Chapter 366: Lan Zao and Zi Di Suspect Each Other
Love Triangle.
Forecastle.
Zi Di manipulated the scout-type alchemy puppet, flying down in front of Lan Zao.
She was still on the Deep Sea Monster Fish Ship, observing Lan Zao while speaking through the alchemy device in a light tone: "You're awake? Looks like you're doing okay."
Lan Zao looked at the scout-type alchemy puppet in front of him, then glanced at the dazed giant beside him, shook his head, and said solemnly, “Actually, I feel terrible.”
He mistakenly believed he was close to death.
He continued, "The potion is destroying me; I can feel it. This potion can't be used!"
Zi Di was taken aback for a moment before asking why.
Lan Zao sighed wryly and explained his suspicions, revealing the experiment involving the bloodline of the former Life God.
After listening, Zi Di felt both annoyed and amused, with a touch of contempt and pity for Lan Zao.
"Don't worry, the magic potion is fine, " Zi Di reassured him again, but she couldn't say too much, as this was a classified matter.
She had previously advised the dragonman youngster that the fewer people who knew about it, the better.
Lan Zao was taken aback, then raised his voice and pointed at himself: "I took the potion; how could I not know? This feeling is terrible. Not only have I coughed up blood, but now I'm experiencing intense dizziness. Even if I faint again in the next moment, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Bloodlines aren’t something that can be easily altered.”
“Even the Life God is like this; how much more so for us?”
“Bloodline conflicts can be fatal.”
“What kind of potion is this?”
Lan Zao trusted the dragonman youngster implicitly.
But when it came to Zi Di, his trust was greatly diminished.
Lan Zao’s words carried a hint of accusation, leaving Zi Di in a brief silence.
She would not reveal the truth about the blood core to Lan Zao, so she said, “Don’t worry, Lan Zao. The potion is fine; all these symptoms are just your body adapting to it.”
“It will be better in a few days.”
“As for the potion, you know, anything that enhances bloodlines is highly classified.”
“I can only tell you that it all comes from the War Merchant's database.”
Lan Zao paused for a moment, then gave a silent, bitter smile.
The first thing he thought of was the War Merchant's artificial magic beasts.
These beasts were both powerful and fragile; without a magic-suppressing environment, they would destroy themselves.
Lan Zao pressed further, “What does ‘a few days’ mean?”
Zi Di replied, “The adaptation process varies from person to person; I can't give you an exact answer.”
Lan Zao asked again, "Am I the first one to use this medicine? Was the efficacy confirmed before it was used? Have the newly joined alchemists confirmed it?"
Zi Di fell silent again: “I said these are classified, and those people aren't trustworthy yet.”
Lan Zao found it hard to believe: "These alchemists have joined us and are bound by contracts. Even if we don't give them the formula, we should at least provide samples for them to test the efficacy and consequences of the drug."
"The others can be ignored, but Bu Quan is a genius alchemist. Shouldn't such an asset be utilized properly?"
The ghost girl couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Even though she didn't rely on breathing to survive.
Zi Di said, "I know what you want to ask, Lan Zao. The first person to use the potion wasn't you, but me."
“You can verify this with the commander.”
“The potion is fine; I don't want to repeat myself.”
"Additionally, I also have a fever, and my body is exhibiting similar symptoms. I said, all of this is just..."
Zi Di hadn't finished speaking when Lan Zao interrupted her: “But you're already dead!”
The conversation came to an abrupt halt, and the forecastle fell into silence.
The big guy looked at Lan Zao, his expression confused.
Lan Zao realized he had said the wrong thing and hurried to clarify: "That's not what I meant. What I meant was, you understand... well, why would such symptoms arise?"
“I have no intention of revealing the specifics to you, Lan Zao.” Zi Di's expression betrayed a hint of irritation, "I understand your perspective; perhaps you believe you are in mortal danger.”
“But that is not the case.”
“If you don't believe me, you can ask the commander.”
