Chapter Seventy-Five: Astonishment

After leaving the Pearl Pavilion, Xuanxuan still decided to go to “Herb Star.” She thought that after returning from the Wanqi family, Zhanyu probably wouldn’t log on to the star network again, but to her surprise, she immediately spotted that tall, striking figure. He was distinctly masculine, yet perched on his shoulder was a fluffy little fox, looking like a ball of fur, and he was holding a small hoe.

It was an oddly mismatched scene, yet somehow, it made Xuanxuan feel inexplicably at ease.

Zhanyu looked up and met a pair of deep blue eyes, his features softening slightly as the corners of his lips curved into a small smile. “You’re here.”

He said this to her every day, yet it never failed to fill Xuanxuan with warmth. She smiled, her eyes crinkling as she nodded.

Just as she was about to speak, the illusion fox leapt from Zhanyu’s shoulder to hers, nuzzling her affectionately. Perhaps because Kuangshao had once tried to harm it, the fox always bared its teeth at him, but it was especially fond of Zhanyu.

Xuanxuan stroked its sleek, glossy fur. With Zhanyu caring for it so well, it was no wonder the little fox almost didn’t want to return to her, its original master.

Just as she was thinking of Kuangshao, a flash of fiery red mecha swooped over. Ever since his unfortunate encounter with the transformative herb, Kuangshao hadn’t appeared for quite a while. Xuanxuan guessed the effects of the herb had finally worn off, giving him the courage to come out again.

But wasn’t Zhanyu supposed to accompany him for a checkup?

Zhanyu, however, was staring intently at the mecha, his sharp eyes narrowing dangerously. Kuangshao really seemed to have a lot of free time lately; perhaps his family’s elder could use some help repairing the “Radiant Sun.”

Kuangshao had no idea that upon his return home, his family had thoroughly examined him from head to toe, confirming there was nothing wrong with him—no signs of poisoning, certainly nothing deadly.

He breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn’t shake the memory of that detoxifying agent’s taste lingering in his mouth. He’d only tasted it once, but that flavor was unforgettable for a lifetime.

Though it seemed unlikely, Kuangshao still logged onto the star network. For the past few days, fearing the transformative herb might not have worn off, he hadn’t dared go online. The first thing he did upon logging in was check himself—thank goodness, everything was as it should be.

He gritted his teeth in secret. Damn that Zhanyu, colluding with that girl to set me up.

He made a beeline for “Herb Star,” having grown accustomed to finding Zhanyu there whenever he was nowhere else to be found.

Besides, he owed the girl a huge favor this time. Without her cultivation method, he might not have lasted until Zhanyu arrived. He might have been carefree, but he knew to repay kindness, and that cultivation alone was worth his gratitude.

Grinning, he greeted Xuanxuan, “Saw you today.”

Xuanxuan’s pupils widened in an instant as she gazed at him.

“No, wait. Not you—someone with the same name as you, but she’s just a little baby, famous as the capital’s most notorious good-for-nothing.”

Hearing this, Xuanxuan relaxed, her anxious heart settling back down.

Kuangshao didn’t notice her reaction at all.

Zhanyu, however, shot him a glare. That chubby girl from the Wanqi family might be a bit mischievous and lazy, but that didn’t make her useless. “Kuangshao.”

Kuangshao glanced at Zhanyu, but continued enthusiastically to Xuanxuan, “You should’ve seen how heroic I was today. If not for me, that little girl with your name would’ve been in real trouble.”

Xuanxuan, seeing him start to brag, didn’t spare him a glance. “It was Zhanyu, wasn’t it?”

Kuangshao ground his teeth. He’d been the one to suffer and endure, yet in the end, Zhanyu was hailed as the hero—even the girl knew it. “I helped hold things down too.”

Xuanxuan ignored him, her mind still on Wanqi Yi’s birthday gift. She wondered what would be appropriate and asked Zhanyu, “I remember you collected some metals for me?”

Zhanyu nodded. Xuanxuan liked all sorts of odd things, and he made a habit of collecting whatever she might need, just to make things convenient for her. If she ever mentioned something, he’d do his best to find it.

He led Xuanxuan to his storeroom to look for materials, while Kuangshao grumbled in discontent but still trailed along behind.

Xuanxuan browsed through the vast assortment of items, tossing a couple of magic crystals to the illusion fox on her shoulder as a snack.

Kuangshao looked at her in surprise. “You actually feed it this kind of energy stone? It can digest it?”

Hmm? She paused, realizing they called magic crystals “energy stones.” She weighed the crystal in her hand. “This?”

She patted the little fox, which was gnawing on the magic crystal like a nut. “Eating these strengthens them and makes it easier for them to evolve or mutate.”

“Just for its species, or…?” Zhanyu cut in.

Xuanxuan frowned. “Of course, for all of them. What you call star beasts.”

Zhanyu and Kuangshao both fell silent, pondering her words, without noticing her use of “you people.”

