ABRIWMTHM Chapter 132

Regarding Chi Yao’s recovery, the voices of the public came the latest but were the most resounding.

The Star Network started from the morning, and with the accumulation of voices, this news spread from a point to a surface, reaching everyone’s ears.

【So it’s said that the Imperial Capital feels different today, it turns out it’s covered by mental power】

【Ah, was the mental sea problematic before? The Royal Family and the Elders Council kept that information tightly under wraps, truly didn’t know】

【It must be about the time decades ago when the beast ambushed the empire. Of course, it’s also something I’ve vaguely heard】

【The Elders Council regularly cleans the Star Network, back then there were so many pictures of His Highness Shi Xing, now if you search, if you can find even one clear picture, consider me defeated, dog head.jpg】

【In fact, His Majesty’s looks are really… sigh, anyway, everyone can’t see it, only in the favorites can you admire it yourself. In short, those who understand, understand】

【Those who understand, understand】

【I felt it even not in the Imperial Capital, but I found it quite comfortable. Has the aggressiveness of the Royal Family’s mental power diminished?】

【Cough, according to friends around me with high mental power, it’s not just one person’s mental power】

【Ah, can Blue Star humans sweep the Imperial Main Star? How high must that be? Shocking me and my buddies.jpg】

【Probably similar to His Majesty’s level. If you don’t understand, check the video. Yes, I’m talking about the introduction video of His Highness Shi Xing sweeping the beasts!】

【Shocking me and my buddies for an entire year.jpg】

Shi Xing, Fei Chu, and Fu Qing were all scrolling, just with different focuses.

Shi Xing mainly wanted to see the public’s feedback, if it was positive, he wouldn’t care much.

Fei Chu was thinking more, “Do we need the Elders Council to issue a public announcement?”

Chi Yao: “Announce what?”

Fu Qing: “They didn’t announce it when they were injured, we certainly can’t announce that this matter is true at this time, right?”

Fei Chu: “No, no, no, it can’t be announced like that naturally.”

“It’s mainly to thank everyone for their concern, and then say that the mental seas of the two monarchs of the empire are both good now, hint at that or something, by the way…” Fei Chu looked outside, and everyone’s gaze followed outside. In the corridor, Xu Jin was still connecting calls.

Today’s Chief Attendant’s communicator exploded.

Fei Chu pointed outside, indicating, “This way everyone won’t dare to come find you and all go to annoy Uncle Xu instead.”

The mental sea issue was naturally not something that could be directly confirmed with Chi Yao; otherwise, it would lead to a misunderstanding, which would be highly embarrassing.

There wasn’t any official announcement, and feeling the changes in the Imperial Capital, those civil officials at the level of Xu Jin naturally rushed to him.

Chi Yao initially didn’t pay much attention, but when Fei Chu pointed it out, he thought of something and asked Yan Changyue, “How long has Xu Uncle been out?”

Yan Changyue told the truth, “The communicator has been ringing since morning. During breakfast, I silenced it so it wouldn’t disturb everyone, and now Xu Uncle is replying one by one.”

Halfway through his words, he hesitated.

Shi Xing noticed, “If there’s something you want to say, just say it.”

Yan Changyue laughed in embarrassment, raised his hand to point at his communicator and whispered, “I’ve received inquiries from no fewer than fifty people today.”

Yan Changyue had been accompanying Chi Yao for many years, and he thought he had no qualification to inquire about Xu Jin, yet all these questions surged towards him.

Fei Chu: “How come I didn’t see you reply?”

Yan Changyue: “I replied with messages. Someone has to work, plus those who come to find me aren’t in such a hurry.”

But everyone’s concern was genuine.

Chi Yao looked at Shi Xing, and Shi Xing realized it was asking for his opinion. After a moment of thought, he said: “Issuing an announcement wouldn’t hurt. President Ren can manage the wording perfectly, and besides…”

Shi Xing tilted his head, smiled, and his eyes brightened, “It’s a good message in itself. It’s good to share joy with the public.”

Chi Yao: “Alright.”

Chi Yao: “Changyue, let Xu Uncle come in and sit. Just show them the Elders Council’s public announcement.”

Yan Changyue went outside to call.

After a while, he returned, but Xu Jin didn’t come back, bringing the news that Ren Yan Yong wanted to see them.

This news was relayed halfway by the guards.

Fei Chu laughed, “Must be that President Ren thought the same as me.”

Chi Yao pinched the bridge of his nose.

