ABRIWMTHM Chapter 135

The two communicating star beasts trembled even more violently, their demands coming through the earpiece.

After a moment of silence, Er Ya asked, “They said they are afraid when the gun is pointed at them and they can’t speak. Can they leave the shooting range and then translate?”

That was the request of the two communicating star beasts.

Chi Yao nodded.

These two star beasts couldn’t afford to have any incidents; the journey back to Blue Star was still long. They needed to be placed outside periodically as communicators, otherwise, they couldn’t keep opening the control room and having Shi Xing and Er Ya shout at the star beasts in outer space, right? That was too dangerous, and Chi Yao refused.

A gap opened, and the two communicating star beasts quickly ran away.

The silver star beast shrank its pupils at the opportunity.

Before it could move, Shi Xing’s barrier first enveloped it in a circular formation from all sides.

The silver star beast sensed the breath of death.

The barrier had an attached devouring ability.

As they turned back, the communicating star beasts said, “Awo.”

Don’t move!

You will disappear.

“Awo!” the silver star beast roared.

Concise and clear, roll away!

The two communicating star beasts quickly rolled far away.

They also knew where to run, settling on top of the mothership, lying above the control room, before they began translating.

After finishing the translation, the silver star beast grew increasingly silent.

Knowing who could understand it, the silver star beast spoke to Shi Xing, “Awo.”

Then put me back.

Glancing at the two communicating star beasts, it added, “Awo.”

I want to take them back too.

The two star beasts squatted on the mothership, trembling so much that the floor in the control room slightly shook.

After the silver star beast spoke, the two couldn’t wait to call out in alternating high and low tones. The energy permeated the control room; although they couldn’t understand what they were saying, seeing the two star beasts huddle together helplessly, Fei Chu felt he could guess.

Er Ya: “Shut up!”

After yelling, Er Ya calmed down and summarized, “They don’t want to go back.”

Shi Xing then said to the silver star beast, “You can leave, but these two cannot. We need a microphone.”

The silver star beast instantly howled, releasing a wave of spiritual power that crashed against Shi Xing’s barrier, which was quickly absorbed by Shi Xing’s ability. Immediately after, the circular barrier demonstratively shrank slightly, and Shi Xing said, “If you want to die, just say so!”

The sense of death grew thicker, and the silver star beast: “…” Under prepared conditions, it didn’t find tearing apart the barrier particularly difficult. However, there was not just one high-level mental power among humans. Looking towards Chi Yao beside Shi Xing, the silver star beast licked its bloodied claws, a wound inflicted by Chi Yao.

In the end, it agreed.

Going back and forth was too time-consuming. Before leaving, Shi Xing forcefully held the silver star beast and roughly laid out the essential conditions.

“Firstly, there will be no attacking the Twin Star Galaxy, and the royal beast’s group will never be allowed to enter the Twin Star Galaxy again.”

“Secondly, an army will follow along the way to ensure my safety.”

“Thirdly, the above two points are priorities; if you agree, we can negotiate the details later.”

The silver star beast roared in anger, “Hoo Hoo—!”

I haven’t agreed yet!

Er Ya casually said, “Didn’t you say communicating with the royal beasts would take several days? Anyway, it’s not up to you to decide.”

Only the royal beasts had the authority to agree to a non-invasion treaty of the Twin Star Galaxy.

The silver star beast: “…”

Shi Xing opened the barrier, “You can go now.”

The silver star beast: “…………”

This feeling of being dismissed was overwhelming.

Still furious, it glanced at the young rebellious star beasts squatting on the control cabin, snorted, and the two communicating star beasts gripped tightly onto the mothership’s hull. Everyone in the control room could hear their claws digging into the metal.

Everyone fell silent, feeling how cowardly this was.

Chi Yao controlled the air to push forward slightly, forcing the silver star beast to fly a bit outside, “If you want to go, then leave; if you don’t want to, stay.”

After Er Ya translated again, even though the silver star beast was reluctant, it felt stifled looking at its visible freedom and left grudgingly.

Once it was far away, Chi Yao said, “Let them loosen their claws; if they break the outer shell of the mothership, I’ll cut off their claws.”

The communicating star beasts: “Woo woo woo.”

Er Ya: “They said that’s too cruel; it’s a threat.”

Chi Yao shrugged, “They can grow back anyway; as long as it’s not a beast core, they can be trimmed anywhere.”

