“You don’t want to find the treasure? Are you sure you can withstand the temptation?” the countess asked with a tinge of curiosity in her voice.
“Indeed, I can. I’m well aware that even if I were to discover the treasure and the Ice Soul Pill, I wouldn’t be able to retain them. You’d confiscate everything from me, right?” Jared inquired with a solemn tone, his eyes narrowing slightly. The countess was taken aback by his response, but she swiftly regained her composure and let out a hearty chuckle.
She remarked, “You’re smart. However, I won’t forcibly take them from you. Instead, I propose a deal. I can neutralize your friend’s poison, and in return, all you need to do is locate the treasure and retrieve the Ice Soul Pill for me. I have no interest in the other treasures, so you can have them for yourself. Does that sound like a fair arrangement?”
Jared frowned. “How did you know I’d ask for your help to neutralize my friend’s poison?” He had never told anyone about the matter, so only Gregory and a few people in Solaris Sect knew about it.
In fact, it was Gregory who had recommended that Jared seek the countess’ assistance in removing the poison. Jared couldn’t help but feel perplexed as to how the countess was already aware of this matter.
“I know everything that happens at Jipsdale, including the fact that Vasily gave you the other half of the emerald badge. However, I won’t force you against your wishes. If you say no, you can leave with the emerald badge now. Nevertheless, I’ll have you know that I’m the only person capable of neutralizing your friend’s poison. Unless you’re able to find the person who administered the poison to get the cure, of course,” the countess replied calmly.
Yuven swiftly interjected, “Mr. Chance, please don’t agree. I believe the treasure won’t be easy to locate. Furthermore, acquiring the Ice Soul Pill is no simple task. It’s bound to be a perilous journey! I don’t want you to endanger yourself on my behalf.”
It was clear Yuven didn’t want Jared to risk his life. If something were to happen to Jared, he would be blamed by the entire Dragon Sect!
“As the countess, why didn’t you personally seek out the treasure and acquire the Ice Soul Pill? Don’t tell me Jipsdale isn’t capable of obtaining it.” Viola voiced her skepticism. She had no idea why the countess insisted on asking Jared to risk his life to find the treasure.
“That’s because she cannot leave this building. She relies on the Soul Nourishing Formation within this structure to sustain herself. To be precise, she’s merely a spirit, not a living entity. If she departs, her spirit will scatter and vanish.
The Ice Soul Pill can amass one’s soul and vitality to create a physical body. That’s why she tasked me with obtaining the Ice Soul Pill for her. Am I correct in my assumption?” Jared inquired, directing his gaze at the countess after revealing this insight.
The countess said nothing for a long while after he finished speaking. It was evident Jared’s guess was correct.
After a brief pause, the countess finally replied, “You’re smarter than I initially presumed. You possess a profound understanding of arcane arrays for an alchemist, and you even have the demonic fire within you. I can only imagine the trials you’ve endured.”
When the countess mentioned “demonic fire,” Jared’s expression underwent an abrupt transformation. He had never shown his demonic fire to anyone. Back when he battled against Jerison, he had harnessed the demonic fire beneath his feet, preventing the frigid aura from approaching him. I don’t think anyone saw me using the demonic fire. How did the countess find out about that?
Jared couldn’t fathom how the countess discovered he was in possession of the demonic fire. Sensing Jared’s displeasure, the countess continued, “Don’t worry. I won’t ask where you got the demonic fire from or your background. All I want is the Ice Soul Pill. Help me get it, and I’ll expel your friend’s poison. It’s a win-win situation.”
