ABRIWMTHM Chapter 106

From a perspective that no one else can see, the images transmitted back from the satellite were nothing short of magnificent.

The atmosphere seemed to be blown by a giant’s breath; over half of it was covered by clouds, while the other half only had a faint mist. From space, one could directly observe the vast mountainous land.

The other half, covered by clouds, also looked unusual. The closer one got to the center, the thicker the clouds became. Regular satellite scans could not see what lay beneath, and even using long-wavelength spectral detectors to probe downwards was obstructed by the clouds.

“How can there be such great energy fluctuations?”

The Marshal of the Fourth Army frowned as he listened to his subordinate’s report, staring at the returned satellite image. He pointedly described the apparent changes on the planet.

Recalling that today was the day for the First Army’s hunt against the star beast herd, he asked, “Is the Level One defensive barrier intact?”

The Level One barrier encompasses the outermost layer of defense encompassing multiple planets.

After checking, the subordinate replied, “The Level One defensive barrier outside this planet shows signs of damage.”

The Marshal decisively said, “Contact the First Army and ask if they need support.”

The atmospheric changes displayed in the satellite image were just the tip of the iceberg.

In a viewpoint unobservable to the naked eye, the energy in the air swirled into a particle wind, rotating chaotically around the outer layer of the planet, quickly affecting the energy in the universe and generating corresponding changes around the planet.

On a distant planet, a star beast halted its feeding and began snorting, deeply inhaling the air.

A roar filled with mental power resonated, the beast’s claws scratching the ground before it took off.

The herd of star beasts drifting through the universe sensed something, halting in unison.

As it stopped, the star beasts behind it followed suit, soon beginning to let out excited howls.

This group of star beasts changed direction, transforming from steady flight to rapid flight.

Further afield—a barren star, a waste star, and even onto other planets—star beasts gradually took off.

In the vast universe, deep into the unknown, on a rare lush little asteroid, a white star beast raised its head.

As it prepared to take flight, it was smacked down to the ground by a larger star beast behind it, which roared in warning.

“Rawr~”

The towering star beast was also entirely white, its roar infused with unusual energy flow.

“Rawr.”

The smaller star beast, lying down, echoed, “Rawr, rawr.”

“Roar!”

Another paw struck down on the smaller star beast, and the dominant one changed direction, roaring twice as if realizing something, and the beast pinned down finally ceased to struggle.

“Roar roar rawr,” the standing star beast urged.

Reluctantly, the lying star beast stood up. The two beasts called out to each other a few times before taking off, with the larger star beast roaring again, energy rippling in front of them, and both entered the ripple, disappearing into the air.

Moments later, energy ripples surged in the universe, and the two star beasts emerged.

Unseen when, they had arrived outside the atmosphere of the small asteroid, and the towering star beast discerned the direction, silently roaring, transmitting energy in high density.

Much later, in a tranquil habitat, a pair of gold and silver vertical pupils slowly opened.

As it awoke, countless pairs of vertical pupils opened behind it.

All the star beasts gazed in one direction.

The sweet afternoon rest time had come to an end.

The Fourth Army’s inquiry for support had reached Chi Yao’s flagship.

“No need for now.”

“Have someone repair the Level One defensive barrier.”

“Reply to the Marshal of the Fourth Army, and I will contact him shortly.”

Fei Chu nodded, “Understood.”

Chi Yao stepped back two paces after putting someone down, and the accompanying medical team approached synchronously to begin an examination.

Shi Xing’s hand unconsciously grasped in the air, causing Chi Yao’s eyes to flicker. Momentarily, he switched direction, leaving the front side for the medical staff and grasping Shi Xing’s hand from the side.

As soon as they touched, Shi Xing held tightly onto Chi Yao.

Once entering the second stage of maturity, while there still could be unexpected occurrences, Shi Xing would not easily lose consciousness.

Knowing that Shi Xing was awake, the two did not speak.

