Chapter 25

The single stem of the rose refracted various colors and patterns through the stained glass, with the most beautiful and captivating one sent into the study by the starlight.

The panther's shadow was also intertwined with the rose in the starlight, projecting onto the study's wall. The mighty and robust silhouette of the black panther lightly touched the gigantic rose silhouette, creating a somewhat aristocratic and theatrical romance.

Landy, seated behind his desk, froze for a moment.

The panther's paws rested on the stained glass, and its sharp claws scratched the surface with a squeaking sound.

"Yuan Yuan, please don't scratch; you might break the window!"

Xia You's deliberately hushed voice came through as the psychic tendrils, now resembling tiny hands, gently guided the large panther back onto the sofa.

Landy's psychic energy drew back the terrace's curtains, flooding the area with starlight.

The golden-haired youth raised a hand, gripped the balcony railing, and somersaulted inside. He waved at the one person and one panther in the study who were simultaneously looking his way, wearing a radiant smile.

The youth's golden hair shimmered, and the countless stars, in that moment when the curtains were drawn back, transformed into the backdrop of a painting.

With a crisp "snap", the ruby ring on Lu Yinghuai's left middle finger cracked and rolled down the man's knee, hitting the study's floor. Amidst the silence, it continued to roll until it reached the edge of the balcony.

It lightly brushed against the young boy's toes.

The black panther, initially approaching Xia You, swished its tail and turned back toward the couch, where it lay motionless.

Fortunately, when Bai Xiaoxiao was a young nobleman, he had been determined to pamper Xia You. As a result, the Duke's mansion never taught Xia You any practical skills but indulged him with the luxurious whims of the nobility.

Xia You felt he couldn't genuinely like anyone anymore, but now it seemed an apt time to dote on his beloved panther with little gestures of affection.

Rubbing the spot on his back where he'd bumped against the railing, Xia You had only taken two steps into the room when he felt an immense and dangerous psychic force looming within.

That cold, intimidating aura made Xia You's throat tighten, and his steps halted abruptly.

The tiny tendrils of Xia You's dispersed psychic energy started to wriggle restlessly. Despite his best efforts to rein them in, the fearless tendrils, which once made contact with this beast, darted straight into the study.

A man sat behind the long table in the study, with most of his body concealed in shadow, revealing only his chiseled jawline.

"Why did you come from this direction?"

It took a while before Lu Yinghuai finally spoke, his voice raspy.

Simultaneously, the oppressive psychic energy in the study dissipated, like a fierce beast retracting its fangs and retreating into an impenetrable darkness.

Xia You's psychic tendrils were left grasping at nothing. They scanned the room before settling defeatedly on the big black panther, playfully tousling it from its round ears to its long tail.

While the black panther was solid, it was still a manifestation of psychic energy. Its initial irritation quickly smoothed out under the affectionate touch, and it collapsed onto the couch, its head resting on a plush panther-themed pillow.

Lu Yinghuai's concealed fingers behind the desk twitched slightly.

Xia You tried to retract his psychic tendrils, but failing that, he simply let them continue caressing the panther.

The night breeze fluttered the hem of Xia You's shirt. Bending down to pick up the fallen ring, he stepped briskly into the study.

"I was almost late, so I thought I'd take a shortcut."

Xia You took out his assignment from an interdimensional pouch and neatly placed it on the table in front of Lu Yinghuai, smiling, "Your Highness, here's my assignment."

But Xia You's primary reason for climbing through the window was to appease the panther, though he didn't feel the need to mention that.

Several times before, Xia You's psychic senses had detected the black panther. But whenever he tried to approach it, the panther would mysteriously vanish, clearly sulking and deliberately evading him.

Lu Yinghuai lifted a hand to pick up Xia You's hefty assignment, his eyelashes slightly lowered as he quietly flipped through.

Xia You's gaze frequently darted towards the couch, itching to interact with the black panther nestled within.

The movement of Lu Yinghuai's fingers, which were skimming through the young boy's homework, paused momentarily. The next second, the large black panther on the couch stood up, effortlessly brushed away the tendrils that clung to it with its paw pads, swayed its tail gracefully, and hopped onto the balcony railing.

Fearing that the black panther might disappear into the jungle again, Xia You quickly reined in his spiritual power.

As if sensing this, the black panther slowly descended from the railing, lying atop the balcony, draped in stardust.

Its entire black form took on a divine aspect against the night's embrace, seeming like the most mysterious and alluring creation.

