ABRIWMTHM Chapter 86

Yan Changyue always felt that he should not follow along.

As a qualified royal attendant, Yan Changyue had always strictly adhered to the three principles that Xu Jin had taught him regarding royal secrets: do not listen, do not ask, and do not know.

However… being forced to come and learn what was going on was another matter.

Yan Changyue was unclear, and he very much wanted to leave.

Fortunately, Chi Yao didn’t intend to keep him throughout the entire process. Upon entering the small study, he allowed Yan Changyue to elaborate on the events from that day, narrating the entire sequence of incidents from his perspective, from the attack by the Star Beasts to being killed, before asking him two questions.

“What kind of energy fluctuation did you feel was particularly special?”

Yan Changyue found it hard to describe, thought for a long time, and finally said, “The frequency is very high. It doesn’t feel like spiritual power; I can sense the energy but don’t want to avoid it. It feels… very penetrating.”

Shi Xing nodded, “I had a vague sense that someone was calling me when the Star Beasts were at a distance.”

Chi Yao asked again, “So, besides the energy fluctuation, do you have any other sensations?”

Yan Changyue shook his head.

Chi Yao indicated he understood, waved him off.

Yan Changyue sighed in relief, hurried away, and at the door of the study, thoughtfully opened the energy barrier to prevent eavesdropping. He bowed again and closed the door as he departed.

After Yan Changyue had thoroughly left their side, Chi Yao spoke again.

He asked Shi Xing, “Why did you suddenly ask about Blue Star matters? Who said what to you?”

Shi Xing repeated the words that Li Yu had provoked him with.

Chi Yao nodded, seemed to think of something, and frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

Not knowing if he had asked something he shouldn’t, Shi Xing felt uneasy.

Chi Yao glanced at him, not hiding anything, “I just feel that the energy negotiations won’t go so smoothly.”

Shi Xing was confused, “The diplomatic meeting regarding energy imports hasn’t even been held yet, right?”

Chi Yao sighed lightly, “That’s true.”

Chi Yao reached out for Shi Xing, intertwined his fingers, and after Yan Changyue left, pulled him away from the formal meeting table and sofa, pressing Shi Xing into the lazy sofa that he liked the most. Chi Yao then sat down beside him, tilted his head back, unbuttoned two buttons at his collar, and relaxed his posture.

“Let me think about how to say this.”

Shi Xing finally asked, “Is it hard to say?”

Chi Yao shook his head, “Not really, just uncertain where to begin.”

Ultimately, he addressed the energy issue first.

“Tianhu Star has long coveted the Empire’s medical resources related to Blue Star humans. Since you said that Li Yu privately spoke to you, I can understand why Miller would insist on causing trouble within the Empire.”

“They likely want to sow discord between you and the Empire, and bring you back to the Alliance.”

Shi Xing: “?”

Shi Xing: “???”

Shi Xing exclaimed, “Do they have a problem with their brains?”

This made Chi Yao laugh.

After laughing, his expression grew strangely obscure, and he shook his head again, “There are naturally reasons for them to act this way.”

“I mentioned that the energy issue won’t be that easy, because their intentions towards you are evident. They haven’t completely given up the thought of getting the Empire to open Blue Star humans’ medical resources. Secondly, the compensation regarding Miller is too generous. If they offer generous reimbursement here, when discussing energy issues, the Empire can’t use Miller as an excuse anymore.”

“After all, the two most crucial elements for maintaining a mutually constraining situation between the Alliance and the Empire are energy and the boundary line.”

“The Alliance possesses most of the mining planets in the star system, and raising an army relies on crystals; the Empire is militaristic, and you can’t bypass the boundary line while stationed there.”

Chi Yao pinched his brow, “If energy problems are prioritized over the boundary line, if we don’t negotiate using the boundary line as a condition, we’re afraid we’ll run into the issue of monopolizing Blue Star humans’ medical resources.”

Shi Xing seemed to understand but was likely more sensitive to the topic. Ren Yan Yong, Wei Zhen, and Wei Wan had never elaborated on this aspect with Shi Xing due to his race.

Seeing Shi Xing’s reaction, Chi Yao immediately recognized the crux and said, “I’ll explain to you later.”

Chi Yao: “Returning to your question, do you want to know about the history of Blue Star?”

Shi Xing: “I guess. But I’m curious why there aren’t any related books available in the market. Campbell has four or five historical research books, Blue Star should have more, right?”