“But these stones have different properties,” Kuangshao pointed out.

Xuanxuan nodded. “That depends on the star beast’s own attribute. Of course, neutral ones—the kind of energy stones commonly used in mechas—can be used by any star beast.”

A sharp intake of breath followed. Kuangshao realized the implications. Many in the Federation now kept star beasts; their power and variety had proven invaluable. The Federation even had a dedicated bureau for breeding these creatures, though none could train them to be as docile as Xuanxuan’s. Still, they provided great assistance. If they could be raised as she did—obedient, evolving, and mutating—then…

Zhanyu and Kuangshao exchanged a glance. This was astonishing.

“It’s only a possibility,” Xuanxuan said, glancing at them. Evolution and mutation weren’t so easy. “You’re overthinking it. Of course, using specific herbs according to breed can increase the odds.”

Kuangshao patted his chest in relief. He’d thought it couldn’t be so simple to evolve star beasts.

Zhanyu, meanwhile, watched the illusion fox on Xuanxuan’s shoulder and asked, “So you can help them advance in rank?”

“Of course, energy stones increase their strength,” Xuanxuan replied, rummaging through the stores. “But you don’t need to consider it—the cost is too high, and you don’t have enough energy stones.”

By now, she understood the value of energy stones. Magic beasts needed vast amounts to advance, and star beasts were likely the same. Their importance to the Federation was beyond question. With so many sectors needing energy stones, even if she handed her converter to her father, it would be a mere drop in the ocean.

Kuangshao sighed with regret. He, too, kept a couple of star beasts for amusement and knew their strength was a great aid to humans. If only he could raise them like Xuanxuan, there’d be no need to fear the Zerg.

But then—about those energy stones. “If we could seize those energy-rich planets occupied by the Zerg… Just imagine, using those to raise star beasts—I could rule the Federation.”

Xuanxuan shot him a look of disdain. Power should come from oneself; relying on external forces would only lead to the same fate as in her previous life. In this life, she never intended to rush blindly ahead.

Zhanyu also glanced at Kuangshao. His idea was far too unrealistic. Those energy planets were the Zerg’s lairs—even the Federation army dared not approach, let alone a lone individual. “Wishful thinking.”

“You have to dare to dream before you can act. If you don’t even dare to dream, what’s the point?” Kuangshao was unbothered by their scorn, laughing carelessly.

“You’d even try to steal their rations?” Xuanxuan asked, shaking her head at his foolish grin. Wasn’t he afraid the Zerg would come after him? She now knew just how formidable they were.

“The Zerg are mostly carnivores—herbivores are rare. They don’t eat those,” Kuangshao explained, assuming Xuanxuan didn’t know. Some things were common knowledge, but this girl always seemed unaware of them. He was starting to get used to it.

Zhanyu, who had intended to say nothing more, suddenly stared at Xuanxuan, his expression growing serious. “Can the Zerg also use energy stones to advance and mutate?”

Xuanxuan nodded absently, surveying the metals in front of her. Making an energy converter in a single day was a stretch, but she wanted to try. She couldn’t think of anything else Wanqi Yi lacked.

The Zerg were a kind of star beast too. She’d caught and studied a few after venturing outdoors and gained some understanding. Although her knowledge was limited, she believed they were a unique branch of magic beasts—or at least similar. Their survival and reproduction followed the same principles as insect-type magic beasts.

So naturally, they could also evolve using magic crystals. Without looking up, she replied, “Not only that—if they get enough energy stones, it can boost their reproduction, evolution, and strength.”

Zhanyu froze. If that was the case, it explained why, after the great war a decade or so ago, the Zerg had grown so quiet. No wonder, after seizing several energy planets, they’d kept to themselves.

But in ten or twenty years—perhaps even sooner—another war was bound to erupt, likely more brutal than the last. And with enough energy, would humanity even be able to stop the Zerg?

Zhanyu couldn’t say. He had no confidence at all. No wonder his grandfather had once remarked that the last war was strange—after their victory, the Zerg hadn’t pursued; instead, they’d retreated and fortified those few planets, including several energy-rich worlds.

Kuangshao, noticing Zhanyu’s distraction, clapped him on the shoulder. “What are you thinking about?”

Zhanyu snapped back to himself, face full of alarm. He hastily bid Xuanxuan goodbye and logged off—he had to discuss this with his grandfather.

Watching him go offline, Xuanxuan was left confused. What was going on?

Kuangshao frowned. He wasn’t stupid. Thinking back to Zhanyu’s questions and Xuanxuan’s answers, his expression changed as well. He even forgot to thank her before logging off.

Xuanxuan spread her hands. What was with those two? She glanced at the metals in her hand. Without Zhanyu, she was just a lowly third-level mage and had no way to deal with them. With a helpless sigh, she logged off as well.

PS:
Rolling on the ground, begging for votes.