It was as if he knew exactly where the mystical herbs were located. Jared spent less than ten minutes to find the list of mystical herbs in the sea of plants. Following that, Jared showcased his findings to everyone.
All the alchemists were stunned at the sight of Jared holding all the mystical herbs, not a single mistake to be seen. Even Jubilante furrowed his brows, his expression becoming somewhat unnatural.
“What the heck, is he cheating?”
“What are you thinking? How could he cheat within this illusion array? But this is too unbelievable.”
“I didn’t expect this young man to have some skills. No wonder he dared to challenge Jubilante.”
Everyone widened their eyes as they stared at Jared within the illusion array. Their jaws had dropped open in shock.
Jared slowly walked out of the illusionary array, giving Jubilante a faint smile. “Now, do I have the right to challenge you?”
Jubilante’s facial muscles twitched a few times, then he coldly snorted. “Fine, I accept your challenge. But how about adding some stakes this time?”
“What do you want to bet?” Jared asked.
“Your life!” Jubilante’s face twisted into a sinister expression. Jubilante wasn’t about to let Jared off for humiliating him in front of so many alchemists.
Cade became somewhat panicked upon hearing that Jubilante wanted to bet on Jared’s life. He wanted to say something, but Jared stopped him with a wave of his hand.
The other alchemists were all gasping at Jubilante’s intense gamble. They didn’t expect him to go this far. Everyone stared at Jared, wondering if he would dare to accept the bet.
“No problem. If you win, you’re free to take my life,” Jared said nonchalantly. “You said that yourself, and so many people can testify. Let’s get started then!” Jubilante’s eyes gleamed with confidence.
“Wait, what if you lose?” Jared asked.
“I won’t lose,” Jubilante declared with absolute confidence.
“But what if you do? I can’t be the only one who puts something on the line, right?” Jared fixed his gaze on Jubilante.
Jubilante replied, “If I lose, you can propose any condition.”
“Okay. If you lose, I don’t want your life. I just want this mansion and all the herbs inside,” Jared told him, glancing at the splendid mansion.
Jubilante hesitated for a moment and didn’t immediately agree to Jared’s condition.
“What’s wrong? Are you scared to agree as you are worried you might lose? I dare to bet my life, yet you hesitate over your mere possessions? If you are a coward, let me know. I can leave right after taking what I need. You’ll still have your mansion, and everyone will still respect you. You can also continue fooling around with the pretty female alchemists who are enchanted by you.”
Jared’s words were full of mockery.
“Nonsense! Who says I’m afraid? If I lose, everything is yours,” Jubilante declared, feeling both annoyed and angry.
“Good. What are we competing?” Jared asked, gesturing for Jubilante to go ahead in a gentlemanly manner.
Jared’s air of arrogance irked Jubilante, who abandoned any pretense of being genteel and clenched his teeth. “Since we’re both alchemists, the most fitting display of our prowess is through alchemy, Let’s craft the same pill simultaneously and determine who can do it more swiftly and skillfully.”
“Sure. What pill do you want to craft?” Jared inquired.
In response, Jubilante retrieved a bottle from his pocket and poured out a pill. “Let’s compete by crafting the Aksum Pill.”
The alchemists immediately buzzed with excitement. “This Aksum Pill is Jubilante’s masterpiece. It seems a bit unfair to use that as a comparison.”
“Jubilante is getting desperate, huh? I can’t believe he’s doing this.”
“It’s indeed a bit lacking in manners to use his best pill as the challenge.”
Many people sneered at Jubilante’s actions, but they only dared to gossip quietly instead of questioning him aloud.