Theo’s eyes widened.
’An old acquaintance?’ he repeated internally.
If someone like Feng knew the creature, there was no doubt this Argent Griffin was an incredibly powerful creature.
’Can you tell me more?’
Feng didn’t hesitate.
’’The Argent Griffin is a being just like me, though a tad bit weaker,’’ he explained. ’’She’s the sovereign of all griffins and griffinkin.’’
He paused for a moment.
’’I’ve crossed paths with her many, many times...’’
Theo couldn’t help but glance back at the tiny Metal Griffin floating inside the crystal sphere.
’And that thing is related to her?’
’’Very distantly,’’ Feng replied. ’’Its bloodline has become incredibly diluted.’’
Theo fell silent for a moment.
Before he could say another word, Feng’s voice rang out inside his mind once more.
’’But if I bless Iris before she enters the summoning world,’’ it said. ’’There’s a chance the Argent Griffin will show up.’’
Theo’s eyes widened slightly.
’And then...?’
’’The rest depends on whether she acknowledges Iris.’’
Theo’s heart began pounding just by thinking about it.
If Iris managed to contract a creature on Feng’s level... it would give her insane growth.
Without hesitation, he turned towards Iris.
’’Buy it,’’ he said firmly.
Iris snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at him curiously.
’’I’ll explain it later tonight,’’ he continued, nodding once. ’’Just trust me.’’
Iris didn’t bother asking a question.
She simply looked back at the tiny Metal Griffin before giving a small nod.
’’Alright,’’ she said. ’’I trust you.’’
Theo let out a quiet sigh of relief before waving over one of the nearby employees.
’’We’ll take this soul fragment,’’ he said.
The employee smiled politely and pressed several buttons on the crystal casing.
’’Excellent choice, sir,’’ she said. ’’We’ll have it ready at the check-out station.’’
With Iris’s soul fragment settled, the two continued through the auction house.
As time passed, they bought a suitable core and some strong bones to go along with it.
Theo also purchased three S-rank herbs, one for each of his elements.
With that, he was finally fully prepared for the upcoming breakthrough to the Gold Core stage.
But before he could head to the checkout station, Iris dragged him along to purchase some artifacts for their trip too.
’’You can never be too safe,’’ she said with a warm smile. ’’Besides, if my bank account is going to get flagged, it better be for a good amount.’’
Completely helpless, Theo had no choice but to go along with her.
Time slipped by quickly.
As the morning turned to evening, the group gradually reunited at the entrance one after another.
Owen arrived first, carrying an expression on his face that made it obvious he’d found something he liked.
Lyra followed closely behind him with an utterly exhausted and annoyed expression on her face.
A few minutes later, Jim came jogging over with a satisfied smile on his face.
’’Looks like everyone found something,’’ Theo said with a smile.
Owen immediately nodded.
’’You’ll see tomorrow,’’ he said proudly. ’’Your unicorn will be blasted out of the water by my future beast.’’
Feng scoffed loudly through Theo’s mind.
Ignoring him, Theo just shook his head lightly.
’’I’m sure,’’ he said, chuckling.
’’You don’t believe me?’’ Owen shouted. ’’It’s obvious that a dragon will beat up a little horsey with wings!’’
Theo pressed his lips together.
He could feel Feng’s annoyance radiating from the summoning space.
’’Let’s pay first,’’ he quickly said, already turning around.
Owen, feeling completely ignored, was about to speak up once more.
Luckily, Lyra pulled his ear just in time.
’’Can you stop shouting for once?’’ she hissed angrily. ’’Do you not see all the people staring at us?’’
Owen winced, lowering his head right away.
As Lyra continued reprimanding him, Iris and Jim quickly followed after Theo.
Jim, in particular, rushed right up to Theo.
’’Are you sure he’s the expert?’’ he whispered worriedly.
’’What?’’ Theo asked, raising an eyebrow.
’’You know... what I asked you about in the desert,’’ Jim quickly continued. ’’It doesn’t look like he’s someone I should take advice from in that area.’’
Theo stared at him for a moment before glancing back at Owen.
Lyra was still lecturing him while Owen repeatedly nodded his head like a child caught doing something stupid.
"..."
Theo couldn’t help but chuckle.
’’Believe it or not,’’ he said. ’’His relationship is further along than mine is.’’
Jim looked over once more, unconvinced.
’’I’ll take your word for it,’’ he muttered.
Theo simply smiled before pushing open the doors to the checkout station.
The moment they stepped inside, several employees immediately looked up.
One by one, the reserved items began appearing on the counter.
Only the bones remained in a separate warehouse, as they were simply too enormous to transport.
’’You could hire a warehouse temporarily,’’ one of the employees offered. ’’Or we can deliver them to an address.’’
’’We’ll take a warehouse,’’ Iris smiled.
The employee nodded once and added it to the price.
’’That brings the total to 561 million dollars,’’ he said, forcing himself to remain calm. ’’How would you like to pay?’’
Iris quickly filled in her bank details while Theo started storing the items inside his spatial ring under the employees’ stunned gazes.
Before long, the payment had gone through successfully, and they were finally ready to leave.
’’Fuck me,’’ Owen muttered, letting out a low whistle. ’’Over five hundred million dollars... how rich are you actually?’’
Iris scratched her cheek, feeling slightly embarrassed.
’’I’ve received a lot from my family,’’ she said. ’’But the rest of my money will probably be frozen.’’
Owen raised his eyebrow slightly.
That’s when the plane crash incident flashed through his mind again.
’’Right,’’ he said, nodding. ’’I could see that happening.’’
Just then, Theo stepped in.
’’All the more reason not to waste any time,’’ he said. ’’I’ll head over to the warehouse and set things up.’’
He paused for a moment.
’’Then we’ll get started on the summoning as soon as I’m done.’’
Everyone silently nodded in agreement.
Starting in the middle of the night was actually beneficial for them with how quickly time passed inside the summoning dimension.
’’I’ll come with you,’’ Iris said quietly. ’’I don’t think any of us should be alone from now on.’’
Theo didn’t protest.
Before long, they’d split up into two groups.
Owen, Lyra, and Jim headed back to the apartment, while Iris and Theo went straight for the warehouse.