Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 103

Ling Xiao was dumbstruck. Ever since he first learned of the existence of the Genetic Center, he had harbored doubts about his origins. However, he never imagined a version like “a magpie’s nest taken over by a dove*”, which completely exceeded his capacity to accept.

*(鹊巢鸠占) Idiom referring to someone taking advantage of another’s achievements or taking someone’s else’s place. It comes from nature, where doves (turtledoves/cuckoo) can’t build a nest and often take over a magpie’s nest, laying their own eggs in them.

Ignoring his astonishment, Yue Ying continued, “Unexpected, isn’t it? The initial reason for creating beings like you was out of desperate self-defense. Hence, the first command in your genetic code is loyalty to the royal family and defense of the nation. This command takes precedence over all others.”

“In the beginning, you were created as war machines, devoid of human emotions, and only obeyed unconditionally. But over time, we grew dependent on you and also started to trust you. We wanted to share our wisdom with you, leading to the initiation of the gene transplant program.”

“Gene transplant?”

“It means extracting cells, blood, and bone marrow from a Tianxiu person and then transplanting them into another artificial being. This allows the recipient not only to possess human wisdom but also to have a telepathic connection with the donor.”

“So, in the era I lived in, anyone of significant stature had their own sentient lifeform, or, to put it in current terms, a living personal mech.”

Ling Xiao’s grip on the railing tightened. “So I am your…”

Lifting his gaze, Yue Ying gave a mysteriously enigmatic smile. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten what codename people used for you. In ancient Tianxiu, someone like you, who received a gene transplant from me, was referred to as my…”

His lips barely moved, whispering the word “Qizi”.

Ling Xiao felt as if he had been struck hard in the chest. Yue Ying’s words overturned his entire understanding of life. Yet, feeling Yue Ying’s genuine intention confirmed every word the latter spoke was the truth.

“Shocking, isn’t it?” Yue Ying remarked nonchalantly. “For all these years, you’ve obliterated all the culture we left behind, modified or destroyed all traces. You’ve even given new meanings to terms like Qizi.”

“Haven’t you noticed that sometimes you find two completely dissimilar people very alike, while others don’t see it that way? That’s because your genes come from me. Every royal successor can recognize the appearance of reincarnated souls. Although you lack this ability, you’ve retained a hint of intuition, which is undeniable evidence.”

Ling Xiao looked up in astonishment towards Xing Lou, recalling Ying Feng, finally understanding the origins of his past illusions.

However, more questions remained. “If you say I am your Qizi, then what am I to Ying Feng? The coming-of-age ceremony couldn’t have been our invention, could it?”

Yue Ying shook his head. “In that era, the so-called Qizi, as known today, didn’t exist. The one who lost in the coming-of-age ceremony had to die. Even if they didn’t die during the ceremony, they would be forced to during the chaotic period that followed, ensuring only the victor matures.”

“Why!” Ling Xiao gripped the railing tightly. His feelings now were incredibly conflicted; his innate anger toward Yue Ying’s race and the hatred Yue Ying had for the Tianxiu people intertwined. He was torn between two sides, knowing one wasn’t his own but unable to separate himself from it.

“Why?” Yue Ying echoed Ling Xiao’s question. “Nature practices survival of the fittest. The weak are naturally eliminated. Just like the Tianxiu people, with all their wisdom but no strength, were slaughtered in large numbers. After creating you, those who were eliminated were our enemies. You are not a product of nature, so of course, the selection was made by us who created you.”

“Those of you who received gene transplants gained wisdom. Sadly, wisdom and emotion often come hand in hand. When bestowing the former, the latter naturally emerges. We didn’t mind you having human feelings, but redundant emotions often become a hindrance in war. We needed the best warriors, not just in wisdom and strength but also in ruthlessness towards the enemy. Only those who can even eliminate their own kind meet our criteria.”

“Laws, duties, love… Over thousands of years, you’ve tried various ways to increase the survival rate of the Qizi, which goes against your very genetics. So, when additional conditions aren’t present, people still act on instinct. Without legal restrictions, bonds of love, or a sense of duty, a Qizhu will still relentlessly push the Qizi to the brink of death. You, of all people, should be very clear about this, shouldn’t you?”

Ling Xiao’s hands were trembling. He felt as if he were a plaything created for others to choose and filter. Defeat in the coming-of-age ceremony meant death. No wonder everyone desperately fought for their life against those they loved.

Not undergoing the ceremony meant the dispersion of one’s soul, whereas participating meant either death or becoming a killer of one’s own kind. Ying Feng’s actions, Lan Sheng’s despair, and the torment he suffered day and night—to these people, these were merely a few gene segments. They added them as they pleased to satisfy their own needs, disregarding the pain of others. What was more laughable was that they originally couldn’t feel pain—even that ability was given by Yue Ying’s clan.

I’ve given you pain, so you must endure it. You have no other choice.

Yue Ying’s voice continued, but it had become background noise to Ling Xiao. He hung his head low, torn between two opposing views.

“You drove out all invaders, preventing any enemy incursions, becoming heroes who saved Tianxiu. We joyfully awaited your triumphant return after you eliminated the last enemy, but instead, we received betrayal. The rebels not only exterminated the Tianxiu people who created you but also killed all those loyal to the royal family. They forced them to be reborn and brainwashed them to serve the so-called ‘Republic’. It’s amusing that you, who consider yourselves Tianxiu people, were born for war. Without war, you were bored. So, you turned defense into aggression, attacking neighboring countries until every different race on the planet was forced to migrate. Then, you expanded your battleground to other planets. Although the Tianxiu people no longer exist, the man-made beings we left behind, who don’t produce but only plunder, are feared and hated by everyone. No one can check and balance you, no one dares approach this planet, and the name ‘Tianxiu people’ has become the nightmare of the entire galaxy.”

As Yue Ying’s hatred intensified, Ling Xiao felt like his head was about to explode.

“Stop talking…” He managed to say through gritted teeth.

But Yue Ying didn’t stop. “However, it seems someone secretly added a command to the soul traction behind the royal family’s back. Honestly, I was surprised when I first found out. But now, thinking back, their move was absolutely correct. They foresaw potential future dangers and took preventive measures.”

“Without planets to invade and being full of emotions, you started playing house. You tried your best to modify codes—loyalty to spouses, the need for both parties to mate… I knew that one day you would not be satisfied with this and turn your attention to central system modification rights. Thanks to your overestimation of your abilities, I was able to see the light of day again and have a chance to seek justice for my people.”

Ying Feng’s hand trembled, almost dropping the soul crystal in his palm. Fu Yao quickly stepped forward. “How is it? Has Ling Xiao awakened?”

“What did you see?”

Long Yin also just arrived. The soul was stolen by Yue Ying, who could easily control the Tianxiu people. He knew about the supreme power of the ancient royal family but didn’t expect such immense energy. Earlier generations deliberately altered history, making the truth blurry and inadvertently aiding Yue Ying.

Shocked by the truth he perceived through the Five Senses Sharing soul crystal, Ying Feng noticed dozens of eyes intently watching him. He was unsure if he should reveal the truth here. The revelation would certainly cause societal unrest.

Ying Feng clenched his fists. Since all his five senses were shared, he also felt the cold sweat in Ling Xiao’s palms that was clenching the railing.

“We can’t contact Ling Xiao now, or it will attract the enemy’s attention.” Ying Feng changed the subject, recalling the environment Ling Xiao was in. “They’re on the Eagle, the same one belonging to Tai Yin. There were two people I saw. Besides Yue Ying, there’s a fledgling. He’s a student from Bikong named… Xing Lou? I saw him once in the history museum…”

Ying Feng suddenly realized. “He was looking at the ancient royal emblem—the one that was stolen!”

Fu Yao and Long Yin exchanged a glance, quickly ordering, “Everyone aboard, head to outer space, and locate the Eagle.”

“No matter how vast the universe is or how small the target, we must find it!”

Ling Xiao gradually recovered from his internal struggle, perhaps because Yue Ying’s emotions settled after venting, making him less agitated.

“But there’s something I don’t understand,” he said breathlessly. “What do you want me to do? Turn against my brethren and serve you?”

Just as Yue Ying was about to speak, he caught sight of Lan Sheng entering. He changed his intended reply.

“I merely fulfilled a request from your friend, and given that you are bound to me, I kindly helped you sever a relationship you shouldn’t have had.”

Ling Xiao had a bad feeling. “What relationship?”

Yue Ying, not wanting to discuss it in front of Lan Sheng, said, “I’ve spoken enough and am tired. You seem unwell too. Rest, and you’ll know soon.”

He patted the hand that Xing Lou rested on his shoulder, and the latter then pushed him away. Only then did Ling Xiao remember that he hadn’t asked questions about Xing Lou. If his intuition was right and he truly was an ancestor of the Tianxiu people, how did he retain these memories?

At that moment, Lan Sheng walked over and considerately brought water for Ling Xiao, but the latter didn’t touch it.

“You’ve sweated a lot. Drink some,” he said.

Without Lan Sheng mentioning it, Ling Xiao hadn’t realized that his back was soaked in cold sweat. Even so, he didn’t want to accept Lan Sheng’s kindness.

“Do you know what you are doing? Why are you joining those people?”

Lan Sheng quietly took the water back. “The historic grudges you mentioned have nothing to do with me. I am a superficial person who only cares about those around me. When my friend was treated badly, of course, I wanted to help him.”

“How many times do I need to tell you? Ying Feng may have done something extreme, but that was a long time ago. Didn’t you hear what Yue Ying just said? Even I, as the person involved, have let go. Why can’t you?”

“You’ve let it go because you’re a Qizi. You’ve been brainwashed by this system, and you can’t truly see your inner feelings. Unless the blood bond is broken, your so-called feelings are self-deception. Now, you just compromise and evade, losing your independent personality.”

Ling Xiao couldn’t hold back his anger. “You talk about breaking the blood bond, but do you know how? I’ve seen someone lose an entire arm trying to break his bond! He paid such a price, yet his goal was unachieved. Do you want me to end up like that?”

Lan Sheng was unmoved. “This is why I brought you here. What others can’t achieve, Yue Ying can. He promised me that he will help you regain your freedom and free you from Ying Feng’s control forever.”

Ling Xiao was taken aback. Was this what Yue Ying was referring to? Lan Sheng’s words sounded absurd yet somewhat credible. Being their creator, Yue Ying might indeed know how to break the blood bond.

“Even if that’s the case, they have no reason to do this for you. They must have other motives,” Ling Xiao anxiously persuaded. “Lan Sheng, you’re being used. Think about it, they want to take revenge for the ancient Tianxiu people and eliminate our kind.”

Lan Sheng replied calmly, “If I can truly find the old you, even if I’m used, it’s worth it.”

Ling Xiao, in anger, slammed the railing in front of him. “Why are you so obsessed with the roles of the Qizhu and the Qizi? I now understand what Ping Zong said. If two people want to be together, one must compromise. Ping Zong doesn’t want to be the Qizi either, but he’s willing to do it for you. I don’t want to be the Qizi either, but if the cost is to be separated from Ying Feng, I’m willing!”

Lan Sheng stared at him with disappointment. “The Ling Xiao I knew was proud and confident, never bowing down to anyone, no matter how powerful the opponent, he dared to speak bravely. Not like now, even saying he’s willing to be the Qizi. To survive, giving up dignity, self-respect, and living in humility.”

“You’re not the Ling Xiao I knew,” he said, word by word.

“The Ling Xiao I knew is dead.”

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 102

Heng He numbly pushed the wheelchair forward. The rest of the base’s staff were taken aback upon seeing him with Yue Ying and tried to intervene. However, after making eye contact with Yue Ying, they all respectfully bowed their heads, seemingly acknowledging his departure.

Without any obstacles, they smoothly exited the genetic center’s main entrance. Yue Ying casually pointed to a flying vehicle. Heng He helped him inside and took the pilot’s seat.

“Go above ground,” Yue Ying ordered.

“Yes.” Heng He started the engine, and the ship glided through a long tunnel, emerging above the base.

Yue Ying sat by the window. It had been thousands of years since he had seen the real world. Xing Lou had created the Tianyuan Network for him, allowing his consciousness to roam freely within it, but he couldn’t cross this dimension. Now he could finally see the world with his own eyes, but without the unique vision of the Tianxiu people, he could only perceive tiny lights emanating from the ground in the dark of night.

“Where should we go next?” Heng He, who was now completely under Yue Ying’s control, asked.

“Just wait here. Someone will come for me.”

Not long after Yue Ying spoke, a medium-sized ship deactivated its cloaking. Their small vessel was easily drawn inside. The person coming to fetch Yue Ying wasn’t Xing Lou but Zhen He. Zhen He’s gaze lingered on Heng He for only a moment before returning to Yue Ying. This was his first time seeing Yue Ying’s physical form. Whether it was the golden hair or the deep blue eyes, both were symbols of the ancient royal lineage of the Tianxiu people.

“Do we still need this man?” Zhen He asked, referring to Heng He.

“No. Let him go.” Yue Ying dismissed him effortlessly. “Where is Xing Lou?”

“He will meet us on the Eagle.”

“Alright,” Yue Ying instructed. “Take me to the Soul Tree.”

The ship flew above the Soul Tree, where the newborn soul may mature at any moment. Nowhere was more heavily guarded. Any unidentified flying object, even in stealth mode, would be detected by infrared scanners. However, Yue Ying was indifferent. As the ship’s door opened, he reached out towards the Soul Tree.

“Come to me, my warrior. I need you.”

The soul on the Soul Tree trembled, breaking free and flying straight to Yue Ying. A blue orb of light danced around him, casting a blue glow on his face.

The guards below couldn’t possibly allow this. In an instant, they moved to attack. Zhen He calmly stepped back, curious to see just how powerful this seemingly frail Yue Ying was against Tianxiu’s elite forces. However, Yue Ying did nothing but gaze sternly at them and commanded, “Stand down!”

The well-trained soldiers, as if receiving a supreme directive, simultaneously halted and respectfully bowed before Yue Ying.

Zhen He outwardly remained calm, but he was inwardly astonished. It was no wonder Xing Lou had said that Yue Ying alone could handle it all. After witnessing Yue Ying’s power, he felt a mix of respect and caution towards this seemingly fragile individual, deciding it’s best not to provoke him without good reason.

