As Expected

"Esteemed sir, the offense last time was a misunderstanding, and I was punished as well. My consciousness was nearly scattered, and only now have I recovered a little."

Only then did Bai Xiaowen realize that Banshee Delifa's previous failure had not been due to insufficient energy, but because of his counterattack. After thinking it over, the only thing capable of striking back at Delifa and making her afraid to use mental attacks recklessly was that mysterious blood-red eyeball.

"What did you come out for this time?" Bai Xiaowen felt a little more confident.

"We need soul energy. What I do not understand is why you have refused to absorb the Soul Fire of these skeletons..." Banshee Delifa said helplessly. "Only after absorbing enough soul energy can you complete your Class Change."

Delifa had been hiding within the Soul Stone and spying on him, so she knew very well about Bai Xiaowen's Class Change.

Bai Xiaowen shook his head. "The soul energy of these lowest-level Skeleton Warriors should be the worst kind. Since I am changing classes, naturally I should absorb stronger soul energy."

Banshee Delifa hesitated before speaking. "Forgive my bluntness, sir. Although a powerful will is hidden within you, your own strength is somewhat weak. Killing a large number of low-level Skeleton Warriors is already an arduous task for you."

Bai Xiaowen smiled. "No, you do not understand. Someone will come help me complete this task."

"Impossible. I have been watching your movements the entire time. Before setting out, you did not seek anyone's assistance," Banshee Delifa said with certainty.

"You do not need to know that. Now, hide inside the Soul Stone." Bai Xiaowen could tell that this Banshee seemed very afraid of him. More precisely, she was afraid of his left eye.

With her head full of doubts, Banshee Delifa's image vanished from the surface of the Soul Stone.

Bai Xiaowen headed deeper into the Desolate Graveyard. Before long, he spotted a new kind of Bonefolk monster.

[Skeleton Archer / Challenge Level 1]

[Race: Undead Species / Bonefolk]

[Class: Archer Level 1]

[Attributes: Strength 6, Agility 7, Constitution 6, Spirit 1]

[Skill 1: Hollow Skeleton (omitted)]

Compared to Skeleton Warriors, Skeleton Archers overwhelmingly surpassed them in every attribute. Their combat style had also changed from melee combat to ranged attacks, more than doubling their threat level! This was why Skeleton Warriors had no Challenge Level, while Skeleton Archers had a Challenge Level of 1.

Bai Xiaowen advanced silently without attacking the Skeleton Archers. Fortunately, Undead creatures generally had low Spirit, so as long as he was careful, they would not notice him.

After walking several hundred more meters into the graveyard, Bai Xiaowen saw new Undead monsters: Skeleton Champions clad in tattered armor, their frames tall and sturdy, as well as fat, bloated Stitched Abominations. Their Challenge Levels had risen from 1 to 2 and 3.

At the entrance to a deep, dark tomb, Bai Xiaowen even saw a monster clad in heavy armor and riding a Bone Warhorse. He used Insight and only obtained its name: "Terror Knight (Elite Tier)." Everything else was question marks!

"The deeper into the graveyard, the stronger the monsters." Bai Xiaowen did not dare proceed any farther. He crouched beside a tombstone in a secluded corner.

"Master Kevin, since you are here, why not show yourself?" Bai Xiaowen called into the empty graveyard.

The surroundings remained deathly silent.

"I know you are here. If you still refuse to appear, I will smash the Soul Stone." Bai Xiaowen made as if to throw it down.

"How did you know I was here?"

A low voice sounded out. Kevin appeared atop a tombstone not far away. He was still dressed in black robes, holding a small wand in his hand.

"I guessed." Bai Xiaowen lied without batting an eye.

"Hmph. I do not know where I exposed a flaw, but forget it. That is not the point." Compared with when they had met at the Lord's Manor, Kevin's voice carried an additional trace of gloominess. He seemed too lazy to keep pretending with Bai Xiaowen and said in a low voice, "You actually waited three days. You are quite patient. Now hand over the Soul Stone, and I can spare your life."

Bai Xiaowen rose to his feet, showing no fear on his face. "Master Kevin, those words might fool a child at most. We both know very well that you cannot possibly let me go."

Since Kevin intended to seize the Soul Stone, how could he possibly leave Bai Xiaowen alive and allow him to return to Spiked Helm City and accuse him?

With Bai Xiaowen's reputation in the Resistance Army already at the Revered level, his words could draw the attention of the Resistance Army's upper ranks and might even reach the ears of Usok, leader of the Resistance Army.

Even though Kevin was the chief mage and held a lofty position, robbing a highly regarded Resistance Army warrior of his treasure would still be unacceptable to others. It would be almost tantamount to betraying the Resistance Army faction.

Even if Usok wanted to protect him, he would have to consider the tremendous damage to the Resistance Army's image if this matter spread. He would have no choice but to punish Kevin severely.

That was why Kevin had not acted in Spiked Helm City. Instead, he had lured Bai Xiaowen to the remote Frozen Graveyard to quietly kill him and seize his treasure.

Kevin nodded slightly. "You are not stupid. That is right. Today, I will take your life as well. Submit to me, and you can suffer a little less."

Bai Xiaowen chuckled. "Master Kevin, I am indeed far from being your match. But I can destroy the Soul Stone in advance and leave you with nothing."

Kevin shouted coldly, "If you dare do that, I swear I will extract your soul and make it endure eternal torment!"

Those words were enough to prove that Kevin's previous claim of having no interest in necromantic spells had been a complete lie.

Naturally, Bai Xiaowen did not want to smash his own Class Change item either. He changed the subject. "Master Kevin, I have one condition. As long as you agree to it, I can offer the Soul Stone with both hands."

"What condition?" Kevin said warily. "It is impossible for me to spare you."

"I have no such request," Bai Xiaowen said. "My condition is that, from the moment I hand the Soul Stone over to you, you must not make any move against me for one day, and you must guarantee my safety. After one day, you may deal with me however you wish."

Kevin narrowed his eyes. "What good does living one more day do you?"

Kevin had kept a close watch on Bai Xiaowen's unusual behavior over the past few days, and his curiosity had grown day by day. Driven by that curiosity, he very much wanted to understand Bai Xiaowen's intentions.

"One more day alive is still one more day." Bai Xiaowen spoke insincerely.

"I can agree to that. Now, give me the Soul Stone." After frowning slightly, Kevin agreed.

"I am sorry, but I cannot trust such a shallow promise. You must swear an oath before a god!" Bai Xiaowen said solemnly.

In Aaron World, nearly everyone had a faith. The people of the Empire worshipped the Lord of Light, the Vikings of the Northern Frontier worshipped the God of War, the Elves worshipped the Three Goddesses, mages worshipped the God of Magic, while dark creatures worshipped various Fiend Gods, and so on. Swearing before a god was not something people took as lightly as those on Earth.