Jeremy hesitated for a moment before retrieving a soul crystal from his storage space.
Handing the fingernail-sized soul crystal to Heber, Jeremy inquired, "Heber, have you ever seen a soul crystal like this?"
To his surprise, Heber merely glanced at the crystal in Jeremy's hand without making any move to take it. With a puzzled expression, he remarked, "A soul crystal, huh? I'm very familiar with these things. How could I possibly have not seen one before?"
Jeremy's eyes lit up at Heber's words. "Are soul crystals abundant in the Land of Eternal Night?"
Heber scratched his head and said, "Soul crystals aren't like energy crystals. They have various uses. In the Land of Eternal Night, they're merely ornamental gems. I'm not sure what purpose you have for them, Jeremy."
After a brief pause, Heber retrieved an identical soul crystal from a small pouch at his waist and presented it to Jeremy, saying, "Jeremy, take a look first. Is this what you're after?"
Jeremy didn't need to handle it, he simply activated The Eye of Omniscience. Instantly, he confirmed that the soul crystal in Heber's hand was exactly what he had been searching for.
Jeremy nodded affirmatively and said, "Indeed, this is precisely what I have been seeking."
Bursting into hearty laughter, Heber reached into the small pouch at his waist and produced a generous handful of soul crystals.
Without any hesitation, Heber shoved the entire handful into Jeremy's hands. "You should have said so earlier! I'm a gem merchant, I may not have much of other things, but I have plenty of gems. Here, take them, Bro!"
Heber's broad palm held a bundle of soul crystals about the size of an average adult's head.
However, this quantity was merely a drop in the bucket for Jeremy.
Jeremy didn't take them. Instead, he solemnly asked, "Brother Heber, how many soul crystals do you have?"
Upon realizing Jeremy's intent, Heber was momentarily taken aback. "Aren't these just decorative trinkets? And even with this many, it's still not enough?"
Glancing at the remaining stock in the small pouch at his waist, Heber remarked, "I probably have around two thousand more soul crystals here."
Upon hearing this, Jeremy frowned. "That's a bit too few."
Heber's beady eyes widened in astonishment. "Brother Jeremy, the soul crystals I have here are enough to supply Dawn City for over a month. And this still isn't enough?"
Jeremy shook his head and said solemnly, "It's far from enough."
Jeremy then took out all the equipment and currency he had obtained earlier at Dawn Arena and handed them over to Heber without any hesitation or sign of reluctance. "Heber, please help me procure as many soul crystals as possible."
The items Jeremy handed over were of significant value, including the equipment from Dark Gold Bel and everything from Blood Tiger Hansen's stash.
In essence, the items Jeremy presented were worth at least two to three times Heber's entire fortune.
Seeing the seriousness on Jeremy's face, Heber didn't ask any questions. He accepted the items and said, "I know a few other gem merchants. Wait for my news."
In the following days, a rumor spread through the merchant circles: Heber had gone mad!
This seemingly honest gem merchant was now frantically buying up a gem that was good for nothing but its appearance—soul crystals.
Every gem merchant knew that the most valuable items in their trade were not the pretty-looking gems.
But the ones that could be embedded in equipment to enhance strength and provide various attributes.
Yet Heber was defying market logic, sparing no expense to buy soul crystals like a madman.
Such was Heber's frenzy that the price of soul crystals in Dawn City doubled overnight!
On one hand, she greatly admired Jeremy's formidable strength and reliable nature.
On the other hand, Bonnie was utterly repulsed by Jeremy's notorious lack of restraint.
Though she was vaguely aware that Jeremy was her savior.
When she sensed his intense gaze locked onto her, panic set in: "This pervert better not try anything with me!"
The thought made Bonnie anxious. She was still a maiden and didn't want to be taken advantage of by Jeremy in a moment of confusion.
At the very least, shouldn't it start with dating?
Originally, Bonnie was straining with all her might to open her eyes.
However, when Jeremy's large hand grasped her ankle, a warm surge flowed into her body from his touch.
Having never been touched so intimately by any man other than her father, Bonnie felt momentarily dazed.
Jeremy had been in the Land of Eternal Night for some time now, and as a healthy man with normal desires, the sight of Bonnie's beautiful leg ignited a fire within him.
His rough, warm hand then slid from her ankle up to her plump thigh.
Instantly, Jeremy felt as if his hand had sunk into a mound of butter.
The sensation momentarily blurred Jeremy's mind.
A closer look revealed that Jeremy's hand was now mere inches from Bonnie's most private area!
At that moment, Bonnie snapped fully awake!
With a piercing scream, Bonnie's eyes flew open.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she tried to close her legs tightly and push away Jeremy's intrusive hand.
However, perhaps because her body hadn't fully recovered, Bonnie found herself weak and powerless after opening her eyes.
Her attempt to close her legs only ended up trapping Jeremy's hand between them, and her feeble hands on his felt more like a tender hold than a push.
The awkward situation left Jeremy utterly confused about Bonnie's intentions.
Meanwhile, Bonnie's alabaster-like face flushed so deeply with embarrassment that it seemed blood might drip from it.
Just then, Heber's booming voice echoed from outside the room, unfiltered: "Jeremy, come quick! I've got the soul crystals you wanted!"
The door creaked open, and Jeremy heard Heber entering his room.
Clearly puzzled by Jeremy's absence, Heber muttered to himself, "Strange, where is he?"
After a brief pause, as if suddenly remembering something, Heber slapped his forehead and said, "Oh right, he must be in that girl's room."
Heavy footsteps approached Bonnie's room.
Bonnie panicked instantly.
"Let... let go!"