Yue Ying extended his hand to Zhen He. “Hand it over.”

Zhen He passed him a cylindrical glass container of moderate size. After capturing the obediently entering souls, Yue Ying sealed the container.

“Alright, take me back.”

Zhen He pushed his wheelchair away from the door. As it closed behind them, the ship took off, leaving the elite squad below without a single one attempting to intercept.

“Where to next?”

“Let’s pick up Lan Sheng. He won’t get far on his own.”

Yue Ying handed the bottle to Zhen He, closed his eyes, and rested. Even this small act seemed to have drained him.

“Wake me when they arrive.”

Zhen He held the soul-filled container, finding it hard to believe that they effortlessly obtained Tianxiu’s most precious commodity. Sitting in the command seat was Zhu Yue, who had a special connection with Yue Ying. Without his powers, Zhu Yue was barely stronger than Yue Ying, but at least he could move freely, even if he was extraordinarily weak.

“Got it?” Hearing footsteps, Zhu Yue asked without turning his head.

Zhen He knew he was asking rhetorically, so instead of answering, he counter-asked, “Why didn’t you go see your fellow kin?”

Zhu Yue couldn’t help but laugh. “Because I am now one of you. I don’t want to risk being controlled by someone when I’m unaware.”

“How can one avoid being controlled?”

“It’s simple.” Zhu Yue casually responded, looking straight ahead. “Don’t look into his eyes. Better yet, cover your ears too. He can’t even stand up on his own; a slight touch could end his life. What do you have to fear from him?”

Zhen He silently took note of his words.

Zhu Yue locked on a certain objective, and the spaceship began its descent.

“We’ve found him,” he said with a slight smirk. “Our prize. Without him, all our previous efforts would have been in vain.”

……

Fu Yao’s fleet was racing here at full speed. Ying Feng consumed too much mental power all at once and was forced to stop and rest. But despite this, he still persistently tried to use his mental vision and sensory sharing again and again, just hoping to quickly find out Ling Xiao’s whereabouts.

The person sent to investigate Lan Sheng has also returned with a report. “The person who took Ling Xiao is called Lan Sheng, confirmed to be a patient at the Disease Control Center. He was admitted a year ago and signed a ‘Rehabilitation Death Agreement’ with the center. The primary doctor said he had been actively treated until his emotions began to change abnormally half a month ago. He escaped and went missing yesterday, and the center reported it immediately.”

“How did he escape?” Fu Yao asked.

“We’re still investigating, but we suspect an inside job.”

Fu Yao frowned deeply. He had long felt that a force was conspiring together. Even after eliminating Tai Yin and Ye Hai, this force had not disappeared. It was still lurking in the shadows, opposing the country. But he could never determine their real objective.

If Fei Jing was also a member of this force, then the most likely possibility was that this was an organization trying to break the blood pact. But why would they kidnap Ling Xiao? What secrets did he hold?

“Long Yin is going to great lengths to get control over you. What does he want you to do for him?” Fu Yao asked Ying Feng.

Ying Feng frowned. Although the experiment had ended, the confidentiality agreement was permanent. He wasn’t sure what he could disclose.

“Without the backing of a powerful force, even if Lan Sheng had a close relationship with Ling Xiao, he couldn’t have taken him away on his own. There must be accomplices. I suspect this incident is related to what Long Yin wants you to do. I know you can’t speak of it, but I will ask him myself. My student has been in trouble twice because of this, and this time, I want an answer, no matter what.”

Nie Yun’s voice came from the communication device. “Report, we’ve found the ship that kidnapped Ling Xiao!”

Fu Yao and Ying Feng both looked alarmed. “Where?”

Coordinates were quickly relayed, “Directly below us, anchored on the land, motionless.”

Fu Yao immediately ordered his main ship to approach. Soon, a stationary aircraft appeared on the surveillance screen.

Fu Yao glanced at Ying Feng, who looked solemn. There was no sign of relief or happiness in discovering the target.

“How is it?”

Ying Feng shook his head. “Ling Xiao isn’t in there.” At this distance, if Ling Xiao was inside, he would definitely sense him.

Ying Feng’s conclusion was correct. After landing and searching the aircraft, there was no sign of anyone inside or out. Ling Xiao had vanished.

“There’s still hope.” Fu Yao, seeing Ying Feng’s distressed look, tried to console him. “We’ve laid a trap in the vicinity. There’s no way they could escape.”

Then Nie Yun whispered something in Fu Yao’s ear, and his expression turned incredulous.

“What did you say?!”

Ying Feng had never seen Fu Yao this shaken before. Whatever it was, it wasn’t trivial.

“What happened?” he asked.

Fu Yao’s face now looked even worse than Ying Feng’s. “My soldiers have been collectively controlled, including those arranged by Long Yin at the base.”

“The base?”

Repeating this bad news was difficult for Fu Yao; it was a disgrace to the entire military.

“Yes, the soul has been stolen.”

Ying Feng’s eyes flickered. Given the coincidental timing—the end of the experiment, Lan Sheng’s escape, and the simultaneous disappearance of the soul and Ling Xiao—he could only think of one person associated with all of this:

Yue Ying.

……

A slender body, golden soft hair…

Ling Xiao opened his eyes, and as his blurry vision gradually focused, a clear figure appeared before him. He tried to move but found himself immobilized.

Before him, black bars divided his vision into segments. If the person in front of him wasn’t trapped in a cage, then he certainly was.

Ling Xiao tried to discern his surroundings, his eyes finally settling on a familiar emblem. He had seen it before, on the spaceship where Tai Yin was. Had he been kidnapped again to the same place? But wasn’t Tai Yin dead?

While he was pondering, another young figure appeared on the scene. Ling Xiao remembered there were many underdeveloped adults on the Eagle. So not everyone had moved to the Wolf Star; some had stayed.

However, to his astonishment, the young man who had just appeared knelt down in front of the golden-haired boy. It was only then that Ling Xiao recognized him. If he could speak now, he would’ve almost shouted out in surprise.

Xing Lou?

Xing Lou, the first-year student from Bikong Academy? The one who was afraid of spiders and looked so much like the ancestors of Tianxiu people. Why was he here?

Xing Lou knelt in front of Yue Ying, respectfully lifted his right hand, and gently kissed the back of it.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Your Highness.”

Yue Ying gently touched his face. “The last time I saw you in this form was four thousand years ago. I was a child then, and you were my respected elder. Time has passed so quickly. Now we look almost the same age.”

Xing Lou took out a corroded emblem from his pocket, solemnly placing it in Yue Ying’s hand, then closed his fingers around it. “I promised your ancestors to take care of their descendants, but I failed them. I’m no longer worthy of keeping this emblem.”

Yue Ying examined the emblem. Only direct male descendants of the royal family would receive such an emblem when they came of age, symbolizing their royal status. Unfortunately, he was forced into cryogenic sleep before reaching adulthood, missing out on this important rite of passage. The Tianxiu royal family soon met its decline. The founders overthrew the monarchy to establish a republic, marking a new era.

All these events happened during his long slumber and were known to him only after he awoke, with the help of electronic devices. Waking up to find his homeland gone and witnessing his coming-of-age ceremony with such a worn-out emblem, how could he not harbor deep hatred towards the one responsible?

“Xing Lou…? …Yue Ying?”

The two, deeply engrossed in their own world, finally noticed Ling Xiao, who had been unconscious but was now struggling to get up. Using the bars for support, he managed to stay upright. Seeing these two familiar figures, Ling Xiao was filled with questions.

“You’re awake,” Yue Ying signaled, and Xing Lou stood up, pushing his wheelchair closer to Ling Xiao.

“You…” Ling Xiao’s eyes darted between the two, finally settling on Yue Ying. “Who are you?”

“Don’t you remember me?” Yue Ying replied calmly. “We used to be the closest of allies. At my slightest whim, you’d do anything for me. You obeyed every command I gave, swearing eternal loyalty to me.”

Ling Xiao listened to him as if hearing an incomprehensible tale, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Have you not felt it yet?” Yue Ying placed his hand over his heart. “The telepathic connection between us. No, for you, it would be a soul connection.”

As if under Yue Ying’s influence, Ling Xiao imitated him, placing his hand on his chest. The same emotions from the man were transmitted into his mind: hatred—nothing but intense hatred, just like before, but even more potent this time.

“Who… are you exactly?”

With a calm demeanor, Yue Ying replied, “I am a Tianxiu person.”

“That’s impossible.” Ling Xiao shook his head in denial. “Your hair, your eyes, none of them match the characteristics of a Tianxiu person. Furthermore…”

His gaze landed on Yue Ying’s wheelchair. “Tianxiu people have strong bodies; they don’t get sick, and even if they get injured, they recover quickly. No one would be so weak as to not be able to stand or walk.”

“Indeed,” Yue Ying replied with a faint smile, a hint of sorrow evident in his expression. “The genuine Tianxiu people, while having wisdom surpassing ordinary beings, pay for it with our physical robustness. Our race, let alone the ability to attack, can’t even defend ourselves properly. We’ve been constantly bullied and oppressed by other races, enduring humiliation and disgrace.”

“And that’s why you were created, isn’t it? The strongest artificial warriors created by the Tianxiu people. We endowed you with intelligence almost on par with ours, extraordinary combat abilities superior to any other race, and even an immortal body that doesn’t exist in nature to help us defend against enemies. Yet you all—you annihilated your creators, eradicated all opponents, and took over our planet for thousands of years. You rewrote Tianxiu history, establishing your own civilization—a civilization built on lies. Tell me, have you been happy all these millennia?”

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

---

Chapter 101

Ying Feng hurriedly walked through the campus. As he turned a corner, the dormitory building came into view. Instinctively, he looked up at his dormitory window.

When he saw that it was empty, Ying Feng felt his action was a bit unnecessary. How could Ling Xiao just be idly waiting by the window for him? Today was his hyperactive day; if he wasn’t online, he must be playing games with Red Head. However, they would meet soon, so with that thought, Ying Feng quickened his pace.

“Ying Feng.”

An unfamiliar voice sounded from behind him. Ying Feng stopped and turned to see who was calling him. A man stepped out from behind a tree, standing tall and looking elegant. His peach blossom eyes were lively. Ying Feng felt he had seen the face somewhere, but it was both familiar and unfamiliar.

“Can’t remember me?” The man smirked, his smile mysterious and unreadable.

If it weren’t for the rare pale yellow hair, Ying Feng really couldn’t recall who he was. But the question triggered a memory, though Ying Feng was still unsure.

“…Zhu Yue?”

Zhu Yue’s smile deepened. “I’m honored you still remember me.”

Ying Feng skeptically sized him up. The once timid and submissive Zhu Yue had transformed into a tall, handsome young man. But more than his appearance, it was his demeanor that had changed most. This confident person in front of him was hard to associate with the timid and weak person of the past. What was even more surprising were his black eyes, filled with mockery for the Tianxiu coming-of-age ceremony.

“Why are you here?” Ying Feng noticed Zhu Yue’s uniform was clearly not from Royal Sky and wondered how he got in.

“Our school has a partnership with Royal Sky. I can come anytime.”

Ying Feng wasn’t interested in which school he was from. An unexpected reunion with an old schoolmate was common, but he had other things on his mind now and didn’t want to spend time catching up.

“You’re free to roam,” Ying Feng said, turning to leave.

But he heard Zhu Yue say from behind him, “You’re still as indifferent as ever. I came specifically to find you.”

Ying Feng glanced back. “What do you want?”

“There’s something important I want to tell you. About you.”

Ying Feng responded curtly, “I’m in a hurry. Talk later.”

He started walking again. Zhu Yue didn’t try to stop him but murmured, “You’ll regret it.”

Ying Feng hesitated for a moment, uncertain if he had heard, but continued to walk away swiftly, leaving Zhu Yue far behind. Zhu Yue wasn’t upset; after all this time without seeing Ying Feng, he was just as he had expected him to be. As he watched Ying Feng’s retreating figure disappear, Zhu Yue turned around. Another person, wearing the same uniform as Zhu Yue, stepped out from behind the tree.

Although Zhu Yue had grown taller than Zhen He, considering their initial heights, a fully grown Zhu Yue was still half a head shorter than him. Zhen He also turned out to be quite impressive in stature, no longer the lazy and carefree twenty-two-year-old he once was.

With a teasing smile, Zhu Yue approached and affectionately wrapped his arm around Zhen He’s neck. “Why? Are you jealous?”

Zhen He didn’t lower his head but looked at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

“Don’t worry, I no longer have feelings for him,” Zhu Yue said, rubbing his nose against Zhen He’s. “After all, the so-called Tianxiu are born with loyalty as their primary principle. No matter how much you’ve tried to change this over the years, it’s only shifted the object of their loyalty. You can’t eliminate this trait.”

After making a comment that outsiders wouldn’t understand, Zhu Yue turned back to the main topic. “Now, you are the only one in my heart. But the humiliation they both brought upon me, I will never forget even for a day.”

He lowered his head, a cold glint in his eyes. “I will definitely get back at them for that.”

Zhen He’s ring glittered, and he raised his hand to glance at it. “We have the person. Let’s go.”

The two vanished into the thick darkness. After the brief interlude, tranquility returned to the campus—just as it appeared on the surface.

Ying Feng could hear the calls of Xiao Hui from afar in the corridor, and the tone was alarming.

Frowning, Ying Feng used a teleportation crystal instead of walking the final distance, arriving at his door. When he barely opened it, a small gray figure darted out, rushing frantically towards the end of the corridor.

“Xiao Hui!” Ying Feng called, but Xiao Hui just ran further away. Inside the room was deathly silent, filling Ying Feng with a sense of foreboding.

Instead of entering the room, he quickly chased after Xiao Hui. The small wolf dashed down the stairs and out of the dormitory building. Its front paw was injured, leaving sporadic blood spots on the ground. Ying Feng was horrified seeing the blood, but Xiao Hui ran on, ignoring its pain. Following it to the landing pad, he saw Xiao Hui circling around a black object on the ground, sniffing desperately and whimpering continuously, as if a clue was lost.

Ying Feng picked up the object; it was Ling Xiao’s personal terminal. The terminal was here, but the owner was nowhere to be found.

