ABRIWMTHM Chapter 24

In his previous life, Shi Xing underwent two talent assessments. One was conducted using some tricks, while the other was a private test arranged by the prince’s residence. After the tests, the internal conflicts within the Lu family began to gradually emerge.

But this was not the moment when everyone’s relationships were at their most tense.

The most tense beginning occurred when Shi Xing realized that after awakening his talent, ordinary crystals were no longer sufficient. The level of crystals he absorbed progressively increased, and ultimately, he reached the point of consuming beast cores before he felt a sense of fulfillment within his mental sea…

In other words, his body required high-level energy to support his normal growth.

However, S-rank beast cores could still be found in the black market; anything above that would typically be harvested directly from the battlefield.

Moreover, SS-rank and even SSS-rank beast cores rapidly lost their high-level energy once extracted. The speed of this decay depended on the level of the core and the ranking of the beast. Even when preserved in the most advanced energy sealing boxes, they would deplete within a month at most or just two to three days at least, ultimately degrading into S-rank beast cores.

This was also the reason why Blue Star humans accompanied the army after matching.

High-level beast cores were rare, and their most valuable energy couldn’t withstand any loss during transport; they needed to be absorbed immediately to maximize their value.

As for the battlefield, Shi Xing had been there before.

He needed beast cores, far above S-rank beast cores.

His supervisor was Lu Lu, and naturally, it was Lu Lu who should have fetched them for him. However, they encountered a surprise beast tide…

As Shi Xing sat with his chin resting on his knees, fragments of that experience flashed through his mind repeatedly.

For a few fleeting moments, he seemed to return to those dark days of endless waiting, with the star beasts outside searching for his trace. Internally, after consuming the limited crystals he carried, he could slowly and clearly feel his mental sea wilting and contracting little by little.

Until… it collapsed to the point of no return…

The uncontrollable mental power dissipation unique to the maturity period vanished, and the star beasts that had been searching for him finally left.

But being devoured by beasts and the collapse of his mental sea yielded the same result for Shi Xing, unless someone had been there at the time… unless Lu Lu could have acted in time…

His pupils constricted, and Shi Xing felt a violent wave in his mental sea.

His breathing quickened as well.

In the next moment, a sudden gust brought with it a forceful mental power.

After brushing against his cheek, the wind dissipated softly. The high-level mental power was caught and absorbed spontaneously by him, settling the turbulent mental power within his sea without him realizing it.

Shi Xing froze for a moment, only to recognize that it was Chi Yao’s mental power being projected.

He spoke softly, tentatively calling out, “Your Highness?”

The wind carried back a response, “Hmm.”

“Why do you sound so wronged?”

Wronged? Isn’t that what it is?

Shi Xing didn’t know how to respond; he hugged himself tightly and shrank into the corner slightly, trying to gain some sense of security through this motion.

A gust of wind swept across his cheek, poking it gently, and the mental power conveyed Chi Yao’s voice, “You had another nightmare, you really…”

The second half of the sentence was left unspoken.

Shi Xing disliked this slightly ticklish feeling, burying his face into his knees and muffledly asking, “Your Highness, why are you awake?”

It was probably around midnight, late and quiet. He hastily changed the subject, asking whatever came to mind.

He didn’t expect to hit the core issue immediately.

“Connection.”

“You absorbed my mental power earlier, and under the enhancement within the Mother Tree’s range, a connection was formed.”

Shi Xing: “…”

In other words, Chi Yao also woke up because he did.

Shi Xing closed his eyes, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration at the trivial questions he had asked.

He knocked on his own head, feeling particularly sheepish, “I’m sorry…”

If it was due to the connection, it was very possible that this wasn’t the first time Chi Yao had woken up with him. He… Shi Xing pushed his face deeper into his knees, burying it tightly.

Chi Yao’s mental power perceived this entire space, so he naturally heard Shi Xing’s responses.

Hearing it, he let out a soft sigh, “It’s not something you can control.”

There was a hint of helplessness and broadmindedness in his tone.

This very much aligned with how Chi Yao made Shi Xing feel overall.

Thinking of something, Shi Xing raised his hand to knock on his head again, and whispered, “Should I call you Your Majesty now?”

Chi Yao paused for a moment, “Not many call me that outside.”

“Oh.”

After a while, as reason returned, he recalled the conversation they’d had in the study, and the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.

