Chapter 168: Chapter 168

"I can't get in touch either..." Ayla Morningstar's tone grew somewhat downcast.

Loren, who didn't hold particularly strong feelings towards his own parents, saw the little one become dejected because of her own question and didn't know how to comfort her.

He didn't understand what kind of emotion this was. He had never had it.

In the end, Loren just used his large hand to ruffle the little one's head.

"Strictly speaking, my injuries tonight are unrelated to your father's commission."

"Then, the treatment you just gave me, let's consider it as a favor owed."

"My favors are very precious, you know. Come on, cheer up!"

It was a rather cold way of comforting, but it fit Loren's consistent style.

Hearing this, the little one looked up at Loren and gave a rather forced smile.

Forget it, I really am not suited to coaxing human cubs... Loren silently evaluated himself in his heart.

Suddenly, Loren's eyes lit up. He seemed to have thought of something.

"Take out your portable computer. I'll take you to a fun forum."

The people on the Interstellar Hunter Forum, they talk in such interesting ways, they'll make you happy...

After all, even someone like me can find happiness there...

Ayla Morningstar handed her portable computer to Loren.

Loren took the portable computer and helped the little one casually register an account on the Interstellar Hunter Forum.

[Stars Smiling All the Time], this was the nickname Loren gave the little one.

After getting everything set up, Loren handed the portable computer back to Ayla Morningstar.

"All registered. In the future, when you're not happy, little one, you can go up there to find some fun."

Loren smiled as he gave his suggestion.

Ayla Morningstar stared at the main page of the Interstellar Hunter Forum on the screen, feeling a sense of familiarity.

She remembered her father and Aunt Tina often browsed this forum.

"So adults find their happiness on forums..."

Ayla Morningstar had clearly misunderstood something.

Seeing the little one staring blankly at the forum's main page, Loren couldn't help but offer his advice as a senior.

"Don't reveal any of your information on the forum, and then you can play around however you want. Remember, however you want."

"Okay, big brother, I understand." Ayla Morningstar nodded obediently.

Loren was quite satisfied with Ayla Morningstar's reaction.

For the next ten or so days, I probably won't have to coax human cubs again...

He stood up from the sofa, gave a slight lift of his hat towards the little one on the sofa.

"Wishing you a fun-filled night, little one."

After saying that, Loren walked out of the lounge with a contented heart.

"You too, big brother! Good night!" Ayla Morningstar's voice came from behind.

Loren gently closed the door to Lounge 104.

Raven's voice sounded at the opportune moment.

"Master, I must remind you, you might be corrupting her."

"She's still just a human cub, with no discernment ability. A place like the Interstellar Hunter Forum is still too complex for her."

Loren seemed dismissive of Raven's reminder.

"Raven, this is how I grew up. No problem."

"Precisely because of that, Master, haven't you ever felt you're different from other people?" Raven's somewhat surprised voice came from his mind.

Loren always felt Raven was mocking him.

"I don't feel that way at all. Raven, you're just used to your master having mental issues. This is your bias."

Man and raven returned to the neighboring Room 105 amidst their bickering.

After closing the door to Room 105.

Raven released the Possession State and appeared on Loren's shoulder.

Man and raven exchanged a knowing glance.

"Ready for the next advancement?"

Loren brought Raven to the lounge's living room, expertly drawing the curtains.

Man and raven stood in the center of the living room.

Loren waved his hand and retrieved all the Spirit Stones from the Crimson Tear, piling them on the floor.

A full 1,970,000-plus Spirit Stones.

The living room of Room 105 was filled with that intoxicating blue light.

"Go ahead. Should be enough to advance to the 9th Tier."

"As you command, Master!" Raven laughed loudly as it flew off Loren's shoulder.

It landed before the small mountain of Spirit Stones, opened its beak.

Such a massive quantity of Spirit Stones nearly reached the living room ceiling; the spacious room was almost filled.

The tiny-bodied Raven, facing this pile of tempting Spirit Stones, eagerly condensed a small vortex within its beak.

One Spirit Stone after another was sucked into the vortex...

The long consumption began.

Federal Calendar 7708, October 21st, early morning.

Inside the living room of Room 105.

That massive mountain of Spirit Stones had, compared to last night, turned into a "small mound."

The moment the Star's light filled Radiant Flow Main City.

Raven finally stopped its consuming behavior, and the small vortex in its beak disappeared.

Its originally slender body was now lying on the living room carpet, its size like a giant ball.

"Can't eat anymore, Master!! I can feel it, the energy for advancement is sufficient."

The "ball" on the carpet emitted a voice.

Loren, who had been keeping watch on the sofa for the latter half of the night, seeing this comical scene, a smile silently appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Well done, Raven." His tone carried amusement.

This scene, no matter how many times he saw it, always felt entertaining...

Loren got up from the sofa, walked to the side of the "ball," reached out and pressed his hand against it, actively initiating the Possession State to help Raven digest.

The "ball" on the carpet disappeared.

Loren felt the abundant energy within his body, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Really good, this feeling...

After a while, Loren opened his eyes, walked to the remaining pile of Spirit Stones on the carpet.

He bent down, placed his hand on the remaining Spirit Stones, swept them with his mental power, and stored them in the Crimson Tear.

"About 470,000 Spirit Stones left. Advancing from the 8th Tier to the 9th Tier actually cost around 1.5 million Spirit Stones..." Loren muttered to himself with some heartache.

He sensed that the number of Spirit Stones he would need to advance to Legendary would be astronomical...

Wealthy Loren had thus fallen!

Never mind, first save up a few million Spirit Stones as preparation!

If that's not enough, just return to the Jadeite Star Domain and pull a job on those filthy rich old nobles!!

If robbing the old nobles isn't enough, then go find the nouveau riche and pull another job!!

And those wealthy ones deeply entrenched in traditional industries! Can't let them off either!!

Right, could also go rob a few of the Energy Department's Spirit Stone Deposits!

Then flee to the Beastkin Star Domain and lay low for a few days!!

After breaking through to Legendary, go pull a really big job!!

After raising hell, then use my Legendary status to apply for a pardon from the Federation!!

If the pardon doesn't come through, just flee directly to the Empire!!!

As his thoughts reached this point, a somewhat crazy smile unconsciously appeared on Loren's lips.

Clearly, Loren, who came from the Slums, remained firmly stuck on the idea of "pulling a job" as his method for earning Spirit Stones.

He hadn't considered any other paths at all.

"Master, I always feel you're thinking of something very dangerous. I must remind you again, you've already stirred up enough trouble..."

Clearly, Loren's somewhat bold ideas had awakened the slumbering Raven.

"Shut up, stupid bird! I'm planning for our future!"

"Master, I beg you, be a normal person. I don't want to live in fear every day. I'm just a poor bird..."