Shi Xing added, “Also, regarding the fact that Star Beasts can speak, Your Highness, your reaction seemed quite calm. Have you… encountered similar events?”

Chi Yao first answered Shi Xing’s latter question.

“I was surprised to learn for the first time that Star Beasts could speak, but… perhaps for Blue Star humans, I’ve already become accustomed to thinking without limitations.”

In other words, Chi Yao wouldn’t find anything unreasonable occurring to Blue Star humans.

“Even though both the Empire and the Alliance have researched Blue Star, I believe there is a consensus between both sides: our research is very limited, and the full picture of Blue Star remains an unknown mystery.”

“Certainly, this includes Blue Star humans.”

“Not to mention that I can recount two recent incidents that cannot be explained by the Empire’s scientific logic.”

“As you know, before you, all Blue Star humans who left the Nest during their maturity period did not achieve an S-level in talent assessment; the highest was only A-level. Aren’t you curious why Er Ya ended up being SS-ranked? Logically, she should have only reached S-level.”

Shi Xing had always found Er Ya quite peculiar—sometimes feeling close, while other times distant. How should he put it? It always felt like she viewed them, and the Empire, from the perspective of an onlooker.

Since it did not concern her, she was naturally devoid of sorrow or joy, existing as a kind of transcendent being.

Chi Yao chuckled, “You aren’t wrong. Er Ya indeed views the Empire from another dimension. You say transcendent; I prefer another term—an outsider.”

“Er Ya’s partner once had strong abilities, and the Nest also focused on researching her growth trajectory, but found no signs of her jumping from S to SS.”

Shi Xing finally understood what had puzzled him. Right, since Er Ya had left the Nest, she must have matched with someone, but, “What about her partner?”

“Passed away.” Chi Yao casually provided the conclusion.

In a few words, he delineated the process, “During the beast tide, the squad was surrounded by Star Beasts at the boundary line, three SS-rank mutated Star Beasts, two S-rank, along with some lower-ranked ones, trapped them, and left no way for survival.”

Shi Xing’s pupils contracted.

After a moment, his voice was barely above a whisper, “So… was her partner killed in battle against the Star Beasts?”

Chi Yao shook his head, lowering his gaze momentarily. Even though he felt some hesitation, he still spoke the truth.

“At that time, Er Ya was on the brink of her maturity. Her partner wanted to hold off until she passed through it, so that the Star Beasts wouldn’t sense her scent and would naturally leave.”

“However, food was scarce on the wasteland, and most was given to Er Ya. He also needed to provide spiritual power for Er Ya… Miracles are rare; at least he didn’t wait for her to pass maturity—he exhausted himself and passed away.”

“Before dying, he didn’t stay in their hiding place but chose to leave. Er Ya stepped out of the concealment point to search for him.”

Shi Xing’s mind flashed back to some terrifying memories before he shook his head, focusing on the present and struggling to ask, “Later, did Er Ya find his remains?”

Chi Yao: “He was eaten by Star Beasts; only scraps of his clothing were found.”

Chi Yao: “Then Er Ya went to find the Star Beasts. According to her later memories, she went entirely driven by instinct. In the process of resistance, she drained all the cores from the Star Beasts and passed her maturity, becoming a therapist.”

“When she was retrieved by the Empire, she was in a terrible state and refused to speak.”

“The diagnosis from the Nest was that she was overly stimulated. When she returned after six months, I remember they were preparing to re-match her when Er Ya gathered evidence to bring to the special court. The evidence pointed directly to two legions that had received her squad’s SOS signals during the siege, but due to an excess of Star Beasts surrounding them, they chose to ignore it.”

“The case caused quite a stir.”

“It was related to two military families in the Empire. Verifying them was somewhat difficult. In the end, the case was escalated to me. That time, I remember many officials were dismissed from top to bottom. The power structure of the two involved legions has changed entirely because of this matter. On the day of the verdict, Er Ya was probably at her utmost disappointment in the Empire and made a request to leave.”

Shi Xing was puzzled, “But did the other legions and senior Empire officials agree?”

“They naturally did not want to.”

Chi Yao exhaled, reminiscing, “Thus, she began to fast, most likely truly not wanting to live.”

Chi Yao: “Once this reached that point, it couldn’t be salvaged anymore. I took charge and allowed her to leave.”

“When she left, Xu Jin asked her if she could treat me. They privately reached an agreement, so from then on, she would come to me before I went into riot.”