“You shouldn't doubt his words, right?”
Lan Zao nodded: “Without a doubt, I believe every word the captain says!”
“But...” he added in his heart, “what if the commander has also been deceived by you?”
Zi Di...
Lan Zao's feelings toward Zi Di were complex.
On one hand, he recognized her talent and understood her contributions. On the other hand, he maintained a respectful attitude toward her due to her relationship with the dragonman youngster.
However, the crux of the matter was that Zi Di deliberately orchestrated a maritime disaster to gain access to the Mystifying Monster Island, resulting in most of the passengers either perishing in the disaster or dying on the island.
Lan Zao couldn't help but think, "Since Zi Di once dragged everyone on the ship down for her own gain, would she do the same now?"
"She's already a ghost; she's already dead. And undead naturally hates the living."
“Has her nature not been corrupted by negative energy?”
“Did she really not hide anything from the commander?”
"Could it be that this potion has no side effects on the dead, but she hid it from the commander? She intends for everyone to die after taking it and be forced to become undead?"
Lan Zao harbored doubts, but he did not voice them.
Similarly, doubts also arose in Zi Di's heart.
Lan Zao’s attitude toward her at this moment was not as respectful as usual.
Zi Di understood him.
Because he felt his life was threatened, anyone under such pressure would behave differently from usual. Being a bit agitated was normal.
However…
This couldn’t help but remind Zi Di of Lan Zao’s past.
On the Mystifying Monster Island, Lan Zhao had killed his own younger brother to survive!
This had always been an obstacle in Zi Di's heart
When the dragonman youngster rescued him, Zi Di had directly advised him, “What is there to save about such a person?”
But the dragonman youngster had saved Lan Zhao's life, earning his loyalty and subordination.
In subsequent experiences, Zi Di also recognized Lan Zao's value.
Though Lan Zao was only a bronze level, his loyalty to the dragonman youngster bordered on worship, and this intense emotion could influence others.
During the early days of the mercenary group, Lan Zao, as a low-ranking ringleader, also helped the survivors manage the mercenary group.
But the emotional barrier in Zi Di's heart had not faded.
When Lan Zao subtly questioned Zi Di about his current situation, the caution Zi Di had harbored toward Lan Zao surfaced in his mind.
The ghost girl couldn't help but think, “Back then, when Lan Zao faced the pressure of death, he killed his younger brother to secure his own survival.”
“And now, under the mistaken belief that the magic potion he consumed posed a life-threatening danger, how would he react?”
“In ordinary times, his loyalty to the commander was evident, but now, under the assumption that he was in mortal danger, would he still maintain that loyalty?”
“Especially since the potion he had taken was personally handed to him by the commander!”
At this point, Zi Di no longer felt the need to explain and instead said, “I admit it, Lan Zao.”
“This is a potion from the War Merchant, and there are experimental data in the database confirming its safety.”
“But you know, when it comes to alchemy, once it involves specific circumstances, accidents are bound to happen.”
“I cannot guarantee absolute safety.”
“From this perspective, your concerns are reasonable.”
“What I want to tell you is that I was the first to take this potion.”
“I have one more question for you to ponder. If this potion were to end your life, what would you do?”
After saying this, she controlled the alchemy bird and left the forecastle.
The conversation ended, and Lan Zao sat motionless in his spot for a long time.
Zi Di observed his expression and state, feeling relieved but not overly concerned.
The reason was simple.
Once the “symptoms” faded after a few days, Lan Zao would naturally be overjoyed at the improvement in his abilities.
She didn't offer any guarantees.
On one hand, she had no proof. The magic potion formula mentioned as an excuse was something she simply couldn't produce.
On the other hand, she also wanted to observe Lan Zao to verify his loyalty to the dragonman youngster.
“It would be better for the commander to handle this personally and comfort him.”
“The facts that follow will make him realize his own foolishness.”
“Once he learns the truth, his loyalty to the commander will become even more unwavering.”