Future Beast World: Becoming A Pampered Beauty-Chapter 137 - 81: What If We Fall Out in the Future...
"The reserves in this ore source are massive. We haven’t fully surveyed them yet, but they’ll definitely last us a few years. We can take our time mining it!"
Sang Luo’s eyes sparkled. "Quick, quick! We found it first, so let’s claim it! We can’t let someone else swoop in and reap our rewards!"
Lan Cang ruffled her hair and chuckled. "Alright. How did I never notice you were such a little money-grubber?"
"It’s for you and our future cubs! I don’t want them to be born into a hard life with you in this frozen wasteland. Of course I have to build up a little nest egg for them ahead of time!"
"C-cubs?" Lan Cang froze, his hand instinctively reaching for her belly. "You’re pregnant?"
Sang Luo slapped his hand away and said playfully, "Not yet. It’s not that fast. If you want cubs, you’ll have to put in more effort yourself."
Lan Cang stammered, "It’s... still early. There’s no rush."
Sang Luo gave him a sly, suggestive look. "You really don’t want one? I was thinking we could try some new positions tonight..."
The tips of Lan Cang’s ears flushed crimson. He swept Sang Luo into his arms, pressing her head against his chest and begging for mercy in a low voice. "There are so many other people watching!" But his deep, seductive tone couldn’t conceal the desire that scraped at her heart. "...We’ll talk when we get back."
At the same time, he turned his head, his voice deepening as he ordered the Beastmen under his command to completely surround the mine entrance.
’It’s time for Ice-breaking City’s territory to expand.’
On the way back, the night was deep and the cold wind howled. Lan Cang took off his own cloak and draped it over Sang Luo. "Luoluo, how did you find the ore source?"
Sang Luo snuggled against him in his arms. "It’s one of my Talent Abilities, the Eye of Image Breaking. I used to think it was just for breaking Illusion Techniques, but I just discovered it’s actually a Treasure Hunting Skill."
The ground beneath the North Continent hid many precious ore sources, but they were either too difficult to mine or their exact locations were impossible to find. Her Talent Skill was an absolute godsend—practically a cheat ability.
The extracted ore could be used by the city’s Beastmen, sold to other cities and continents for a hefty profit, and the earnings could then be used for urban development and to purchase more supplies, such as food.
Food was extremely scarce in the North Continent. Meat was manageable, but there were virtually no vegetables. To get any, you had to buy them from border cities or other continents at exorbitant prices. Most Beastmen couldn’t afford proper meals and had to subsist on nutrient solutions. However, the females and cubs generally disliked the taste of the nutrient solution, and many of the city’s younglings looked thin and malnourished.
Sang Luo’s mind was racing with calculations. "How about this: I’ll find the ore sources for you, and you’ll be in charge of mining them. We’ll split the profits fifty-fifty."
"What’s mine is yours. You can have it all."
"Even the closest of friends must keep clear accounts. If we ever have a falling out, it’s better to have everything properly documented!"
"So I’m less reliable than a document?" Lan Cang, exasperated, gave her a light nip on the lip before sighing with a helpless smile. "Fine."
He could see her entrepreneurial spirit was raring to go.
Within two days, the news about the Fire Origin Ore had reached the neighboring cities, and they all mobilized to start digging.
There’s strength in numbers. One city actually managed to find a small ore source near Ice-breaking City’s mining field and extracted several hundred pounds of Fire Origin Ore.
The competition had already begun.
’As the pioneers, we can’t let the newcomers outdo us!’
In the days that followed, Sang Luo and Lan Cang led their people, searching everywhere for more ore sources.
Mining ore sources was incredibly difficult. The small city that had found a source had simply gotten lucky—a case of a blind squirrel finding a nut. Their subsequent efforts proved fruitless.
Many of the smaller cities found their investment of manpower and resources far outweighed their returns. With more going out than coming in, they were forced to abandon their plans after just a few days.
Only a few of the major cities had the resources to continue prospecting for ore.
But without any Talent Skills, they couldn’t determine the exact location of the ore sources and could only dig blindly. Ice-breaking City, on the other hand, was hitting the jackpot every time, discovering several large mining sites in quick succession. The other cities were green with envy.
When a powerful city tried to ambush their convoys, they found Lan Cang had already laid a trap, crushing them in a single move.
With a bit of luck, they even gained new territory from the victory.
With the two of them working together, they were unstoppable.
In just a few short months, Ice-breaking City’s territory expanded rapidly. Bolstered by the immense profits from the mines, they recruited soldiers and expanded their forces, becoming a formidable new power that had risen abruptly in the North Continent.
Sang Luo had done all she could. This was as far as she could help Lan Cang.
’It’s time to say goodbye.’
「That day.」
Sang Luo rushed back from outside. As she entered the manor, she saw several strong, young Beastmen carrying boxes inside, one after another.
The leader, a handsome Beastman with blond hair, brightened when he saw her approach. He strode over in a few agile steps. "My lady, it’s been a long time! I never thought I’d see you again!"
Sang Luo was puzzled. She didn’t remember ever meeting him, but then again, she’d met so many Beastmen she could have just forgotten. She offered a polite smile in return. "Hello."
The Beastman scratched his head shyly. "I’m Asa. I used to be with Brother Lan Cang back on the Western Continent. I was away on a mission and just got back. When I heard you were here, my lady, I rushed over to greet you."
As he spoke, he seemed overcome with emotion. "Brother Lan Cang always said he would only have one mate in his life. After you two were separated, he suffered a bout of genetic mania. He insisted on taking those harmful suppressants rather than even consider another female."
"I was so worried about how he would spend the rest of his life. Seeing that you’ve returned, my lady, I can finally rest easy. Lan Cang has suffered for so long, but at last, his deepest wish has come true."
"..." A pang of sorrow twisted Sang Luo’s heart. ’I had no idea he’d suffered so much.’
Her gaze shifted to the stacks of boxes in the courtyard. "What’s all this you’re carrying?"
"The City Lord ordered us to bring them back. Please, my lady, take a look."
Sang Luo opened one and couldn’t help but smile. They weren’t treasures, but here in the North Continent, they might as well have been. They were filled with fresh meat and vegetables—a huge variety of ingredients.
’So this is his plan,’ she thought. ’The way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach, is it?’
"Since you arrived, my lady, Ice-breaking City’s revenue this month is more than the past several years combined! Everyone’s quality of life is rising. Every family can afford fresh vegetables now. We finally don’t have to drink that nutrient sludge anymore. My mate at home is thrilled, and the cubs have even gotten a little chubby."
"I’m just happy I could help."
Lan Cang walked over. "I told you before, didn’t I? I’ve been studying lots of recipes, but I haven’t had the chance to cook for you. Today’s finally the day."
Sang Luo patted her stomach and grinned playfully. "Perfect timing, I’m starving. I’ll be counting on you, Cangcang, to show off your skills. I’ll just be waiting to be fed~"
"Just go rest. Dinner will be ready soon."
Lan Cang took the ingredients into the kitchen.
Sang Luo watched as he skillfully worked at the stove, chopping vegetables, mincing meat, heating a wok, and adding oil... Just watching him made her feel wonderfully content.
Being with such a handsome, pleasant-to-look-at man and having to do nothing at all was the ultimate form of enjoyment.
Lan Cang had definitely gotten taller. ’He must be about six-foot-five now, right?’ Before, she had barely reached his shoulder, but now her head only came up to his chest. He could lift her easily with just one arm.
Sang Luo walked over and wrapped her arms around his lean waist from behind.
"Cangcang, I have something I need to tell you..."
