Rowena stood there, her face flushed. “Mr. Contreras…” she murmured, unsure what to say. Neville waved a hand. “Go on. Get some rest.”
Without another word, Rowena endured the pain and hurried down the corridor. When Neville led Sylvia into Jared’s room, he was just finishing fastening his robe.
Jared’s eyes widened at the sight of the new woman. She wore a flowing white dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, radiating an elegance far beyond Rowena’s.
“Mr. Contreras, I appreciate your thoughtfulness,” Jared said, “But as for dual cultivation with another woman… I’m afraid I can’t manage it right now. I’ll practice dual cultivation with this lady. How does that sound?”
Jared thought Neville had brought him another woman.
Neville hurriedly explained, “Jared, you’ve got it wrong. This is Sylvia Vale, the sect leader of the Earth Fiend Sect.”
Jared blinked, stunned. “Huh? The sect leader of the Earth Fiend Sect?”
And a woman?
Sylvia’s lips curved into a small, graceful smile. “Mr. Chance, you truly are impressive, not just in looks, but in skill as well. Ms. Graves was lucky to have you.”
Jared felt embarrassed. “I… I’m sorry. That was… A bit awkward…”
“I am Sylvia Vale, the sect leader of the Earth Fiend Sect. I know there were some misunderstandings between my sect and you, so I came personally to apologize,” she said, bowing deeply toward Jared.
Neville could hardly believe his eyes.
Jared, frozen in place, did not know what to make of her.
What exactly was this Sylvia up to?
“Your apology is accepted,” Jared said cautiously, flexing the arm still stiff with injuries. “But your people did leave me in a pretty sorry state…”
Before he could finish, Sylvia tossed an item pouch toward him. It landed softly in front of him.
Jared opened the item pouch and found it filled with high-purity celestial gems, mystical herbs, and immortal crystals.
“If you feel this isn’t enough,” Sylvia said calmly, “Then whatever Ms. Graves did, I can do as well. I can also dual-cultivate with you to help you recover faster.”
She spoke of dual cultivation so openly, as if it were nothing extraordinary.
Jared looked at her, slightly taken aback. He tucked the item pouch away and shook his head. “Dual cultivation… I think we should skip that. I’d hate for anything to happen to you, Ms. Vale.”
“I’ve never practiced it with anyone before. You don’t need to worry,” Sylvia replied, understanding Jared’s concern.
Neville glanced at Jared with a hint of envy.
Sylvia, despite her young age, had already become the sect leader of the Earth Fiend Sect. A feat achieved entirely through her strength and skill.
She was the kind of woman every man wanted to conquer, but few had the ability. And now Sylvia had approached Jared and openly proposed dual cultivation. It was enough to make anyone envious.
“Jared,” Neville said, “Ms. Vale is considered a great beauty even at level nine. Many men dream of dual cultivating with her, yet few have the fortune to do so. Now that she’s offering… Aren’t you going to take the chance?”
Jared shook his head calmly. “I may appreciate a beautiful woman, but I won’t coerce her. I accept Ms. Vale’s apology. That’s enough. As for dual cultivation, we’ll let that be.”
Sylvia blinked, surprised. She had never expected a man to refuse such an offer. At that moment, her gaze on Jared deepened, filled with curiosity and intrigue.
“Since you have accepted my apology, Mr. Chance, I feel much more at ease,” Sylvia said with a small, composed smile, letting the earlier topic fade. “I’ve also heard that you possess a spiritual sword, one whose sword spirit can step out of the blade. May I see it?”
Jared reached out casually, and the Dragonslayer Sword appeared in his hand in a flash of pale light.
