The sorcerer Pazhahei anxiously watched his disciple Senno, eager to know how Senno felt after consuming the Life Essence.
"How is it, disciple? How do you feel now? Tell me honestly."
"Teacher, I feel better than ever. After consuming this, I feel my cultivation has greatly improved. This stuff is equivalent to 10 years of hard training. I've already broken through, and my physical condition has never felt this good. Any hidden dangers or old injuries from previous cultivation have also been repaired. I can feel that this thing strengthens the body comprehensively from the inside out, with no side effects... I think if they can supply this Life Essence in large quantities, we can still cooperate with them!"
The two spoke in the local dialect of the northern mountainous regions of Thailand, not worrying about their words being overheard, or even if they were, they wouldn't understand. While Senno spoke, Pazhahei had been observing his disciple with a secret technique and found that his disciple was not lying, which put his mind at ease.
Pazhahei turned his head and looked directly at Bice.
"Ms. Bice, how much of this Life Essence can you provide?"
"I can provide you with two Life Essences annually. Of course, if you can provide me with effective intelligence and consultation, or help me deal with some people, I can consider giving you additional Life Essence and US dollars!"
"Two, isn't that a bit too little?" Greed flickered in Pazhahei's eyes.
"Master Pazhahei, to be frank, refining such a Life Essence consumes a lot of my skill. After refining each one, I need a long recovery period. Most importantly, this Life Essence is extracted from people. To obtain one Life Essence, it takes the lives of over a hundred people! Providing you with two per year is already our limit, and as Master Senno has already told you how effective this Life Essence is! If you are not satisfied, then there's nothing we can do, we will have to find someone else. Southeast Asia is not short of sorcerers!"
"Allow me to consider it. You know, those Chinese people are not easy to deal with..."
"Heh, Master, those Chinese people are indeed difficult to deal with, but I don't believe that if you quietly provide us with some information, those Chinese people will find out and come to retaliate against you. Your reasoning is not convincing! Also, please do not attempt any small tricks. I can sense the insects you released!"
As Bice spoke, her expression suddenly turned cold, and a hint of killing intent flashed in her eyes. Bice had already sensed that Pazhahei was playing tricks. He had secretly released two small insects, which were very tiny, about the size of a flea. If it were an ordinary person, they would not be able to detect these insects. However, these small actions could not escape Bice's notice! This was because Gu worms were not ordinary insects; these creatures possessed very strong life force energy. And Bice, as an esper who could freely extract and condense life force, had a very strong sensitivity to life force. When Pazhahei secretly released these, Bice had already sensed them!
Pazhahei's hair stood on end under Bice's gaze. He knew that if he continued with his tricks, his life would be forfeit in the next moment! Thus, he immediately recalled the Gu worms.
"What are you talking about? Is there some misunderstanding? Our Malaysia is a subtropical region with a warm and humid climate; some insects are quite normal..." Pazhahei immediately adopted a feigned ignorance, not daring to admit anything.
"Master Pazhahei, I only want one answer from you: are you willing to cooperate with our Dark Group? If you agree, I will immediately present you with two Life Essences! If you refuse, then let's not waste each other's time, we will leave immediately..."
How could Pazhahei let this opportunity slip away? He had already seen the changes in his disciple and knew that Life Essence was a good thing. One could be equivalent to 10 years of hard training, and two could be equivalent to 20. Even though his cultivation was much deeper than Senno's, these two Life Essences could still be equivalent to many years of refined cultivation. Pazhahei was certain that if he consumed these two Life Essences, his cultivation would likely reach another level.
"Alright, Ms. Bice, I agree to cooperate with you! Let's do as you say."
"Mr. Pazhahei, we Americans value contractual spirit. Let me be clear from the outset: if you dare to betray our alliance, take my things and not fulfill your end of the bargain, then just as I can provide you with Life Essence, I can also drain the life force from you and turn you into Life Essence. I have no other virtues, but I keep my word. I am not bluffing!"
"Don't worry, since we are cooperating, I will definitely fulfill my promises."
"Good, then please accept my sincerity!" Bice said, handing over two more Life Essences. Master Pazhahei quickly pocketed the Life Essences.
"Now, there is something I would like to consult you about!" Bice then described the strange illness encountered by the three members of the Gustav family – the uncle, nephew, and father – Boris, and Mark, and then showed Pazhahei the autopsy photos of their livers.
Upon hearing her description, Pazhahei immediately made a judgment, and after seeing the photos, he became even more certain.
"This is the Liver-Eating Gu, a type of Gu worm cultivated from liver flukes, which are parasitic worms. In the past, some sorcerers in this region used this type of Gu worm, but it's rarely used now. To infect a host with the Liver-Eating Gu, one must place the eggs in their water. For sorcerers, with the skill to poison water at close range, we have more direct ways to kill opponents. However, I heard that there is a person in China called the Gu King, who seems to be very skilled in using this Gu worm. He can even spread the eggs of this Gu worm through the air! I suspect these individuals were infected with the Liver-Eating Gu in this manner!"
"Then, Master, is there an antidote once one is infected with this Gu worm?"
"Antidote? Perhaps there is, but the Gu worms used by such skilled sorcerers are not as simple as ordinary parasites. If they themselves do not personally remove the Gu worm, attempting treatment by other means might directly cause a sudden outbreak, leading to death!"