Xiao Hui, in desperation, raised its head and cried out to Ying Feng. Ying Feng closed his eyes, his consciousness rapidly spreading in all directions, meticulously searching every nook and cranny. Finally, at the edge of a light source, he detected Ling Xiao’s trace.

Judging from the internal environment, it was a civilian aircraft. However, it was fully sealed, with the cockpit and the passenger cabin separated. Ling Xiao was lying unconscious in the back cabin, with another person sitting beside him.

Unlike Zhu Yue, who had undergone significant changes due to growth, Ying Feng immediately recognized the person. It was Lan Sheng, Ling Xiao’s friend from their days in Bikong. Ying Feng recalled how he had grabbed Lan Sheng when he had once jumped off a rooftop, witnessing him cut off a corner of his sleeve before plummeting from the sky.

However, he later heard that Lan Sheng was sent to a Disease Control Center. Why had he suddenly appeared, and why had he taken Ling Xiao?

Ling Xiao’s location was now beyond the range of teleportation and summoning. Ying Feng’s mental vision’s greatest limitation wasn’t being able to transcend the space in which the Qizi resided. So, Ying Feng couldn’t see the external environment of the aircraft or determine Ling Xiao’s location.

He tried to mentally call out to him.

Ling Xiao, Ling Xiao…!

His calls echoed into nothingness.

However, Lan Sheng suddenly moved. Ying Feng watched him access an electronic screen and slowly type on a virtual keyboard. One by one, the words formed a complete message.

[I’ve heard you can see this. I can tell you my intentions.]

[I’ve heard about everything you’ve done to him. The mental trauma he’s suffered is because of you.]

[I know the pain of being a pact-maker better than anyone. Ling Xiao is my best friend. I can’t let him follow in my footsteps and continue to lose his personality this way.]

[Ling Xiao shouldn’t be your or anyone’s Qizi. He deserves a better life, to become a Qizhu, or to enjoy freedom.]

[His feelings for you aren’t love. It’s just the typical loyalty and obedience of the Tianxiu people. Once the blood pact is removed, he’ll find himself again, free from your shackles.]

[I won’t let you find him. You’d better give up now. If possible, I wish all the suffering he’s experienced could happen to you. Then you’d know the unforgivable mistake you’ve made. Sadly, it’s already too late.]

The vision abruptly cut off, and the aircraft had escaped the range that Ying Feng’s mental vision could track, and even the last clue to Ling Xiao was lost.

Without a word, Ying Feng contacted Fu Yao, briefly explaining the situation. Without hesitation, Fu Yao immediately led his fleet to the scene, picking up Ying Feng onto his flagship.

“Do you have any other clues?” Fu Yao asked as soon as he saw him.

“None. The mental vision had already been cut off before, and the soul communication has just become ineffective.” Ying Feng presented a soul crystal. “Our trust value had reached one hundred percent, but now this is also useless.”

“That’s because the Five Senses Sharing soul crystal can only be used when the other party is conscious. An unconscious person has no five senses, so naturally, it cannot function. Try this.”

Fu Yao tossed over another soul crystal. Ying Feng caught it, activated it, and a white light emanated from the palm of his hand.

Fu Yao pointed at the radar, signaling him to press his palm onto it. After doing so, a continuously fluctuating light ring appeared on the radar.

“Aim in this direction and move forward. Notify the other fleets to search the vicinity as well. Seal off this area. Don’t let any ship leave.”

Several subordinates responded in unison, “Yes, Commander!”

Once everyone was in position, Fu Yao looked at Ying Feng with concern. He knew of Ying Feng’s powerful mental strength, but this kind of tracking soul crystal consumed a lot of power. If they couldn’t find the person before the mental power was exhausted, and if the target had fled to outer space, the search would become much more complicated.

Turning his gaze forward, Fu Yao frowned deeply. Why did these things always happen to Ling Xiao? Who had he offended?

……

The researchers at the Tianxiu Gene Research Center were also experiencing a tense and crucial moment. After a year-long experiment, the moment to unveil the results finally arrived. When the last drop of blood was transfused into Yue Ying, his pulse, blood pressure, and breathing rate all reached standard values. According to the research report, this was the moment of his awakening.

Heng He held his breath, staring intently at the man on the bed. If glares could be tangible, Yue Ying’s face would have been pierced by his gaze. Under such unwavering scrutiny, the eyelashes of the man, who had been in a deep slumber for a thousand years, fluttered and he slowly opened his eyes.

“He’s awake! He’s really awake!” Heng He was overjoyed. The other researchers were also astounded. For the scientists, the purpose of the experiment wasn’t as important as the monumental achievement of reviving an ancient Tianxiu being who had been frozen for over four thousand years.

While those standing expressed their joy, the man lying down contrasted sharply with them, showing no emotion regardless of what was happening around him.

Heng He soon realized something was amiss. He checked Yue Ying’s pupils and retested his brainwaves.

“Why… Why is it like this?”

Everyone stopped and waited for him to explain.

“He’s awake, but that’s all. His brain waves show no reflexes; he can’t perceive any external stimuli. Described in the terms of other races, he’s like a human without consciousness, commonly referred to as a ‘vegetative state’.”

The scientists exchanged worried glances. They had considered the possibility of experiment failure, but they had never considered this outcome.

Long Yin, hearing the news, rushed over and was furious upon seeing the situation. “So much time, manpower, and funds were invested, and you present me with a vegetative state? What can a ‘vegetative person’ do? Can they grant access to the central system’s modification rights?”

“I didn’t expect this,” Heng He quickly replied. “Give me some time. I will figure out a solution.”

Long Yin stormed out. The scientists, who had worked tirelessly on this experiment, were devastated and demoralized. Without a solution in sight, keeping them at the base seemed pointless, so Heng He took the initiative and sent them to rest.

Only Heng He and Yue Ying remained in the laboratory. He racked his brain—the man had awakened, but without consciousness. How could he restore his awareness?

He adjusted the bed slightly, and the man on it remained calm and passive. If it weren’t for the occasional blink, he would seem almost identical to his deep-sleeping state.

Heng He gazed into his deep blue eyes, a refreshing sight amidst the usual black hues of the Tianxiu people.

“Yue Ying, Yue Ying, how can I truly awaken you?”

The computer screen nearby suddenly flickered a few times. The change in lighting caught Heng He’s attention, and he quickly turned his head. To his astonishment, he found that all the data on the electronic instruments began to fluctuate wildly, as if out of control or perhaps infected by some sort of computer virus. The flickering rate of the screens increased rapidly until they were eventually engulfed in a blinding white light.

“What’s happening?”

Electricity zapped along the wires, moving from the computer to the bed. Blue electric sparks began to surround Yue Ying’s body.

“This is bad!”

Heng He hastily lunged forward, trying to disconnect the power. However, the moment he touched the wires, a massive force repelled him, sending him flying across the room.

“Yue Ying!” He called out while scrambling back on his feet. He touched the wires once more, but this time there was no reaction. The electricity had vanished.

Staring blankly, he lifted his head and found that the man on the bed had changed positions. Those deep blue eyes were intently fixed on him.

“Was it you calling me?” Yue Ying’s voice was as melodious as a clear stream in winter.

“You’re awake?” Heng He gazed up at him, almost in a daze, forgetting even to stand up.

Yue Ying looked around.

“I don’t like it here,” he continued, locking eyes with Heng He. “Take me out.”

Heng He’s eyes grew more vacant, and finally, he obediently lowered his head, responding, “Yes.”

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

---

Chapter 100

Ling Xiao rubbed his eyes vigorously, only to confirm that the person in front of him wasn’t a figment of his imagination.

“Lan Sheng? Is it really you? How did you…?”

“Surprised to see me?” Lan Sheng asked.

Indeed, because the principal had spent a full six years at the Disease Control Center, he was already hailed as a miracle by the dean. So, wasn’t Lan Sheng, who had only spent a year there, an even greater marvel?

Nevertheless, the thrill of seeing someone he had just missed moments ago always outweighed the shock.

Watching Ling Xiao’s ever-changing expression, Lan Sheng smiled again and took the initiative to step forward, giving Ling Xiao a hug.

“I’ve missed you.”

Ling Xiao hugged back tightly. “Me too.”

All the words that had built up during their separation condensed into this one intimate embrace. After a considerable amount of time, they reluctantly let go of each other.

“You’ve grown so tall.” Lan Sheng looked up at him, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions.

It was then that Ling Xiao remembered that he now had eyes identical in color to Lan Sheng. He no longer hid the fact that he was a Qizi and would proudly introduce his Qizhu to new friends. But Lan Sheng was different; he was an old friend from the primary academy. Because of Lan Sheng’s misfortune, Ling Xiao once vowed never to become a Qizi. Yet, today, as they reunited, both, who didn’t wish to become Qizis, had become someone else’s Qizi.

But Lan Sheng didn’t ask any awkward questions. Facing Ling Xiao’s gray eyes, he seemed quite at ease.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked.

“Oh.” Ling Xiao suddenly realized they were still standing outside and quickly stepped aside to let Lan Sheng in.

As soon as Lan Sheng entered, he looked around with interest. Ling Xiao, having so many questions bottled up, wished he could pour them all out at once.

“When did you get out of the Disease Control Center? Why didn’t you tell me to pick you up? How did you get into the Royal Sky Academy? Didn’t the guards stop you?”

Ignoring all his questions, Lan Sheng instead remarked, “So this is what the dorms at Royal Sky look like. I once dreamt of studying here, but I guess I won’t have that chance anymore.”

Hearing this, Ling Xiao felt a pang of sadness and didn’t know what to say.

However, seeing his reaction, Lan Sheng consoled him, “But knowing that you got into Royal Sky makes me as happy as if I were studying here myself. You don’t have to feel sad for me.”

Surprisingly, Lan Sheng seemed to be more open-minded than Ling Xiao himself, which provided a subtle comfort.

Just then, a shadow darted out from the bedroom, targeting the newcomer. Ling Xiao, quick as lightning, stepped forward to block its path.

“Xiao Hui!”

Xiao Hui, seeing Ling Xiao in the way, retracted its claws immediately. However, it lost its balance and rolled onto the floor. After a couple of tumbles, it stood up and growled warningly from deep within its throat at Lan Sheng behind Ling Xiao.

“Xiao Hui! He’s my friend! Be polite!” Ling Xiao scolded.

Though reluctant, upon hearing Ling Xiao’s words, Xiao Hui slowly backed off, its eyes filled with hostility locked onto Lan Sheng.

“Is this a dog you’ve adopted?” Lan Sheng asked curiously from behind him.

“Xiao Hui isn’t a dog, it’s a wolf. I’m sorry, it’s usually not like this.”

Even with those it didn’t like, it would just show its indifference by turning its back on them. This aggressive behavior was a first.

Lan Sheng shook his head, indicating it was okay, and continued to explore Ling Xiao’s dorm. When he arrived at the bedroom, the most prominent feature was a picture of Ling Xiao and Ying Feng on the wall, which naturally caught Lan Sheng’s attention.

“Uh…” Seeing Lan Sheng closely examine the photo on the wall, Ling Xiao felt a bit embarrassed. Lan Sheng knew Ying Feng and had heard the bold claims he made in his youth. Now everything had turned around; it was like a mirror image of Lan Sheng and Ping Zong.

After a while, Lan Sheng said, “So, you finally ended up with Ying Feng. Back then, I always felt that the way you treated him was different from others. You constantly mentioned his name, claiming he was your competitor. But I think you always harbored different feelings for him.”

Ling Xiao couldn’t argue. When he was young and ignorant, he couldn’t recognize his own feelings and needed an instrument to tell him the truth.

“How is your relationship now?”

“Uh… Well,” Ling Xiao replied awkwardly.

Lan Sheng saw his nervousness and chuckled. “I have no opinion about Ying Feng. I just remember him being very strong and cold. It must be hard for you to get along with him.”

“Not really,” Ling Xiao hurriedly denied. “He’s actually… quite easy to get along with.”

Ling Xiao said this without much confidence. To those unfamiliar, Ying Feng was indeed a difficult person to get along with. But precisely because of this, being treated differently by Ying Feng made Ling Xiao feel special every day, like he was the only one in Ying Feng’s eyes. Unfortunately, outsiders couldn’t understand this.

“Really?” Lan Sheng accepted it naturally. “Seeing you like this now, studying at a prestigious school, being with the person you like, I’m genuinely happy for you.”

Before Ling Xiao could respond, Lan Sheng’s tone seemed to drop a few degrees. “All of this would have been perfect if you were the Qizhu.”

Ling Xiao was surprised, not understanding why Lan Sheng said this or his intentions.

“Why are you looking at me so surprised?” Lan Sheng turned his head. “Don’t you think the same?”

Ling Xiao stammered. “Well… I guess…”

“You used to be determined to become Ying Feng’s Qizhu, but now you’ve become his Qizi. The target remains the same, but the roles are drastically different. Can you accept that?”

Ling Xiao turned serious. “I don’t know why you’re asking this. Even though Ying Feng is now my Qizhu, ever since we accepted each other, he hasn’t mistreated me as a Qizhu.”

“But he did before that, right?”

“Yes, he did, but…”

“So, have you willingly accepted your status as a Qizi? Or have you had no power, constantly being suppressed, forced to face reality, and hypnotized yourself into thinking that’s okay?”

Ling Xiao was rendered speechless.

Lan Sheng shook his head in disappointment. “Ling Xiao, you’ve really changed a lot.”

Ling Xiao wanted to argue that it shouldn’t be this way. Lan Sheng was clearly someone who understood the roles of master and subject most deeply. It was due to his stubbornness that Ping Zong reincarnated. Lan Sheng should have had a realization regarding this issue long ago.

However, facing this version of Lan Sheng, Ling Xiao found himself unable to utter a word. The Lan Sheng he knew now seemed so unfamiliar. A year at the Disease Control Center had transformed him completely. Although he often smiled, the warmth of his smile never reached his eyes. The coldness he emitted was even more intense than that of Ying Feng.

No, Ying Feng’s coldness was natural, stemming from his character—a kind of pure indifference without malice towards others. In contrast, the aura around Lan Sheng was like a chilling mist with black smoke. While Ying Feng might deter people from approaching, Lan Sheng’s presence made them want to flee.

Having just spoken harshly to Ling Xiao, Lan Sheng’s demeanor softened. “But who am I to judge? So much time has passed, everything has changed, even myself.”