Hearing this… After Er Ya relayed the message, the two communicating star beasts trembled and ascended, seemingly avoiding the silver star beast, steering clear of the mothership.

Ye Jun operated a drone to check on the mothership’s condition, performing minor repairs.

After a while, Er Ya frowned and said, “They said they are sorry.”

Initially hesitant to convey, she had no choice due to the painful noises. Chi Yao didn’t even lift his eyes, focusing solely on the data sent from Dai Xing, analyzing the star beast population.

Including but not limited to quantity, average level, and mutation attack capabilities.

Shi Xing looked up and spoke into the communicator, assuring, “As long as you obey, we will ensure your safety throughout the journey.”

“Now be quiet and don’t make noise.”

This statement proved effective; the two star beasts finally stopped huddling together and closed their mouths.

Shi Xing rarely stared at them seriously; both were black-and-white star beasts, with one having slightly more black fur and the other slightly more white.

Fei Chu, cursing under his breath, brought everyone’s attention back.

“That’s way too many!”

Fei Chu was also looking at Dai Xing’s data analysis when he exclaimed.

“How many are there?” Shi Xing asked.

“Estimated to be over a thousand; not precise,” Chi Yao said sternly. “The front-line star beasts are all A-ranked or above.”

An S-ranked star beast population on such a large scale—indeed… very hard to deal with.

Fei Chu: “The data has already been sent to other planets; a meeting is likely to be convened shortly.”

Chi Yao: “No hurry; they probably have many questions for us too.”

For instance, the matter of negotiation would definitely be asked by Tian Yuan Star.

Fu Qing looked outside, “Won’t that star beast come back?”

Shi Xing: “It shouldn’t in the short term.”

“The leading four are all gestated by the royal beasts, closely related by blood, yet their relationships may not necessarily be good. Each leading star beast commands at least three small clans, but compared to the rest, it’s not that many.”

“The command of the royal beasts is mainly to find me and bring me back. The star beasts aren’t united; internal conflicts are likely.”

The silver star beast suffered a loss here; given the star beasts’ tendency for revenge, it wouldn’t let it go easily.

But with the golden star beast gone, it was just one star beast left, and the other two leading ones had not been at odds with them. If there was a shortcut, why not take it?

Having just finished thinking through this reasoning, the drone from Dai Xing sent back news from the frontline.

It reported that the star beasts had started fighting among themselves.

Opening the projection, it was right there— the silver star beast was in combat with the other two leading beasts of royal blood.

After watching for a while, Chi Yao affirmed, “These three star beasts are all formidable.”

“The mutation levels should all be at least E.”

Royal beasts are mutation level F, which is also top-tier.

Fei Chu curiously asked, “How does their level compare to yours?”

“One of the star beasts just died so smoothly; are they inferior to you?”

Shi Xing replied, “That just now was an unexpected situation; it can’t be counted that way.”

Chi Yao agreed, “Shi Xing acted quickly, releasing a substantial amount of spiritual power, catching them off guard, and it started devouring from the very beginning; the golden star beast couldn’t even scream, losing its head, which slowed its body’s reactions by a lot, making it easier for Shi Xing.”

Shi Xing nodded, “Exactly.”

“Ambush does have the advantage of the first strike.”

Fei Chu: “Then…”

Chi Yao: “Their level is lower than ours, but not by much. If it comes to actual combat, we need to be in the battleship; however, the star beasts can traverse the cosmos with their body strength. It’s hard to say.”

Shi Xing sighed.

Fei Chu, keenly observant, asked, “What’s wrong? Aren’t their levels lower than yours? Isn’t that a good thing?”

But Chi Yao knew what Shi Xing was thinking, “He’s worried about the royal beasts on Blue Star.”

Indeed, Shi Xing thought of the royal beasts, saying in a low voice, “If these few are this strong, close to us, then the royal beasts on Blue Star are very likely stronger than us.”

And the star beasts before them were not the primary targets to kill; only the royal beasts were.

Having turned this thought over in his mind, Fei Chu, exasperated, ran his fingers through his hair.

“After so many years, their strength can’t have regressed a bit, right?!”

Chi Yao scoffed, “What are you thinking? It hasn’t even lived half the average lifespan of star beasts. It’s in its prime now and has nourished its beast core on Blue Star; in any case, it won’t regress.”

