“Why did those things only come after me and not the other two?” Verdin asked, clearly annoyed.
“Maybe they just don’t like the look of you,” Nymeria said with a cold smirk.
“You!” Verdin clenched his jaw, fuming, but didn’t dare make a move against her.
She was from the Bloodbane Palace and likely stronger than him. Besides, was already injured. Picking a fight now would be suicide. If things got messy later, wouldn’t even have the strength to run.
“Maybe it’s got something to do with women. Why don’t you give it a try?” Aziel suggested, turning to Nymeria.
Just earlier, Jared and Jemima had approached the warrior statues together. Jemima, being a woman, hadn’t triggered an attack.
At the time, Nymeria had been the only other woman present, which made the next logical candidate in Aziel’s mind.
“If that’s the case, why don’t you try it? The statues won’t attack you. Aren’t you basically a woman anyway?” Nymeria shot back, tone dripping with sarcasm.
“You!” Aziel’s face flushed a deep red, his jaw tightening.
He hated it when people compared to a woman. Even though dressed with a certain elegance every day, absolutely couldn’t stand anyone saying it out loud.
“So it really is because of a woman? In that case, why not just have those two come back? Let that Wandering Immortal Realm Level One kid try again by himself. That should give us a clear answer…” Nymeria added with a slight smile.
Aziel immediately looked over at Jared and Jemima.
“Jemima, both of you come back over here!” called.
Jemima stayed still, saying nothing.
Jared looked at Aziel and asked, “What are you trying to do?”
“I’m only thinking about your safety. I don’t want either of you to get hurt, that’s all,” Aziel replied. “But If you don’t come back, I’ll get irritated. And you all know what happens when I get angry.”
It was a threat, clear as day.
Jemima’s hand instinctively tugged at Jared’s sleeve, a flicker of fear in eyes. The image of Aziel killing that cultivator earlier was still fresh in mind.
“Don’t worry… We’ll go back,” Jared said softly to calm her.
With that, the two of them started walking back.
As they returned, Aziel’s eyes brimmed with killing intent. He wanted nothing more than to strike Jared down right there and then. But Jared still had his uses. They needed as bait.
“Back you go,” Aziel said, waving his hand.
“This is really starting to feel like exploitation, you know…” Jared muttered, the irritation rising in his voice.
“Die, or go back there! Your choice,” Aziel snapped.
Jared shot a cold stare. In his heart, he’d already marked Aziel for death. It was just a matter of time. But now wasn’t the moment to lash out. He had to wait for the right opportunity.
Jared took a deep breath and turned to head back toward the stone platform.
“I‘ll go with you,” Jemima said, stepping forward instinctively.
However, Aziel caught by the arm. “Let go alone!”
“It’s fine,” Jared reassured with a small smile. “I’ll be okay…”
Then turned and walked toward the platform again. This time, Jared’s attention was fixed solely on the two statues. He was fully prepared to dodge the moment they moved.
Even a Wandering Immortal Realm Level Five cultivator had been taken down in one strike. Jared knew better than to underestimate them.
He moved up the platform slowly, heart pounding. The statues didn’t move, but their eyes followed closely, unblinking and cold. Still, they didn’t strike.
“Huh?” Aziel frowned slightly, confused.
The others looked just as lost, no one able to make sense of what was happening.
“So I guess it doesn’t have anything to do with being a woman, huh?” Nymeria said aloud.
“Why me, then? Why was I the only one attacked?” Verdin shouted, on the verge of a breakdown.
“Maybe it’s just because I’m better looking than you, so I get a pass,” Jared called out from the top of the platform with a grin.
By now, his nerves had settled a bit.
“Bullsh*t! I’m way better looking than you!” Verdin snapped, furious.