"Until the resonance with the Blue Star magnetic field ends, your spiritual power will remain in a scattered state, easily losing control during this period. It's best to refrain from overusing your spiritual power," he advised.

Lu Yinghuai spoke slowly, "You need to exercise restraint."

Xia You's ears turned a shade of red, realizing that his earlier antics with the spiritual tendrils and his overwhelming affection for the panther hadn't eluded the marshal's keen senses.

"I know. It's just that I haven't seen Yuan Yuan for such a long time... I couldn't help myself," Xia You mumbled softly.

The homework Lu Yinghuai set for Xia You wasn't challenging, understanding that with Xia You's physical training during the day, managing to find time to complete it at night was already commendable. He wasn't some heartless taskmaster.

Setting the book review back on the desk and resting his fingers on his knee, interlocking the index fingers, he asked, "Isn't the little tiger fun?"

"Huh?" Xia You was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected question but replied sincerely, "The little tiger is adorable, but Yuan Yuan is still my favorite."

"Your Highness, that little tiger refuses to sleep anywhere but the bed and always chooses the very center, using my pillow. Its sleeping posture is so straight, just like a human..."

Xia You found the anecdote amusing, but it also brought a hint of vexation.

"I don't dare to sleep with the little tiger. What if Yuan Yuan gets a whiff and distances itself from me? So I've let the tiger have the bed and have been sleeping on Yuan Yuan's couch for the past three days."

Lu Yinghuai remained silent, but he picked up Xia You's homework again, drawing a pen from a nearby holder to begin marking.

Seeing the marshal preoccupied, Xia You stealthily glanced at the black panther on the balcony, raising his voice, "Every morning, I wake up finding myself fallen off the couch, lying on the carpet. My back aches, my legs too, and my knees are all bruised..."

The black panther on the balcony shot a brief glance in his direction but quickly turned its head away. Its tail, however, swished towards Xia You, brushing the ground twice.

Xia You was utterly charmed by the panther's coquettish demeanor. He slowly approached the balcony, crouching down and reaching out to touch the panther's paw.

Yet, while Xiayu tried to coax the leopard, the marshal, having finished grading the papers from behind the long table, maneuvered his wheelchair up behind him.

Xiayu's forehead tensed, and he straightened up, halting his efforts to soothe the big cat.

"Where did you bruise? Have you applied any medicine?" The man's deep violet eyes were serene and gentle.

"It's not that bad, just looks a bit dark."

Somehow, Xiayu found himself obediently moving to the couch at Lu Yinghuai's direction, where he lifted his pant leg.

Lu Yinghuai gazed at the young man's bruised shins and knees, a frown forming briefly.

Instead of confronting the boy about the evident training bruises, he silently retrieved an ointment and a cooling spray from an interdimensional pocket, then reached out to lift Xiayu's leg onto the armrest of the sofa.

Xiayu: "!!!"

Startled, the boy quickly withdrew his leg, scooting back on the couch, wrapping his arms around his legs, and exclaimed, "Your Highness! How could you..."

Lu Yinghuai paused, then comprehending, completed Xiayu's sentence, "...apply the medicine for you?"

"Well," Xiayu stammered, "I can do it myself."

Respecting Xiayu's wishes, Lu Yinghuai handed him the spray, motioning for him to inspect it closely.

Xiayu took the cooling spray, reading the label that said it was exclusive to the First Legion, and appeared somewhat puzzled.

Lu Yinghuai explained, "High-level psychic warriors, when severely injured, are likely to lose control of their psychic power. If the life-saving items they carry cannot withstand this psychic force, they become utterly useless."

"So, all medicines and supplies for the First Legion are custom-made. They can endure the psychic assault within an S-level threshold. However, they also require at least an A-level psychic power to be used effectively."

This change was made specifically by the First Legion's logistics department after there had been incidents of military supplies being smuggled and resold.

Clutching the cooling spray, Xiayu whispered, "So... there aren't any other ointments in the marshal's residence?"

Lu Yinghuai patiently responded, "Uncle Zhou will notice if you're hurt. Every day when you return, he will continuously observe the way you walk and rest to assess if you've sustained any new injuries."

"He'll also add certain supplements to your dinner, remnants from the Blue Star... they say they're replenishing soups that nurture the corresponding physical part."

Xiayu's eyelids twitched, warily asking, "Is it like that green wolfberry soup we had on the table the day we returned?"

