What's the significance of the nine-gem necklace and the ninefold devotion mentioned in relation to Appasaheb?

In Chapter 33, after introducing Appasaheb's story, the text poetically describes a gift from Baba. It mentions, "To him whom Baba's hand touched, this is a necklace of nine gems; the treasure of ninefold devotion and love; Baba's form of remembrance." While the text doesn't explicitly state that Appasaheb received this, it introduces the powerful symbolism of nine. This "nine-gem necklace" is interpreted as the "treasure of ninefold devotion and love," linking a physical or metaphorical gift from Baba to the profound spiritual concept of Navadha Bhakti, or the nine forms of devotion. The chapter also foreshadows that the significance of this number will become clearer upon hearing the story of Baba's passing and the "nine-donation."