Not only would it not regress, but to some extent, the possibility of increase is even higher.

This topic felt heavy, and after discussing it for a few sentences, everyone in the battleship fell silent in unison.

With a communication request from Tian Yuan Star, more representatives from the motherships also asked to connect with the Empire.

The AI from Dai Xing compiled all the requests and inquired whether the Empire needed to open communications with all the motherships present.

The Empire agreed.

The army pressing the boundary line did not consist of all the star forces of the Twin Star Galaxy, but military planets did bring some forces. Hence, the strongest combat power of the Twin Star Galaxy was here.

In the holographic projection view, Tian Yuan Star couldn’t hold back, the first one to ask, “What do you mean by discussing conditions? Do we just go along with them?”

Chi Yao: “The literal meaning.”

“The royal beasts can’t come out on Blue Star. Instead of hunting this group of star beasts and then figuring out how to find it on Blue Star, it’s better to follow this group of star beasts to find the royal beast, capture the king first to eliminate the biggest target.”

Tian Yuan Star Marshal: “Isn’t this too hasty?!”

What would happen if Shi Xing followed the star beasts? Nobody could estimate or guarantee—the risk was high if…

The Tian Yuan Star Marshal had just thought of this when the representative of Jalea Star—the main military planet of the Alliance—asked, “If His Highness Shi Xing follows the star beasts, what will happen if the royal beasts are released?”

Chi Yao answered calmly, “So to ensure he won’t release the royal beasts—or that if the royal beasts do get released, they’ll be eliminated—you all must follow along as well.”

Jalea Star representative: “…”

Other planets chimed in, “Is there no other way?”

Chi Yao smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, “There is, we can confront these star beasts head-on, eliminate them first, and then figure out how to get to Blue Star.”

“The question is, is that feasible? Is everyone willing?”

“I believe everyone has seen Dai Xing’s analysis. In the initial analysis, there are already over a thousand star beasts, none below S rank.”

“To put it bluntly, aside from the Empire, many star armies haven’t even dealt with S rank mutant beasts.”

Some planets stationed on the boundary line were merely static; their strength was lacking, and upon discovering star beasts, they would use weapons.

One or two were manageable; energy “cannons” and high-energy weapons could handle them.

Should they fail, the supporting forces from other planets would arrive.

But with so many mutated star beasts, as long as there was a prerequisite for mutation—one plus one isn’t equal to two; rather, it’s equivalent to three or even four S-ranked star beasts’ difficulty to deal with.

After all, the Empire hadn’t brought that many therapists. Once an officer is hit by mutated spiritual power, they lose their ability to resist, damaging their mental sea.

However, the officers’ attacks, as long as they aren’t fatal, could be recovered from by the star beasts.

With that said, the whole place fell silent.

Chi Yao felt there would be other foolish questions.

The instant that thought popped into his head, someone spoke up, “Must we all go together?”

This time, without waiting for Chi Yao, Shi Xing spoke, “Going along provides more assurance. If everyone doesn’t want to go, if you don’t want to cooperate with the Empire, and if the situation spirals out of control, you may find yourselves waiting for the star beast population’s second invasion within the galaxy.”

“Is this what you all want to see?”

His tone had softened notably, without being jarring.

It aligned with Chi Yao’s reasoning but sounded much more pleasant.

Perhaps this was the unique affinity Blue Star humans had as therapists.

After speaking, the questioning planet could still respond, shaking their heads resolutely.

Tian Yuan Star Marshal was frustrated, “If we are to go to Blue Star, we don’t know how far we will have to travel; we haven’t prepared any energy resources!”

Fei Chu chimed in, “Have you all forgotten something?”

All the planets replied, “?”

Fei Chu: “You’re not an energy planet, either!”

“Since everyone has sent their military forces, naturally, the energy will be provided by the planets that are energy-producing—what do you all think?”

For instance, planets like Fernand Star, resource-rich, should contribute right now; after all, they cannot keep squeezing this military arrangement for resources.

The planets suddenly realized.

Shi Xing: “We have already negotiated with the energy planets; the news to the royal beasts will take about a week to finalize. Once the transportation ships from the energy planets arrive, we can depart together. What does everyone think?”

Chi Yao added, “The energy provided by the energy planets is enough for us to make two round trips; various large weapons can also be deployed, and they promised after the battle not to reclaim this energy. Therefore, does anyone still have objections to sending their military forces to accompany us?”

