“Eternal Life Emporium”
When Alice arrived, there were still many customers in the store, but the portly owner was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she was greeted by a young man.
“Where’s your boss?” Alice asked, frowning as she entered the store. She had hoped that the owner hadn’t died as predicted. She had instructed people to keep an eye on the owner of the “Eternal Life Emporium” since William had claimed that both he and Coleman, the grave robber who sold the pearl, would die. ．
The young man in the store recognized Alice from when she had bought a cup before – he couldn’t forget that experience. “Our boss is inside,” he said with a smile. “If you need anything, I can help.”
“I came to discuss something with your boss,” Alice replied, curious about the mysterious properties of the pearl that seemed to cause sudden deaths to those who came into contact with it.
The young man hesitated for a moment but eventually led Alice inside.
The moment the door opened, Alice was stunned.
Just two days ago, Powell, the owner, had looked radiant and healthy. Although a bit overweight, he appeared to be in good health, his eyes sharp and keen, the eyes of a shrewd businessman.
But now, Powell’s meticulously groomed hair was a disheveled mess, looking like a bird’s nest. His eyes, once lively and bright, had sunk into their sockets, surrounded by red, puffy bags. His body had noticeably thinned.
“You… Alice, what can I do for you?” Powell asked, his voice weak and his eyes still unfocused, looking even worse than Coleman had.
Alice frowned, “Haven’t you slept these last two days?”
“No sleep,” Powell said. “What do you need?”
Without beating around the bush, Alice said, “You remember the man who was with me last time, right? Coleman is dead.”
“Killed by someone?” Powell still sounded unenergetic, and he didn’t seem shocked at all.
“He died suddenly,” Alice said. “That pearl is in this room, right? If you don’t want to die, you should sell it to the man who was with me.”
“You mean the young man who came with you last time? How much is he offering? Thirty thousand dollars?” Powell asked weakly with a smile. “As long as I survive until tomorrow, when Scott comes to buy this pearl, it will be thirty million dollars!”
“Coleman’s sudden death is his business. I don’t believe in ghosts, curses, and that sort of nonsense!”
“Can’t you see what’s happening to you?” Alice couldn’t help but get anxious. “Take a look at yourself in the mirror! Do you want money or your life?” Didn’t Powell notice how much his condition had deteriorated? In just two days, he had changed so much; how could he not be concerned?
“I know! I’m very excited now! I’m in great spirits!” Powell sat beside the safe, looking utterly drained and full of deathly energy. Yet, he stared with wide-open eyes, looking somewhat eerie.
“I…” Alice had come with the intention of saving a life, but she didn’t know what to do with Powell’s current attitude. She couldn’t force him to seek medical help, could she?
More importantly, William had only taught her a secret technique for exorcising evil, which seemed more mystical than mainstream medicine, resembling the witchcraft of legends. It required herbs, crystals, and candles.
Before this incident, Alice hadn’t even believed in curses.
But with Coleman’s death and Powell’s current condition, she couldn’t help but believe.
Especially since William had given her advanced medical knowledge that she could fully understand with just one read. The information seemed to fly into her brain, making her believe in the authenticity of these secret techniques.
“When Alice had no other business, I didn’t see her out,” Powell said, clearly different from Coleman. Coleman, a long-time tomb robber, had long been burdened with various curses. As a result, when he placed the Radiant Empress Pearl on his person, he persisted for several days before his body began to show abnormal changes. In contrast, Powell, who had suddenly come into contact with the artifact and stayed close to it without interruption, had deteriorated significantly in just two days.
“Take care of yourself!” Alice, exasperated, turned and left, feeling that she had meddled unnecessarily this time. If she had known, she wouldn’t have come.
Just as she opened the door, Scott walked in. After confirming that the boss was inside, he strode over.
Upon seeing Scott, Alice immediately asked, “Mr. Taylor, are you here to buy that pearl?”
“Yes! I already paid the deposit before. You’re not interested in the pearl too, are you?” Scott replied. Behind him, several bodyguards were carrying briefcases, ready with cash for the transaction.
Thirty million dollars in cash!
Scott was running out of time. He didn’t know what had gotten into his elderly father, who was determined to sell off all his assets and ordered everyone to move back to the countryside.
Now, he had simply brought cash to complete the purchase.
In a few days, the Taylor family would be relocating to a small town.
Scott, wearing a smile but looking somewhat wary, looked at Alice. “You’re not interested in that pearl, are you?”
Although he didn’t understand his father’s bizarre behavior, he wasn’t in a position to refuse. Before leaving, he planned to buy the pearl, which, if it provided a significant boost to his abilities, he would be willing to spend some time in rural seclusion.
He had experienced wealth and power, but enhancing his abilities to a certain level could lead to longevity. If he could advance to a mid-level Soulmancer, he could live even longer and have whatever he wanted.
“I’m not interested in the pearl, but it’s a bad omen. Mr. Taylor, I wouldn’t recommend buying it,” Alice quickly said.
“A bad omen?” Scott frowned, “What do you mean?”
Alice briefly explained Coleman’s death but didn’t mention William. She then added, “If you don’t believe me, go in and see Mr. Zhang for yourself.”
Scott walked into the room and, upon seeing Powell, paused for a moment before his eyes gleamed.
Powell’s transformation was indeed shocking, but it also indicated that the pearl was exceptional.
Whether it was a magical artifact or not, he wasn’t sure. But even if it was a sinister object, as long as it could grant him power, it didn’t matter if it led to his corruption through the influence of malevolent spirits!
He was a Soulmancer, and all that mattered was his pursuit of power and longevity. What did it matter if he fell from grace?
“Scott, you’re finally here!” Powell said as he rose from his seat upon seeing Scott. Noticing the briefcases carried by the bodyguards, he became even more enthusiastic.
“The paperwork is all in order, but bank transfers take time. I’ll give you thirty million dollars in cash, just give me the pearl!” Scott wanted nothing more than to take the pearl and study it. Nothing else mattered.
“Mr. Taylor! Why won’t you listen to me?” Alice was genuinely frustrated. Powell had died because of his greed, but she didn’t understand what a powerful figure like Scott was thinking. She had already made it so clear – couldn’t he see that the pearl was a problem?
