Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 99

Half a year later.

The Huoxiu Independent Army was forcefully suppressed, and other opportunistic reactionary forces also ceased their actions upon seeing this, allowing Tianxiu to enjoy a period of peace and tranquility.

If there was any groundbreaking news during this time, it was that the Tree of Souls, which hadn’t borne a new soul for nearly a century, was about to mature. To put it in terms of another species, it took all the people of the Tianxiu planet a hundred years to produce just one child, highlighting the attention and significance it received. Every day, the news media reported on its latest developments, almost wishing they could pick it now and nurture it in an energy chamber.

Slightly less shocking news was that the National History Museum experienced its first theft in its centuries-long history. Someone sneaked into the museum late at night, effortlessly bypassing all surveillance and security systems, and, using incomprehensible methods, stole an ancient imperial badge.

This incident also attracted widespread attention. After repeated investigations, the military only concluded that the thief had an extremely high computer skill level, capable of easily hacking and manipulating computer data. What attracted more attention was the message button the thief left in place of the badge. Upon pressing, a message would appear:

I will steal your souls.

This message ignited intense discussions. The overwhelming conclusion was that the soul the thief referred to was very likely the newborn soul on the Tree of Souls. With this conclusion, the military stationed heavy troops to guard the Tree of Souls 24/7, ensuring the soul’s safe arrival.

In the core building of the Tianyuan network, a fledgling was playing with an ancient hexagram-shaped badge. Due to its age, its surface was worn, and the designs and inscriptions were blurred. However, this didn’t hinder Xing Lou’s recognition. Over the years, as soon as he closed his eyes, he could vividly recall its appearance, every detail as fresh as the day it was given to him.

“You aren’t afraid of damaging this 4,000-year-old relic.”

As Yue Ying spoke, familiar tentacles emerged from the wall, curling around Xing Lou’s pinkie.

“This is just a virtual representation on the network,” Xing Lou replied nonchalantly. “The real one has been safely placed in an absolutely secure location that the military could never find.”

Yue Ying’s fibers continued to spread, gently touching the surface of the badge as if feeling it with fingers.

“Why did you risk stealing it?”

“It was mine to begin with. I merely took back what belonged to me,” Xing Lou said, looking tenderly at the badge in his palm and, perhaps, at the tentacles wrapped around it. “This is also a carefully prepared gift for your imminent awakening.”

With that, he brought the badge to his lips, planting a soft kiss upon it.

“Indeed.” Yue Ying chuckled softly. “I’m also getting a bit impatient.”

……

Ling Xiao and Ying Feng went from the base down to the Genetic Center. Originally, Ling Xiao planned to visit the Tree of Souls to observe the growth of the new souls. However, the place was under martial law, prohibiting anyone from approaching, so he had to give up the idea.

Riding the elevator down, Ling Xiao expressed his disappointment.

“Why can’t I even take a look? I just want to see what the new soul looks like.”

“Due to the previous museum theft incident, the culprit has not been caught. The military is probably very nervous,” Ying Feng said. “Losing a soul is much more serious than losing an ancient artifact.”

“Okay.” Ling Xiao had to accept. “I don’t know why that person sneaked into the museum just to steal a badge. It’s not even the most valuable thing in the museum.”

Security doors opened one by one in front of them, revealing familiar figures. The experiment had reached its critical final stages. The research team, led by Heng He, was working around the clock, fearing any small mishaps.

“You’re here,” Heng He greeted them happily when he saw them. “Come and see our latest progress.”

The two approached and saw Yue Ying still lying motionless on the bed. His originally pale face now had a faint hint of color.

The protective shield around him had been removed, and a thin tube connected to the back of his hand was transporting Ling Xiao’s blood. This blood had been carefully filtered multiple times to ensure its purity. Beside him, complex data on a machine changed constantly. The only thing they could understand was a straight line pulsing at regular intervals.

“Does he have a heartbeat now?” Ling Xiao asked in surprise.

“Yes!” Heng He excitedly confirmed. Although the heartbeat was slow and faint, it was a sign of revival.

