At the same moment, on the northern side of the city, in the house that scared everyone away, Dono was speaking.
"I've already told you, the poison that affected the other children after that kid's explosion will be less brutal. He was in direct contact, while they were only affected through him. They won't die like he did, but the pain will be just as intense. The poison will drain their organs one by one, finishing with the heart. Of course, they'll be dead long before that."
The man scratched his chin and said, "And your weapons, are they almost finalized?"
"Done ages ago. I'm just perfecting my poisons now. The one Verna got must have shocked her. Even with her rank seven, her body must have suffered some aftereffects," Dono replied. "But I hope the final product is achievable, because even on the other planet, I've never seen anything like it. If anyone can pull this off, it's those above the Immortal Realm."
"Don't worry, I'm almost at rank nine. After that, who can stand against us? You, me, and my future beast," the man said confidently.
"Can't wait for it," Dono declared with a smirk.
Meanwhile, in Kelvin's house, Tony could feel the poison spreading through his friend's body. Powerless, he realized the poison had already corrupted Kelvin's blood.
"Damn it!" Tony shouted.
According to him, Kelvin had maybe three or four days left to live. He had to find a solution, fast. Tony headed for the door, opened it to leave, but came face-to-face with a man with white hair and silver-blue eyes.
"Hello, Tony," the man said calmly.
Without hesitation, Tony grabbed him roughly and threw him into the living room.
"Who are you, and how do you know my name?"
"One question each would make this easier, don't you think?" the man replied with a sly smile.
Lightning crackled around Tony as he roared, "You think I'm joking?"
"Clearly not. But before you lose it, don't you want to know how to save Kelvin?"
Tony froze. "You…"
"Heh, heh, heh, touch me, and I won't say a word. So, hold yourself back," the man warned.
"You bastard! If you want me to listen, tell me your name first!"
"No problem. I'm Li Vêt, personal guard of Princess Shia."
Tony sat down, his lightning dissipating, showing no further hostility.
"Oh, I expected you to jump me, but alright," the man said, amused. "As you probably know, the north side of the city is plagued by a poison that's infecting everyone except cultivators. You might think Dono's behind it, but no. It's Princess Verna who caused this. She knows Dono supports Shia, so she created this poison. But from what I've heard, she's working on an antidote… which won't be ready for another three days," Li Vêt explained.
He paused, his tone growing serious. "I also heard she tortured and killed Polla, Kelvin's friend, for fun. And now, she's going after your friend Aconé. Even if you and your group are supposed to be the enemy, I can't tolerate such atrocities."
Tony leapt to his feet. "Where's Aconé? Tell me now!"
"In a flower shop, in the city center."
"Now get out! No way I'm leaving you alone with Kelvin."
"I understand," Li Vêt said, leaving the house alongside Tony.
He watched as Tony bolted off to save his friend.
Inside the house, Kelvin, who had gotten up after hearing the commotion, collapsed to the floor, devastated by the news of Polla's death.
Empowered by his lightning, Tony raced at breakneck speed toward the flower shop.
Meanwhile, back in Dono's house, the latter was doubled over with laughter.
"You're too dangerous! You poured the water with the poison on him, knowing he'd run so fast. That let me turn it into vapor and contaminate the whole city!" Dono cackled.
"Wait, that's not even the worst part," replied Li Vêt—or rather, Rieze, who was posing as him, a wicked grin spreading across his face.