Lu Yinghuai nodded in affirmation.

Xiayu's expression became conflicted.

"Xiayu," Lu Yinghuai spoke.

"Yes?"

Lu Yinghuai whispered, "What are we to each other?"

Xiayu: "..."

Decisively, he handed the gel spray back to Lu Yinghuai, shuffling closer until he was right in front of him. After hesitating for a moment, he cautiously placed his leg on the armrest of the sofa.

Then, taking the initiative, he rolled up his pant leg to make it easier for His Highness to administer the medication.

Xiayu's skin was fair, his limbs slender. The injuries only emphasized the unsightly bruises, making them seem even more jarring.

Lu Yinghuai unscrewed the cap of the ointment, only then realizing he was still wearing gloves.

One of the suppressors on his body was already ruined. If he were to remove all his gloves...

Noticing Lu Yinghuai placing the ointment on the armrest of the wheelchair, Xiayu began to understand that he intended to remove his gloves. About to offer his help, Xiayu watched as the man on the wheelchair naturally bit onto his glove, effortlessly stripping away the constraint.

Xiayu's pupils constricted momentarily.

From the first time he met Lu Yinghuai, Xiayu had known how this marshal, seen as a symbol by the empire's citizens, appeared.

When he looked up that day, everything else at the banquet seemed to fade into the background.

The only thing he could see was him; the only thing he could perceive was those deep violet eyes.

Lu Yinghuai was esteemed, revered, and beloved... Even though he had become Xiayu's legal spouse, to Xiayu, Lu Yinghuai stood on such a high pedestal that he seemed almost unreachable.

However, the simple act of Lu Yinghuai biting off his glove draped this lofty, steady, dependable figure in Xiayu's mind with a veil of allure and ambiguity.

It made Xiayu feel as if this brilliant star, admired by all, was suddenly within arm's reach.

Almost touchable.

"Your Highness..." Xiayu murmured involuntarily.

A soft black glove lay next to the armrest of the wheelchair. Lu Yinghuai picked up an ointment with his fingers and gently applied it to the bruise on Xia You's knee, slowly rubbing it in with his palm.

"Hiss—" Xia You winced in pain, inhaling sharply, "It hurts—"

That moment brought clarity to the young man's heart, which had been momentarily beguiled by beauty.

"Bear with it a bit." Lu Yinghuai's voice was soothing, yet he didn't ease up his pressure. "Once the bruise is rubbed out and we apply the gel, it'll be better by tomorrow."

"Okay," Xia You obediently responded.

As he watched Lu Yinghuai attentively tending to his wound, Xia You felt a bit awkward and tried to make conversation, "Your Highness, I also have one of your gloves. Its material seems a bit different from this one."

Just after Xia You spoke, he closed his eyes in resignation.

As expected—

"In addition to physical training, there will be other lessons, like emergency evasion and the importance of carrying time-release medicine."

While Xia You had managed the situation at the banquet admirably, such tactics – hurting the enemy but injuring oneself in the process – shouldn't be repeated.

Lu Yinghuai glanced up at Xia You, noting the look of self-reproach on his face. As he continued to treat the wound, he answered the earlier question, "Both the gloves and the rings are psychic suppressors. The material may vary occasionally."

Xia You unconsciously fidgeted with the ring in his hand.

He hadn't found an opportunity to return it to Lu Yinghuai earlier and had forgotten about it amidst everything.

"So, does that mean I have two of your suppressors now?"

"Mm-hmm," Lu Yinghuai acknowledged.

In reality, it was three.

The bite inhibitor that Xia You had personally placed on, and then taken off, the black panther was also one of Lu Yinghuai's suppressors.

For some unknown reason, Xia You gripped the ring in his hand even tighter.

Lu Yinghuai didn't seem inclined to ask for it back, allowing the young man to secretly hold onto this invaluable suppressor, which, if lost, could possibly be used to track down his location.

After spreading the ointment, Lu Yinghuai sprayed a pain-relieving, bruise-reducing gel onto Xia You's knee. It quickly spread, enveloping the knee and solidifying into a thin white layer over the wound in seconds.

Curiously, Xia You prodded it a couple of times. It was soft and smooth, yet not greasy.

Lu Yinghuai began attending to the evident abrasions on Xia You's left calf, likely from a fall.

Xia You, intently watching Lu Yinghuai's movements, hesitantly asked, "Your Highness, why are you so insistent on pushing me to grow so quickly?"

