He handed the pill to Ezio. “I have a feeling that those cultivators who passed away, they all died after their spiritual energy was completely drained.”
“Suction? I can’t sense anything,” Mia said, clearly puzzled.
Ezio nodded fervently. “I don’t feel the pull either, but I can tell my health is deteriorating. Those who died… they turned into something like mummies.”
“Where is this force coming from?” Mia asked, her voice tense with worry.
Jared shook his head. “I don’t know either. We can’t use our spiritual sense here, and tracing the source of the suction won’t be easy.”
Just as Jared was about to examine the prison cell more closely and ask Ezio for more details, a voice suddenly rang out.
“Time’s up!” Ricky’s loud shout echoed from outside.
“Ezio, hold on. I’ll find a way to get you out,” Mia said, gripping her brother’s hand tightly.
“Okay,” Ezio replied with a nod.
“Don’t forget to take the medicine. You won’t last long without it,” Jared reminded him.
Without hesitation, Ezio popped the pill into his mouth. Almost immediately, his complexion seemed to brighten, a subtle but noticeable improvement. Seeing this, Mia let out a relieved sigh, her anxiety easing for the moment.
After exiting the prison cell, Jared cast one final glance at the towering ancient tree before walking alongside Mia as they left the prison grounds.
“It’s getting late,” Mia remarked, glancing up at the darkening sky. “We need to leave the city quickly. If the gates close, we’ll be stuck here overnight.”
Jared raised an eyebrow. “Does Beast City not allow outsiders to stay here?”
Mia shook her head. “It’s not that, but there’s a curfew at night. If we stay in the city, we’d have to find an inn to spend the night.”
She continued, “If you don’t have a place to stay, the authorities will pick you up. They don’t allow anyone to wander the streets after curfew.”
“Staying inside the city can be expensive,” Mia explained. “It’s better if we head out of town for the night. We can rough it for a bit and come back the next day.”
“Fine, but if we leave the city, we’ll have to queue again tomorrow just to get back in. What a waste of time! Besides, I’m not exactly strapped for cash. Let’s find the finest inn and stay the night there,” said Jared, smiling.
Mia didn’t respond but nodded silently, leading Jared through the bustling streets in search of accommodations. Before the sky had fully darkened, they arrived at an extravagant inn that radiated opulence. However, as they stood before its grand entrance, Mia hesitated, her expression conflicted.
“What’s the matter?” Jared asked, noticing her reluctance.
“This is the most luxurious inn in all of Beast City,” Mia explained. “But it’s… expensive. A single night costs three purple spirit coins.”
Jared raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. “Three coins? That’s all? I was expecting something outrageous.” Without another word, he strode confidently into the inn.
Mia sighed and had no choice but to follow him.
“Looking for a room?” a young innkeeper asked, stepping forward with a welcoming smile.
“That’s right. I’ll take two of your best rooms,” Jared replied confidently, tossing a small pouch containing dozens of coins onto the counter.
The innkeeper’s face lit up instantly. “Absolutely! I’ll arrange it right away!”
“Hold on!” Mia interjected. “We only need one room. There’s no need for two.”
The innkeeper hesitated, glancing between them before nodding. “As you wish.”
Jared turned to Mia, his eyebrow raised. “Just one room? Aren’t you afraid of me?”
Mia met his gaze without hesitation. “Afraid? Of you? What exactly would I be afraid of?”
“Well, aren’t you worried I might take advantage of you?” Jared’s lips curved into a teasing smile. She was so wary of me at first, but now she’s willing to share a room with me? Am I that charming?
“If you really wanted to sleep with me, having two rooms wouldn’t make a difference,” Mia remarked with a sly smile.
“Fair point!” Jared laughed.
Before long, their accommodations were prepared.