While the medical staff conducted their examination, the attendants were busy too, with Xu Jin gathering hot towels and water.

Once the basic checks were completed, towels and water were brought forth. The doctors huddled together to discuss the results and the subsequent examinations. Xu Jin brought a towel forward, which was taken by Chi Yao to help Shi Xing wipe his face and neck.

After drinking a couple of sips of water, Shi Xing finally felt a breath of relief.

Indicating he wanted to sit up, he was steadied by Chi Yao. Shi Xing waved at Er Ya.

As soon as Er Ya drew closer, Shi Xing’s weak hand began to push at Chi Yao, feeling too uncomfortable to express any words yet.

“What does that mean?”

“Star, you want to…”

Xu Jin and Yan Changyue didn’t understand.

Er Ya, however, caught on, “Do you want me to check on His Highness?”

Shi Xing nodded.

Er Ya said, “Alright.” She gestured to Chi Yao, “Come this way.”

Er Ya was also severely drained, but compared to Chi Yao and Shi Xing’s exhaustion, it was much better.

Chi Yao touched Shi Xing’s face and let Yan Changyue take his position to support Shi Xing.

Er Ya’s assessment was correct; Chi Yao’s mental sea was a vast emptiness. He seemed alright, thanks to being an Imperial citizen, possessing the physical quality that prevented him from deteriorating too badly.

“I don’t know if it’s good news or bad news, but you have little to no mental power left.”

“Shi Xing has drawn quite a lot; even for you, total recovery might take a day or two.”

How to say it, considering today’s events, it was good news.

However, given the planet’s situation, in a day or two, Chi Yao wouldn’t be able to utilize any mental powers, which was a bad sign.

Chi Yao was sharp. “Why do you say that?”

Before Er Ya could explain, Fei Chu rushed back, lowering his voice, “The monitoring satellite of the Fourth Army has detected that the situation on this planet isn’t good.”

He finished speaking and pushed the received holographic satellite images ahead, bringing them into view for Er Ya and Chi Yao.

The images of the hollow atmosphere and gathered energy were displayed again.

Chi Yao rotated the 3D diagram. He didn’t speak, but his expression was grim.

Er Ya remarked, “It’s due to energy turbulence.”

Or rather, it was caused by Shi Xing.

This was broader than Er Ya had anticipated.

He initially wanted to wait until Shi Xing finished the examination to share, but now he had no choice but to say, “Shi Xing absorbed too much energy; if it was merely absorption, that would be fine. But later, for his own condition, he allowed the energy accumulated in his mental sea to be released, and this released part has already been tainted with the breath of the mature Blue Star human’s mental power.”

Er Ya continued, “I don’t know how the boundary line is laid out, but I suggest that if possible, it’s best to abandon this planet temporarily.”

“The last time, only a little mental power drifted in space, and it attracted mutated star beasts.”

“This time, the influx will only be greater.”

The vastness of the universe, the sensitivity of star beasts to energy, and the years of research had not yet uncovered the specifics of the reasons and methods.

With so much mental power, who knows how many things it would attract? Just imagining it made Er Ya’s scalp tingle.

Chi Yao asked, “Is there anything else to say?”

He was asking Er Ya.

Er Ya glanced over Chi Yao at Shi Xing, exhaling, “Get organized quickly and leave this planet.”

With closed eyes for a moment, Chi Yao only said, “I’ve heard.”

Just as he had thought.

Fei Chu also had a headache. “But Shi Xing is still being examined. The gravity values of the universe and various planets are different. Using large medical equipment requires calibrating the instruments once the environment changes.”

Chi Yao raised his hand, interrupting Fei Chu’s unfinished words.

“First, return to the base.”

“Notify all teams to gather.”

“Routine checks before the large warship takes off.”

“The team controlling the defensive barrier must also ensure they can evacuate at the earliest opportunity.”

“Keep Tan Jue’s team on continuous monitoring for any approaching star beasts.”