Ling Xiao touched his own chest, feeling as if he could sense the same heartbeat.

“As planned, today is the last blood extraction. After today, we’ll have enough blood to potentially wake up the test subject,” Heng He explained.

“That’s great,” Ling Xiao sighed in relief. After a long year of blood donations, he could finally be free.

“Do we have any more involvement after this?” Ying Feng asked.

“As of now, no. Thank you for your help over the past year, especially you, Ling Xiao. It’s been tough,” Heng He said with genuine gratitude.

Ying Feng didn’t really appreciate his thanks. From the beginning, they were coerced into this. He imagined that once this experiment succeeded, the military would significantly expand the battlefield in a short time.

Ling Xiao’s thoughts were elsewhere. Who is Yue Ying? What’s their relationship? Only Yue Ying’s awakening could answer these questions.

“Let’s start,” Ling Xiao said, lying down on the bed, hoping for Yue Ying’s quick recovery.

Perhaps because it was the last time, more blood was drawn than usual, causing Ling Xiao to faint. Knowing that he wouldn’t have to endure this process again, Ying Feng remained calm.

When Ling Xiao woke up, he was back in their dormitory. Ying Feng was by the window, talking to someone.

“How do you feel?” Ying Feng asked after ending the call.

“Who were you talking to?” Ling Xiao was more curious about that conversation.

“It’s about some issues with the tribe on Wolf Star. They couldn’t solve it and wanted me to handle it,” Ying Feng replied.

Ling Xiao knew of the capabilities of the Black Wolf and the others. If they couldn’t handle it, it must be a significant issue. He also missed the tribe.

“I want to go too,” Ling Xiao mumbled.

Ying Feng brushed his hair. “You’re not in a state to travel now. I’ll be back by tomorrow at the latest. Rest.”

Now, in his weakened state, Ling Xiao’s skill at acting petulant and spoiled was at its peak. Things he would usually find embarrassing to say, he could now utter easily while appearing delicate and vulnerable.

“You actually left your Qizi, who’s mentally injured, alone at home.” Ling Xiao dramatically closed his eyes. “Ah, I feel so unwell, I think I’m going to faint.”

Ying Feng playfully flicked his forehead. “Stop putting on an act. From now on, you won’t need to give blood. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want.”

Trying one last time, Ling Xiao began, “I…”

“Behave,” Ying Feng interrupted, sealing his lips with a kiss, which made Ling Xiao drowsy.

“Using that trick again…” Ling Xiao murmured, soon drifting into sleep.

After ensuring Ling Xiao was settled, Ying Feng almost stepped on Xiao Hui.

In half a year, Xiao Hui had grown from the size of a palm to the length of a forearm. It couldn’t transform into human form, leading Ling Xiao to suspect it might be an ordinary wolf. He had previously considered doing a DNA test on it, but later decided to let nature take its course and let it develop, whether it was a human or wolf.

After Xiao Hui’s gray eyes met Ying Feng’s black ones, it retreated two steps out of fear. Ying Feng knew that in this household, Xiao Hui, with its clear sense of hierarchy, naturally saw the strict Ying Feng as the alpha wolf. The way it looked at him always carried a hint of reverence, even though it enjoyed playing with Ling Xiao.

But even if it was a wolf, Xiao Hui was a very smart one, able to understand some simple commands.

“Watch the house,” Ying Feng ordered.

Xiao Hui let out two howls as a response.

Ying Feng noticed that it was getting late. He needed to leave early to address the issue and make sure he could return by tomorrow night.

Before leaving, his gaze swept over a large photo on the wall. There was the wedding photo, and the honeymoon had passed, but it seemed something was still missing for the marriage to feel complete.

……

Ying Feng’s tribe had friction with several nearby tribes, which was serious enough that it seemed like it could only be resolved with force. However, when the legendary Wolf King from Tianxiu appeared at the negotiation table, no one dared to threaten with force recklessly.

With this conflict resolved, a small tribe from the west that had not been recognized by the federation merged in, doubling their territory and increasing their population by several hundred.