Ling Xiao recalled what he saw and heard during Lan Sheng’s time at the Disease Control Center. A year in such a place would undoubtedly change a person. Hoping to shift the conversation, Ling Xiao asked, “Have you completely left the Disease Control Center? Where are you planning to go next?”

Lan Sheng went along with the topic switch. “I haven’t decided yet. I don’t plan on continuing my studies. Someone offered me a job, and I’m considering it.”

“A job?” Ling Xiao was slightly disappointed to hear Lan Sheng wouldn’t pursue further studies but felt relieved he’d be working. “Where is it? Even if it’s far, leave me the address, and I’ll visit you regularly.”

Then a thought struck him. “It’s a job on Tianxiu, right? I met someone before, um…” Ling Xiao chose his words carefully. “His situation is similar to yours. He said that with his constitution, living outside Tianxiu is very challenging.”

“I understand, it’s the soul traction,” Lan Sheng openly said. “The less developed a person is, the more severe the effect. For someone like me, who’s entirely undeveloped, even going to Wolf Star wouldn’t help.”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m not as fragile as you imagine. Instead, it’s you.” Lan Sheng lifted his hand, touching Ling Xiao’s cheek. “Since a long time ago, you’ve been my concern, and it’s still the same now.”

His words instantly took Ling Xiao back to that night when Lan Sheng came to bid him farewell. Every word he had spoken then was deeply imprinted in his heart.

They had promised to meet again. That wish had now been fulfilled, but who could have imagined then that when they met again, things and people would have changed so much.

“Alright.” Lan Sheng lowered his hand. “I need to leave. But before I go, I want to ask for the thing I entrusted to you for safekeeping.”

“Ah.” Ling Xiao suddenly remembered. “Wait a moment.”

He took out a box from a hidden spot under the bed, hesitating. “Do you still need this box?”

Lan Sheng guessed that the box probably contained more than just what he had left for him. “No, just give me the dagger. You can keep the box.”

Ling Xiao sighed in relief, quickly opened the box, and carefully took out Ping Zong’s dagger.

“Here you go.”

Lan Sheng took it, lost in memories for a while after seeing it.

Ling Xiao didn’t disturb him, waiting until Lan Sheng came back to himself and inadvertently caught a glimpse of the items in the box.

“Why are you collecting all these trinkets?”

“It’s nothing.” Ling Xiao quickly closed the box lid. “Just for fun.”

Lan Sheng didn’t comment further, and Ling Xiao put the box back in its place.

“Thank you for keeping it safe.” Lan Sheng gestured with the dagger in hand.

“It’s nothing.” Ling Xiao was a bit unused to his politeness. “Ying Feng will be back soon. Don’t you want to see him?”

Lan Sheng gave that familiar smile. “No need. We were never close.”

“Alright then,” Ling Xiao resigned. “Let me see you off…”

Before he could finish, Xiao Hui, who had been on high alert, barked loudly at him. Ling Xiao had never seen Xiao Hui so agitated before.

“Xiao Hui, calm down. I’ll be right back.”

Seeing that he couldn’t stop him, Xiao Hui, without hesitation, jumped at Lan Sheng. Even Ling Xiao couldn’t hold him back. Xiao Hui’s sharp teeth bit hard into Lan Sheng’s arm.

“Xiao Hui!” Ling Xiao exclaimed in panic.

With a frown, Lan Sheng tried to shake him off but failed. He swiftly rotated the dagger in his hand. Accompanied by a painful yelp, Xiao Hui, hurt, let go, and fell to the ground, whimpering pitifully.

“Xiao Hui!” Ling Xiao called out its name again, this time filled with worry.

He quickly crouched down to check on Xiao Hui’s injuries. Fortunately, Lan Sheng had been gentle; he’d only cut its front paw’s skin, more of a warning than anything else.

“I’m sorry. It bit me, and I just reflexively…”

Ling Xiao felt choked up. Though Xiao Hui was the first to misbehave, after all, it was just an innocent animal. But when he looked up and saw the deep bite marks on Lan Sheng’s arm, the words he was about to say got stuck in his throat.

Frustrated, he rubbed Xiao Hui’s belly. “Xiao Hui, why did you do that today? Wait, let me get a bandage for you.”

Xiao Hui, not being a Tianxiu, couldn’t be healed with soul crystals. When injured, it could only wait to recover slowly after the wound was treated, which was quite troublesome.

“I’m leaving now. Won’t you see me off for a bit?” Just as he got up to get the medical kit, Lan Sheng stopped him.

Ling Xiao looked worriedly at the injured Xiao Hui on the ground, its whimpers sounding pitiful. “Let me quickly treat it. It will be very fast.”

Lan Sheng glanced at the time. “I don’t have much time left. Once I leave this time, it will be a long time before we can see each other again.”

After all, Lan Sheng was once his best friend. It would be inappropriate not to see him off. The injury on Xiao Hui seemed not too serious, but its howls were exaggerated, as if someone had chopped off its paw.

Ling Xiao picked up Xiao Hui and put it on the bed, reassuring, “I’ll be back soon. Please bear with it for a little while.”

No matter how much Xiao Hui cried, it couldn’t retain Ling Xiao. Watching his departing figure, Xiao Hui swiftly rolled and jumped off the bed, chasing after him. Its agile actions showed no hint of injury.

However, the door was completely closed in front of it. Desperately scratching at the door, it let out anxious howls, hoping Ling Xiao would turn back.

“It’s usually not like this. I don’t know what got into it today.” Ling Xiao, noticing the bite mark on Lan Sheng’s wrist, said with some guilt, “Let me treat it for you.”

“No need,” Lan Sheng declined. “I know you’re pressed for time. My vehicle is at the landing pad; the round trip won’t take long.”

They quickly reached the landing pad. Surprisingly, Lan Sheng had a vehicle, a relatively new aircraft.

“Where did this come from?” Ling Xiao asked.

“It’s lent to me by my workplace,” Lan Sheng casually replied.

“Oh,” Ling Xiao said, accepting the explanation without suspicion.

Standing by the hatch, Lan Sheng said, “Thank you for seeing me off.”

Ling Xiao wished to have a proper farewell, but he was still concerned about Xiao Hui in the dormitory.

“Stay in touch.”

“Certainly.”

As Lan Sheng embraced him again, Ling Xiao didn’t overthink and hugged him back. But then he heard a soft whisper from Lan Sheng. “But what if I can’t bear to leave you?”

“What?” Ling Xiao didn’t catch that.

“Then come with me.”

Ling Xiao felt a prick on his back, and a cold liquid was injected into him. His vision blurred as his strength drained away.

Until he blacked out, he couldn’t believe that Lan Sheng, his best friend, would do such a thing. He had never doubted him.

“Why…” He managed to utter.

“Because I can’t bear to see you like this.” Lan Sheng softly cradled him. “I will help you end this pain.”

But I don’t feel any pain at all. Why don’t you understand?

Closing his eyes, Ling Xiao thought of the injured Xiao Hui left alone at home. No wonder it reacted so violently. The instincts of beasts were eerily accurate. Why didn’t he pick up on its warning of danger?

Just as he fell, he seemed to see the figure of Ying Feng hurriedly returning. It’s already dark. Where did you go?

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

---

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.”

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

---

Chapter 98

“Are you ready?”

“Let’s go!”

Two figures darted out, one from the left and one from the right. An opposing mech fired a dozen small missiles straight at them. The duo seamlessly switched from side-by-side to a front-and-back formation. The person behind waved a hand, detonating the missiles from left to right in succession, creating a line of explosions. The person in front skillfully dodged through the explosions, emerging unscathed.

Having breached the enemy’s rear defenses, the commander at the back tightened his fists. The front-line attacker’s armor layered up. Clapping his hands together and aiming above the mech’s head, he let out a shout. A powerful shockwave erupted from his palms, instantly shattering the massive mech.

The mech’s pilot ejected, somersaulting in mid-air and transforming from a human shape into a huge beast. The initial attacker nimbly avoided its three attempts at attack, while the other teleported in time to knock the beast over with a kick.

“It’s starting!” He released a soul crystal into the air, clapping his hands. The duo’s attack rhythm shifted, and they launched their offensive from both sides of the beast. Their movements, speed, and striking poses were perfectly synchronized, as if controlled by one person, achieving a hundred percent sync. Together, they dealt the beast a final blow. It let out a mournful howl, immobilized and vanished with a bang mid-fall. The two attackers landed gracefully on the ground, completely unharmed.

“Well done!”

“Brilliant!”

Praises echoed all around. Ling Xiao, who had just landed, proudly fist-bumped Ying Feng. Ying Feng responded, changing his fist to an open hand, pulling Ling Xiao into a tight hug.

“Hey, there are many people watching,” Ling Xiao said, embarrassed, wriggling out of the embrace. The cheers turned to playful jeers, with Red Head being the loudest.

The instructor satisfactorily checked their names off the final assessment list. “Congratulations. You’re now qualified to use the soul crystal that can only be activated with an emotional value of seven stars. You passed the final exam and lived up to my expectations.”

Ling Xiao saluted the instructor. “Thank you, sir!”

The instructor nodded, folding away the assessment sheet. “Yu Ji and Shuang Feng also passed. Everyone in this term’s combined combat course has succeeded. No one failed.”

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Red Head, more delighted than if he had scored full marks, exclaimed, “Had Ling Xiao not lost his memory midway, they might already be at ten stars now!”

“Speaking of which, someone had a bet that if they reached seven stars by the end of term, they’d dye their hair,” Shuang Feng reminded.

“Of course!” Red Head wasn’t one to back down. “I foresaw their success and have already dyed it!”

Everyone looked but saw no difference.

“Where did you dye it?”

The Red Head plucked a tuft of hair from his head. “Look, I’ve highlighted it orange!”

The crowd dismissed him with disdainful looks.

Laughing, Ling Xiao playfully chased Red Head. After months together, they had all become close friends again. Even without his initial memories, their bond remained strong. As Ling Xiao playfully attacked, Red Head finally asked, “But honestly, aren’t you regretful about losing those months of memories?”

Ling Xiao paused, pondering deeply. “Regret? It’s impossible not to feel any… Those were parts of my past. Yet, I’m content with the present. If the memories truly can’t be recovered, I’ll accept them as a beautiful imperfection.” He sneaked a glance at Ying Feng. These recent months had given him beautiful new memories, so why cling to the past?

Red Head wrapped an arm around Ling Xiao’s neck. “Let’s go to the interstellar port.” After several months, the war against Huoxiu had been won. Today marked the triumphant return of General Fu Yao. Many citizens went to the port to welcome their hero.

“You go ahead. I’d love to join, but I have an appointment,” Ling Xiao said. The Genetic Center had paused their experiments due to exams, but now that they were over, Dr. Heng He was eager to continue.

“Alright then.” Red Head waved goodbye. “Enjoy your holidays!”

After saying goodbye to Red Head, Ling Xiao and Ying Feng drove the Flying Shark to the Genetic Center. After the last accident, Long Yin finally revealed the real location of the Genetic Center to them. He even dispatched fleets to escort them every time they returned, ensuring tight security.

They were initially astounded to find out that the Genetic Center was located underground in the base. But as time went on, they grew accustomed to the idea.

Dr. Heng He looked even more haggard than the last time Ling Xiao saw him. His hair was messy, like a tuft of grass. However, upon seeing Ling Xiao, he excitedly grasped his hand, even forgetting about drawing blood.

“I’ve finally succeeded! I’ve figured out how to remove the memory shield!”

Out of deep remorse for Ling Xiao, Dr. Heng He had been tirelessly researching a method to restore memories for the past few months. Fortunately, his dedication paid off.

“Really?” Ling Xiao’s eyes lit up. He had just lamented the regret of potentially never retrieving his memories when he heard this good news, instantly lifting his spirits.

“But…” Dr. Heng He hesitated. “There’s a catch.”

“What’s the issue?”

“Without clinical trials, I can’t guarantee whether, after the treatment, the memories you made after losing your memory will remain or vanish. You might retain both sets of memories or just recall the period before the amnesia… Would you still be willing to try it?”

Ling Xiao was genuinely stumped by the question. If he chose to retrieve his previous memories, he risked losing his current ones. Would forgetting everything Ying Feng did for him over the past few months be worth it?

Seeing Ling Xiao’s uncertainty, Ying Feng said, “No matter what you decide, I will respect your choice. Even if you forget what happened during this period, I’ll remember, and we can piece it back together.”

Ying Feng’s words reassured Ling Xiao. After some careful contemplation, he made up his mind. “The memories I lost probably aren’t as pleasant as the ones I have now. If I chose the past, I would likely be sadder.”

“Now, it feels like I’ve been effortlessly elevated from the base to the peak of a mountain, possessing everything.”

He paused. “But the hardships I once faced are also a significant part of my life. If possible, I still yearn to have the memories of our joint endeavors.”

Ling Xiao was resolute. “I’m willing to take the risk.”

Dr. Heng He nodded excitedly. “Then we can start the treatment. Drawing blood can wait.”

“No,” Ling Xiao refused. “Before that, I need to prepare something.”

Ying Feng was asked to leave the room, leaving just Ling Xiao and Dr. Heng He. Dr. Heng He was puzzled by Ling Xiao’s behavior.

“Why did you want to keep this from him?”

“If he’s here, I’d be too embarrassed to continue.” Ling Xiao adjusted his hair. “Do I look presentable now?”

“You look much better than me,” Dr. Heng He set up a 3D camera. Cameras surrounded Ling Xiao, who sat in the center.

“Ready.” Dr. Heng He pressed the record button. “You can start.”

Ling Xiao recited everything he wanted to say. “I’m about to undergo treatment. After it, I might lose all the memories of these past three months. These memories are precious to me, so I’ve decided to record them. Even if I do forget, I won’t truly lose them.”

Dr. Heng He silently listened as Ling Xiao recounted every event from the past few months, all of which involved Ying Feng.

“…He took me to the seaside for our honeymoon. We went diving in bubbles, heated seawater into hot springs, and wished upon shooting stars… He drew a portrait of me, which I stored in my secret warehouse along with other gifts he gave me…”

After reminiscing for hours and occasionally breaking into joyful laughter, Ling Xiao concluded, “This has been the most wonderful three months of my life, and if possible, I wouldn’t want to give them up…”

“But if I do forget and the memories I regain aren’t as delightful as the current ones, I won’t regret today’s decision. Because he alone knows our past efforts. It’s too unfair. I also want to share this hard-won happiness with him.”