Shi Xing: “Let President Ren come in, I’ll meet him, in the study.”

Thinking Chi Yao was bothered, Shi Xing took over the meeting. Chi Yao glanced at him and added, “I’ll go with you.”

It really was bothersome, indicating that the decision rested with Shi Xing, and Shi Xing nodded.

Ren Yan Yong arrived with Vice President He Zhuang and Xu Mi Rou. They communicated and drafted documents on site for Shi Xing and Chi Yao to review. Chi Yao sat nearby handling official documents, glancing at the final draft. After he nodded, he sent it out.

Later, the Star Network erupted in celebration.

Lu Li received the news at the Boundary Line while, on the other side, Tan Shao was sending him updates regarding Lu Lu’s situation, asking if there was any way around it as he wanted their youngest son to stay in the empire and finish university.

Lu Li said to his partner Wen Xi, “His Majesty has recovered.”

He breathed a sigh of relief, “Even if the unknown energy currently under investigation is coming from the beast herd, I feel considerably more at ease.”

The situation at the Boundary Line was still uncertain. They were supposed to withdraw next month and have the Fifth Army stationed at the Boundary Line. But now… Lu Li suspected that by then all the legions would have to mobilize to the Boundary Line.

After speaking, he bent down to reply to Princess Consort Tan Shao.

【I think it’s quite good】

【Little Lu has grown up in the Imperial Capital; he hasn’t faced much hardship. Daring to trample on the royal family’s mother ship, who knows what trouble it might cause in the future? It’s better to send him to the Alliance for some life experience, shaping his character—a fitting punishment while still considering the Lu family’s face. His Majesty is thoughtful】

Tan Shao: 【But…】

Lu Li: 【His Majesty’s own decision; there’s no room for negotiation】

【Now that His Majesty’s mental sea has completely recovered, his governance will only become stronger, and no one in the Imperial Capital will dare to help smooth things over now】

Two statements struck right at the core.

After a long pause, Tan Shao lamented, 【He has never left the empire】

Lu Li coldly replied, 【Everyone has their own path to take; it’s his own choice】

As the son of the Marshal of the Third Army, Lu Lu’s political ties were certainly no less. In such circumstances, even the Emperor could expel him from the Empire, with the father’s consent surely arising from interactions where he couldn’t keep that dog temper in check, offending His Majesty, and leading his father to have no footing to plead.

Closing the communicator, Lu Li muttered, “What to salvage, he should face some hardships.”

Wen Xi hesitated, “Dad sent us a list, asking you to pick teachers for Little Lu. I checked, and these candidates have the best personalities.”

Lu Li took the projection screen but asked the opposite, “Which ones are the strictest?”

Wen Xi thought he’d try to avoid them and immediately named several teachers who were hard to get along with.

Afterward, seeing Lu Li had settled on the strictest one, he was stunned.

Lu Li remained calm, “I said to find a teacher to ‘take good care’ of him. Did you think I was joking?”

“Right now, he’s still young; he can still be shaped. Once he gets older, if he causes trouble for the family, that’d be too late.”

Wen Xi was at a loss for words, murmuring after a while, “Mom seems quite upset…”

Lu Li rubbed the back of his head, “She doesn’t treat you well. Why care about her?”

Wen Xi whispered back, “Regardless of what, she’s your mother.”

Lu Li thought that using this would lead Tan Shao to reflect, but he understood Wen Xi’s softness and didn’t want to dwell on it anymore, changing the subject, “By the way, if we can return to the Imperial Capital on time, where do you want to buy a house?”

Wen Xi: “Aren’t we living at home?”

Though he hadn’t expressed a preference for living arrangements before, his eyes were already sparkling.

“Not living there. A friend helped me pick a few houses; want to come see?”

Lu Li had always been decisive; hearing about the new houses, Wen Xi threw family matters out of his mind, beginning to look at the layout maps Lu Li sent.

Chi Yao’s issue with his mental sea had been ongoing for many years.

Complete recovery took several days.

Shi Xing continuously checked and repaired the mental sea, gradually mending the fractured edges.

When repeated checks turned up no problems, Shi Xing knew it had been completely repaired and finally felt at ease.

After the announcement was issued, not only did it generate heated discussion among the public, unexpectedly, several planetary leaders also sent greetings and congratulations.

What surprised Shi Xing was that several were from the main planets of the Alliance.

After ending the call, Chi Yao smiled, “Collecting, my mouth can’t close.”

