ABRIWMTHM Chapter 38

It is said “perhaps,” but everyone has their own scale in their hearts. In the silence, everyone has almost tacitly acknowledged the situation.

After saying the most critical sentence, Shi Xing did not make another sound.

With some speculation in his heart, he gently held the back of the little one’s neck, feeling his even breathing, confirming that he had fallen asleep due to exhaustion. Chi Yao could not help but gently stroke Shi Xing’s back.

This night, everyone was tense.

“Let’s take a temperature reading.” Chi Yao spoke, his voice hoarse after everything.

The nurse quickly stepped forward and took measurements in several spots, confirming, “It’s dropping.”

Chi Yao glanced at the readings, “Still a bit high.”

He stroked Shi Xing’s cheek; the contact felt normal. It seemed that the Blue Star human’s mature phase of spontaneous mental power absorption had stalled.

It should be due to absorbing too much energy all at once.

He held on.

“I’ll hold him; you all prepare to take measurements, one by one.”

Chi Yao instructed.

In the blink of an eye, another half an hour had passed.

Xu Jin looked at Chi Yao’s pajamas, which were wrinkled from Shi Xing’s actions, and seeing that Chi Yao wasn’t looking too tidy either, he quietly suggested that Chi Yao put Shi Xing down first to take a shower and tidy up, but Chi Yao refused.

“If there are no major issues, Shi Xing should be able to return to normal soon. I can wait.”

“There’s no rush.”

Chi Yao said.

On one hand, Xu Jin felt sorry for Chi Yao, and on the other hand, he thought it was to be expected.

Time ticked by, and among all those on the two ships, only Shi Xing, who had fallen asleep, was the most relaxed.

Two hours later, Shi Xing’s temperature returned to normal. With Xu Jin and Yan Changyue’s persuasion, Chi Yao finally allowed himself to put Shi Xing down. At the moment he released him onto the sofa, Chi Yao realized with hindsight that one of his shoulders had already gone numb from the pressure.

“Xu Shu, you keep watch for a bit. When Shi Xing’s mental sea data returns to the normal range, let the nursing robot give him a bath and change his clothes.”

“Changyue, change the bedding to a new set.”

“Fu Qing, you stay back and see if there’s anything you need to help them with.”

“Half of the personnel outside the main ship should return to rest; the other half will continue to establish shields around the two ships to guard them.”

“Leave the doctors and nurses responsible for Shi Xing, the rest can go back.”

Feeling he hadn’t overlooked anything, Chi Yao said, “I’ll go tidy up and come back once I’m done.”

Xu Jin replied, “Your mental power consumption today has been significant; otherwise…”

Chi Yao refused, “No need. I’m more at ease keeping an eye on things myself.”

Xu Jin knew he wouldn’t be swayed and kept silent.

After tossing and turning until late at night, once it was confirmed that Shi Xing really had no major problems, and after arranging vigil nurses, Chi Yao ordered the duty officers to lower the barrier, and the next moment, he swept the area with his mental power, covering Shi Xing’s leaking energy presence with his own.

“This place is not safe. Let’s have the pilots drive at full speed tonight, with some personnel on watch for both ships.”

Rubbing his fatigued forehead, Chi Yao finally said, “That’ll be all for now. Thank you, everyone. Please return to rest.”

After shallow sleep for a few hours, the next day upon waking, the doctor reported that Shi Xing’s data had all returned to normal thresholds.

There were no issues, but the person was still asleep and had not awakened.

Chi Yao said, “It should be a self-preserving mechanism of the mental sea. Let’s wait until he wakes up; as long as there are no problems, that’s fine.”

After breakfast, he glanced at Shi Xing, who was almost buried under the blankets while sleeping. Chi Yao couldn’t help but smile, pulling down the blanket from Shi Xing’s face, helpless, “Really not afraid of suffocating yourself.”

After catching up on sleep, during the Elder Council’s communication, Xu Jin hung up, citing Chi Yao was resting.

Chi Yao knew what it was about but didn’t address it right away; instead, he contacted the Tree Nest.

After explaining Shi Xing’s situation, even the staff member was stunned.

“Second talent?”

The staff member was buzzing, “Hasn’t he already awakened one talent ability? Is the polarization among Blue Star humans this severe? Can high-ranking ones also awaken a second talent?!”

It was truly unheard of.

Chi Yao said, “That’s why I’m contacting the Tree Nest.”

