The Water Domain — the Dragon Palace beneath the sea.
Upon a throne piled high with dazzling gemstones, a black-haired man lounged lazily amid the glittering treasure. His eyes were lowered, his gaze drifting indifferently over the subordinate kneeling below.
"What did you just say?" He asked, frowning. "Congratulations to me? And what, exactly, is there to congratulate?"
Enduring the suffocating pressure radiating from him, the subordinate answered shakily, "My lord, the Female Matching Center has sent word. You… you have been matched with a female master!"
The lord had only just advanced in rank. His mental energy was currently in a volatile state, and his abilities were unstable. If a female master were to soothe him, his mental energy would quickly stabilize.
There would be no need to suppress it so painfully anymore. For beasts like him, it was a blessing. But he did not really think so.
"Female master?" The man on the throne curled his long fingers slightly.
Crack.
A pink gemstone shattered into powder in his palm.
"I have never needed a female master."
Women would only slow down his conquest of the Astrium World.
The Dragon Palace's Grand Elder, standing nearby, hurriedly spoke up when he heard this.
"My lord, I know you do not wish to be bound by a female, but you have just advanced in rank. Your mental energy is unstable, and you urgently need soothing."
The man on the throne flicked a careless glance in his direction. A bead of cold sweat instantly slid down the Grand Elder's forehead.
He knew well enough—his lord despised females, and hated even more the Beast God's matching system. He hated the mere idea of depending on someone who was weaker than him. He hated to admit that he needed someone at all.
But males truly did need female soothing, especially high-ranking males like their lord. The higher the rank, the stronger the mental energy—and the more violent its unrest.
Over time, it would become impossible to suppress. Mental collapse would follow, plunging him into madness, turning him into a beast that knew only slaughter and no thought.
Steeling himself, the Grand Elder stepped forward and said, "My lord, you don't have to truly bond with this matched female. After a successful match, the Beast God System allows three months for both male and female to choose."
He paused, gauging his Lord's reaction.
"During that time, we can ask her to help soothe you. Once your mental energy stabilizes, she can simply apply to dissolve the match."
The man on the throne fell silent for a moment. "Would she agree?"
Females were not only fragile and troublesome—they were also greedy. If she learned his identity, would she really be willing to let go?
The Grand Elder smiled confidently. "Please rest assured, my lord. I've already investigated her based on the information sent by the Matching Center.
"She lives in Veridan City. Her name is Roanna "Rory" Smith. She has just advanced to Tier Four, has no family backing, and has only just turned twenty-three. In order to advance, she's saved almost nothing.
"As long as we offer her enough star coins, she will definitely agree."
Their dragon clan lacked nothing—neither treasures nor star coins.
Seeing that the man on the throne didn't object, the Grand Elder continued, "My lord, your mental energy has been especially unstable lately. If you have no objections, I'll make arrangements immediately.
"We should head to Veridan City and meet this female as soon as possible."
If possible, they would much rather bring her directly to the undersea Dragon Palace—but females were precious, and all were blessed and protected by the Beast God.
No male dared to ignore a female's will and forcibly take her away.
To do so would invite the Beast God's punishment.
At best, one would lose ranks. At worst—death.
Especially since she was their lord's matched female, they dared even less to coerce her. They could only approach her politely and negotiate.
If negotiation failed, then…
…
Central Star District.
At the top floor of Starlight Technology, within a star-rift space.
A white-haired man spread his arms wide, fox-like eyes narrowing in bliss as he gazed at the mountain-like pile of beast cores before him. Beneath his feet, star coins formed the floor and steps.
The entire star-rift space was constructed from the most expensive gemstones and rare ores.
Star-rift space was Astrium's latest technological achievement—not only vast, like a small asteroid, but also portable and incredibly durable. Even the most powerful warships couldn't breach it.
"It's the scent of star coins!" He grinned. It was his favorite smell.
Ding!
A sudden notification on his light-brain snapped his narrowed eyes wide open.
"Matching?"
"A female master?"
Hah!
So the Beast God really had sent a woman, trying to take his wealth.
Despicable. Absolutely despicable.
No one was taking even a single star coin from him.
The man immediately exited the star-rift space and summoned his assistant.
"Mateo, go investigate this Rory."
Although the Beast God System wouldn't provide males with any information about their matched female for the first three months—
That didn't mean he couldn't find out for himself.
After all, he was the richest man in the entire interstellar domain. Investigating a single female would be effortless.
Five minutes later.
The assistant returned.
"My Lord, we've confirmed it.
"The female matched to you by the system is named Roanna "Rory" Smith. She currently resides in Veridan City and is a Tier Four ability user."
"Rory… Smith?"