"I have more than enough star coins for you to use," Jasper said earnestly, his voice low and sincere as his gentle eyes settled on Rory.
Inwardly, he felt a wave of fond disbelief. How can my female be this adorable? he wondered. She’s hesitating—not because she lacks money, but because she doesn’t want to spend it. And she obviously does not want to burden with such spending as well. So cute.
To him, the sum ant nothing at all. It wasn’t even worth calculating. In fact, he didn’t mind giving her all his money––he was certain she would take good care of it.
"Rory," he continued calmly, "once we officially form our bond, everything I own will be placed in your na." His lips curved slightly. "When that happens, you’ll finally realize just how wealthy you truly are. Such expenses will no longer be an issue for you."
Truthfully, if Jasper tried to tally his assets at that very mont, he’d probably lose track halfway through.
Rory stole one last glance at the softly glowing Luma Fox inside its enclosure, her expression thoughtful. In the end, she shook her head.
"I don’t like it that much," she said decisively. "I already have Burnt Dumpling. For now, I’ll focus on taking good care of him. Having too many pets would be exhausting. I’d like to be good to my pets."
What she didn’t say aloud was her deeper concern: My cultivation is far more important. Too many distractions would slow my progress—and that’s unacceptable. My love for animals will just have to wait.
Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Jasper didn’t press the matter. Instead, he smoothly guided her onward, leading her through the remaining shops.
Although Rory didn’t adopt any beasts, she still ended up purchasing a considerable number of useful items—energy crystals, refined beast cores, and several compact yet deadly weapons designed specifically for personal defense. By the ti they reached the final store, she had even selected two rare herbs.
The fruits on those herbs looked deceptively familiar, resembling cherries and strawberries—but with extraordinary differences. The cherries were as large as apples, heavy and glossy. The strawberries, anwhile, grew on trees and bore fruit all year long.
The price for just those two plants totaled one billion star coins.
Rory instinctively pressed a hand to her chest, wincing. "These prices are ridiculous. Daylight robbery!"
Jasper rely chuckled as he calmly organized their purchases. "Rory, this is nothing. You’ll understand soon enough—within the Empire, resources are everything. Star coins are actually the least valuable asset."
Rory sighed inwardly. I really have seen far too little of the world. It’s kind of embarrassing, even.
Having grown up in such dire poverty, she could scarcely imagine how extravagantly the Empire’s elite lived. In that mont, she felt like a village girl stepping into a royal hall—everything glittered, unfamiliar and overwhelming.
It was a rather humbling experience.
Once their shopping was finished, Jasper brought Rory to one of Al’s most renowned restaurants.
"Rory," he said, "the chef here ranks just below the top culinary masters of the Central District. Try the food and see what you think. Though honestly..." His smile turned faintly smug. "I doubt it’ll surpass your barbecue."
He had only tasted her cooking once, but to Jasper, it remained the most unforgettable al in the galaxy.
With that, he handed her a holo-monitor nu. The mont it activated, every dish appeared in breathtaking 360-degree projection—so vivid and detailed it looked ready to be plucked straight from the air.
When the food eventually arrived, it matched the holograms perfectly.
This was Rory’s first ti ordering food this way, and she found the experience genuinely fascinating. She carefully selected three dishes she recognized, then passed the nu back to Jasper. Although she didn’t yet know his preferences, she made a quiet ntal note to learn them—so she could cook for him herself soday.
Jasper glanced at her choices... then proceeded to order nearly every signature dish on the nu.
"There’s no way we can finish all that," Rory said, half-laughing.
"That’s fine," he replied without hesitation. "Whatever we don’t eat can be discarded. I just want you to enjoy yourself."
Her cheeks imdiately ward, her heartbeat quickening. He really knows how to treat won, she thought.
Service was swift. Within ten minutes, the table was filled.
The first dish was the fad Eighteen Feast of Beasts—eighteen different cuts of beast at, each prepared with a unique flavor profile and arranged with almost artistic precision.
Rory eagerly lifted her fork and took a bite.
And then—
The flavor exploded across her senses, so rich and layered that she froze, utterly speechless.
***
anwhile, far away in the Central District, Mindy Lane sat in her partner’s villa, practically bouncing with excitent as she stared at her light-brain.
"Luke, look!" she exclaid. "Sylas Ruan publicly apologized! All the evidence proves it was who was chosen by the Divine Fla that night!"
"We’re finally about to live the life we deserve—the best of everything!"
Bron Pryne frowned as he reviewed the statent. "Mindy... doesn’t this feel too convenient? Everything’s falling into place a little too easily."
"Why do you always ruin the mood?" she snapped sharply.
Another mate stepped forward, offering her a glass of juice before speaking gently. "Ms. Lane, Bron simply overthinks things. The descent of the Blood Moon was witnessed by countless observers. There’s footage. There are beast witnesses. The Blood Moon’s Divine Fla clearly chose you."
"As for Rory," he continued smoothly, "she’s nothing more than an orphan with no backing. Even if she’s matched with a Rank Nine male, the Beast God would never favor soone like her. If you feel guilty, you could always give her a few beast cores soday—consider it charity."
Mindy nodded, reassured.
"He’s right," she said firmly. "Opportunities belong to those who seize them. Rory is weak—that’s her own fault. She’s only Rank Four. Even if she reached the Central District, she’d waste the chance anyway."
Mindy Lane added smoothly, her tone generous on the surface, "So why not just give it to ? The next ti I see her, I’ll compensate her properly."
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