The energy planets had already produced what they could.

If military planets renounce now, it might make it hard for them to establish themselves in the Twin Star Galaxy in the future.

Some planets responded, “You all negotiated the plan with the energy planets long ago and only just now told us?”

Chi Yao: “Not at all. The entirety of the plan is known only by the Empire; it’s a collaborative effort based on the trust the energy planets have in the Empire.”

“Moreover, we anticipated this; can you guarantee that every planet will ensure their most elite forces won’t back out?”

The second question was devoid of any mercy.

But with the Empire backing him up, Chi Yao felt confident.

Moreover, given that his mental sea had recovered and he had faced high-level star beasts without any issues, even if there were grievances, other planets would bear it.

In the end, amidst the silence, a consensus emerged that aligned with the Empire’s expectations.

The Tian Yuan Star Marshal covered his forehead; had he known they wouldn’t be able to return, he wouldn’t have rushed to take the lead.

However, the situation on the star beast side was even more ridiculous than the Twin Star Galaxy anticipated. They continued fighting well into the night. The temporarily established communication group was discussing this matter, leaving Tian Yuan Star speechless.

The group also included resource planets; Fernand Star mainly advocated for peace, after all, they were currently leading the entire Alliance as the Prime Minister.

Suddenly, Chi Yao piped up, remarking, “Now you see how vengeful star beasts are, huh?”

No one replied, but many military planets that had previously refused to follow felt targeted!

After a night of internal conflict, the star beasts finally returned with results, reopening negotiations.

Shi Xing and the others reiterated their three demands, as they had expected; the message was transmitted back to Blue Star and would be determined by the royal beasts.

The back-and-forth would take four to five days.

The star beasts landed on a deserted planet to rest, while the several motherships inside the defense barriers, although maintaining the same formations daily, gradually relaxed from their initial high tension.

During the last few exhausting days in the Empire, now in the universe, Shi Xing finally had time to rest.

In the waiting moments, the domestic matters hardly called for him and Chi Yao.

The Senate, the Elders Council, and the Office of the Secretary, along with Bi Zhou, shared the responsibility of managing the internal affairs.

However, Bi Zhou would still message Chi Yao every day.

Although it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, Shi Xing could tell that Bi Zhou was somewhat reluctant to part with Chi Yao.

But after all, it wasn’t a parent-child relationship. Chi Yao raised Bi Zhou with a certain distance; fearing that he would pass responsibilities to Bi Zhou too early, Chi Yao didn’t want the other to be overly concerned about him, and Bi Zhou’s upbringing was also formed in comparison to Chi Yao’s childhood.

“When we come back, he’ll be very happy, right?”

After one communication, Shi Xing said.

Chi Yao leaned against Shi Xing, teasing, “If we don’t come back, he’ll take over; he wouldn’t be able to be that happy.”

Shi Xing’s smile faded: “Your Highness, please don’t say that.”

After a pause, Shi Xing solemnly vowed, “I won’t let you not come back.”

The honorifics that had disappeared for some time suddenly surfaced again from Shi Xing’s lips.

Chi Yao crossed his arms and turned his head, his ash-gray eyes smiling, gazing at Shi Xing.

There was no sense of oppression, even some underlying emotions that made Shi Xing very fond.

But it was precisely because of this fondness and deeper emotional connection that both parties understood clearly; once they left, the matter of life and death was unpredictable for either—Chi Yao couldn’t guarantee, nor could Shi Xing.

That promise was, in fact, merely a wish.

Unrelated to reality.

Chi Yao knew, but he didn’t want to shatter that dream, nor did he want to disappoint his little partner.

After a long while, the Emperor, known for his sharp words within the star system, gently tapped his noble chin and softly said, “Alright, understood.”

So gentle.

Hearing this made Shi Xing feel a peculiar tightness in his chest.

Reaching out, Chi Yao held him, Shi Xing sat on Chi Yao’s lap and leaned down for a kiss.

After their kiss, Shi Xing suddenly whispered into Chi Yao’s ear, causing Chi Yao to be taken aback.

“Now?”

They had already finished dinner but hadn’t washed up. Although there wasn’t much to do, with the atmosphere of impending war and everyone on board the mothership, Chi Yao thought Shi Xing wouldn’t initiate it during this time, but…

Shi Xing replaced an answer with quick kisses.