Shi Xing: “Just now, was that the leaders of Fernand Star and Deca Star?”

Chi Yao nodded, “Surprised?”

Shi Xing: “A bit.”

“Actually, aside from the Boundary Line issues, among the six planets of the Empire and Alliance, four have fairly good relations. The two military planets have conflicting interests. The other four include a resource planet, an entertainment planet, and two technology-based planets, which have developed a decent rapport through the years of efforts by the Elders Council and Senate.”

Thinking of something, Chi Yao added, “Oh, by the way, good news.”

Shi Xing: “?”

“Not sure if it’s because of the previous failed diplomacy with the Empire, but the Prime Minister of the Alliance is switching. This time, a politician from Fernand Star is appointed as the Prime Minister. Over the next several years, I expect relations between the Empire and the Alliance will ease up considerably.”

Shi Xing: “It can be like this? I thought the main stars of the Alliance were very united!”

Chi Yao: “Between planets, the main thing is still based on interests. The Boundary Line defense war has been years in the past; we can’t expect the current star system to be as united as it was right after the war.”

The Empire has been stationed along the longest Border Line for extended periods, a sentiment from having fought side by side.

However, as time passes and planetary leaders rotate, such emotional connections will naturally fade.

Thinking of something, Shi Xing’s voice lowered again, “Maybe there will be another defensive war soon.”

Shi Xing sensed a surge of beasts approaching and had already informed Chi Yao.

Recently, the messages coming back from the Boundary Line were also all about high-level beast sightings, and Chi Yao naturally understood what that meant.

Nodding, Chi Yao was calm, “Here it comes, just need to handle it.”

This mood conveyed to Shi Xing, and his panic subsided, “You’re right, Your Highness.”

As the saying goes, when the water comes, the soil resists, and when the soldiers come, they block.

Anxiety has no effect.

Actively facing the situation is the fundamental solution.

Understanding this, Shi Xing fully relaxed.

He had never been afraid of things and dared to shoulder the responsibilities on his shoulders.

A week after their conversation, the situation in the entire star system took a turn for the worse.

Monitoring points on various planetary borders reported that a large number of beasts were heading toward the Twin Star Galaxy.

The direction they came from showed no logic, as if clusters were rushing toward their star system from all corners.

“Control capabilities,” Chi Yao stated.

“The beasts multiply rapidly. After over a hundred years, the numbers of mutated beasts in the universe are considerable. It’s estimated that there are many descendants of royal beasts among them, and through their controlling abilities, they can direct the scattered lower beasts.”

Just like white beasts can control mutated beasts.

Although it was unclear how they did it, beasts inherently recognize bloodlines, probably within a few generations, they could be controlled by beasts more closely related to the royal beasts, following the arrangement of their colonies.

Chi Yao: “The strongest ones should be from the royal beast colonies.”

“Others won’t be too high in level.”

It was succinct.

Two days later, reports from the Border Line confirmed this.

Except for one direction having particularly high energy feedback, the other monitored regions of the Border Line observed the energy of the beast colonies that was relatively normal.

But normal or not, a tree growing large sprouts from tiny branches, and a thousand-mile dyke collapses due to an ant hole; the combat power of the Twin Star Galaxy is limited. If the number exceeds a certain threshold, even if all are low-level beasts, saying they could handle it is difficult.

Among the numerous messages, one was particularly important.

The energy feedback high beast colony was charging directly toward the Border Line where the Empire is located, not precisely targeting the Empire.

Shi Xing immediately reacted, “Because the first herd was completely wiped out, so the information had discrepancies?”

After all, traversing the universe might require crossing several star systems, the information transfer couldn’t be exceedingly complex; once it becomes complex, accuracy can’t be guaranteed, thus…

Chi Yao: “They don’t know you’re in the Empire.”

Fei Chu clapped, “Isn’t that great? Just when the stars have passed their maturity period, and their mental power isn’t leaking, as long as they don’t show up, they won’t find him.”

Thinking of something, Chi Yao didn’t remain optimistic.

Not wanting to be a jinx, he ultimately just said to Fei Chu, “Hope you still have this attitude a week later.”

A week later, the scattered advance beasts arrived at the Twin Star Galaxy, initiating probing attacks on the Border Line.

Each planet felt the pressure, and the Empire was no exception.

In just a few days, several planets experienced surprise beast attacks, which were all unforeseen energy activities. These beasts seemed to appear suddenly, descending onto various planets in the Twin Star Galaxy.

Fei Chu was impressed.