“When the Tree Nest was established, the light brain was loaded with an array of data from Blue Star, and the talent assessment was also intervened in and formulated by them back then.”

The staff member nodded, “Right.”

Chi Yao continued, “Then bring the light brain over.”

For a moment, the staff member thought he had misheard.

Chi Yao clarified, “We are temporarily staying outside a city. Shi Xing’s situation hasn’t fully stabilized yet, and it’s unclear whether there will be further leaks of mental power. For safety’s sake, the two ships will remain here until it can be confirmed before moving on.”

“So returning to Ancheng is impossible.”

“But I want to know his specific situation now, and what exactly has happened. The sooner, the better.”

The staff member finally understood.

Since Shi Xing couldn’t be moved, His Majesty decided that they should transport the light brain, occupying at least three classrooms’ worth, to meet them.

The staff member: “…”

The staff member pondered hard, “But what do we use to carry it? The ship?”

Chi Yao replied, “Last night I already ordered the guard team to prepare a mothership to head to Ancheng. It’ll arrive this afternoon, bringing the light brain along with the testing instruments, and coordinating a few teachers knowledgeable about Blue Star humans… Is tomorrow feasible?”

The staff member: “…………”

With the mothership already arranged, it was clear there was no room for negotiation. Given concern for Shi Xing, after consulting with Chi Yao about the needed personnel, they set the arrival date for the next day.

After shutting down the communication, handling a batch of documents sent by the Senate, Xu Jin knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

“Your Highness, the matter you wanted me to inquire about has been reported back from the palace today.”

Receiving the document belt from Xu Jin and opening it, it was still an encrypted report. Chi Yao read it swiftly, his tapping on the desk slowing as he reached the end, and this small action finally came to a halt.

Chi Yao said, “Interesting.”

He tossed the document belt back to Xu Jin, smirking, “I’ve stayed too long at the border; these past few years, I’ve made it too comfortable for the people in the Imperial Capital, making them think I’ll agree to anything.”

Xu Jin kept his head down, silent.

In terms of domestic affairs, Chi Yao had been well educated by the late Emperor and Empress, holding his own standards, requiring no intervention.

Indeed, Chi Yao had already made up his mind, “Didn’t the Elder Council say they wanted to have a meeting with me? Let’s schedule it for the afternoon; ensure management is present. I want to see how many people… that’s what I mean.”

Not directly stated, Xu Jin didn’t ask and silently contacted for arrangements.

However, there wasn’t a meeting in the afternoon; it didn’t happen.

Because Shi Xing had awakened.

A crowd surged into Shi Xing’s room, and after waking, Shi Xing’s mental state was still not very good. He ate a bit and then underwent tests.

Chi Yao stayed with him throughout the process, watching as numerous needle holes dotted Shi Xing’s arm while blood was drawn, he lightly sighed.

Shi Xing thought Chi Yao was worried about him and softly said, “It’s fine, Your Highness, I’m not afraid of needles.”

Chi Yao cast a glance at Shi Xing, shaking his head and teasing, “You still might want to listen to arrangements; wait until this arm is covered in holes, and then switch to the other one.”

Shi Xing: “.”

Though he spoke this way, after the blood draw, Chi Yao asked a few questions, receiving responses indicating it was just a routine check. As long as it wasn’t urgent, it could be skipped for now.

Thankfully, all test results had returned to the normal range.

The doctor came to record Shi Xing’s physical condition, and Shi Xing answered everything in turn.

“I still have no strength, feeling very fatigued.”

“The mental sea has changed; I don’t really know how to describe it.”

“As for the talent ability… I’m not sure; I haven’t noticed anything unusual about myself yet.”

Chi Yao reminded him, “It seems like your mental power intensity has increased.”

Shi Xing froze and tried it out but remained uncertain.

Whenever he used his abilities, the feeling of fatigue climbed exponentially. Knowing it was a protective mechanism of the mental sea, Chi Yao ordered Shi Xing not to mobilize it again, “Don’t overexert yourself; rest well.”

Once the medical staff left, Chi Yao informed him that the Tree Nest would come to test his ability again.

“Of course, the premise is that you have to be okay.”

“If tomorrow you’re still fatigued, we’ll have them wait a bit longer until you feel better before proceeding.”

Shi Xing felt a bit embarrassed, “If I can’t call upon my mental sea continuously, wouldn’t they have to wait for me indefinitely?”

