Arkaal paused briefly before continuing.
"I have already placed it under forced slumber," he added. "Right now, it is inside the greater poison essence accumulation formation. You can check it yourself."
The old man remained silent for a moment after hearing that.
His dull eyes flickered faintly. A thin smile formed on his lips, which was eventually turned into a dry, sharp cackle. The sound echoed in the chamber as he slowly pushed himself up. His two frail and bony arms trembled as they supported his weak body. It took effort, but he managed to sit upright on the stone platform.
"Good disciple," he said, his voice still thin but filled with a strange excitement.
His dull eyes shifted toward the open stone door. He looked past it, as if trying to catch a glimpse of what lay outside.
"If this vessel is truly as good as you claim," he continued, "I will reward you well. With my help… perhaps even becoming a King will not be impossible for you in the future."