“Can still play like this? Isn’t it just looking for the Stars on each planet!”

“Casting a wide net!”

Chi Yao said lightly, “I told you not to rejoice too early.”

For this beast colony, Chi Yao had access to more news than Fei Chu and the newer generation of imperial citizens.

This was just one of their offensive methods.

Er Ya: “So, are they mutated beasts? Space mutations?”

Only spatial mutation abilities could do so inconspicuously.

“Not necessarily,” Chi Yao added, “Some beasts we previously encountered could shield their energy; such beasts can also break through from the Border Line, which isn’t impossible.”

That could be considered another form of invisibility.

Er Ya: “You are right.”

Shi Xing: “So what should we do now…”

Without finishing his sentence, he received Chi Yao’s answer, “Wait.”

Fei Chu: “Wait for what?”

Chi Yao: “Wait for the major planets to react.”

“Or…”

Chi Yao smiled, an expression that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “Wait for them to attack and then react, the same.”

After this decision, the Empire also increased its defenses.

Whether to unify the defense barriers along the Border Line, various Border Lines have also been negotiating recently, but due to uncertainty about the scale of the beasts, various planets’ opinions hadn’t yet reached a consensus.

Chi Yao didn’t care about other planets but within the range that the Empire could influence, the barriers of the Empire’s Border Line, along with several small planets close to the Empire, were opened to prepare for a large number of beasts.

As time passed.

The information arriving from the Border Line increased day by day.

While other Border Lines repeatedly reported beast invasions, there were also two small-scale beast incursions from the Empire’s Border Line.

One of those planets suffered severe losses.

The Empire was well-prepared, proceeding methodically during the extermination and expulsion process. The newly added military forces effectively stabilized the rear and provided timely support to surrounding small planets, preventing too many casualties.

After these two battles, more planets surrounding the Empire opened their defensive barriers, actively exchanging daily situations of the Border Line with the Empire.

Two days later, the Alliance passed on news that Tianyuan Star had been attacked by beasts.

When Shi Xing heard this, he looked up at the sky, feeling a bit unsettled in his heart.

His intuition was correct.

In the middle of the night, Shi Xing suddenly woke up.

Outside, the wind and rain swayed. Shi Xing’s perception was sharp, “Something is coming toward the Empire.”

As soon as Shi Xing woke, Chi Yao also stirred, “Toward the Imperial Capital?”

Shi Xing shook his head.

Worse than heading toward the Imperial Capital was that it was going toward Ancheng.

Chi Yao was taken aback for a moment before responding, “The Nest!”

Shi Xing: “We can’t let them go; we need to bring them to the Imperial Capital.”

The Imperial Capital had both him and Chi Yao, certainly making it easier to deal with these beasts.

Chi Yao: “Have they entered the atmosphere yet?”

“Not yet, but soon.”

Shi Xing spread his sensing ability, uncertain, he slowly said, “One speed mutant, one spatial ability, the others haven’t exhibited anything, can’t perceive them anymore.”

Chi Yao activated the communicator, summoning the First Army to assemble.

The two of them changed into battle gear, and Shi Xing went to the adjacent building to find Shi Ran.

Shi Ran had been brought to the residence a week ago. Shi Xing was worried about the rampant beasts outside. Knowing Chi Yao was providing him with daily communicative updates, he suggested bringing him to the palace, just as Shi Ran hadn’t yet passed the maturity period; living in the palace was safer.

Plus, they also needed Blue Star humans in their maturity period.

In crucial moments, they could be very helpful.

For instance, right now.

Ten minutes later, in the internal training ground of the palace, Shi Ran released his mental power, and Chi Yao enveloped his mental power, using wind to carry it into the skies above the Imperial Capital.

Shi Ran and Shi Xing were fruit from the same branch; according to Blue Star relations, they were relatives.

Their mental powers also had some areas that were close to overlapping.

Sure enough, not long after, Shi Xing sighed in relief: “Changed direction, coming this way!”

Chi Yao commanded, “Imperial Capital is under lockdown; prepare for battle.”

Within five minutes, the streets of the Imperial Capital echoed with broadcasts.

【Warning! Warning! Detecting a herd of beasts about to enter the skies above the Imperial Capital, please have those outside enter indoors】

【Warning! Warning! Detecting a herd of beasts about to enter the skies above the Imperial Capital, please have those outside enter indoors】

【The patrol ships of the Imperial Capital have set out; those on the streets can enter】

【Repeating, patrol ships of the Imperial Capital have set out; please those outside take cover】

This time, Chi Yao didn’t call up the entirety of the First Army, seeing no need.

