliberate upon enigmas at a later juncture. First, elucidate the reason for the sky's violent tremor moments ago, and why a dragon's roar emanated from the valley's depths."

Max let out a light cough. "That… may indeed be connected to my findings."

Lucia regarded him with outright disbelief.

Rose maintained her silence, but for the first time since their acquaintance, even she felt a profound curiosity regarding the exact nature of Max's endeavors within Dragon Death Valley.

"The circumstances are as follows…" Max commenced, sensing that neither Lucia nor Rose was inclined to dismiss the matter.

He crossed his arms, casting a brief glance back towards Dragon Death Valley, before continuing his explanation.

"During my time in the mortal realm, I fortuitously acquired an ancient treasure. Initially, its full nature eluded me, but subsequently, I discovered it had become integrated with my very being."

Lucia's eyebrows arched slightly. "Integrated into your body?"

Max affirmed with a nod.

"It was no mere artifact, easily stowed in a storage ring or utilized at convenience. It became intrinsically a part of me, continuously influencing my bloodline and my fundamental physical structure."

Rose's eyes intensified with focus.

"A treasure capable of merging with the body and enhancing bloodline potential…"

Even someone of her considerable composure recognized the extreme rarity of such an item.

Max proceeded in a measured tone, disclosing only what he deemed necessary.

"My bloodline has perpetually exhibited peculiar characteristics. That treasure facilitated its awakening and subsequent refinement over time. However, refinement alone was insufficient; it necessitated a potent source of nourishment to propel it to a superior stage."

Lucia's comprehension began to dawn gradually.

"And the remains of the black dragon…"

"Precisely," Max confirmed with a faint smile. "The moment I ascertained that Dragon Death Valley housed the remnants of an ancient black dragon, my interest was piqued. A corpse that could exert influence over an entire forbidden zone, even posthumously, clearly contained a formidable essence."

He lightly tapped his chest.

"Should my bloodline manage to absorb even a fraction of that essence, its evolution could be substantial."

Rose directed her gaze back towards the valley, her expression pensive. "So, that was your ultimate objective in coming here."

Max nodded in agreement.

"That was indeed the primary objective."

Lucia folded her arms once more, her eyes narrowing as she regarded him.

"You ventured into one of Orion's most perilous forbidden lands based solely on a hypothesis?"

Max emitted a soft chuckle.

"It was significantly more than a mere hypothesis. I could sense my bloodline's reaction as I approached the central region."

He then offered a slight shrug.

"And, fortunately, my intuition proved correct."

Lucia exhaled slowly, a mix of exasperation and relief coloring her demeanor.

"You speak as though braving a place where individuals succumb to monstrous transformations was a trivial inconvenience."

Max responded with a helpless smile.

"Without taking risks, how can one achieve growth?"

Lucia studied him for a few moments before shaking her head in resignation.

"You are truly incorrigible."

Rose, however, continued her intense observation of him.

"And the dragon's roar?"

Max cleared his throat again, a light cough.

"The process of strengthening involved… certain unforeseen consequences."

Lucia's suspicion immediately resurfaced.

"Unforeseen consequences?"

Max offered a smile of practiced, disarming innocence.

"Nothing of a dangerous nature."

Lucia's expression clearly conveyed that she found this assertion entirely unbelievable.

Rose remained silent, but internally, she grasped a crucial understanding.

Whatever ancient treasure Max alluded to, and irrespective of the events within Dragon Death Valley, his acquisitions far surpassed what he was presently disclosing.

This realization only served to amplify his menace.

Max stretched his limbs lightly and turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.

"In any event, my objective here has been successfully met." He then looked at the two women beside him. "So, shall we depart from this locale?"

"Hmm," Lucia responded with a nod.

Truthfully, remaining on Orion any longer held no appeal for her. The planet teemed with peril, veiled machinations, restricted territories, and an overwhelming number of individuals prone to hostility at any given moment. Despite the valuable opportunities that could be found there, she was more than ready to depart.

Her gaze then turned towards Rose, genuine gratitude radiating from her eyes.

"Rose, thank you for your assistance during this time."

As she conveyed her thanks, Lucia produced a storage pouch and presented it.

"Within this are one thousand divine crystals. Please accept them as payment for guiding us and for your help throughout this expedition."

Rose surveyed the pouch, then calmly shook her head.

"No," she stated. "Keep it."

Lucia froze.

Her eyes widened in sheer astonishment.

"I find this unbelievable," she exclaimed, regarding Rose as if she were a completely different person. "You are turning down payment?"

From all Lucia understood, Rose prioritized profit above almost everything else. She was the sort who would tally potential gains before even offering a polite smile. To witness her casually dismiss a thousand divine crystals was nearly more astonishing than anything they had faced within Dragon Death Valley.

Rose offered a faint smile.

Then, her attention shifted to Max.

"I would prefer to forge a friendship with Max," she declared. "Given that understanding, how could I possibly charge a friend for such a minor favor?"

Lucia exchanged glances between them, suspicion lingering as she remained unconvinced that simple goodwill adequately explained this behavior.

Max, however, let out a soft chuckle.

"Hehe, Miss Rose, I appreciate your sentiment."

He offered her a sincere nod.

"If you consider me a friend, then the feeling is mutual. Should you ever require aid in the future, do not hesitate to ask. If it falls within my capabilities, I will certainly endeavor to assist."

Rose's smile broadened slightly.

"Oh, I most certainly will require assistance," she responded. "However, you are still somewhat lacking in strength for the task I have in mind."

Her tone conveyed playful honesty rather than any intended slight.

"I suppose I shall wait until you have grown a little more powerful before making my request."

Max smiled wryly but offered no argument.