Chi Yao replied, “That is their duty.”

Realizing there was no room for negotiation and saying a few more words, Shi Xing looked at Chi Yao eagerly, testing the waters by asking, “Your Highness, would you like to see my mental sea?”

Chi Yao was taken aback, “Isn’t the person still recovering?”

Shi Xing sat upright and looked particularly well-behaved, “But being examined about my mental sea is not very uncomfortable; I can accept it.”

“If you’re really worried, then take a look.”

Chi Yao finally realized that Shi Xing was trying to ease his worries.

Holding a breath that he couldn’t release, he thought of some serious refusals but ultimately swallowed them down. Chi Yao reached out and patted Shi Xing’s head, softening his tone, “Worried about me? Just cooperate well these days, that’s more effective than anything else.”

Shi Xing nodded heavily.

The next day, the mothership carrying the Tree Nest personnel arrived punctually.

Fortunately, Shi Xing’s condition would allow for a test on the same day.

Chi Yao had to push back the Elder Council meeting he missed in the afternoon, so he let Xu Jin and Fu Qing accompany Shi Xing to the mothership while he attended the meeting on the main ship.

The meeting lasted half an hour, with Chi Yao remaining silent, only speaking a few words at the end.

As soon as he opened his mouth, it was not to be trifled with.

Chi Yao looked at the people before him like a projection and summarized, “So, what this means is, as my companion, the rights and privileges that should be granted to Shi Xing by the Empire during his maturity phase in the Elder Council, Senate, and Royal Guard, you all intend to strip away, correct?”

Chairman Ren Yan Yong replied with a smile, “Your Majesty, this is out of…”

Chi Yao raised his hand, interrupting, “The reasons the Elder Council made this decision have already been made clear both before this meeting and in the past few days; I don’t need to hear it again.”

“What I want to ask now is whether this decision from the Elder Council will be altered or not, correct?”

“Just tell me the result.”

Ren Yan Yong’s smile stiffened.

The vice-chairman spoke in his stead, “Your Majesty, this decision was made after serious consideration by the Elder Council.”

“All meetings leading to this decision have holographic records.”

Chi Yao pulled at the corners of his mouth, “So there’s nothing to negotiate.”

“Understood.”

Just three words, yet it didn’t signify agreement.

The chairman and vice-chairman wanted to say something more, but Chi Yao wouldn’t listen, “That’ll be all; the meeting is adjourned.”

Neither agreeing nor denying left the air thick with uncertainty.

Everyone in the Elder Council exchanged glances, and as the most crucial participant, Chi Yao first cut off the communication.

At the moment when the holographic projection vanished, whispers arose within the Elder Council.

“What does His Majesty mean by this?”

“Does it mean rejection?”

“Doesn’t seem like it; if His Majesty disapproved, he would have opposed it right then.”

Chairman Ren Yan Yong coughed, “Enough, the Majesty has his own plans. We will be notified once there is a result. Meeting adjourned.”

With that decisive hammer blow, the administrators of the Elder Council began to leave one after another.

Finally, only a few vice-chairmen and the chairman remained.

The vice-chairman who had just spoken for Ren Yan Yong said, “Why do I feel like His Majesty will not agree…”

But there was still no clear refusal.

Ren Yan Yong pondered for a moment, then waved his hand, “The Majesty is about to return to the Imperial Capital. We’ll see how things go when he returns.”

This meant to prepare for any eventuality.

The vice-chairmen bowed and retreated.

Meanwhile, on Chi Yao’s side, after shutting off the projection, there was a knock on the door.

“Your Highness, Your Highness!” Fu Qing’s excited voice came through.

Entering, his emotions were also high-strung. Still lost in the unpleasant meeting moments ago, Chi Yao asked, puzzled, “What good news has occurred?”

“Good news, tremendous good news.”

Fu Qing excitedly ran back, breathless as he spoke.

“Your Highness, Shi Xing really has awakened his second talent ability.”

Chi Yao was curious, “Isn’t that what everyone already guessed?”

“There’s more! Let me finish!” Fu Qing interrupted Chi Yao for once, recklessly disregarding etiquette, “Shi Xing’s assessment level has also changed.”

Chi Yao was taken aback.

Fu Qing’s face broke into a radiant smile, “The light brain has given a 3S evaluation rating.”

“SSS-level!”

Ecstatic to the point of shouting, “Your Highness, Shi Xing has reached the foundational level capable of healing you!”