Taking courage from the fact that the other person wasn’t present, Shi Xing finally asked, “Did you think I was being absurd back then?”

After a brief pause, Chi Yao responded, “I thought you were very sincere.”

Not confirming nor denying, Shi Xing couldn’t decipher the other’s true feelings. After some thought, he became somewhat despondent, realizing that, given Chi Yao’s status and experience, he might never know as long as Chi Yao didn’t want to express his stance.

Having embarrassed himself by asking that, Shi Xing gathered his courage again and added, “Can I ask one question?”

He called it a question, but he didn’t give Chi Yao the chance to refuse, “If I were to choose you, in the future when it’s inconvenient for you, would you place me in…”

At that moment, the phantom roars of beasts echoed in his mind, causing Shi Xing to pause.

Chi Yao, however, didn’t even take a moment to think. “Blue Star humans in their maturity period must stay close to their partners.”

“This is stated in the matching terms.”

Shi Xing: “What if…”

“There is no ‘what if’,” Chi Yao interrupted all of Shi Xing’s presumptions. “Anything can happen to Blue Star humans during the maturity period; being with the army means a higher likelihood of facing danger. Since the rule has been set, it carries its practical significance.”

Chi Yao: “If you can’t even understand that, it’s better to give up your matching slot.”

Shi Xing unveiled his face, feeling a moment of confusion, yet his heart began to settle with more clarity.

“Your Majesty,” he called softly.

“I understand your identity now and know a bit about your background…”

After a pause, Shi Xing solemnly promised, “I will clarify all my questions before the matching banquet and consider everything carefully.”

A long while passed before Chi Yao merely answered, “Alright.”

In the following two days, Shi Xing sought advice from Fu Qing and Xu Jin to gather a wealth of basic knowledge about the Imperial family.

This included, but was not limited to, mental power levels, average mental power rankings.

The scope of power that the royal family held, how much they could interfere and participate in political and military affairs.

What the Elders Council is, its significance, what restrictions exist on the royal family regarding identity, and the numerous public laws and regulations that both the Elders Council and royal family members must co-adhere to in daily life.

The direct military unit led by Chi Yao, its name, the number of armies, where they are currently stationed, and who leads each unit at present, along with their relationship with the royal family and their background in the Empire.

What the Senate is, its relationship with the royal family, the initial purpose of its establishment, and the scope of its authority.

How many officers Chi Yao brought this time, and the details of each…

If he were to become Chi Yao’s partner, what would he face…

Finally, the most overwhelming part for Shi Xing was the list Xu Jin provided, detailing the various courses he would have to complete if he chose Chi Yao in the coming years.

He skimmed through it, noticing that it started with the traditions and ceremonies of the Imperial family and the known civilized royalty of this star system.

It concluded with courses like “Empire Currency and Financial Studies,” “Empire Assets,” and “Royal Fixed Asset Partitioning.”

Shi Xing slumped in his chair.

Fu Qing and Xu Jin reached a consensus: the overwhelming amount of knowledge had crushed the small Blue Star human, leaving him with vacant, dazed eyes.

Fu Qing peeked through the door crack at Shi Xing, lamenting, “How can anyone endure learning so much like this?!”

Xu Jin answered casually, “Every previous partner of His Majesty has gone through this.”

Fu Qing shook his head, feeling cruel, still uncertain whether this was good or bad for Shi Xing, and vacillated between whether to offer advice before slipping away.

It was dreadful, truly dreadful.

This was akin to the ancient, forced education.

Having finished the questioning a couple of days ago, Shi Xing’s life returned to the regular rhythm of normal daily routines, meeting with the candidate officers.

With the matching banquet approaching, the frequency of their meetings increased remarkably.

Shi Xing did not refuse anyone; as long as someone wished to meet him, he would accept their invitation within the limits of his time.

In these few days, Shi Xing no longer sought out Chi Yao.

It seemed the two had reached a silent understanding: one spent his days in the study handling paperwork, while the other went out early, fulfilling appointments until returning home at night.

During their interactions, Shi Xing learned a piece of noteworthy news from the officers.

He didn’t know whether it was good or bad, but at the moment he heard it, he froze.

The conversation was revolving around the matching banquet, discussing how past banquets generally went, when the bracelets, masks, and specially made cloaks would be distributed, and what signals and tokens two people who had made arrangements would use.

