Kai was running; however, his pace was as slow as a snail since Lonnie's entire cultivation pressure was locked on him. He was pale as a ghost, and hot tears were streaming out of his bloodshot eyes.
Despite knowing that it was the end of the path, he still wanted to run. At least, he wanted to reach the place where he hid the storage ring since there were few protective talismans that Ace had given him.
However, with a Qi manifestation realm cultivator locked on a Qi river cultivator like him, it was nigh impossible to get away unless some miracle occurred, which was also impossible.
"Stop struggling. I promised I'd make it less painful, and as long as you're telling the truth, I promised to send some compensation to your family." Lonnie's cold voice, which sounded like a grim reaper, rang in Kai's ears, and his entire body shuddered because he could tell Lonnie was right behind him!
'Why! Why did I have to die just after my luck was turning for the better!? Why is this happening!?' Kai thought as he felt suffocating and cold all over his body like he was thrown out of a cliff and soon met his end.
But he was absolutely unwilling, and he didn't want to die like this in these mines, without any meaning or before achieving anything. He remembered the loved ones he left back in the village who were counting on him to change their situation, and he wanted to reply to them for giving him everything and even a chance to join the Sect Alliance City.
At this moment, Kai instantly decided, and just as Lonnie was about to place his hand on Kai's head, he shouted, "Stop! I'll give you the treasure!"
Lonnie's hand instantly paused and even trembled a little. His eyes were wide open in shock before a frantic smile filled with greed appeared on his face.
"So, you took the treasure after all, huh?" Lonnie coldly sneered, but the mirth in his voice was difficult to hide, in fact, he was slightly shaking with ecstasy, "Where is it! As long as you hand it over, I'll promise to spare your life."
Even Vime was shocked at this moment and couldn't help but feel somewhat pity for Kai. But it was only momentarily before a gloating sneer appeared on his face. He felt very glad about Kai's misfortune and even relieved that Kai didn't get the chance to use that treasure, or it would've been an absolute disaster for him and his young master.
Kai also felt slightly relieved when he found Lonnie had stopped, but he wasn't going to spill the beans, and he believed none of Lonnie's words.
"First, I need absolute assurance that you won't kill me once you get the treasure!" He said with an ashen expression.
"Hmph, do you think you can negotiate with me? I can just do a soul search and still get the treasure. It seemed you don't want to live." Lonnie coldly sneered without giving an inch to Kai's demand.
However, Kai had already thought of this possibility and turned around. His eyes shimmered with resolve, and he said by looking Lonnie's dead in his eyes, "Alright, go ahead, take your chance. I've heard how soul search words. Let's see if you can get those specific memories where I hid the treasure or before my mind breaks!"
Lonnie was startled. He could see the madness in Kai's eyes, and he no longer appeared like someone who was afraid of dying. This made him finally hesitate because he knew Kai's words weren't empty.
After all, soul-searching wasn't perfect, and the number of memoirs someone could get from others depended on the strength of the victim's mind and the searcher's capabilities. Lonnie wasn't a soul cultivator, nor was Kai, so he knew he might break Kai's mind before he could get those memoirs he wanted.
Lonnie didn't want to take such a risk, especially after getting his hopes up again. He would rather spare Kai, and Kai was betting on this fact exactly. He wanted to use Lonnie's greed against him, and he knew if it was him in Lonnie's place, he would also hesitate since they were the same type of people.
Furthermore, just like Kai, Lonnie was now also afraid that someone else might notice this place, and once that happened, he would be in the same situation as Kai, especially if the people from the city management discovered it.
Lastly, unlike Kai, he could leave the Sect Alliance City, so he wanted to get his hands on the treasure and then escape from there!
"What do you want?" Lonnie finally spoke with gritted teeth as he had already made up his mind.
Kai finally found light in the darkness and quickly said, "Soul contract! Let's sign a soul contract; I know you have it! I'll lead you where the treasure is, and in return, you won't do anything to me or scheme against me. Lastly, you need to kill that guy over there right now since we both don't want any trouble, right?" Lonnie wasn't shocked by Kai's demand since, based on his early reaction, he knew Kai wasn't an idiot. Vime's expression turned pale, as his gloating expression was nowhere to be seen.
"No! Lord Lonnie, you can't trust this bastard! He's definitely hatching some scheme!" Vime instantly cried out loud, as he was really starting to get afraid now. After all, he had seen just how greedy Lonnie was, and Kai was using his greed against him!
"Hmph, you're telling me he can trick me?" Lonnie coldly looked at Vime, his pressure now locked on Vime, and killing intent leaked from his eyes. He was already planning on killing Vime, to begin with, so Kai's demand simply aligned with his.
Vime started to tremble and directly kneeled down, and tears began to stream down his eyes as he quickly started to kowtow, "Please, don't kill! I'll also sign the soul contract! In fact, i-if you kill me, Young Master Wallace will investigate this matter, he won't let you… ahhhhhh!"
'Boommmm!'
Before Vime could complete his threat, he suddenly screamed before his head blew off like a watermelon, and his cold, headless body lay there while a fountain of blood exploded from his headless neck, dying the floor crimson.
Kai shuddered as he felt icy chills running down his spine when he saw the appalled scene of how easily Lonnie killed Vime, and he couldn't help but look at Lonnie with fear and trepidation. He finally understood if Lonnie wanted to kill him, it was extremely easy, and he was only alive because Lonnie needed the information from him.
"Heh, do you think I'll be afraid of some errand dog?" Lonnie scoffed before he finally looked towards Kai and pulled an icy cold smile. Now, little Kai, let's sign the soul contract, and don't try to test my patience or play any tricks, or your death will be far, far more painful!"