“This time, it was delayed so long because of a favor owed to a royal family from an alien system. Before going, she specifically asked me, and I agreed. On the way back, there were some incidents that led to delays.”

Chi Yao returned to the main topic, “Er Ya couldn’t clarify how she broke through the rank confinement. The Nest has yet to figure it out. There’s a theory that it was a potential explosion at the brink of life and death, which many in the Nest accept.”

“However, with so many Blue Star humans and their partners devoured by Star Beasts, why is it only Er Ya who transcended herself? This theory might not hold true.”

This was a matter regarding Blue Star humans that puzzled Chi Yao.

The second matter relates to the Blue Fruit of the Mother Tree and the disappearance of Blue Star.

Chi Yao retrieved some Nest data and projected it before Shi Xing, who recognized it, “Blue Fruit.”

Before Blue Star humans are born, they are nurtured within it.

Chi Yao nodded, “Every three to five years, a batch of Blue Fruits matures. After maturation, the skin cracks, and inside is wrapped a Blue Star baby. In all aspects, they resemble Empire citizens. For the first two or three years, they don’t require crystals; normal care is enough.”

“However, during this period, many Blue Fruits might not mature. What do you think happens to those that fall, those abandoned by the Mother Tree?”

Shi Xing suddenly thought of the underdeveloped embryos he studied in biology class, where he learned that some embryos stop developing inside artificial wombs, some… already took on human forms.

Seeing Shi Xing in thought, Chi Yao asked, “Do you think the insides are the corpses of developing embryos?”

Shi Xing nodded.

Chi Yao opened a video.

It showed personnel from the Nest slicing open a Blue Fruit abandoned by the Mother Tree.

As the Blue Fruit in the video opened, Shi Xing gasped, for inside… there was nothing.

Like an empty fruit.

Chi Yao said, “This isn’t an isolated case. Seventy years ago, the Nest faced an attack from advanced mutant star beast, and many healthy Blue Fruits were knocked down by Star Beasts. Only ten Blue Star humans were born from that batch.”

Chi Yao played another video.

Shi Xing sat dumbfounded, “Why is it still… empty?!”

Chi Yao shrugged, “The Mother Tree has powerful spiritual energy. Many instruments on its branches are interfered with by energy and can’t be used. We don’t dare conduct experiments on the Mother Tree. However, we have truly not discovered any embryos in the fallen Blue Fruits.”

“Mature Blue Star humans seem to appear out of thin air.”

“Even though that may not strictly hold, it certainly feels that way.”

“However, research has also shown that Blue Fruits absorb vast amounts of energy from the Mother Tree from the day they begin to grow. From that perspective, they cannot be said to be ’empty’.”

He turned off the video.

Chi Yao continued, “Did you notice that the physical features of Blue Star humans nurtured by the Mother Tree are very similar?”

Shi Xing nodded.

Chi Yao pulled up some photos, “These are pictures and videos of Blue Star humans negotiating contracts with the Empire before their disappearance. They do not have unified features. Or rather, they exhibit traits from most of the various races in our star system. If not specified, they are completely indistinguishable from other races.”

Shi Xing was surprised, “Is it due to the differences in the Mother Tree?”

Chi Yao replied honestly, “I don’t know. After all, the Empire only has one Mother Tree.”

Closing the projection screen, Chi Yao said, “My exposure to news and knowledge about Blue Star is certainly more than just these two matters. Picking out these two cases alone, what I want to say is that there are so many unknown and ungraspable things about Blue Star for both the Empire and the Alliance.”

And a lot of things, following the disappearance of Blue Star, will likely become permanent mysteries.

Chi Yao: “When the Mother Tree was transplanted to the Empire, before Blue Star humans hunted Star Beasts, the entire star system was unaware that Star Beasts were the food of Blue Star humans.”

“They didn’t know that Blue Star humans originated from trees, nor did they know that Blue Star humans undergo a maturity phase.”

Shi Xing was puzzled, “Is it because they don’t know…?”

Chi Yao replied, “Blue Star humans operated as therapists across various planets, only treating illnesses and receiving compensation, rarely discussing matters related to Blue Star, and today’s star system scholars have confirmed that before maturity, Blue Star humans do not leave Blue Star.”

“Thus, those who previously operated outside were all therapists.”

Recalling something, Shi Xing asked, “I’ve heard that no one from any other planets in our star system has visited Blue Star.”