After a pause, Chi Yao stated, “Let’s leave it at that for now; Shi Xing continues his examination.”

Fei Chu obeyed the order and took Fu Qing to notify.

As the two left, Chi Yao turned to Er Ya. Before he could speak, Er Ya understood his intention and promptly said, “I’ve already examined Shi Xing several times; his mental sea is still stable. He may enter self-sealing again, which is normal.”

After a moment of pause, in a tone only the two could hear, Er Ya continued, “After this time, his second stage of maturity might be approaching its close. Prepare yourself psychologically.”

Each stage of maturity grows riskier than the last.

The “close” referred to by Er Ya is something many scholars prefer to call the third stage of maturity.

During this stage, the mental sea will not continue to grow; the time is relatively brief, just waiting to pass the maturity period and become a therapist.

However, this stage also has its unique issues; the most typical one, perhaps, is that the closer to the end, the more pronounced the overflow of the Blue Star human’s mental power becomes.

Chi Yao inquired, “Is there a possibility of directly skipping it?”

Er Ya replied, “In theory, yes.”

But how it would play out in reality was not for either of them to decide.

Chi Yao nodded, indicating he understood.

As the two returned to Shi Xing, sensors were filled with Shi Xing’s body, who was cooperating for further examination.

Though feeling unwell, he still stayed awake, as if waiting for something.

As they approached, they noticed Shi Xing’s gaze lingered on Chi Yao. Er Ya nodded in understanding and told Shi Xing, “There’s nothing wrong; your mental power was quite drained, but just give it a moment, and it will be fine.”

Shi Xing nodded, fatigue washing over him, and he then slightly closed his eyes.

Chi Yao asked, “How many checks are left?”

The attending physician replied, “Two, and then we can just attach a monitoring device.”

“Are there any issues at the moment?”

“Results for organ and mental sea checks are all normal; if we were to mention an issue, it would only be the temperature.”

Having experienced this situation before, Chi Yao asked, “Is it rising?”

“Yes, but not quickly; we’re not sure where it will stop. It’s still within normal range.”

“Understood; carry on.”

With that, he waved his hand, and Yan Changyue stepped back, allowing Chi Yao to stand by Shi Xing’s side.

Once the final two checks were finished, Chi Yao placed his hand over Shi Xing’s eyes and gently said, “You’re tired, it’s okay. Sleep for a bit; I’ll call you if anything happens.”

Previously, Shi Xing would faint at the slightest moment, but now in the second stage, he was less likely to lose consciousness; afraid of worrying them, even when feeling uncomfortable, Shi Xing would usually endure and try to stay awake.

Shi Xing’s fingers lightly pressed against Chi Yao’s wrist.

Without speaking, Chi Yao understood his intent, assuring him, “Sleep; I’m not lying to you; I will definitely call you.”

In less than two minutes, Shi Xing’s breathing stabilized.

Returning to the base, an hour later, Shi Xing began to develop a low fever.

The second routine checks came an hour later.

Due to Shi Xing’s special condition, the doctor set a minimum timeframe of eight hours, stating that if no major problems arose after eight hours of checks, everything should be fine.

Having absorbed that much energy and subsequently released it, no one could accurately state whether the energy state in his mental sea was overflowing or lacking.

With such a massive influx and outflux of energy, everyone felt uncertain.

What the doctor said didn’t placate anyone’s hearts; it remained tense.

Three hours later, Tan Jue’s team detected star beasts heading this way—more than one.

Fortunately, their levels weren’t high.

After that, every half hour new star beasts were detected rushing towards this planet from all directions in the universe.

Evacuation became imperative.

During the fourth hour of energy turbulence, Chi Yao decided, “In another four hours, once Shi Xing finishes his final check, we will immediately start evacuating.”

As time progressed, the continuously discovered new star beasts in the universe had their predicted arrival times brought forward by the drones.

From the earliest forecast of five days, then three days, down to two days.

Finally, the predicted arrival time slipped into the 24-hour range.