"I have more than enough star coins for you to use," Edric said earnestly, his gaze gentle as he looked at Emma. He thought, How could my female be this endearing? She's actually hesitating just because she doesn't want to spend money. That amount means nothing to me. "Emma, once we officially bond, all my assets will be in your name," he informed her. "Then you'll understand just how wealthy you truly are." Honestly, if he attempted to calculate his net worth at that moment, he would probably lose track. She stole another glance at the Luma fox but eventually turned it down. "I don't really like it that much. I already have Coalball, so I'll just concentrate on taking care of him for now. Too many pets would be overwhelming." She thought, I need to focus on my cultivation—having too many pets would only steal time from my training. That just won't do. He didn't push the matter further when he realized she was resolute. He simply guided her to explore other shops. She didn't acquire any pets, but she still ended up purchasing a variety of items—crystals, beast cores, and a selection of compact yet powerful weapons ideal for self-defense. In the end, she even acquired two herbs. The fruits on the herbs resembled cherries and strawberries—but with a twist. The cherries were the size of apples, and the strawberries grew on trees and produced fruit year-round. Just those two herbs cost her one billion star coins. She grasped her chest, feeling a pang. "These are absurdly priced." Edric merely chuckled and began organizing their purchases. "Emma, this is trivial. You'll understand soon enough—in the Empire, what truly matters is resources. Star coins are the least valuable of all." Emma inwardly sighed, I really have seen too little of the world. Her life felt so plain compared to the Empire's elite, and she couldn't imagine just how lavishly they lived. At that moment, she felt like a rural girl entering a royal palace—everything was dazzling and unfamiliar to her. Once they finished shopping, Edric took Emma to one of the most renowned restaurants on A1. "Emma, the chef here, is ranked just below the top culinary masters on the Central Planet. Taste his food and see what you think. Though honestly, I doubt it can surpass your barbecue," he explained. He had only experienced her cooking once, but for Edric, that was already the most flavor-packed meal in the entire galaxy. As he concluded, he handed her a holo-monitor menu with a grin. When the menu appeared, every dish was showcased in a stunning 360-degree projection—so lifelike it looked almost edible. Once served, the meals corresponded perfectly with the holograms. It was her first experience with this type of food ordering, and she felt genuinely intrigued. She selected three dishes that she was at least a bit familiar with, then passed the menu to him. Although she was unsure of his culinary preferences, she intended to remember them so she could prepare meals for him in the future. He proceeded to order nearly all of the restaurant's signature offerings upon seeing that she had only picked three dishes. "There's no way we can eat all that," she remarked, a little amused. He simply smiled and shook his head. "That's okay. We can discard whatever remains. I just want you to have a good time." Instantly, her cheeks flushed, and her heart raced. This guy really knows how to flirt. Service was prompt—within ten minutes, everything they had ordered was served. The first dish was the 18 Feast of Beasts—comprising eighteen cuts of beast meats, each prepared with a distinct flavor and arranged beautifully on the plate. Eagerly, Emma picked up her fork and took a bite. And then— The taste overwhelmed her so completely that she was momentarily at a loss for words. … The Central Planet… Evie was in her partner's villa, nearly bouncing with excitement as she read Kael's latest statement on her lightcore."Luke, look! Mr. Auris has just publicly apologized to me! All the evidence shows that it was I who was saved by the Divine Flame that night!" Evie stated excitedly. "We're finally on the cusp of living the life we've always dreamed of—the very best." Her mate, Luke Olson, frowned slightly as he read the message on lightcore. "Ms. Graham, doesn't this seem a bit too convenient? Something feels off about how easily this is unfolding," he insisted. "Luke, why do you always say things that dampen my spirits?" she snapped. One of her other mates approached, respectfully offering her a glass of juice before gently speaking. "Ms. Graham, Luke tends to think too much. The entire descent of the Divine Flame was witnessed by all. We have both the footage and the beast witnesses—clearly, the Divine Flame chose you. "As for Emma, she is merely an orphan with no family. Even if she's matched with a Rank 9 male, the Beast God would never show interest in someone like her. If you still feel guilty, you could always give her a few beast cores next time you encounter her—consider it a kind gesture," the mate said encouragingly. Evie nodded, feeling reassured. "He's correct. Opportunities are for those who strive for them. That Emma is weak—it's her own responsibility. Her strength only stands at Rank 4. Even if she were given the chance to come to Central Planet, it would just be squandered on her."