Chapter 90: Sugar Actually Became a Controlled Item in the Beast World

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Sugar Actually Became a Controlled Item in the Beast World

Loki’s cheeks flushed red from lack of oxygen. He opened his mouth, trying to make a sound, but couldn’t manage it at all. He could only widen his eyes, staring at Zerev in horror.

Zerev’s silver eyes were as cold as frost. The killing intent radiating from his gaze made the surrounding males involuntarily hunch their backs. Just as Loki was on the verge of suffocating, Zerev released his grip, looking down disdainfully at the man who had crumpled to the ground.

"As long as the transaction is incomplete, this fruit isn’t yours yet."

The way he looked at him—as if staring at a dead dog—ignited Loki’s competitive drive.

The moment Miche recognized Zerev, she was completely dumbfounded. She realized he was the wealthy male who had spent lavishly at the trading market the other day, the one who resided in Ten Thousand Beasts City. Why was he here? Panic flickered in Miche’s eyes. Subconsciously, she stepped away, putting distance between herself and Loki. However, quickly realizing her reaction was inappropriate, she stepped forward and gently tugged on Loki’s sleeve.

"Loki, let it go. There’s no need to fall out with Ophelia over two fruits. She just has a bad temper. As a male, you shouldn’t bicker with her." Besides, standing in front of Zerev, she wanted to showcase her gentle and considerate side.

Loki whipped his head around angrily. "I’ll offer a high price of two Red Crystal Stones for these two fruits!"

The surrounding onlookers were dumbfounded. One Red Crystal Stone could be exchanged for ten carcasses of prey; two meant twenty. With twenty carcasses at the trading market, what kind of fruit couldn’t be bought? Some males were even tempted to step forward and trade their freshly purchased Golden Pears with Loki.

Ophelia remained completely unmoved, bluntly rejecting him, "No deal!"

The male onlookers were utterly baffled. Why would she refuse such a windfall? Besides, that male had been terribly rude to her. What was wrong with simply pocketing the two Red Crystal Stones?

Zerev’s tone carried a hint of amusement. "Starting a bidding war? Interesting. I’ll offer five Red Crystal Stones for these two fruits."

Loki’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected Zerev to counter his bid. Now he was thoroughly backed into a corner. But he was the one who initiated the bidding war. With so many people—and Miche—watching, he couldn’t just tuck his tail and run without losing face. Gritting his teeth, Loki shouted, "I bid ten red gold stones!"

The sun had risen to its zenith, and the temperature was steadily climbing. Having lost interest in toying with Loki, Zerev said lightly, "One Yellow Crystal Stone."

Loki was rendered speechless.

"You’re actually going to trade a Yellow Crystal Stone for two fruits? Are you joking?" His face was plastered with disbelief. Seemingly regaining his confidence, he provoked, "Crystal Stones aren’t just empty words. Let’s see you actually pull one out if you can."

At the mention of a Yellow Crystal Stone, Miche’s eyes instantly lit up. She wanted Zerev to be her mate!

Acting as though he were certain Zerev was bluffing, Loki aggressively yanked the animal-skin pouch from his waist and tossed it onto the ground. "There are nine Red Crystal Stones in here. These two fruits are mine."

He bent down to pick up the two fruits, but just as he reached out, the back of his hand was struck by a sharp yellow object.

"Is that really a Yellow Crystal Stone?" one male asked.

"Trading a Yellow Crystal Stone for just two fruits... He must be out of his mind," another muttered.

"Who knows? Maybe his family sits on a crystal mine."

The surrounding males were thoroughly riled up by the sight of the Yellow Crystal Stone, their excited chatter filling the air.

Loki clutched his bleeding hand, his gaze turning venomous. "You just wait!" After spitting out the threat, he turned on his heel and stormed off, completely ignoring Miche.

Left behind, Miche wasn’t the least bit angry. Pasting an apologetic expression onto her face, she approached Zerev and spoke softly. "I’m so sorry. Loki just has an impulsive personality. Please don’t take offense."

One glance was all it took for Zerev to see the blatant greed in Miche’s eyes. Without a word, he bent down to retrieve the two Golden Pears.

Seeing him ignore her, Miche’s eyes instantly reddened. "I’m sorry," she choked out. "I know Loki upset you, but I don’t harbor any ill intentions toward you. If you’re still angry, I can have him come back and apologize."

After years of keeping him by her side, she knew exactly how to manipulate Loki. She was confident that all it would take was a single word from her, and he would comply.

Hearing this, Zerev asked in feigned confusion, "Isn’t he your mate?"

Miche blushed shyly and gently shook her head. "No. I haven’t taken a mate yet. We just grew up together, so we’re quite close. I only see him as a brother." After saying this, she shot Zerev a coy, lingering look, secretly observing his reaction.

"Oh? Just a brother? But the scent on your body..." Zerev trailed off, his eyes turning icy as the corners of his lips curled upward.

Miche’s face instantly drained of color, her lips trembling slightly. "N-no, that’s not it. You’ve misunderstood. We didn’t do anything."

She tightly gripped her animal-skin skirt, her heart racing in panic. She had never explicitly agreed to become mates with Loki, but to string him along, they had done practically everything except take that final step. In fact, it was precisely because she had indulged Loki earlier that he had agreed to bring her to the trading market today.

Having witnessed enough of Miche’s two-faced act, Ophelia sauntered over. She tossed the Yellow Crystal Stone back to Zerev. "It’s not like you haven’t eaten this fruit before. Why insist on buying it?"

Miche was momentarily stunned. "Ophelia, you two know each other?"

"I never said we didn’t," Ophelia replied with a bright, mocking smile.

Miche’s cheeks flushed a furious red. "Ophelia! Even if you dislike me, you shouldn’t team up with an outsider to bully me like this! How exactly have I offended you? You’re too much!" Covering her face, she ran off with tears welling in her eyes.

Ophelia shrugged, shooting Zerev a look of exaggerated innocence. "How did it suddenly become my fault?"

Zerev pursed his lips. "It’s not your fault. She’s simply too greedy."

Ophelia raised an eyebrow in surprise. Judging by Zerev’s reaction, he hadn’t been swayed by Miche’s act at all. She wondered if he had some sort of built-in radar for two-faced women.

Zerev merely smiled without saying a word. Back in the Holy Capital, countless young females threw themselves at him. He had seen every trick in the book. The tactics of this little female named Miche were far too amateurish.

Once Tyler finished packing up the back-basket, Ophelia led Zerev on a stroll through the trading market. They visited nearly every stall, but Zerev couldn’t find what he was looking for. His brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

Confused, Ophelia asked in a low voice, "What exactly are you looking for?"

Zerev pondered for a moment before giving her the answer.

"Sugar?"

"Yes. Sugar is incredibly scarce on the Starfall Continent, so the Holy Capital has decreed that it cannot be distributed outside the city limits.

"A month ago, five bags of sugar were stolen. Our investigations revealed that they ended up somewhere near Ten Thousand Beasts City. I’m here to catch the mastermind behind it."

Ophelia blinked in disbelief. She hadn’t expected sugar to be a highly controlled contraband in the Beast World. "And once you find them?"

"They must die!" The authority of the Holy Capital tolerated no transgressions. Sparing one would only encourage countless others. This strict suppression was the very reason the lower-tier tribes didn’t even know of sugar’s existence. Every threat had to be nipped in the bud.