"It seems Lady Dresh is really bored sitting here."

Emperal spoke, once again surprising the present cultivators. Even Sera, who was standing beside him, was shocked.

"This man!"

"Haha~ At a single glance, you read my mind—as always. Indeed, I’m bored. Come here, let’s have some tea."

Emperal nodded, ignoring the shocked looks around him.

"Lady Dresh! He is a low-born, sitting beside him may—!!"

Before the man could complete his words, he...stopped. He gulped when he saw Dresh’s smile widening slightly.

"Hm...so now I should ask your permission for my decisions?"

Dresh smiled ’sweetly’; the man felt a chill down his spine when he saw this.

"N-No, Lady Dresh, this lowly servant didn’t mean that!"

The man hurriedly backed away; others might not know this...but he knew. He knew the woman behind that sweet mask and the...actual her.

Emperal, of course, didn’t pay any attention to the guy; he walked towards Dresh and stood beside her.

"Alright, go and patrol. Everyone is dismissed, Sera...I’ll talk with you later."

"Yes, My Lady!!"

The other Elves bowed and left the perimeter. Sera looked at Dresh one last time before scurrying off.

Seeing this, Emperal smiled wryly. "My apologies, Lady Dresh, if you want any compen—"

"Shh, she needed a bit of that. Being beside me for so long has dulled her senses and heightened her arrogance."

Before he could finish his words, Dresh waved her hand.

"I see," Emperal nodded. He didn’t say much.

"I see you have become stronger since the last time we met. I am really tempted to crack open you and peek what’s inside."

Dresh spoke, her expression was full of smiles.

"Heh, if Lady Dresh wanted, how could this lowly one resist? My innocent body is all I have left."

Emperal raised his hands playfully, forcing yet another chuckle from Dresh.

"You really know how to make me laugh. Should I just kidnap you and lock you in my cellar back in Aelvorn?"

Though she said it, she definitely didn’t mean it. Last time, just a compliment from this guy...had almost ended her life.

Though the scar on her face had entirely disappeared. It still burned her.

"Well..."

Emperal didn’t speak anything further; he used his right to remain silent.

After a bit of playful exchanges, Emperal’s expression turned serious.

"I heard you were somewhat troubled recently?"

"Dresh sighed when she heard that, waving her hand as a giant leaf slowly flattened down and settled a few meters away from her position."

"Have a seat, I will explain."

The ring on her finger glowed slightly, and a jar was produced. A sweet aroma spread throughout the perimeter.

Emperal raised his brows when he saw that, "Lady Dresh sure is generous."

Just from the smell, he could tell it was an extremely expensive and old wine. He estimated it would be at least four hundred years old.

"Hehe~ Special occasions require special drinks~."

It was a white bottle with a floral pattern engraved on it. Just the smell of the wine made Emperal’s head buzz slightly.

Without hesitation, he summoned his pipe. And a deep brown...leaf. It was extremely thick and elastic.

Without hurry, Emperal took a premium one; he had bought it before leaving the border territory. Tearing a small strip lengthwise, he packed the pipe’s bowl in three separate layers, a bit loose at the base and progressively denser toward the top. After all, the packing determines the draw—make it too tight, and you’ll choke; too loose, and it burns fast.

Satisfied, he lit up the tip.

Puff~

"That is a good one," Dresh acknowledged his show and poured some wine into her cup and passed it to Emperal.

After a few seconds, Dresh spoke.

"It is a dungeon’s map; that dungeon is one of the most resourceful and highly treasure-infested dungeons in the outer region."

Emperal raised his brows when he heard that. He didn’t interrupt, just puffed another bout of smoke.

"I had stolen the map from the IronClaws, but unfortunately, their leader was way too sharp. She noticed the absence almost immediately."

"Oh? Is it a she, huh? I think I just know who that might be," Emperal thought inwardly, but didn’t speak.

Dresh sighed as she downed another cup of wine, her milky white skin turning slightly crimson.

"And let me guess, she mobilized her forces and fought with you."

Emperal spoke, earning a nod from Dresh.

"Yes, and it isn’t just that. I was actually all alone in their territory; they had set up numerous traps and formations. And during the fight...she made full use of that."

Saying that, Dresh grabbed her collar and slightly moved her robes to the side. Giving Emperal a full view of her pale collarbone.

The moment Emperal saw it, he almost choked on the smoke.

On her collarbone, a deep gash was spread. From her neck, all the way down to her stomach, according to Emperal.

"This..."

He was speechless; this woman was way too careless.

"I know what you are thinking, but believe me. I wasn’t careless in the slightest; they have some other ways to detect my presence."

Dresh sighed and lightly adjusted her robe. Emperal closed his eyes lightly, countless thoughts running through his mind.

"So? The last time we met at the border, you said you wanted my help...was this the matter?"

Dresh looked at Emperal from the corner of her eyes.

"This boy...he sure is sharp."

She thought inwardly.

"Indeed, they had this map on them beforehand. I wanted to steal it from them."

"I see, so what help do you need from me?"

Emperal asked, a bit confused. After all, if even Dresh as a Stage Three Verth Shaper couldn’t get the map, how could he, a Verth Seeker, do it?

"I want you to get me the map...that’s it."

Dresh spoke. Emperal’s brows twitched when he heard that.

"That’s it? Does this bitch think plans and schemes grow on trees or something?" He couldn’t help but curse inwardly, but he didn’t let it show on his face.

"What do I get?"

He asked. Dresh chuckled when she heard that.

"I will tell you that, but before that, I have some interesting news that I’m sure will definitely be worth listening to."

"...What is that?"

"It’s about your friend...he was in the IronClaw territory."