Proceeding from Chi Yao’s eyelash-tips, brow ridge, down the bridge of his nose.

Too enthusiastic.

But wrapped in that fervor was a restless heart.

Shi Xing wanted to vent these emotions through some means, and Chi Yao could sense it.

With such passion from his partner, it would be abnormal to refuse any further.

Moreover, with the continuous intensity leading up to the boundary line, the two had had no time for intimacy.

Everything flowed naturally, as if it were meant to be.

Shi Xing felt a bit anxious, afraid he would hurt himself. Sometimes, Chi Yao would hold him back, urging him to take it slow.

When he couldn’t hold back any longer, they simply “swapped positions,” with him leading in delicate tenderness.

In the midst of overwhelming passion, Shi Xing’s vision blurred; he opened his mouth slightly, revealing a glimpse of tongue, his cheeks, even the bridge of his nose, painted a gradual, beautiful red, voice tremulous with a nasal tone, “I like.”

“I really like.”

Chi Yao, stirred, asked him, “Like what?”

“Your Highness, I like you.”

Shi Xing, lost in this affection, tilted his head, pleading, “Want to kiss.”

Adding in that only in such moments could he muster the term, “Hubby.”

The next moment, their lips were captured.

They were both content.

After a moment of absently drifting, Shi Xing lowered to kiss the side of Chi Yao’s neck.

It was like an instinctive show of affection.

Chi Yao pinched Shi Xing’s cheek, locking eyes and admonishing, “Baby, don’t be so clingy.”

Shi Xing’s eyes glistened with water, his expression dazed, “?”

Chi Yao bit the corner of his lips, “I’m scared you won’t be able to get up tomorrow.”

Whether Shi Xing understood or not was unclear; he turned and placed a gentle kiss on Chi Yao’s long finger, a gesture that completely wiped away Chi Yao’s restraint.

The next day, Shi Xing slept until noon.

There was a large bruise mark on his neck.

Perhaps feeling a difference in the atmosphere, he did not seek trouble with Chi Yao upon seeing it, nor did he hide it, moving about with the imprint visible.

When Fei Chu saw him, he felt he shouldn’t speak and should instead “woof” a few times.

Such an overflowing display of affection from you guys!

Are you on a year-long meal plan or something? Absolutely ridiculous!!

The negotiation with the star beasts turned out to be quicker than anticipated, almost a single exchange of information, and it wrapped up within a week.

The royal beast’s original words—

All current conditions were agreed upon as long as Shi Xing affirmed his willingness to follow them away from Blue Star.

As for the details, they would be negotiated face to face.

The golden star beast didn’t mention anything, but the beast group had tacitly accepted that the deceased beasts could not return, and aside from the silver star beast, no other star beast exhibited significant discontent.

They only obeyed the royal beast.

And when the royal beast ceased to exist… they would scatter.

This was the survival rule of the star beast population.

Once agreed upon, the defensive barriers opened, and all battleships led by the Empire’s flagship would commence interstellar travel to reach Blue Star’s current system.

After a week’s consideration, all preparations were made, and everyone was mentally prepared.

In high-speed mode, their journey lasted nearly a month.

During this month, the intimacy between the two became frequent.

Shi Xing grew clingy.

During the day, he continued conducting checks on the battleships, making decisions that needed to be made and handling what needed to be handled.

But by night.

Chi Yao felt as if they were a pair of star-crossed lovers. With the mothership’s lights dimming, Shi Xing would display beyond his imagination a submissiveness that was utterly charming.

He would hold him, trembling.

Would look into his eyes and say he liked him.

Even if he was bullied and cried, he wouldn’t refuse.

The fragrances on their clothes were different, selected by the attendants, but after a month, Chi Yao felt that their scents had blended to the point they couldn’t tell each other apart.

One morning, he was awakened.

Shi Xing rubbed his eyes, the blanket slipping down, revealing several bite marks on his shoulder.

Chi Yao gathered Shi Xing entirely into his arms, taking him to the outer hall, and opened the floor-to-ceiling windows of the mothership—transformable high-polymer material could become transparent.

As the window opened, Shi Xing sat on Chi Yao’s arm, gazing at a pale blue planet.

“Looks just like your eyes, Star.”

After a pause, Chi Yao spoke solemnly:

“We’ve reached Blue Star.”