Shi Xing, in a fit of distractions, asked how Chi Yao would participate in past banquets and whether he would dress up with everyone to avoid any awkwardness.

One officer laughed at this question.

Xiang He Ze replied, “You must have heard this from Fu Qing about His Highness. It’s obvious that Fu Qing didn’t tell the whole story.”

While dining during an informal encounter, Tan Yan laughed and provided the answer, “His Highness never goes to the matching banquet.”

Shi Xing’s finger froze, nearly dropping his spoon.

He managed to cover up his panic, but no one at the table seemed to notice his distress; they continued chatting easily.

Major General Guan Qun of the Second Army remarked, “Ah, yes, I know. It was because the Elders Council pressured His Highness too much one year… although he has come to Ancheng to stay during the matching banquet each year since, he rarely makes an appearance at the actual event.”

Lieutenant General Pu Zhong Guang, from the Sixth Army, chuckled, “Probably for the best. Who could possibly compare to His Highness if he were there?”

General Ge Ming of the Fourth Army knew more and disagreed, “You can’t say that; an ordinary Blue Star human wouldn’t be of much use to His Highness. The central computer recommends the best match right before the banquet every year…”

At this point, he glanced around before lowering his voice.

“Insider information: since His Highness attended the matching banquets, his bracelet’s recommendation section has been blank.”

His voice returned to normal. “In this situation, whether he goes or not is irrelevant; if the big data can’t produce a suitable match, the Elders Council will be in a panic, resorting to desperate measures. But His Highness knows very well that some things can’t be rushed.”

Shi Xing felt as if his heart was stabbed again and whispered, “Is it… true?”

“Absolutely!” Ge Ming replied lightly, winking at Shi Xing, “If you don’t believe me, ask Xu Jin; he seems to like you and will surely tell you.”

“It’s just not a big deal, it’s just related to His Highness, and not many know. There are even fewer who dare to spread or discuss it.”

He quickly added, “Of course, we’re just chatting casually.”

“Alright, let’s move past this topic; how are we organizing our plans for the next three days?”

“Shi Xing needs to find time to…”

The lunch where all five officers “coincidentally” met Shi Xing didn’t take long to reach Chi Yao’s ears.

Fu Qing reported anxiously, “They can piece things together; even if they wish to match, it shouldn’t come to this! Shi Xing had an appointment with a Blue Star friend, and yet one by one they ended up turning up and pushing his friend away; six people crammed around the table, all having a meal together…”

Fu Qing shook his head, “I really don’t know how Shi Xing manages this.”

Chi Yao quietly processed documents without uttering a word.

Noting Chi Yao’s silence, Fu Qing cautiously remarked, “Your Highness, you haven’t seen Shi Xing much lately, have you?”

“I haven’t seen him come to you either.”

Chi Yao’s marker froze momentarily, asking, “What do you want to say, just say it.”

Fu Qing wouldn’t dare to be direct, so he continued with a roundabout approach.

“In these last few days, Shi Xing had breakfast with Tan Yan and dinner with Yun Wu.”

“He went to watch a holographic movie with Xiang He Ze, and they ran into Ge Ming along the way, three of them ended up at an arcade together.”

“Guan Qun knew that Shi Xing liked playing interstellar battleship games; he set up a meeting in the morning, took him to the Empire’s largest game hall for an hour-long flight, and kept Shi Xing playing there, intentionally avoiding everyone else.”

“Pu Zhong Guang has been saying goodnight to Shi Xing every evening; I’ve seen Shi Xing come back and check in several times, asking if he had reached home yet, saying he could rest easy once there; he even sent Shi Xing crystals recently mined from the Sixth Army—no idea about the grade, but they looked pretty nice.”

“As for Ge Ming, there’s no need to speak about him; being the ‘flower of the Fourth Army,’ I really worry about Shi Xing being swept away by those wildflowers outside, given that he’s grown up in the Nest!”

“You know Blue Star humans don’t have any guardians; the Nest doesn’t teach social etiquette… could it be…”

At this moment, Chi Yao finally turned to look at Fu Qing. His gaze bore no emotion, making Fu Qing’s heart leap, and yet he blurted out, “What if he gets lost in a world full of flowers?!”

“Are you done speaking?” Chi Yao replied flatly.

Fu Qing realized he wouldn’t escape today; stretching his neck didn’t help, so he decided to lay it all out.