Chi Yao nodded.

He corrected, “Rather than saying they haven’t gone, it’s more accurate to say they can’t go.”

“Blue Star lies deep within a tumultuous energy flow, only Blue Star humans know the way in and out.”

“This energy storm, which can shred everything, also serves as Blue Star’s natural barrier. Even when king-level Star Beasts lead a tide of beasts to attack and the entire star system must unite to build boundary lines, Blue Star remains absolutely safe.”

Realizing something, Shi Xing asked, “So, Star Beasts can’t enter?”

Chi Yao explained, “The first Star Beast found bore scars from the energy storms. It’s hard to say that Star Beasts completely cannot enter, but large-scale attacks by Star Beasts probably don’t exist.”

Shi Xing recognized a point, “So, Star Beasts do not exist on Blue Star. Thus, what do mature Blue Star humans rely on to get through the maturity phase? Purchasing crystals in large quantities from outside?”

Chi Yao shook his head, “I haven’t heard of that.”

Chi Yao: “Before, Blue Star was like an isolated existence within the Twin Star Galaxy. It was filled with therapists. Even if other planets were somewhat simple-minded, they wouldn’t have enmity with doctors, and no conflicts arose. When Blue Star disappeared, everyone retrospectively realized that all planets had little understanding of Blue Star.”

Thinking of something, Chi Yao added, “Before Blue Star disappeared, there were also some strange actions.”

Shi Xing asked, “Like what?”

Chi Yao: “Transplanting the Mother Tree is one thing. The second was before the Mother Tree was transplanted, Blue Star issued a notice on the star network requesting all therapists to return to Blue Star promptly, without delay.”

Shi Xing understood suddenly, “So, this is also a reason why there are no Blue Star humans left besides the Empire following Blue Star’s disappearance.”

Chi Yao nodded, “This has led scholars to speculate that Blue Star may have encountered something, but it remains merely speculation.”

Ending that part of the conversation, the study became quiet.

Shi Xing increasingly felt that Blue Star was like a puzzle waiting for him to explore.

After a moment of pause, Chi Yao returned to another question Shi Xing had, “You asked why there are no history books about Blue Star in the market, right?”

“Because, the Alliance has previously used this to entice Blue Star humans away.”

“Especially underage Blue Star humans who hadn’t even started their maturity phase.”

Shi Xing was astonished.

Chi Yao: “In the past, Blue Star humans lived very freely, and because they were therapists, they received preferential treatment wherever they went. In contrast, Blue Star humans growing up in the Empire were like birds put into cages, restricted on all sides.”

“Underage minds are not fully mature and can easily be deceived. Before the Empire had precautions in place, the Alliance secretly took a Blue Star human who hadn’t reached maturity, providing him with generous material conditions, and promised that if he could pass his maturity phase in the future and serve the Alliance, more preferential treatment awaited him, along with no restrictions on his personal freedom.”

Shi Xing was taken aback, “So, what happened later?”

Chi Yao exhaled deeply, his brows furrowed heavily, “There was no later.”

“It was too far from the Empire; he could never start and pass through his maturity phase.”

Shi Xing did not understand, “Why?”

Chi Yao revealed the key, “The Contract.”

Realizing something, Shi Xing covered his mouth.

“The existence of the Contract binds both parties. Since the royal family agreed to have Blue Star humans embed the contract into their mental sea, there can’t be no restrictions on the Mother Tree. One of the clauses ensures that to prevent the resources invested by the Empire in Blue Star humans and the Mother Tree from going to waste, mature Blue Star humans cannot stray too far from the Empire. The farthest distance allowed is only up to the most remote part of the boundary line guarded by the Empire.”

“We don’t know how the Contract is executed, but… it has indeed been executed.”

Thinking about Li Yu’s actions, Shi Xing asked, “So, the Alliance still doesn’t know this?”

Chi Yao replied coldly, “The Empire has no obligation to disclose this.”

“But, since this happened, to eliminate the feelings of disparity created by the living situations before and after Blue Star’s disappearance, historical records regarding Blue Star were reduced.”

Shi Xing asked, “You said specific conditions are needed to access them. What are the conditions for inquiry?”

“For Blue Star humans, once they pass their maturity phase, they are eligible; Empire citizens need to submit a special application to confirm there is no use for them before the related books can be issued, mostly for the use of academic researchers.”

So…

Shi Xing understood; it made a lot of sense.