After recording for two hours, Ling Xiao approached a teary-eyed Dr. Heng He.

“What’s wrong?” He noticed the tears in Dr. Heng He’s eyes.

“Nothing.” Dr. Heng He quickly wiped his eyes. “I was just moved by your story. Are you done? I’ll turn off the camera.”

“Yes.” Ling Xiao nodded. “If things turn out as you said and I forget everything, secretly show me the recording. Don’t let Ying Feng see it. He’ll tease me.”

“Why would he mock you?” Dr. Heng He processed the video and reassured Ling Xiao. “Don’t worry, I won’t let him know.”

“That’s good,” Ling Xiao grinned.

“Are you ready?” Heng He brought the equipment over.

Ling Xiao lay down on the bed. “Yes, let’s begin.”

Ying Feng waited outside the door for several hours until Heng He finally emerged to let him know he could enter.

“How is he?” Ying Feng asked immediately.

“He just woke up. I’m not sure about the details. You can ask him yourself.”

Ying Feng approached Ling Xiao’s bed. The man on the bed, with wide eyes, blinked slowly upon seeing Ying Feng’s arrival.

Not sure what Ling Xiao remembered or forgot, Ying Feng tentatively called out, “Ling Xiao?”

With a puzzled expression, Ling Xiao blinked and asked innocently, “Who are you?”

Ying Feng was momentarily stunned. He then turned angrily to Heng He. “What happened?”

From behind came a hearty laugh. Ling Xiao, triumphant from his little trick, laughed uncontrollably. “Hahaha, just messing with you.”

Realizing he had been tricked, Ying Feng darkened his expression. “Do you remember or not?”

“Of course.” Ling Xiao sat up energetically. “Whether it’s from before or after, I remember everything clearly.”

He enthusiastically praised Heng He. “Doctor, you’re amazing!”

Heng He, a little embarrassed and ruffled his already messy hair. “I’m just glad it worked. I felt responsible for your amnesia. If I couldn’t help, I’d be ashamed for the rest of my life.”

“Are you done?” Ying Feng, looking stern, unceremoniously pulled Ling Xiao off the bed. “We need to settle this.”

“Hey! I was just joking! Let me go!”

As Ling Xiao was dragged away by Ying Feng, he discreetly signaled Heng He to keep quiet.

Heng He signaled back reassuringly. Even though the video recording wasn’t needed, he would keep the secret between them.

Inside the Flying Shark, Ling Xiao was so happy he almost started humming. He finally had two sets of memories. It felt like playing a game twice, becoming adept after repetition.

“Didn’t we have at least six stars before? Now we have seven, that’s thirteen in total?”

“The maximum is ten. Where did the extra three come from?”

Ling Xiao lamented, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have collected so many!”

Ying Feng mentally called him an idiot.

Ling Xiao pondered, “Let me think if you’ve deceived me in any way recently…”

Upon reflecting, he realized something. “Wait… How did you know I threw that peach pit?”

Ying Feng, knowing he’d been caught, pretended not to hear.

“I remember playing a game, watching a CG scene, and an NPC said you were fake. You couldn’t have known about the peach pit and…”

Ling Xiao slowly connected the dots.

“Was the NPC lying to me?”

Ying Feng’s silence confirmed Ling Xiao’s suspicion.

“She… you actually…”

It turned out Ying Feng knew all along about the stolen kiss, and Ling Xiao foolishly thought he had kept it a secret. He was utterly embarrassed.

“This game is so deceptive! Even the NPCs lie! I’m giving it a bad review!”

“I already did,” Ying Feng finally said.

“And you! You’re an accomplice! Both of you…”

Ying Feng pulled Ling Xiao close, silencing his protests with a swift motion.

Breaking free, Ling Xiao continued, “You both ganged up to deceive…”

“Do you want to go to Dingjun Mountain?”

“Yes, yes, let’s go!”

A yellow arc in the sky indicated a change in direction towards Dingjun Mountain as the Flying Shark happily headed that way.

With their past memories now complete, they looked forward to creating new, beautiful memories that belonged solely to them.

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

---

Chapter 97

Ling Xiao dreamt that Xiao Hui was pressing on him. It exhaled at his face, making him feel ticklish. Subconsciously, he reached out to block its long mouth.

“Xiao Hui, stop. It’s ticklish.”

His wrist was seized, and a deep voice said, “Who did you call Xiao Hui?”

It was then that Ling Xiao realized something was wrong. When did Xiao Hui become so heavy? He squinted his eyes open, and the little gray wolf had turned into a big bad wolf, its face very close to his.

Ling Xiao’s mind froze for a few seconds, then, in a semi-conscious state, pieced together the situation. After all, a memory told by others wasn’t as solid as one’s personal experience. Waking up to see Ying Feng’s face, he admitted that his first instinct was to punch him.

Ying Feng persisted. “How did you know it’s called Xiao Hui?”

Ling Xiao was puzzled. “I named it…”

“When did you name it?”

“Yesterday.”

Hoping that Ling Xiao had regained his memory, Ying Feng was slightly disappointed. Given his naming skills, naming a pet the same name twice wasn’t surprising.

“So? Was its original name also Xiao Hui?”

“Yes.” Ying Feng shifted back a bit. “You named it.”

“Wait, don’t move!” Ling Xiao looked at Ying Feng with interest. He hadn’t noticed before that the Ying Feng before him was quite different from the one in his memories. The man he had seen at the base was more in line with his memories. Yet, when he saw the grown-up Ying Feng, he naturally accepted it as if that was how Ying Feng was supposed to look.

Ling Xiao curiously traced his finger down Ying Feng’s nose. His nose had become straighter than when he was younger, the naivety in his eyes had faded, and the once slightly pointed chin had become more angular. The Ying Feng he knew had changed overnight from a naive boy to a mature man.

As Ling Xiao’s finger reached Ying Feng’s thin lips and then to his chin, the Adam’s apple, a symbol of masculinity, was very pronounced. Ying Feng was slightly unsettled by Ling Xiao’s teasing touch. “What are you doing?”

The vibration of his voice reached Ling Xiao’s fingertips. The deep male voice vibrated his eardrums. Ling Xiao felt regretful, having missed watching this man grow up. He probably watched him grow taller day by day, with his muscles becoming more defined. Remembering this, Ling Xiao playfully poked Ying Feng’s muscular chest and arm. If he hadn’t become a Qizi, these would have been his features, but now even he belonged to someone else. It was really infuriating.

Ying Feng, annoyed by the poking, caught Ling Xiao’s finger in his mouth and sucked on it gently. Ling Xiao quickly pulled his hand back and sat up.

“I just remembered; I’m a student of Royal Sky now, right? Don’t I have classes?” It was clear it was already late morning, and it wasn’t a day off, so why was Ying Feng still in the dormitory?

“I’ve already asked for leave for us.” He didn’t say ‘you’ or ‘me’, but ‘us’.

“Leave? What kind of leave?”

“Honeymoon leave.”

Ling Xiao: …

“The honeymoon we missed, we’re making it up.”

Ling Xiao exclaimed internally, ‘Is that even possible? The military school’s management is too lax!’

“Um.” Ling Xiao still struggled to get up. “I feel sticky. I’m going to take a shower.”

This time, Ying Feng didn’t stop him and stepped aside generously. “Alright, someone’s coming later.”

“Who’s coming?”

“The delivery person.” Seeing Ling Xiao not moving, Ying Feng offered, “Do you want me to carry you there?”

“No need!” Ling Xiao quickly jumped out of bed and dashed into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of water and humming came from the bathroom. As Ying Feng was tidying up the bed, Ling Xiao shouted from inside.

“I have a question!”

He responded through telepathy.

What?

“Why did you mature and I didn’t?”

Ying Feng paused, puzzled.

How did you not mature? We both grew up together.

“Really?!”

A sense of foreboding rose in Ying Feng’s heart, as if he had guessed what Ling Xiao was referring to.

He calmly put down the quilt and walked to the door.

I’ll see if the delivery person has arrived.

The bathroom door was kicked open.

“Ying Feng! Come back and explain yourself!”

A click from the living room indicated the door had shut; Ying Feng was nowhere to be seen.

When Ying Feng returned, Ling Xiao had finished his shower and sat angrily on the sofa, looking ready to jump up and confront him. Fortunately, two strangers followed Ying Feng, so Ling Xiao temporarily swallowed his anger.

The strangers carried a large board covered in cloth, its contents unknown.

“What’s this?” Ling Xiao’s curiosity got the better of him.

“A photo.” Ying Feng directed the two to hang the frame in the bedroom, filling half the wall.

“What kind of photo?” Ling Xiao couldn’t resist and pulled the curtain to reveal the image.

“It’s a group photo we took on Wolf Star. I asked for a digital version, but they insisted on sending a physical one.”

The cloth was removed, revealing a magnified picture of Ying Feng and Ling Xiao, taken in a tribal setting with Ying Feng as the Wolf King and Ling Xiao as the Wolf Queen. Even the frame reflected the wild character of the Wolf Star Tribe.

Of course, the first thing Ling Xiao noticed was the unusual pattern on their faces.

“What’s drawn on my face?”

“It’s a tradition of the Wolf Star people. Married individuals have tattoos on their faces.”

“I see. And what about your face? Who drew that? It looks terrible,” Ling Xiao teased.

“You did.”

Ling Xiao: …

Upon closer examination, it was actually quite good.

So, was this their wedding photo?

Looking at his image, happiness overflowed from Ling Xiao’s expression. It was the most tangible evidence, more telling than words from anyone. Whether it was Ying Feng, Red Head, or anyone else asserting their deep bond, this photo was more direct.

Ying Feng must have gone to great lengths to bring it here, likely for Ling Xiao to see it with his own eyes. Looking up at the photo, Ling Xiao could almost recall the feelings at that moment—joy and emotional.

However, there was still a lingering question.

“Why did I…”

“We have a long vacation. Want to go to the beach?” Ying Feng interrupted.

The beach? Ling Xiao nodded excitedly. “Yes, let’s go!”

Ying Feng gently stroked Ling Xiao’s hair, making him feel as though he’d forgotten something. But then he thought, ‘Oh well, who cares?’

This was the first time their Flying Shark had the chance to show off its capabilities in open waters. Ling Xiao joyfully steered the yacht while Xiao Hui excitedly perched on the prow, getting splashed by waves.

“Xiao Hui doesn’t have our constitution. Make sure it doesn’t catch a cold,” Ying Feng warned, pressing a button to transform the yacht into a submarine.

This was Ling Xiao’s first time seeing the underwater scenery. The myriad of marine life weaving through coral and seaweed was mesmerizing. From luminescent fish to golden sea stars and delicate anemones resembling snowflakes, Ling Xiao was captivated.

“Do you want to go out?” Ying Feng asked.

“Can we?” Ling Xiao replied excitedly.

Ying Feng activated two soul crystals, creating protective bubbles around them. The bubbles kept out the water but allowed light to shine through, reflecting a myriad of colors. Xiao Hui watched them from the submarine, and Ling Xiao playfully guided fish and jellyfish near the glass, causing Xiao Hui to scratch at it in excitement.

Suddenly, a palm-sized mermaid gracefully swam past Ling Xiao. Though small, its features were exquisitely detailed, with its tail encased in silvery-blue scales like a precious work of art.

“Look, a mermaid!” Ling Xiao exclaimed, not sure if Ying Feng could hear.

Ying Feng moved closer to him. The two bubbles they were in pressed against each other, deforming and merging until they snapped together, becoming one larger bubble. This enveloped both Ying Feng and Ling Xiao, creating a sealed private space.

The mermaid, probably finding these unfamiliar marine creatures quite intriguing, swam over to investigate. Ling Xiao and the mermaid observed each other, each viewing the other as a fascinating sight. Ling Xiao extended his finger, and the mermaid mirrored the action, touching the bubble with her fingertip. The slippery sensation made her tilt her head in confusion.

“It’s so fascinating. I wish I could take it home,” Ling Xiao mused.

“These creatures can’t survive outside the ocean. If you like them, we can come back to see them,” Ying Feng replied, coming up from behind and enveloping him in an embrace. The mermaid, startled by the sudden increase in his size, whipped her tail and swam away, leaving behind a trail of small bubbles that spiraled upwards in the water.

“We should head up too,” Ying Feng said. As he spoke, the bubble began to rise. Somehow, countless other bubbles formed around them, competing to reach the surface. Under the force of the rising pressure, their speed fluctuated until they broke the water’s surface, causing a brilliant spray of golden droplets.

The massive bubble ascended into the sky, startling a few passing seabirds, then tumbled down, bouncing on the sea surface several times before finally floating on the water.

The Flying Shark followed them, transforming back into a yacht and transporting them to the shore. Ying Feng chose a moderate depression in the ground, which turned into a natural pond when the tide receded.

“What are you planning to do?” Ling Xiao was eager to see what else Ying Feng had up his sleeve.

Ying Feng selected a few elemental soul crystals and immersed his hands in the seawater. After a moment, steam began to rise from the water.

“A hot spring!” Ling Xiao exclaimed, quickly stripping and diving in. Warmth flowed from his feet to his head, making him involuntarily take a deep breath. “This is so relaxing. Join me.”

“Wait a second,” Ying Feng said, grabbing Xiao Hui by the scruff of its neck and tossing it in before heading back into the Flying Shark. He soon emerged with a box.

Ling Xiao sat at the edge of the spring, watching as Ying Feng poured milk into a cup. Then, handing over two soul crystals to Ling Xiao, who activated one, it turned into a banana.

“Why don’t you make this yourself?”

Ying Feng peeled the banana and dropped it into the cup, explaining, “This soul crystal is called ‘Creation Out of Nothing’. Every time I use it, it produces something different. But for you, it always seems to produce bananas.”

Ling Xiao: …So it’s my fault?

Holding the cup, Ying Feng focused intently. Soon, the solid and liquid mixture inside began to whirl faster and faster until the banana was blended smoothly with the milk, topped with an enticing layer of white foam.

Ling Xiao, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, “Are you using your military school knowledge for this? Would the instructor approve?”