“I just think that besides those first two days when he was asking about you, he has stopped; has he… has he thought of something else…?”

“Your Highness, are you really not going to make any effort?”

Fu Qing was speaking the truth.

After desperately catching up on royal family knowledge during those first two days when he discovered Chi Yao’s identity (and seemingly collapsing under the weight of knowledge in Fu Qing and Xu Jin’s eyes), Shi Xing had devoted his time entirely to those five officers who were eager to meet him.

Of course, there were still many others waiting for him in the system, and Shi Xing would refuse each one every night.

In other words, Shi Xing had enough time to reject others yet had no time to go spend even a moment with His Majesty, right?

Even if it was just a glance, a few words would suffice, wouldn’t it?

Chi Yao also worked daily without spare time; Yun Wu had already perceived that something was off and had casually asked Fu Qing about it.

Initially, Fu Qing and Xu Jin were optimistic about Shi Xing’s eagerness, thinking it was a done deal, but it seemed…

In the last few days, things not only appeared uncertain but also caused them to feel anxious.

This kind of sign didn’t resemble two parties choosing each other; it seemed more like they were drawing a line, ending past matters.

Neither Xu Jin nor Fu Qing wished to see this happen.

Chi Yao lowered his gaze momentarily, “It’s customary for him to have another plan; all five candidates are chosen by me, and each is well-suited for him.”

Fu Qing covered his heart, silently lamenting. The emperor was genuinely a resolute person with a heart of iron.

So ruthless, it was alarming.

Why would he require such a thing? Wasn’t it better to have a Blue Star human by his side?

Even if radical healing wasn’t possible, alleviation wasn’t out of reach; why must he…?

Chi Yao replied, “You seem to have a lot of free time. Why don’t you handle this stack of military affairs for Fei Chu?”

Oh, here it comes; Fu Qing had known he wouldn’t escape, so after refusing twice and being bombarded with military duties, he left in tears.

Afterwards, Chi Yao stared at the document before him but didn’t turn the page for a long while.

In the silent room, he slowly opened his right hand.

Lying quietly in his palm was a holographic marker that had been destroyed by mental power.

It was broken just now when Fu Qing couldn’t help talking too much.

He dismissed Fu Qing, intending to find time to get a new pen for himself.

Feeling somewhat chaotic in mood, he took a deep breath and exhaled.

Chi Yao thought that his subordinates were truly noisy.

So noisy that… he could hardly focus on the documents anymore.

Fu Qing, not one to shy away, relayed all of Shi Xing’s recent happenings to Chi Yao over the next two days.

“Shi Xing went to see an art exhibition with Ge Ming this morning. Your Highness, both Xu Jin and I had the snacks that Shi Xing brought back yesterday; did you forget?”

“Shi Xing wandered the gene museum for the afternoon with Tan Yan and Yun Wu; how does he manage to schedule his time so well?”

“Last night, Shi Xing…”

“Again, Shi Xing…”

“Wow, with five people, by dividing time equally, that means he keeps everything perfectly balanced; it doesn’t add up. The Nest hasn’t taught him social matters—does he truly plan to choose one among these five on the evening of the banquet?”

“Your Highness, don’t you want to say something?”

“Your Highness, don’t you think Shi Xing’s behavior demonstrates a political potential?”

“Your Highness…”

Chi Yao snapped, “Silence!”

Chi Yao continued, “Don’t disturb me while I’m reviewing documents; if you want gossip, talk to Xu Jin.”

Fu Qing responded, “But this concerns your Majesty! I ask Xu Jin, and he seems even more anxious than I am.”

“Do you know that Xu Jin has already been subtly probing Shi Xing, attempting to advocate for you? He really seems like a concerned father…”

Chi Yao couldn’t take it anymore and replied, “Get lost!”

The well-mannered emperor cursed, and Fu Qing had genuinely crossed a line.

The next day, Fu Qing was sent to Ancheng, and he took a trip to the Imperial Capital, finally granting Chi Yao the peace he longed for.

But at the same time, the loneliness in his residence intensified.

Having finished his paperwork early, Chi Yao decided to take a stroll and paused in front of Shi Xing’s door, hesitating in his steps.

He glanced at Shi Xing’s living quarters and, without a sideways glance, continued on.

And this day was the eve of the matching banquet.

All five officers each had arranged to meet Shi Xing, preparing for their final persuasion efforts.