After adulthood, becoming a therapist, and having interacted with Empire citizens, he was relatively more mature mentally and wouldn’t just see the good side of things while overlooking hidden costs.

Another moment of silence passed, and Chi Yao smiled and asked, “After hearing so much, do you still find it strange that Star Beasts can speak?”

Shi Xing: “…”

Shi Xing: “Many things about Blue Star humans don’t seem strange to you, right?”

Since he cannot understand, it doesn’t matter if there’s one more thing or one less; it really doesn’t make much difference.

Chi Yao tilted his head and smiled, the smile revealing everything.

Shi Xing leaned back, covering his eyes with his arms, “I was already confused about two questions. After listening to you, well, now I’m filled with little question marks.”

“I think you might be able to unravel them.”

Shi Xing: “?”

Chi Yao suddenly stated, “You also possess Blue Star human characteristics. There are things you haven’t told me, but these things shouldn’t exist in your experiences.”

Shi Xing’s heart skipped a beat.

Could it be… that reliving his life was not a miracle?

Then what was it?

Shi Xing felt lost.

However, Chi Yao did not allow him to ponder for long, beckoning him over. Shi Xing walked over, and was pulled to sit on Chi Yao’s lap. Chi Yao embraced him tightly, and amidst their close embrace, Shi Xing asked, “Your Highness, can I look at the Empire’s other literature records about Blue Star?”

“Sure, I’ll have Wei Wan send them to you later.”

Feeling that Chi Yao agreed too easily, Shi Xing asked him, “Aren’t you afraid that after I read them, I might long for and envy the lives of former Blue Star humans?”

After all, he hadn’t yet passed his maturity phase.

Chi Yao looked up, their faces very close, and Shi Xing could clearly see the glimmer of mirth in those eyes, “Longing for it, and then what? Do you plan to go to the Alliance?”

Shi Xing raised his chin, playfully saying, “Who knows~”

Chi Yao just smiled without replying.

Until Shi Xing felt a bit shy under his gaze, Chi Yao finally spoke leisurely, “Why do you say ‘who knows’?”

“Oh, why?” Shi Xing feigned seriousness, but inside, he was already losing his composure.

Chi Yao spoke clearly, “It’s because you can’t bear to part with me.”

Shi Xing: “…”

Shi Xing: “…………”

The audacious prince even questioned him back, “Isn’t that right?”

Shi Xing joked, feeling too bashful, putting himself on the spot, unable to back down.

Under the gaze of those gleaming eyes, Shi Xing could no longer maintain his composure, wrapping his arms around Chi Yao, resting his chin on Chi Yao’s shoulder, and in that posture, avoiding looking at his face, he closed his eyes, feeling awkward but sincerely saying, “Yes.”

“What is it?”

Shi Xing sighed, saying what Chi Yao wanted to hear, “Naturally, I can’t bear to part with you.”

“I can’t leave you.”

Not expecting Shi Xing to say that much, after a moment of silence, Chi Yao silently began to chuckle.

A light kiss landed on Shi Xing’s reddened ear, and Chi Yao said, “Guess what I am thinking now?”

Shi Xing slumped, “You can just laugh if you want.”

What began as a jest ended up being his own predicament, making Shi Xing feel frustrated.

But Chi Yao’s audacity exceeded his expectations. He leaned closer to Shi Xing’s ear, whispering softly, “I’m wondering when the tumultuous phase will completely pass…”

And, almost provocatively asking him, “You want it to pass too, right?”

Shi Xing broke down.

Chi Yao laughed, and when Shi Xing tried to leave, Chi Yao wouldn’t let him. In the end… amidst pulling and tugging, the two found themselves kissing.

A few days later, Miller was sent back to the Alliance in a medical pod, and Tianhu Star decided to dispatch new diplomats to the Empire.

The celebratory farce officially came to a pause.

The diplomatic negotiations regarding energy procurement finally began to unfold.

And the first day’s diplomatic negotiations were, as Chi Yao had predicted, not smooth.

The Alliance took a hardline stance.

Regarding the Empire’s energy demands, they offered only two options.

First, the Empire directly accepts the exorbitant price for the Alliance’s crystals and ores.

Second, the Alliance isn’t above giving the Empire lower prices, but the precondition is that the Empire must open up Blue Star’s medical resources to all planets.

The negotiations bypassed the boundary line issue but could not evade the monopoly on Blue Star’s medical resources.

Chi Yao’s predictions came true.