“It’s about applying what I’ve learned, not just for fighting,” Ying Feng said, handing Ling Xiao a now-chilled banana milkshake. The sensation of drinking something cold while soaking in the hot spring felt incredibly luxurious.

Ling Xiao, satisfied, took a big gulp, licking the foam from his upper lip and closing his eyes in delight.

Nearly dozing off, he heard a rustling sound reminiscent of a pencil scratching on paper. “Why aren’t you joining?” he asked, reaching out, only to see Ying Feng with a sketchbook, quickly drawing something.

“What are you sketching?”

Ying Feng turned over the sketchbook and showed it to him. It was a lifelike portrayal of him.

“You can draw too?”

“This is my first time drawing a person.”

Ling Xiao flipped through the pages, filled with various plant sketches, each deftly capturing the plant’s essence.

“Why do you only draw plants and flowers?” In the entire book, there’s only this page that has a person on it.

“I just felt like drawing them,” he replied. It was because of this that he gladly accepted the priest’s invitation to help improve a botanical encyclopedia.

“That’s amazing,” Ling Xiao exclaimed, unable to hide his envy. Even his drawing skills were excellent. Ling Xiao eventually turned to the page where he himself was drawn and admired it narcissistically for quite some time.

“Can you give me this one?”

“What will you do with it?”

“Keep it.”

“As you wish.”

As the sun began to set beyond the horizon, Ying Feng collected some stones, setting them up for a campfire, which, with the help of a flame soul crystal and fuel, blazed fiercely. They lay side by side next to the fire, hands intertwined, basking in the belated honeymoon under the starry sky, the rhythmic sound of the tides accompanying them, and the beach glowing blue.

“Ah, a shooting star,” Ling Xiao pointed at the sky, where several meteors passed. “They say you should make a wish upon a shooting star.”

“What would you wish for?” Ying Feng asked.

After pondering, Ling Xiao replied, “Wishes are usually for things one wants. But after everything I’ve been through, I don’t want for more. If I had to wish for something, rather than gaining, my deepest wish is…”

“Not to lose anything.”

---

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 96

Ying Feng immediately used a teleportation soul crystal. Even if he couldn’t teleport to his Qizi’s side, it didn’t mean he couldn’t use the soul crystal. Ling Xiao turned around only to find the person who was previously inside the room now standing behind him, which startled him.

“How did you do that?”

“Using a soul crystal, like this.” Ling Xiao watched as Ying Feng flicked his thumb, throwing two crystal-like objects into the air, one after the other. Then, as if drawn by a powerful magnet, Ling Xiao was pulled toward Ying Feng, sticking firmly to him.

“…What did you do to me?” Ling Xiao tried to push Ying Feng away angrily but was drawn back the moment he let go.

“It’s a Polar Soul Crystal, the prize we won from completing a couple’s game.”

“A couple’s game? With you?”

“To prevent you from overthinking things, I’ll just have to make you stick with me for a bit.” Ying Feng hoisted Ling Xiao onto his shoulder and started walking out without another word.

“Have I overthought? You’re still thinking about that peach pit of yours!” Ling Xiao kicked and punched on Ying Feng’s shoulder. “Put me down!”

“After using the Polar Soul Crystal, it can’t be undone for half an hour. If you keep moving, I’ll just have to carry you.”

The thought of being carried around by Ying Feng was even more embarrassing than being hoisted on his shoulder, so Ling Xiao had no choice but to stay still, though he still voiced his discontent.

“Why don’t you just command me to walk? Why go through all this trouble?”

“Since that incident, I’ve never controlled you, except for the one time you nearly crashed into a police car while driving. We had an agreement, but if you’ve forgotten, just pretend it doesn’t exist. I wouldn’t mind regaining some power.”

For example, the aphrodisiac ability seemed nice in hindsight, and not being able to use the mental vision anytime was quite inconvenient.

“No! An agreement is an agreement, and besides, I don’t even know what’s in it. This is deception!”

“One of the terms was that if I wanted to have sex with you, you couldn’t resist.”

“…How could I possibly make that kind of agreement with you?! Cancel it! Cancel everything!”

The door of the room across the hall was open. Red Head saw a peculiar silhouette accompanied by noisy chatter and curiously peeked out.

“Ying Feng is carrying Ling Xiao away.”

Bing Can, busy typing, didn’t even look up. “Oh.”

“Aren’t you curious about what he might do to him?”

“Do you think he’ll take him to the playground and confess, like you would?”

Bing Can stopped typing. “Although I can’t imagine what Ying Feng might do when he takes initiative, it’s certainly not what you’re thinking. He’s very aloof, but once he’s decided on something, he’s more stubborn than anyone.” He turned around. “You should start considering what hair color you want.”

Ying Feng carried Ling Xiao to the Royal Sky landing pad. Ling Xiao was puzzled when Ying Feng borrowed the car key from Yu Ji, but he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the Flying Shark.

“Whose car is this?”

“Legally it’s mine, but practically, it’s yours.”

“Mine?”

Ying Feng grabbed his wrist and tapped on his personal terminal. The Flying Shark blinked twice, confirming Ying Feng’s words.

“How could I possibly afford such an expensive car?”

Ying Feng opened the door to the Flying Shark. “If you have questions, get in, and we can talk.”

He set the destination on the auto-navigation and activated the autopilot. Then, he made space in the co-driver’s seat, sat down, and pulled Ling Xiao into his embrace.

“You can ask any questions now, and I’ll explain everything one by one.”

Being held so intimately by Ying Feng made Ling Xiao very uneasy. Remembering the day at the base when Ying Feng dragged him to a corner to avoid being noticed, even that level of contact made him blush, let alone being held so closely.

He distracted himself by thinking of questions, but there were so many things he wanted to ask, he didn’t know where to start. After a moment, Ling Xiao asked the most trivial one related to their situation.

“What was that crystal you used earlier?”

Indeed, memory loss couldn’t change one’s nature, and such an oblivious question was truly Ling Xiao’s style.

“It’s a soul crystal.” Ying Feng showed a small crystal in his palm. “You can use it too. Give it a try.”

Ling Xiao hesitated before taking it. Yet, upon receiving the soul crystal, he activated it effortlessly, and in its place appeared a banana.

Ying Feng wasn’t surprised. “Even though your memory is blocked, your body hasn’t forgotten. The repeated practices have formed a conditioned reflex. Activating it is as natural as breathing. If time could be rewound a few months, even if I used the magnetic soul crystal on you, you wouldn’t simply let me control you. You’re not sitting here because you were forced to; your body has simply grown accustomed to this touch.”

Ling Xiao, with mixed emotions, silently peeled and ate the banana. What Ying Feng said seemed to be true, and he couldn’t refute it. “Where are you taking me now?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

The Flying Shark sped along, and by the time they reached their destination, Ling Xiao still couldn’t break away from that awkward connection.

The flowers in the church were still in full bloom. The priest saw them and smiled knowingly. “Your relationship seems to be improving.”

Ling Xiao awkwardly adjusted his posture and gave a forced laugh. “This is really a misunderstanding.”

The priest approached, looking at Ying Feng with reassurance. “I saw the news about you. I’m glad you’re safe.”

He turned to Ling Xiao. “You might not remember me. I’m the priest here. We’ve met before.”

Ling Xiao, having no recollection, could only scratch his head. “I’d like to use the backyard for a bit.”

“Of course.” The priest stepped aside. “It’s a pity the time was too short; the acacia seeds you planted haven’t sprouted yet.”

Ying Feng took Ling Xiao to the backyard. The soil in the flowerbed seemed to have been recently tilled, probably for the Acacia seeds the priest mentioned.

“Why did you bring me here?”

Ying Feng glanced down at Ling Xiao, who was closely attached to him. “The effects of the soul crystal ended three minutes ago.”

Ling Xiao took a silent step back. “…Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Ying Feng took out a peach pit. “You’ve thrown it away once.”

Ling Xiao was stunned. After a while, he said, “How’s that possible?”

“It’s not true, it happened in a fantasy where desires were amplified. But because of that, I realized you’ve always had misgivings about it.”

Holding it before his eyes, Ying Feng said, “I always kept it because it’s something very important to me. But if it makes someone important to me unhappy, between things and people, I choose the latter.”

When Ling Xiao heard the words “someone important”, he felt a twinge in his heart but tried to suppress it. To be considered important by Ying Feng felt like winning a jackpot without ever buying a lottery ticket.

“Actually, the one with amnesia is you, right? The Ying Feng I know wouldn’t say things like this.”

Ying Feng slightly leaned in, his hand on the back of Ling Xiao’s neck, their eyes met. “Because the Ling Xiao I know isn’t like this now—without a smile, tangled up because of a self-imagined misunderstanding, with no hope in his eyes.”

Ling Xiao was captivated by this version of Ying Feng, unable to shift his gaze. “Since your misunderstanding can’t be cleared up, let’s get rid of the root of it, and put an end to your wild thoughts.”

Ying Feng took a shovel and dug a hole under a tree in the backyard. He held the peach pit for the last time.

I don’t know who you are, but I’m grateful for your companionship in my previous life.

He looked at Ling Xiao affectionately.

I already have someone by my side in this life, and I hope everything is well with you.

He carefully placed the peach pit at the bottom of the hole and meticulously filled it back with the excavated soil. Ling Xiao stood by and watched the entire process without saying a word.

After everything was done, Ying Feng set down the shovel. “If you have any unresolved feelings, let’s address them one by one.”

Ling Xiao’s eyes shimmered. “How do you expect me to accept this? Just the day before, I lost my best friend, became a Qizi, was humiliated by…someone, and lost the will to live. When I woke up, Doctor Yao was gone, the professor was gone, and even the principal had left. My life feels like it’s hit rock bottom, and it can’t get any lower.”

“But right after that, someone stepped forward, claiming to be my new friend. I’m attending the best military academy, have the car of my dreams, and even you… All of this seems so unreal, like a mountain peak in the clouds, too far away for me to see clearly or climb up to.”

Ying Feng reached out with his long arm and embraced Ling Xiao once again. This time, Ling Xiao only stiffened momentarily but didn’t resist.

“But as long as you are willing to climb, no matter how long it takes, even if you stop along the way, I will be waiting for you at the peak.”

After a while, the person in his arms mumbled, “If you return to dig it up, you’re a dog*.”

*Clarity: He’s using slang. Basically, he’s saying if you come back and dig up (the peach pit), you’re just a dog (filthy cheating liar).

The familiar Ling Xiao was back, and Ying Feng found it somewhat amusing.

“Alright.”

By the time they returned to Royal Sky, the sky had darkened. As the sun set, Ling Xiao’s uneasiness grew.

“Don’t worry, your dangerous phase has long passed. It’s just your psychological factors playing tricks now,” Ying Feng reassured him.

Ling Xiao sat on the edge of the bed, hugging his arms. Even though he knew what Ying Feng said was true, it was hard to shake off the psychological illusion.

“It’s easy for you to say. Why don’t you try it?”

Ying Feng sat in front of him and encircled him with an arm. “It’s okay. I’m no longer the clueless Qizhu from before. I have experience dealing with the dangerous phase.”

As Ying Feng’s face drew closer, Ling Xiao began to wonder what kind of “experience” he was referring to.

“Wait!” Ling Xiao stopped him. Even if he was ready to accept Ying Feng, it didn’t mean he was ready for such intimate contact.

“Didn’t you say you’d wait patiently for me at the peak?”

“But I also need to make sure you’re healthy enough to make the climb.”

Ling Xiao realized he had underestimated the current Ying Feng. He couldn’t oppose him in terms of strength, was completely overpowered in terms of authority, and now couldn’t even out-talk him.

“How have you become so articulate now?”

“Perhaps it’s ‘proximity to vermillion makes one red*’,” Ying Feng quipped.

*The full idiom is: The one close to vermillion is red, the one close to ink is black. (近朱者赤，近墨者黑) It refers to being close to good people can make people good (red) while being close to bad people can make one bad (black).

“I prefer when you were more reserved and spoke less.”

Ying Feng had already leaned in and, following the last word, playfully kissed Ling Xiao before letting go.

“Mm, less talk, more action. I like that.”

Ling Xiao suddenly realized he was being pinned down. “Hey! Are you serious?”

Ying Feng began unbuttoning Ling Xiao’s shirt. “We have an agreement. You can’t resist.”

“The agreement is off!”

“Oh, then resist.”

Ling Xiao: …

Hearing Ying Feng say that, he didn’t know how to react. While he was hesitating, Ying Feng had skillfully removed the barriers on his body.

“Do you remember what I told you?” With a look of bewilderment, Ling Xiao listened as Ying Feng whispered, “Your memory might be suppressed, but your body remembers, just like this…”

He opened his mouth and gently bit Ling Xiao’s ear. The person beneath him shuddered as if paralyzed.

This feeling was amazing. Just the level of contact made his waist and entire body soft. Not to mention resistance, he didn’t even have the strength to move.

“Look, that’s it.” Ying Feng’s breath came in. “You are very sensitive here, as long as you hold it like this, you will be weak all over.””

He rubbed the tips of his teeth on Ling Xiao’s earlobe carefully, but unfortunately, the emotional value wasn’t enough for him to release. Otherwise, he could be sent directly to heaven.

Ling Xiao closed his eyes and felt the teasing from his ears. After a while, Ying Feng’s warmth left there and pecked all the way to his lips. The place he passed by was like gently tapping ripples on the calm water with his fingertips, and a moment of contact was spreading out far.

“Even if everyone can lie, your body will not lie to you. Just like when I kissed you, you responded more enthusiastically than me every time.”

Ling Xiao felt his tongue sticking in, and he originally hid twice, but soon felt as if he had suffered a loss, and he launched a counterattack not to be outdone. The two licked each other, drew on each other, and teased flexibly from the tip of their tongues to the root. They didn’t know who was active and who was passive. Ling Xiao’s head slightly left the pillow and turned from one side to the other. Ying Feng also cooperated with him to change his position. This kind of tacit understanding could never be cultivated overnight.

When the kiss was getting thick, Ying Feng forcibly pulled away from him. Because of his reluctance, a long silver thread formed at the corner of Ling Xiao’s mouth. He gasped as oxygen returned to his brain before he realized what he had just done. 

Ying Feng stroked Ling Xiao’s cheek, which was panting heavily. “But every time I have to forcibly terminate, because you never know how to breathe, I’m really afraid that if you keep kissing like this, you will suffocate yourself to death.”