In the evening, Shi Xing was sent back by the group of five. Chi Yao could sense the situation at the entrance, seeing Xu Jin help Shi Xing bid farewell to the exhausted crowd.

Meanwhile, news circulated in the interstellar network; the central computer began pushing out the best matching recommendations.

Before bed, Chi Yao checked his bracelet. A few days earlier, Xu Jin had subtly hinted for him to undergo a real-time mental power assessment. He opened it, and the message section looked just like before—no messages at all.

There were no recommendations either.

Chi Yao stared intently for a moment before closing the bracelet and falling asleep.

The next day marked the grand event of the Empire, the matching banquet for the Blue Star humans, proceeding as scheduled.

Shi Xing was a Blue Star human, leaving early.

Chi Yao thought Shi Xing would come to say something, yet he learned of Shi Xing’s departure solely through Xu Jin’s words.

Chi Yao was taken aback before lowering his head to continue with his tasks.

He was noncommittal regarding Xu Jin’s ongoing encouragement to attend the matching banquet.

After Xu Jin left, Chi Yao glanced at his bracelet again—blank.

As night descended, a makeshift group was unusually lively.

The group was named “Top 5 Candidates.”

Within lay the five individuals, none other than the five officers vying for Shi Xing.

Early in the week, everyone remarked on each other’s elaborate schemes to “accidentally” run into Shi Xing, full of guile and shamelessness.

No one knew who had struck first, pulling two people into the group to help keep tabs on each other’s location.

As these five continued their dubious competitive antics, the group expanded due to conflict.

In recent days, the exchange in this group had been rife with verbal duels.

Since Shi Xing hadn’t made a definitive stance, everyone felt they held a chance.

Also, due to various other reasons for Shi Xing’s behavior, each seemed convinced that he favored them, showing no willingness to give ground.

Before the banquet began, the group buzzed with more activity.

Tan Yan: “Tonight, I’m taking Shi Xing away. Thank you all for looking after him during this time.”

Tan Yan: “I’ll do my best not to let you see Shi Xing again; I promise.”

Xiang He Ze: “Young people really shouldn’t speak so boldly.”

Ge Ming: “Yesterday, Shi Xing said he liked my place; the view is lovely and it’s a great place to live.”

Xiang He Ze: “Older folks should have some decency too!”

Pu Zhong Guang: “Shi Xing doesn’t like extroverted personalities; haven’t you noticed he’s dodged you several times, Tan Yan?”

Guan Qun: “I’m confident in myself.”

Guan Qun: “You guys keep chatting; I’m going to change; today I told Shi Xing I’d pin a star-shaped diamond brooch onto my clothes. He’ll come straight to me then; don’t feel too heartbroken.”

Xiang He Ze: “Since when was being an older man a disadvantage?”

Tan Yan: “When it’s you, of course it’s a disadvantage; in His Highness’s case, it’s clearly a benefit.”

Tan Yan: “Forget it, I won’t discourage you anymore.”

Tan Yan: “I’ll just say this: unless His Highness comes, you guys have no comparability to me.”

Xiang He Ze: “Hehe.”

Ge Ming: “Hehe.”

Guan Qun: “Hehe.”

Pu Zhong Guang: “Go eat some walnuts to nourish your brain.”

As the banquet approached, Chi Yao remained focused in his study like a mountain.

Xu Jin outside was on the edge of frantic.

Ding-dong—

Chi Yao was slightly stunned, momentarily thinking he had hallucinated.

After glancing and feeling slightly distracted, it wasn’t an illusion; the bracelet had pushed through.

[Best Matching Candidate Recommended: Shi Xing]

[Photo]

[Basic Information]

[Mental Power Matching Parameters as follows——]

For a moment, Chi Yao felt like he was in a dream.

Perhaps some things, long awaited, upon arriving on the actual day, felt so incredibly… rare.

Yet ultimately, this was merely an overdue expectation.

After a brief surprise, he, strong-willed as Chi Yao was, let it go.

But at the moment he let it go, his communicator rang.

The message displayed was from Shi Xing (yes, they exchanged communicator numbers later).

Shi Xing: [Your Majesty]

[Without your interference, and free from any emotional factors]

[I sincerely thought it through]

[I still want to choose you]

[You… even if you ultimately don’t choose me, can I invite you to the matching banquet to hear my prepared responses?]