Perhaps there were some misunderstandings in their interactions, but Xia You believed that Lu Yinghuai understood his "little lazy dream", yet still gently and indirectly urged him to mature.

Lu Yinghuai's fingers paused for a moment before he replied, "Xia You, as your partner, it's my duty to protect you."

"But I can't guarantee I'll always be there to shield you from every danger and pressure."

"Moreover, Xia You... perhaps one day, the greatest pressure upon you and the gravest threat by your side might originate from me."

Lu Yinghuai is the Empire's Marshal, the hero who ended centuries of war with the insect race, and a symbol of victory and peace.

As the leader of the First Legion, he naturally stands at the center of the power vortex involving the military, the senate, and the royal authority.

"The Lu family isn't an ancient noble house. My parents came from the military but lacked noble titles. Our family has held military power for two generations because we became the sharpest blade the Emperor needed."

"The Emperor relies on the Lu family and the military, as does the senate. Hence, they wish to undermine the Lu family."

It was inevitable that the news about the previous Marshal, Lu Jiuzhu, being close to the Queen would leak.

Under the combined efforts of this couple, when the news reached the ears of the nobles in the senate, it was twisted to depict the royal family oppressing the newly prominent Lu family, with grudges stemming from Lu Jiuzhu's tragic childbirth.

The Lu family had no marital ties or vested interests with the senate's nobles.

Hence, over the years, Lu Yinghuai, wielding the military's power, acted like a balance, mediating the escalating tensions between the royal family and the senate.

No matter what transpired behind closed doors, on the surface, both Marshal Lu Yinghuai and the Lu family appeared completely neutral from both the royal family and the nobility.

Should the senate receive intel about the Lu family leaning towards the royals, the Lu family would be targeted first by the noble senators to prevent the military from entirely serving the royal agenda.

"If a day comes when I can't stand before the Lu family, all its external glories might well turn into swords aimed at you."

"Xia You, I deeply regret bringing such burdens and potential dangers upon you."

Lu Yinghuai, gazing into Xia You's eyes, spoke slowly, with each word weighed down with gravity.

"Of course, I'll do everything I can to prevent such scenarios, but no one can guard against unforeseen circumstances with absolute certainty."

"So, I hope that if such a day ever comes, you can use the authority I possess to find a way out."

Xia You pressed his lips together, his azure eyes meeting Lu Yinghuai’s. He softly inquired, "A way out for the Lu family and the First Legion?"

The young man’s expression was layered, displaying neither fear nor panic but a profound desire for clarity.

Lu Yinghuai smiled.

"Forgot what I just said so soon, hm?"

Xia You gazed intently at Lu Yinghuai, not laughing; his eyes and face bore earnestness.

The mirth left Lu Yinghuai’s face, and he began seriously and slowly—

"Xia You, all you need to do is protect yourself and grow up well."

"If that day truly comes, I hope you can leverage all the confidence and resources I leave you with, to distance yourself from this maelstrom and lead a good life."

Lu Yinghuai retracted his hand, paused, and a hint of a smile played on his lips, recalling the youngster's previous words.

"Find a garden where roses bloom and be a sunbathing lazy fish."

Xia You studied Lu Yinghuai for a long while, as if discerning the sincerity in his words or pondering some resolution.

After a lengthy silence, the young man slowly nodded, whispering, "Alright, I’ll remember."

Seeing Xia You’s acknowledgment, Lu Yinghuai chose not to elaborate further.

After tending to Xia You's injury, he let the youth continue resting on the sofa. The man maneuvered his wheelchair slightly away, delicately wiping off the ointment residue from his fingers with a handkerchief.

The black panther from the terrace ambled over, brushing past Xia You’s toes and rubbing against the edge of the sofa. It then leapt onto the sofa, positioning itself behind Xia You and gave a soft, low growl.

Xia You finally got to play with his beloved panther's paw, caressing its thick dark pads, occasionally pinching and rubbing them.

Lu Yinghuai: "…"

With a silent sigh, Lu Yinghuai returned to the long table and handed the annotated homework back to Xia You.

"By the way, Your Highness," Xia You took the homework, recalling a previous thought and suddenly asked, "Do you know of any territory on the Blue Star where a tigress that has raised cubs resides?"

"A tigress?" Lu Yinghuai looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes, "You wish to send it away?"

"Mhm," Xia You murmured as he stroked the panther's paw. "Keeping a little tiger by one's side forever isn't ideal. It can't really be treated as a domesticated house cat."