Ling Xiao’s mouth hardened, and he refused to admit. “I…don’t…know…you’re just bullying me… amnesia nonsense…”

“Really, then I’ll help you recall it again.” Ying Feng touched his palm down his neck, and the skin everywhere he went was like an electric shock. The infinite pleasure that the Qizhu brought to the Qizi wasn’t limited to the time of union. Even a slight touch was enough to cause a shudder.

His hand came to the other’s chest. “When I touch you, you will bite your lip.”

The powerful pleasure hit, and the groan was almost blurted out. Ling Xiao didn’t want to clench his lips immediately, intending to stop his shameful behavior.

Ying Feng’s fingers crossed between his abdomen. “When I come here, you will straighten your waist.”

If there was nothing to touch, it caused dissatisfaction in desire, and Ling Xiao subconsciously raised his waist to cater to Ying Feng’s movements.

Ying Feng raised Ling Xiao’s right leg, turned his head and kissed his knee lightly. “Even here is your sensitive place. I know better than you where you are sensitive and how you will react.””

Ling Xiao’s toes tightened involuntarily. His ankles were held by Ying Feng in the palm of his hand, and his privates were exposed to the naked eye. He could only raise his arms and cover his eyes like an ostrich.

But Ying Feng still didn’t stop. “But if I touch here, you will say, Ying Feng, you…”

“…big pervert! Nn…”

Ying Feng leaned down, continuing his actions, and solemnly placed a kiss on Ling Xiao’s blushing lips.

“It’s too tiring to climb the mountain alone. Let me accompany you for a while.”

……

Ling Xiao slept deeply until broad daylight; the “dangerous period” didn’t affect him at all. In his dream, he heard Ying Feng’s voice calling him in his mind.

Ling Xiao, Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao waved his hand in annoyance. “Let me sleep a little longer.”

After saying that, he turned over, hugged the pillow, and drifted back into a dream. Ying Feng, hovering above him, smiled faintly and silently withdrew from the mental connection.

Emotion value of one star achieved.

———

The content below is a small theater that is unrelated to the main story.

———

Ling Xiao was shocked because something bizarre had happened to him.

He gave birth to a ferret.

Not a metaphorical monkey, T-Rex, or orangutan, but an actual ferret. One night, he dreamt of a ferret. When he woke up the next morning, a fluffy white animal was obediently lying at the head of his bed. Even though he didn’t remember the process, he was sure that this ferret was his offspring.

Just as he was clueless about what to do, Ying Feng, who had been out, entered the room.

“This, uh, it’s not what it looks like. Let me explain.” Ling Xiao stumbled over his words, standing protectively in front of the ferret. He thought, ‘I’m a monkey and Ying Feng is a T-Rex—how can our child be a ferret?’

Ying Feng, holding a large bag, looked at him in surprise. “What are you trying to explain? Is it urgent? If not, let’s feed Hong Chou first. He must be hungry after so long.”

Ling Xiao blinked. “…Who?”

“Hong Chou.” Ying Feng pointed behind him. “He came to me in a dream last night and told me his name.”

“But don’t you find it odd that there’s suddenly a ferret in our home?” Ling Xiao asked.

“Why would it be odd? We didn’t take any preventive measures.”

“Preven…” Ling Xiao choked. “We are Tianxiu people! Not having offspring is our norm!”

“Is it?” Ying Feng seemed unfazed. “Congratulations on being the first of our kind to reproduce.”

Ying Feng actually went to prepare milk formula. Ling Xiao, in disbelief, followed him. “Don’t you think this is absurd? Even if some mystical force tampered with my reproductive system, how can two primates produce a ferret? My memories tell me he’s my son, but my logic tells me it’s impossible!”

“You might be overwhelmed with being a mother for the first time. Maybe you need rest.” Ying Feng gently pushed Ling Xiao onto the bed. “I’ll take care of the baby. You just relax.”

“……”

Hong Chou, eyes barely open, struggled to crawl over. He sniffed the air, recognized the scent of family, and, without any teeth, bit Ling Xiao’s finger.

Ling Xiao was conflicted: What should I do? This is kind of cute…

But to admit this thing as his son, he needed a mental adjustment.

Ying Feng replaced Ling Xiao’s finger with a pacifier. Watching Ying Feng skillfully feed Hong Chou, Ling Xiao realized another anomaly.

“Where did you get these baby items?”

“From a maternity and baby store.”

“…We are in Tianxiu. Why would there be such a store?”

“Well, it’s downstairs, and all they sell are specialty products for baby ferrets.”

“That’s clearly a pet store!”

(To be continued…maybe)

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<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 95

A familiar shade of yellow came from the horizon, circling overhead and then landing on the ground. Two people jumped out of the Flying Shark and ran nervously towards Ying Feng.

“Ying Feng!” Yu Ji sighed with relief upon seeing him alive. “When the news came out, I knew you’d be okay.”

“How did you find this place?” Ying Feng had already surveyed the surroundings. It was desolate, and his device had disappeared, making contact with the outside world impossible. The fact that Yu Ji and the others could come in the Flying Shark meant they had met Ling Xiao and obtained the vehicle key. But why hadn’t he come himself? Could it be…

“Did something happen to Ling Xiao?”

“No,” Yu Ji hurriedly denied. “He stayed in the dormitory. We found you by following this.”

Yu Ji extended a finger, and a fluttering bug landed on it.

“I found this on Ling Xiao’s pet. You put it there, right?”

Ying Feng plucked a similar bug from his shoulder. This was a mechanical bug summoned from a soul crystal. They came in pairs, male and female, specifically used for tracking. Ying Feng had secretly placed the female bug in Xiao Hui’s fur, hoping someone would find him through it. With a flick, the two bugs met in the air and vanished with a pop.

“Sure enough,” Yu Ji said, dialing a rescue number. “We need to notify the military that you’re alive. Things outside have turned upside down.”

“Can you get up?” Shuang Feng walked over, extending a hand. With his help, Ying Feng stood up. Ling Xiao had done everything to pull him back from the brink of death. Though not fully healed, he could move without issue.

The military arrived quickly, led by none other than Long Yin. Upon seeing the living Ying Feng, he raised an eyebrow suggestively.

“I’m really glad you’re alive. The flowers you’ve received could fill the entire Royal Sky.”

He examined Ying Feng closely. “What happened? Who saved you?”

Ying Feng hesitated, which was rare. “The one who saved me… was Ling Xiao.”

Everyone present looked surprised, apparently questioning the truth of his statement.

Long Yin turned to summon their medic. “Check him out.”

The medic quickly used a soul crystal to examine Ying Feng from head to toe. “Someone indeed used a healing soul crystal for emergency treatment within the past hour. Judging by his current injuries, he was gravely hurt. Had he not received treatment in time, he would have died.”

Long Yin grunted. “What else?”

The medic scanned Ying Feng’s brain. “He was given a hallucinogen. This drug can induce long-term unconsciousness and hallucinations. So, any odd thoughts are possible.”

Upon hearing “hallucinogen”, both Yu Ji and Shuang Feng paled. They had only consumed alcohol with hallucinogenic properties and faced serious consequences. Ying Feng, having been directly injected with the substance, must have experienced even more vivid hallucinations.

“It’s impossible,” Ying Feng firmly denied. “It couldn’t have been a hallucination.”

Ling Xiao truly appeared. The embrace and his warmth clearly indicated it wasn’t a dream.

Long Yin shook his head, apparently no longer considering Ying Feng’s testimony. He surveyed the surroundings: a ship wreckage bearing three flame emblems and the bodies of the Huoxiu Star people. An explosion had clearly occurred. But why?

“The pilot said there were four ships ambushing him, and Fu Yao also pursued four. What about this extra one?”

“Perhaps they created the illusion of four ships. In reality, there were five. The other four were merely distractions. This one was the real ship transporting Ying Feng. It’s surprising that the Huoxiu Star Independent Army would be so cunning.”

Long Yin looked appreciatively at the speaker.

“What’s your name?”

Shuang Feng met Long Yin’s gaze, confirming he was being addressed. “Shuang Feng. I’m Ying Feng’s classmate.”

Long Yin nodded approvingly. “So, why did the fifth ship stay here and not leave?”

“When we found out someone was kidnapped, we’d pursue. Leaving at that point would risk being chased. I speculate the Huoxiu Star people believed we would divert attention, thinking the hostage had perished, then transport Ying Feng later. The anesthesia had limited duration, hence the addition of the hallucinogen. But they never expected their meticulous plan to be thwarted. However, who saved Ying Feng, and why did they leave after doing so?” These were the only questions Shuang Feng couldn’t understand.

“You managed to find this place and make a logical analysis. Royal Sky didn’t nurture you in vain.” Long Yin looked at each of the three students. “Regardless of whether anyone was sacrificed in this incident, Huoxiu Star’s provocation is a fact, and we won’t let it go.”

He glanced contemptuously at the corpses on the ground. “I should really thank you for your foolish actions. It gave us the best reason to launch an expedition. We gained the support of all the people without losing a single soldier, silencing those who wanted to give up. Nothing could be more perfect than this.”

He waved. “Take them to the medical station.”

“I want to go back to Royal Sky,” Ying Feng refused.

“You want to go back to Royal Sky looking like this?” Long Yin pointed at his tattered uniform. “Don’t you want your hand anymore?”

The medic spoke up at the right moment. “You’ve been injured in multiple places from the explosion, especially your right arm, which is severely injured. First aid won’t suffice; you need to be treated in a medical pod.”

Left with no choice, Ying Feng proceeded to the medical station accompanied by Yu Ji and the others.

Of course, Red Head received the news on his end. “Ying Feng was found? He’s still alive? That’s great!”

He excitedly shouted at Ling Xiao. “Ying Feng is alive. You don’t have to worry anymore!”

Ling Xiao’s expression changed slightly. Either he genuinely didn’t care about Ying Feng’s life or death, or he was very good at hiding his feelings. Red Head was confused; the Ling Xiao before him was so different from the one he knew. It was like they were two different people. What had happened to him before they met?

For the impatient Red Head, waiting for Ying Feng’s return seemed endless. He tried to recall all the past events, even moving himself with the stories. But to Ling Xiao, it felt like listening to someone else’s story, showing no emotion.

“…At that time, we were flying the Flying Shark, drawing a heart shape over Royal Sky’s playground. Ying Feng was so moved he almost cried.” Red Head demonstrated passionately, wishing he could recreate the scene.

“Drawing a heart shape? Me? Why?”

“To confess to Ying Feng. You said you both had been intimate and had kissed; all that was left was a confession.” Red Head wiggled his arms, making a motion of flowing with and against the current. “Look, everyone else did this. Only the two of you did that.”

“I confessed to Ying Feng?” Ling Xiao rarely laughed, but it was a cold laugh, clearly not believing a word of what Red Head said.

“It’s true!” Red Head said anxiously. “How would I know if you hadn’t told me? It was my idea to… Oh! Ying Feng likes strawberries, which is why he likes pink, right? You said that, how can you not remember?”

“Leave him be,” Bing Can interjected. “If you can’t remember me or only remember the bad parts about me, no matter what others say about your liking me, you won’t accept it in a short time, right?”

Red Head retorted, “How could I forget you? And in my memory, there’s nothing bad about you. Even if I did forget, seeing you again would make me fall for you all over again!”

He held his head high with an air of confidence.

“You two are so close,” Ling Xiao, who had been watching, finally said.

“Of course,” Red Head said proudly. “During our entrance exam, our relationship score was nine stars!”

“What about Ying Feng and me?”

“You two…” Red Head hesitated. “Three stars… but it’s okay. The couple you saw earlier only had two stars. You can still mock others.”

Three stars? This was way beyond Ling Xiao’s expectations.

“Ah.” Red Head received a message from Yu Ji. “They’re back!”

Before Ying Feng reached the dormitory door, he spotted two soldiers standing outside, probably sent by Long Yin to protect Ling Xiao. Classmates, hearing of his return, came to greet him. Even those who usually avoided him due to his cold demeanor showed genuine concern. After seeing almost all his classmates, he still hadn’t seen Ling Xiao. Considering Ling Xiao had recently given blood and was injured, Ying Feng wasn’t surprised.

Finally, back in the dorm, the person he missed was right there. The clothes and the color of his eyes all remained the same, just like the Ling Xiao he remembered. Was everything that happened earlier just an illusion?

But all of that didn’t matter anymore. Seeing Ling Xiao again, the overwhelming urge made Ying Feng step forward without hesitation, tightly embracing the man who seemed to be at a loss, just like how Ling Xiao did to him in his illusions.

Ling Xiao, caught off guard, found himself enveloped in an embrace. Upon realizing it was Ying Feng, who he had no memories of being close to, he stiffened completely.

Red Head took the chance, desperately winking at Yu Ji, mouthing: Does he know?

Yu Ji shook his head: No.

Red Head covered his eyes in despair. This was turning dramatic.

It took Ling Xiao a while to recover from his shock. Ying Feng didn’t receive the embrace he anticipated and was instead forcefully pushed away by Ling Xiao.

Only then did Ying Feng notice the look in Ling Xiao’s eyes—a mixture of hostility, wariness, and even hatred, as if looking at an enemy.

“What’s wrong?” Ying Feng was puzzled. They had narrowly avoided a permanent separation, yet instead of joy, there was only animosity. Did Ling Xiao blame him for leaving him behind?

“Ahem,” Red Head quickly pulled Ying Feng aside, murmuring in his ear.

“…That’s what happened.”

Ying Feng’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You mean he lost his memory?”

“Yes, and,” Red Head looked cautiously at Ling Xiao, “I had no idea your relationship was so complicated.”

Ying Feng, in disbelief, tried to grasp Ling Xiao’s hand, but Ling Xiao evasively avoided him. Using his mental power, Ying Feng tried to connect with him, but Ling Xiao showed no reaction.

Seeing his attempts fail, the others could guess what had just transpired.

Ying Feng closed his eyes, attempting to communicate mentally, but the voice he sent out echoed in an infinite void, without even an echo in return.

“How is it?” Bing Can looked at the dazed Ying Feng and asked gently.

Ying Feng gathered himself and said, “I can no longer communicate with him telepathically.”