Upon entering the atmosphere, Shi Xing confirmed the number, “Seven beasts.”

After a while, “Great, there are two SS level.”

These beast cores should allow Shi Ran to pass through his maturity period.

Shi Ran had never seen such a scene and was nervous; his partner stood by him, holding him, not making a sound but gently patting his back, providing silent support.

Chi Yao: “Everyone step back a bit.”

Shi Xing: “Only leave me and His Highness here.”

The beasts crossed the atmosphere into the skies above the Imperial Capital.

As soon as they reached the skies above the Imperial Capital, the city’s barrier activated, trapping all the beasts.

The mental power was released from the palace, and the beasts showed no intent to run, all charging toward the palace.

As they flew halfway, they were captured by the wind.

“Woof?”

Sensing something was off, the leading beast let out a confused sound.

But immediately after, it was locked down by Chi Yao’s mental power and was violently yanked downward.

All the beasts fell like meteors, plummeting toward the battlefield inside the palace one by one.

Shi Xing released the barrier, quickly locking onto the beasts as they struck his barrier.

As they landed, under the tremendous recoil, Chi Yao unleashed his mental power, instantly separating the heads from four of the beasts’ bodies, their blood spraying, blocked by Shi Xing’s barrier.

The beasts that survived also had their bodies punctured by wind blades, instantly losing movement ability.

The injuries from wind weren’t like tangible ones; blood could be blocked by weapons, while wind itself was void. The wounds created bled profusely, causing secondary damage.

Shi Xing devoured the lower-level beast bodies, leaving only four beast cores, which he tossed backward with his mental power.

One precisely landed in Shi Ran’s arms, splattering him with blood, which frightened him.

His partner reacted quickly, pressing Shi Ran’s hand up.

“What are you waiting for? Absorb it!”

“Oh oh.”

Shi Ran was indeed a bit startled and dazed.

Of the seven beasts that landed, only three were left; all attacks and mental power explosions were firmly suppressed by Chi Yao, and the surrounding buildings sustained no damage.

Shi Xing discerned that only the leading beast remained barely standing.

It only needed to stay for questioning.

The changes were too fast, and the First Army hadn’t even formed formation.

But the officers finally understood why Chi Yao hadn’t called for formation.

It wasn’t necessary.

His Majesty and His Highness could resolve it.

Shi Xing approached the leading beast, and as he came close, two mental power attacks erupted again, all kept within a small area under Chi Yao’s barrier, unable to penetrate it.

“Don’t curse, were you coming to find me?” Shi Xing spoke to the beast.

Realizing Shi Xing was the Blue Star human their colony sought, the beast froze for two seconds, then erupted in joy, opening its mouth to send a message to the cosmos.

But as soon as the mental power gathered, just before it could howl—

Blood flowers sprayed out to a height of two meters, decapitating it!

The beast’s head was split in two by mental power.

Done by Chi Yao.

Shi Xing sighed, “Seems like they’re not keen on communicating.”

Well, at least that was a death not in vain.

The beast’s actions to communicate made Chi Yao furious; before Shi Xing could act, the beast’s flesh was shredded by the wind in a violently exaggerated manner, within a blink, the beast core was forcibly extracted.

The beast core remained suspended in the air, but the beast’s body turned into a pile of fleshy sludge scattering on the ground.

Shi Ran felt nausea.

Before he could refuse, this beast core, still hanging with flesh strands, got stuffed into his arms by Shi Xing.

Shi Xing: “Hold it and go throw up over there.”

Shi Ran lamented, “Xing Xing, you’ve changed!”

Shi Xing: “Behave.”

Shi Ran: “QAQ!”

In the next moment, his partner covered his mouth, taking him aside to absorb the beast core while finding a place to vomit.

There were still two heavily wounded beasts left.

Chi Yao looked at those two beasts; before Shi Xing opened his mouth, they began howling loudly.

Shi Xing and Er Ya exchanged subtle glances.

Fei Chu: “What are they saying?”

Er Ya refused to translate.

Shi Xing calmed his emotions, trying to convey what they said in a way that was faithful and elegant: “They’re asking us not to use mental power; there’s… something to discuss.”

Beast 1: “Woo woo!”

Don’t engage, no! Let’s talk things over!!

Beast 2: “Woo!”

Ah, right, right! What Beast 1 said is correct!!!