Lonnie's heart beats wildly with greed just thinking of the possibility of finding an ancient inheritance or some world-defying treasure that could change his fate forever. More importantly, he needs to make sure no one ever finds out about this—no one!
However, despite his greedy thoughts, he didn't take action against Kai or the bearded man. First, he wasn't completely sure if this place had hidden traps or other dangers, so those two were perfect to pave the way for him. Once he made sure there was nothing wrong, he won't hesitate to strike.
"Kai, go and climb on the altar and see if there's something unusual. Vime, you search the rest of the rooms for anything strange." Lonnie coldly ordered, as he didn't have any intention of touching anything since he had others to do it for him.
Furthermore, he wasn't worried about these guys running away or attacking him once they found something because he was a peak Qi Soul Manifestation Realm cultivator, while the bearded man, Vime, was a Qi Soul cultivator, and Kai wasn't even worth mentioning.
He was only rotting away in these mines because he had already exhausted his talent, and he didn't have any chance to get the cultivation method for the 7th and 8th realms.
That's why he was already trying to cozy up to the talented outer city disciples just for a chance to soar with their help, and this was also one of the reasons that he treats Vime quite well because Vime's connection with an outer city disciple and always look the other way whenever he antagonized Kai and even helped him in multiple occasions.
However, now, if this place had a hidden treasure or inheritance, he would no longer need to depend on anyone, and he could finally become the big shot he always dreamed of!
Kai clearly sensed the changed atmosphere around Lonnie, and he almost thought he was looking at himself. He reacted just like Lonnie when he discovered this place. In his heart, he knew things were not going to end well, and he started to sweat profusely.
Vime also spotted some clues, and his heart turned cold. He wasn't an idiot, and he instantly started to console himself with fake hope that Lonnie wouldn't do anything to him because of the young master.
Nonetheless, now both of them have no choice but to follow Lonnie's command because Lonnie is in complete control.
"I-I... I didn't take anything. Please search me, if you want, but I'm telling the truth! I entered this place with both of you! Please believe me; I have no reason to lie!" Kai spoke as he trembled under Lonnie's pressure.
Lonnie's expression becomes even darker when he hears Kai's words. He didn't want to hear those exact words, but it wasn't like he had no way to confirm them.
"Search him." He ordered Vime.
Vime didn't hesitate and started searching for Kai because he was afraid Lonnie might attack him if he didn't find anything.
Kai didn't resist and let Vime search as much as he wanted because he had already hidden the storage ring Ace had given him before leaving to report the incident. He was hoping that Lonnie would give up once he found nothing, but he had underestimated human greed.
"There is nothing on him, my lord," Vime said, his face looking frustrated and somewhat panicked.
Lonnie's expression was almost pitch black, and his eyes were bloodshot. At this moment, veins were popping out on his temple, but he was unwilling to admit this reality!
Then suddenly, his expression grew extremely vicious as he looked at Kai and said, "Since there is nothing on you, this doesn't mean you can't hide it somewhere else. But it didn't mean you can't prove your innocence. Let me perform a soul search on you, and I'll see for myself if you're telling the truth or not!"
Kai instantly took a step back because he knew what it meant to undergo a soul search. If he didn't turn into a vegetable, his mind would be completely ruined, and he wouldn't be able to cultivate anymore.
Furthermore, Lonnie might also discover what really happened here, but he can't allow that. Gathering whatever power he could muster, Kai dashed towards the crack leading to the mines since he and Vime were standing very close to it.
Seeing Kai trying to escape, Lonnie scoffed disdainfully, as if he were watching an ant trying to get away from a human: "There is nowhere to run, little Kai!"