The Black Earl asked, "Is it beneficial or harmful for you to focus on something that’s of no use yet holds your thoughts?"
Vay hadn’t opened his mouth to answer yet, when the Black Earl turned to Angel and said, "He doesn’t need it, nor do I. However, if it truly is one of the God of Shepherd’s divine equipment, it’s best not to give it to Dox; he wouldn’t be able to withstand those old fellows of the Shepherd family."
Dox was on the verge of tears: Why am I being mentioned again?
Naturally, the Black Earl’s thoughts were known to him. However, he thought quite openly about it; even if he couldn’t handle the Shepherd family, he could secretly find a market channel to sell it!
He’s been operating at the Sandworm Market for so many years, not for nothing. He has plenty of hidden channels.
While Dox was thinking this, the Black Earl seemed to see through his thoughts: "If you’re looking for a channel to sell it, do you believe that the Shepherd family will definitely find you? They’ll then use every method to pry open your mouth... The art of truth-telling might not work, but they have faith in brainwashing techniques, extracting memories straight from your mind. The specifics of the operation, and eventually the outcome you face—I guess you wouldn’t want to know."
Dox: ...
Dox wanted to say something to refute, but facing the "authority" like the Black Earl, could this grassroots individual really escape the Shepherd family’s tracking through private channels?
Dox thought carefully, and indeed found no way.
Should he just give up this mask?
While Dox was wrestling in his heart, Angel spoke up: "Actually, Lord Black Earl need not worry about this."
Angel paused for a long time before continuing.
The Black Earl snorted from his nose, seemingly enlightened: "Indeed, if he goes to Illusion Demon Island, these problems wouldn’t be a concern."
The Black Earl: "Let’s leave it at that; both Vay and I will give up the mask. You and Dox can handle the allocation."
The Black Earl made the final decision directly, and arranged everything clearly for Vay.
It wasn’t that the Black Earl was uninterested in the God of Shepherd’s dual faces; rather, it’s because... they can continue moving forward, accompanying them to the remnants site, and the Black Earl already felt he got a good deal. Yet if he had to share the other treasures obtained here, where would his dignity lie?
As long as there were no outsiders, it wouldn’t matter much to take advantage. But Angel was here, and behind Angel stood Rhein and Sanders. If those two knew about what happened today, Rhein would surely still wear a smiling facade, but there would definitely be hidden daggers in his words, full of sarcastic undertones; whereas Sanders, there’s no need to mention—he’d surely rush over with his Nightmare avatar without hesitation.
Therefore, for the sake of reputation, the Black Earl wouldn’t take it, nor would he let Vay take it.
Since everyone else refused, the ownership naturally fell to Angel and Dox to decide.
Dox had heard the Black Earl’s words just now; if standing behind him was Illusion Demon Island, he indeed wouldn’t face danger, yet if he truly wanted to follow Angel for a period, he also didn’t want to stay long-term in Barbarian Cave... after all, he still had the Cross Tavern.
While Dox hesitated, Angel directly tossed the God of Shepherd’s dual faces to him.
Dox was stunned for a moment, looking at the two different boxes in his hands, the thoughts in his mind vanishing in an instant.
He looked at Angel with confusion: "You, you don’t want it?"
Angel: "I didn’t say I don’t want it, I just entrusted my portion to you. You also heard earlier, if I suddenly wish to research the Mirror Domain in the future, I’ll have to retrieve it from you."
Dox: "Then why don’t you take one now?"
Angel crossed his arms, smilingly said: "Hot potato, of course it’s better to have one person holding it."
Dox: "..."
Vay looked at Dox’s stunned appearance as if struck by lightning, snorted coldly: "Same as before, foolish like a blind snake."
Confronting Vay’s taunt, Dox seemed to have developed "muscle memory," and reflexively replied: "Blind snakes aren’t foolish."
Vay chuckled coldly: "They’re not foolish, but without eyes, unable to see the world, they may do foolish things. For instance, mistaking their own tail as an enemy and taking a bite."
Dox: "Are you saying I’m reaping what I sowed?"
Vay: "I didn’t say it, you did yourself. I’m curious to see if you have the guts to market the God of Shepherd’s dual faces; I’ll definitely keep following!"
Dox had nothing to say, realizing now he’s truly reluctant to circulate the mask, not daring even to show it off to outsiders.
He seemed to understand the meaning behind Angel’s "hot potato" and vaguely grasped the Black Earl’s sentiment of "thinking incessantly, emotionally invested, yet rendered useless upon acquiring."
Did he profit, or did he lose?
Leaving aside whether it’s profit or loss, Dox could only shake off the feeling of being duped by Angel once again.
Yet, inspiration hadn’t warned him.
Is it because inspiration sided with Angel from the start?
Dox let out a sigh in his heart, ultimately said nothing, and stored the two boxes in his spatial container.
After distributing the God of Shepherd’s dual faces, everyone’s topic of interest continued undiminished, discussing in the Mind Ribbon.
However, Dox, known for his verbosity and love of arguing, was silent. Perhaps, still entrapped in complex emotions.
"Actually, I’m quite concerned about Laplace’s words to Kaier," Vay looked toward Kaier: "What are you really thinking? Do you plan to continue fulfilling the illusory soul’s obsession after knowing the truth?"
Kaier was silent for a moment, then said: "I don’t know... I’m more concerned about the ’bond’ she mentioned."
Kaier gazed blankly at the interminable distance, murmuring softly: "Is the remnant soul attached to me truly the aid in becoming a Transcendent? Is the bond she spoke of true?"
This question, based on Vay’s vision, couldn’t be answered. He could only comfort: "As long as your heart remains unburdened, the bond, whether real or not, hardly matters."
Kaier hesitated and said: "But if the reason I became a Talented One was truly due to his contribution... I would likely still choose to fulfill his obsession."
Speaking to this, Kaier muttered lowly: "Actually, even now, I don’t know if exploring the relic is his obsession or mine. Did he notice my yearning for the unknown and curiosity, choosing me; or did choosing me influence my exploration of the unknown?"
Vay: "Such question is akin to the chicken or the egg; there’s no need to dwell on it."
After Vay finished his words, no response came from Kaier for a long time.
Curiously looking back.
Only to discover Kaier was no longer behind... he seemed to have vanished, disappearing from the team.