Although they wanted Ying Feng to stay and celebrate, he declined briefly. Without lingering a moment longer, he hurriedly boarded the spaceship heading back to Tianxiu.

However, upon rushing back to Tianxiu and disembarking from the ship, Ying Feng didn’t immediately return to Royal Sky. Instead, he went to a jewelry store near the Spousal Registration Office, where the sales staff warmly greeted him.

“Mr. Ying Feng? We received the order you placed yesterday. We expedited the laser engraving today. Please check if it meets your expectations.”

Ying Feng took the box handed to him, traced his finger along its metallic edge, and the lid slowly opened, revealing a pair of rings inside. He picked one up, closely examining the inner band, where the names of himself and Ling Xiao were engraved, along with the date of their bond.

“Is it to your satisfaction?” the salesperson asked.

Ying Feng nodded and placed the ring back inside the box.

After making the payment, as the salesperson packaged the rings, she casually mentioned, “Today is the anniversary of your bonding.”

“Yes,” Ying Feng replied.

“Congratulations! It’s surprising, though. Many people buy wedding rings right after bonding. Why did you think of buying rings a year later?”

Ying Feng remembered that a year ago, he and Ling Xiao were trapped in a dark mine, facing the threat of a Kui and almost losing their lives. Who would have thought that a year later, he’d be in a bright jewelry store, picking out rings for them?

Seeing Ying Feng lost in thought, the salesperson didn’t press further and handed him the packaged rings with a smile. “I believe your Qizi will be delighted with this gift. I wish you both happiness.”

Ying Feng took the bag. “Thank you.”

He glanced at the terminal’s time display; he had been away for a whole day. Now he had to hurry back and put the ring on Ling Xiao’s finger before their anniversary ended. He could already imagine Ling Xiao’s surprised face, followed by his silly grin.

Leaving the jewelry store, Ying Feng quickly returned to the Flying Shark. Evening had passed, the sunset faded, and night was approaching. His heart was eager to return home.

At home, Ling Xiao played with Xiao Hui, occasionally glancing at the clock. He remembered receiving Ying Feng’s boarding message an hour and a half ago. Why hadn’t he returned?

“Xiao Hui, do you want to visit your homeland?” Ling Xiao playfully ruffled its fluffy head. “Once I no longer need to draw blood, I’ll take you back to Wolf Star for a visit. I miss the Black Wolf, White Wolf, and even Luoluo.”

Xiao Hui responded with a series of howls, the two of them communicating seamlessly.

“How come Ying Feng hasn’t returned? Could he have encountered a nebula vortex?” Ling Xiao mused aloud. Almost instantly, he spat out, cursing his own words, “Jinxing it!”

He hugged Xiao Hui. “You know, I had a friend who was famously unlucky. Every bad thing he mentioned would come true. Fascinating, right?”

A distant memory of someone surfaced in his mind, and he wondered how that person was faring now.

When Ling Xiao snapped back to reality, he found himself instinctively at the window, with Xiao Hui beside him, both eagerly peeking out. “If Ying Feng sees us like this, he’ll surely tease us for being impatient.”

Ling Xiao wanted to move away but found his feet glued to the spot. He yearned to see Ying Feng, even if it was just a distant silhouette.

“Alright, let’s just wait a bit more. We just need to be careful not to get caught.”

One person and one wolf peeked out from the windowsill. Time was slowly ticking by. The sun had set, but Ying Feng was still nowhere to be seen.

“It’s strange.” Ling Xiao grew restless. “Let’s give him a call…”

As he reached for his terminal, the doorbell rang.

“He’s back!”

Ling Xiao excitedly rushed to the door. From which direction had Ying Feng returned? He hadn’t seen him approaching.

“You’re back—” He started, pulling open the door, but the greeting died halfway. Instead of the tall figure he expected, a shorter person stood there, head lowered.

“You…?” He hesitated.

The person finally looked up, revealing a familiar face.

“Hi.” With a youthful appearance, Lan Sheng gave Ling Xiao a slight smile. “Long time no see.”

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