The group exchanged worried glances. “Does that mean there’s not even a single star of affection left?”

“It seems so,” Ying Feng replied, eerily calm.

Everyone went silent, doubting the original intention of their pact.

“I have an idea!” Red Head suddenly exclaimed.

“What is it?”

Red Head gathered everyone and whispered, “Didn’t you two fall out because of something in the past? Since memories can only be erased and not restored, why not have scientists erase those memories too?”

Bing Can was the first to hit him on the head. “What a terrible idea.”

Red Head held his head in pain. “I’m just thinking about what’s best for them. If they can’t be in love, at least they won’t be at odds.”

Ying Feng also rejected his proposal. “There were unhappy moments between us, but whether they were good memories or bad, they are part of our history. He’s already lost so many shared memories. I don’t want him to lose more.”

He turned around, speaking slowly. “If he truly cannot remember, then we’ll start anew. It’s not like we haven’t started from zero stars before. We can do it again.”

Ling Xiao stared coldly, not understanding what he meant.

Red Head pointed at them. “The instructor said you need to reach seven stars of affection before the end of term. You don’t even have one star with only a few months left. If you can pass the exam like this, I’ll dye my hair for you to see!”

Though he made a promise, seeing Ling Xiao unwilling to be alone with Ying Feng, Red Head took him to “familiarize” with the campus, hoping to jog his memory.

Someone from the medical station returned Ying Feng’s belongings. From his tattered uniform pocket, Ying Feng took out the peach pit he had left behind.

Keeping it in his pocket was a habit without any purpose, as natural as breathing. Yet Ying Feng hadn’t expected that this cherished token would be so carelessly forgotten.

Looking at the peach pit in his hand, he suddenly remembered the words Ling Xiao left him with in that vivid illusion.

Could Ling Xiao have been referring to this pit? What did he want to say?

Ling Xiao was somewhat swayed by Red Head’s persuasive words. Could it really be, as he said, that his relationship with Ying Feng had improved?

Thinking of Ying Feng’s embrace, which felt genuinely heartfelt, for the first time since his amnesia, Ling Xiao began to doubt his own actions.

Back in the dormitory, the door to the bedroom was tightly closed. Ling Xiao’s hand lingered on the door handle, hesitant to take action.

Should he try to accept the reality and start over with Ying Feng?

After much hesitation, he finally made up his mind. He couldn’t live in the past; he needed to recover his lost memories.

Ling Xiao pushed the door open to find Ying Feng standing by the window, holding the keepsake left to him by his lover from the past life, looking at it thoughtfully.

The backlight softened the lines of his face, and at that moment, his expression looked tender and affectionate.

Ling Xiao’s face changed, and the determination he had just kindled was doused like a bucket of cold water.

Naturally, Ying Feng also noticed Ling Xiao and realized from his expression that he had misunderstood.

“Wait!” Ying Feng took a step forward.

In response, there was a loud bang. The door was slammed shut, and once again, he was left alone in the room.

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Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

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

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Chapter 94

Tai Yin shakily picked up Shang Yang’s dagger from the ground, almost dropping it several times.

This dagger was a gift from the bishop to Shang Yang for self-defense—who would have thought it would become the very tool to end his life.

The army’s most elite soldiers surrounded Tai Yin. Standing alone in the encirclement, he seemed to embody his current isolated state.

He was no longer the revered genius scientist nor the top-wanted criminal who left the military powerless. He was just a man who had lost his love.

Ling Xiao, unaware of how this impacted his own memories, simply found this stranger looking somewhat pitiable.

Fu Yao slowly raised his hand. “Kill him.”

At his command, the formation quickly shifted, with the fastest soldiers charging to the front. With such an onslaught, Tai Yin had no chance of survival.

A flying vehicle descended from the sky, its powerful air current halting the attackers.

The hatch popped open, and a man with the appearance of a youth but with black eyes appeared behind Tai Yin, extending his hand amidst the roaring engines.

“Let’s go!”

Recognizing the man’s face, Fu Yao was startled and quickly ordered, as he noticed his soldiers targeting the newcomer, “Cease fire!”

The soldiers, though unclear of Fu Yao’s intentions, ceased their firing.

Fei Jing?! Fuyao was shocked. A man missing for over a century—why would he suddenly appear here?

Ling Xiao was equally surprised. Why would Ying Feng appear here? And why rescue Tai Yin?

Before he could ponder more, someone pushed him aside. The principal rushed to the front, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on the newcomer.

Fei Jing sensed the stare and looked back. Their eyes met, and time seemed to stop.

Amidst the crowd, only the two of them remained clear, while everything else became a misty blur. Their eyes, with different colors, were proof of their past encounters.

Time started to move again. Forcing his gaze away from Ta Yun, Fei Jing urged Tai Yin again. “Hurry!”

Tai Yin remained motionless, ignoring Fei Jing’s words. Only Fu Yao noticed his hand.

The same ominous feeling from before flashed in his mind. When Tai Yin acted, he never showed any motion.

“Be careful!”

A massive explosion erupted, centered on Tai Yin. Thanks to Fu Yao’s warning, the soldiers at the forefront quickly retreated, but Fei Jing, being closest to Tai Yin, had no escape. Ling Xiao glimpsed the principal disappearing in the explosion’s core, a familiar silhouette fleetingly visible.

“Principal!”

Ling Xiao tried to rush forward but was held down by two soldiers. Another explosion forced him to turn his head away to avoid the aftermath. The area was engulfed in flames. Soldiers shielded the civilians, and Fu Yao’s elite squad erected a large protective barrier using soul crystals, containing the force of the explosion.

Just before the explosion, Fei Jing saw a flash, and the long-lost individual teleported in front of him, tackling him to the ground. Following were loud bangs, heat waves, and blazes. Inside the vehicle, temperatures soared.

Feeling the unmoving body atop him, Fei Jing carefully turned over Ta Yun, staring at him in disbelief. Amidst continuous explosions, Ta Yun slowly opened his eyes.

“After waiting so long, I wanted to say to you personally…”

Fei Jing’s grip tightened. The breath of the man in his arms was faint, but those words were clearly heard.

“I’m sorry.”

With Ta Yun’s inner conflict resolved, he felt an unprecedented sense of peace. His soul returned to its Qizhu. His body felt lighter, and a profound fatigue set in. How long had it been since he slept without the aid of drugs?

He felt Fei Jing’s embrace tightening. Such a comforting hold made his century-long wait worth it.

“I can finally have a good sleep…”

Fei Jing, holding the person in his arms, felt lost. Outside the cabin flashed a final blinding light. The massive explosion consumed everything. Tai Yin’s life tragically ended this way, but sadly, some no longer have another lifetime to accompany him.

“Principal!”

“Ta Yun!”

Two cries in unison came from Ling Xiao and Fu Yao. After the explosion finally ceased, the two men simultaneously dashed forward. Flames blocked their path, but Fu Yao didn’t hesitate. He clasped his hands together, and a chill emanated from his palms. This was the highest level of elemental soul crystal he could activate as a physical arts user. Apart from high mental energy consumption, it could also cause physical harm.

Ling Xiao watched in amazement as the flames before them solidified into ice, preserving their last fiery stance. Once Fu Yao withdrew his hands, the inferno transformed into a frozen wasteland.

Braving the intense cold, Ling Xiao followed Fu Yao. The aircraft meant to save Tai Yin was frozen as well. Icicles of varying lengths hung on its exterior. Fu Yao, using rapid teleportation dashes, soon left Ling Xiao far behind.

“Ta Yun! Fei Jing!” He forcefully shattered the layer of ice blocking the entrance, leapt inside, and then suddenly froze in his actions. A while later, Ling Xiao also entered but similarly halted in his tracks. The interior of the aircraft was severely damaged, filled with wreckage, and void of any human presence.

He felt drained. Ever since waking up in the medical station and being told his memories were erased, familiar faces had been vanishing from his life one after another. Now even the last, the principal, was gone.

Fu Yao turned and saw the blank expression on Ling Xiao’s face, as if he himself was invisible to him. He placed a hand on Ling Xiao’s shoulder. Seeing Ling Xiao’s still bewildered look, he remembered that in Ling Xiao’s memories, he didn’t exist either.

“That wasn’t Ying Feng; he just looked similar. Without relics and without a trace of their souls, perhaps they just left,” Fu Yao murmured, attempting to console both Ling Xiao and himself.

Ling Xiao looked down. The news had described Ying Feng with those same words. But who really believed he merely departed?

The two soldiers responsible for guarding Ling Xiao still stood diligently outside. Fu Yao recognized them as being from Long Yin’s team.

As he passed them, Fu Yao whispered, “Take him back. He shouldn’t stay here.”

The soldiers saluted him, then escorted the seemingly petrified Ling Xiao away. Ling Xiao let them lead him wherever they desired, without any objections.

Nie Yun approached Fu Yao. “The Burning Shadow is ready. Do you want to wait until everything here is settled before leaving?”

Fu Yao shook his head. There would be others to handle the aftermath here. A more critical mission awaited him.

“Let’s go.”

……

Ling Xiao was taken away, but instead of being taken to the medical station, he was returned to his own dormitory in Royal Sky. It was unclear how Long Yin’s plans had changed.

The door was opened for him by the people who escorted him. Ling Xiao looked at the door he had never seen before, opened with his own card, revealing an entirely unfamiliar space. Despite all that had transpired, he still struggled to believe that he had been living here with Ying Feng for several months.

Stepping into the dormitory, Ling Xiao examined the place with confusion. The living room was filled with game terminals and starship models he liked, and there was a carefully arranged doghouse in the corner.

People from the medical station arrived, carrying a cage. Ling Xiao opened the cage and took out Xiao Hui, then glanced at the doghouse in the corner. More and more clues formed a web, each node representing his past, so real that doubt seemed impossible.

Red Head, Yu Ji, and the others got the news and hurried over, carefully surrounding Ling Xiao.

“You are a first-year student of the Royal Sky Joint Combat Division. Everyone here is your classmate. You and I are very, very close friends. Even if you forget my name, it’s okay, because you never remembered it before and always just called me Red Head.”

“Red Head?” Ling Xiao looked at his hair. If he met him again, he’d probably still call him that. It really didn’t sound like a lie.

“Yes, this is my Qizhu Bing Can. Over there are Yu Ji and Shuang Feng. We are all good friends.”

Ling Xiao, who had thought he was all alone, was suddenly surrounded by so many “good friends” and struggled to adjust.

Using the excuse of examining the dormitory, he avoided their gaze, holding Xiao Hui and moving from the living room to the bedroom. The double bed reminded him of the nights he’d spent sleeplessly curled up in a corner. To him, the self-initiated indulgence felt like it had just happened yesterday. A sudden thought struck Ling Xiao, and he handed Xiao Hui to someone nearby, frantically searching the room. Red Head and the others looked puzzled. “What are you looking for? Do you need our help?”

Ling Xiao ignored the question, and after turning the room upside down, he finally found a black box under the bed. Opening the box, everything inside remained untouched.

“What is it?” Red Head curiously tried to look, but Ling Xiao quickly turned the box away, holding it protectively. Realizing he might have crossed a boundary, Red Head awkwardly smiled. “Sorry.”

Yu Ji, holding Xiao Hui, had an affinity for animals from long interactions with various creatures, so Xiao Hui didn’t resist his embrace. From the beginning, he had been trying to determine what species this suddenly introduced creature belonged to. During his examination, he unexpectedly found a foreign object in its fur.

Using two fingers, he pinched what looked like a flea and held it up to the light.

“What is this?”

……

At the onset of the explosion, Ying Feng instinctively protected the person in his arms, holding on tightly until the deafening noise ceased. Only then did he see the face of the person he was holding.

“Congratulations, you’ve made your choice.”

He turned and saw Ling Xing standing not far away, smiling at him. His left hand was empty, but his right hand was still tightly held onto Ling Xiao.

“In the face of danger, you chose to bear the pain and not let go. Isn’t that the choice you’ve made in this life? See, making such a choice isn’t difficult, is it?”

Ling Xing lifted his hand, and another person took it. Ying Feng glanced aside and saw the person beside him was Jing Yu.

“I naturally have someone by my side. You don’t have to worry about me. But someone is worried about you. You should wake up too.”

Having said that, Ling Xing and Jing Yu walked away hand in hand. Ying Feng watched their retreating figures until they disappeared into specks of light. The white dots gradually expanded, overtaking his vision. A familiar voice incessantly called his name, and Ying Feng slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao’s hands emanated a white orb of light, clearly using a healing soul crystal on him.

Ying Feng’s mind was still foggy. His gaze shifted from Ling Xiao’s unfamiliar attire to his hands. It took him a moment to realize that the glow from the soul crystal, being so intense, was at least level seven. This was the highest level Ling Xiao, not specializing in mental abilities, could activate.

But when had Ling Xiao obtained such potent mental power?

Ying Feng’s body was rapidly healing, and soon he had the strength to sit up. However, Ling Xiao, evidently drained of his mental power, looked exhausted.

Nevertheless, upon seeing Ying Feng unharmed, he grinned, spreading his arms and giving Ying Feng a big hug.

Ying Feng found himself enveloped in the embrace, feeling a sense of reunion after a long separation. What was happening?

When Ling Xiao finally released him and sat back down, Ying Feng noticed Ling Xiao’s crescent-shaped, smiling eyes.

He exclaimed, “Your eyes…”

But before he could finish, he noticed something even more startling.

“Your body?”

Upon Ying Feng’s words, Ling Xiao also noticed the change in his own body. He looked down in astonishment at his hands, which were becoming increasingly transparent. Ying Feng could now see through him, observing the wreckage of a spaceship and unidentified bodies behind him.

If there were no specks of light around, Ying Feng might have thought it was a sign of death.

Ling Xiao’s gaze returned to him, and as if recalling something important, he blurted out:

“Ying Feng, the peach pit is…”

His voice abruptly ceased, and before Ying Feng’s eyes, there was nothing. Everything that had just occurred seemed like a self-induced illusion, with no evidence to suggest Ling Xiao had been there.

The dream he had while unconscious was no longer clear. It felt as if someone wanted him to make a choice, but what that choice was and what he ultimately decided remained trapped in that dream.

However, Ling Xiao’s brief appearance and the words he left behind were vivid in his memory.

What is the peach pit? What does the peach pit mean?

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