Chapter 333
Lex tightened his grip around Nina’s hand, a radiant smile spreading across his face.
The happiness in his eyes was impossible to hide.
After everything they had been through, he finally felt as though things were moving in the right direction. This time, no matter what happened, he had no intention of letting go.
Even death itself would not make him release her hand.
The following day, Lani brought Nina to inspect the stretch of land along the eastern coast.
The group spent the entire day exploring the area and evaluating its potential. The more they saw, the more convinced they became that it was the perfect location for White Sand City’s future.
Compared to their current settlement, the difference was obvious.
The scenery was more beautiful, the resources were more abundant, and the surrounding terrain offered plenty of room for future growth. The nearby coastline would also provide valuable opportunities for trade and transportation.
After discussing the matter together, everyone quickly reached the same conclusion.
White Sand City’s new home would be built there.
Over the next two days, Nina, her mates, Lani, Keil, and the others worked together to redesign the city’s future layout.
Maps were spread across tables as they discussed every detail of the construction plans. Roads, residential districts, defensive structures, trade zones, farmland, and public facilities were all carefully considered and arranged.
Although the work was time-consuming, everyone was enthusiastic. The prospect of building a better city filled them with excitement.
Once the plans had been finalized, Nina began preparing for the next stage of her journey.
“Which city are you planning to visit next?” Lani asked.
Nina lowered her eyes to the map and studied it for a moment before pointing toward the southern region.
“Blazing Flame City.”
She tapped the marked location with her finger.
“It’s relatively close, and it’s also located in the south. It makes sense for us to start there.”
Keil immediately spoke up.
“Then I’ll come with you.”
A mischievous smile appeared on the old merman’s face.
“I know quite a few old fellows scattered around those territories. They may be able to help us gather information.”
In truth, he wanted to assist with the search for the remaining sacred artifacts.
Besides, he had grown genuinely fond of the cubs.
The little ones had completely won him over, and he enjoyed every opportunity to spend time with them.
Nina smiled warmly.
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
With Keil’s experience, connections, and strength, their chances of success would undoubtedly improve.
Lani nodded approvingly.
“Having him along will certainly make things easier.”
Everyone agreed.
With White Sand City’s future secured and their next destination decided, the group began making preparations for the journey ahead.
“You can leave without worry. I’ll stay behind and oversee the reconstruction work.”
Nina’s expression softened.
“Thank you, Father.”
She truly appreciated having family members she could rely upon.
Lani chuckled.
“You don’t need to thank me.”
Then something suddenly occurred to him.
“Speaking of which, what about that spirit beast? The one that helped us during the battle. Has it woken up yet?”
Mino shook his head.
“I checked before coming here. It’s still asleep.”
“Let’s go take a look,” Nina suggested. “After all, it helped save White Sand City.”
Everyone agreed and headed toward the room where the mysterious white beast had been resting.
The tiny creature remained exactly where they had left it.
Still asleep. Still motionless.
Dian frowned.
“If it keeps sleeping like this, won’t something happen to it?”
“Possibly.” Lani’s expression became thoughtful.
“If it remains unconscious for too long without replenishing its energy, its condition will continue to deteriorate. Eventually, it could become dangerous.”
Even spirit beasts needed a steady supply of energy to survive.
Finch sighed.
“But we currently have no way to help it.”
Keil stroked his chin thoughtfully. “That’s not entirely true.”
Everyone immediately looked toward him.
Lex raised an eyebrow. “Grandpa, you have an idea?”
Keil turned to Nina.
“Nina, aren’t you capable of forming contracts with spirit beasts?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then contract it.”
Keil pointed toward the sleeping creature.
“If you establish a contract, you’ll be able to transfer energy directly to it. There is a good chance it might wake up.”
Nina hesitated. “Would that really work?”
She glanced at the unconscious beast.
“It’s not even awake. Wouldn’t forming a contract under those circumstances feel a little inappropriate? And we don’t even know whether it would succeed.”
Keil waved dismissively.
“You’re trying to save its life. What’s inappropriate about that? If anything, it should thank you.”
He chuckled. “Besides, if it genuinely refuses, the contract won’t succeed anyway.”
Dian immediately nodded.
“Grandpa is right. You should give it a try, Sister Nina.”
The other mates quickly agreed.
After considering it for a moment, Nina finally nodded.
“Alright. I’ll try.”
She walked over to the sleeping beast.
Pricking her fingertip, she allowed a drop of blood to fall onto its forehead.
A moment later, soft golden light spread across the creature’s body.
An intricate contract mark gradually appeared between its brows.
Nina stared at it.
Something felt strange. The contract mark looked different. Or perhaps similar in an unexpected way.
She narrowed her eyes.
Was it her imagination? The mark didn’t resemble the ones Roro and Goldy carried.
Instead… It looked suspiciously similar to another kind of contract she knew very well.
Around her, the mates’ expressions simultaneously darkened.
Every single one of them noticed it.
That contract mark looked remarkably similar to the bond marks they themselves bore.
Since those markings represented their relationship with Nina, they paid close attention to such things.
There was no way they could mistake it.
Immediately, a sense of dissatisfaction began brewing among them.
A spirit beast.
Why should a spirit beast have a contract mark that looked like theirs?
For the first time, several of them regretted encouraging Nina to proceed.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Keil and the others failed to notice the growing resentment.
“Good. The contract succeeded. That means it accepted you.”
Keil nodded approvingly.
“Try transferring some energy and see if it helps.”
Nina placed her hand gently against the beast’s body. As expected, once the contract was established, her energy flowed smoothly into it.
The sleeping creature instinctively absorbed every bit of it.
Warm currents spread through its body. Damaged energy pathways slowly began repairing themselves.
Several moments later, its eyelashes trembled.
Inside the darkness of unconsciousness, Phar sensed a warm presence.
Gentle energy flowed through his body, replenishing everything he had lost. The weakness that had plagued him began slowly fading away.
His consciousness gradually surfaced. Then he felt something strange.
Something very strange.
A contract.
His eyes flew open.
For several seconds, he simply stared blankly into space, completely stunned.
His mind went utterly blank.
He had merely gone into temporary dormancy.
How had he suddenly gained a female master while he was asleep?