"However, it's still too young to survive on its own if released. I wondered if we could find a particularly maternal tigress to see if she might accept the cub."

The tiger cub is at the age where it should be learning to hunt. As a future king of the jungle, it shouldn't be focused solely on fish!

Lu Yinghuai paused for a moment, "...It won't work. The scent of the tiger cub is too varied; the tigress might perceive it as an intruder and fatally attack."

In the past couple of days, Xia You had done his research. He was aware of the risks involved, hence...

"Then, Your Highness, there must be a trick you know to have raised Yuan Yuan to be so majestic, right?" Xia You asked intently, rubbing the panther's paw between his fingers.

Lu Yinghuai raised an eyebrow.

Was this what he was waiting for?

"There is a trick," sensing Xia You's eager anticipation, Lu Yinghuai responded with amusement, "free-range upbringing."

Xia You: "?"

Lu Yinghuai elaborated, "Raised in hunting grounds, in the wilderness. From a young age, he could hunt for himself. He was never hungry."

Such a straightforward approach to raising a panther.

Xia You glanced down at the panther's head nestled in his lap, gently nudged its nose and whispered, "Oh Yuan Yuan, it seems we can't rely on His Highness. It's all up to you now."

Lu Yinghuai's eyelid twitched.

Surely the boy isn’t thinking...

On the sofa, the young man briefly touched his leg to ensure the gel had set. He then hopped off, kneeled on one knee, took hold of the panther's front paws, and gazed affectionately into the majestic creature's eyes.

Lu Yinghuai: "..."

Marshal Lu felt a slight headache brewing and rubbed his temples.

"Yuan Yuan, you're now the most dependable head of our household. And the way you hunt, so stylish and skilled; no prey can escape your sharp claws and teeth—"

And thus, Xia You started his sweet-talking spiel to the panther.

"Look, once we teach the little tiger how to hunt and release it back into the jungle, there will only be you, the lone cat, in my room. Isn't that right?"

The panther tried hard to pull its paw from Xia You's grasp. Though she didn't apply much force, she persistently leaned in, refusing to let go.

The leopard doesn't understand, doesn't want to listen; it just wants to leave.

Lu Yinghuai: "..."

Across a long table, the Marshal watched as the child clung to his spiritual form, losing all dignity and acting as clingy as a sticky dessert.

Once again, it became evident that in Xia You's heart, leopards held a higher status than humans.

Tonight, in addition to handling military affairs in his study, the Marshal had two sets of homework to attend to because of the young master.

Meanwhile, the panther, who had torn several cushions on the sofa, was showered with Xia You's gentle affection, accompanied by rose shadows and tender caresses.

Even someone as composed as Lu Yinghuai couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy.

However, the matter with his nephew indeed needed addressing.

On the sofa, the panther was growing uneasy from Xia You's constant attention. As it tried to jump off and move away, it found itself ensnared by Xia You's psychic tendrils, unable to break free.

Lu Yinghuai observed quietly for a long time.

Upon seeing the form of the young tiger, anyone aware of the Empire's Crown Prince on the Blue Star would guess the identity of the tiger's spirit.

After all, on the entire Blue Star, only Qin Anhong could possibly possess a young cub's spiritual form.

Qin Anhong is the only child of his sister and the only son of the reigning Emperor. He was named Crown Prince from a young age, the same age as Xia You, and was the child whom Lu Jiuzhu gave birth to with great effort after being diagnosed with psychic disorder.

Lu Jiuzhu never met her son, but Qin Anhong has always known his mother was on the Blue Star and visits it annually.

Recently, when Qin Anhong came to Blue Star, Lu Yinghuai happened to be in a coma in the Imperial City and couldn't attend to him.

Qin Anhong, for unknown reasons, concealed his spiritual form, leading his psychic energy to resonate with Blue Star, causing him to fall into a deep slumber, his consciousness lost.

Surprisingly, although unconscious, this clever lad knew to hide in the Marshal's residence.

Using the fountain pond to raise fish as a means of sustenance, however, seemed somewhat undignified for a spiritual entity.

The current solution is to wait for Qin Anhong to wake up on his own. But being nurtured by Xia You... the young master's attitude towards spiritual entities is a tad too intimate.

Thinking of Qin Anhong's unfulfilled wishes from his multiple visits to Blue Star, Lu Yinghuai suddenly remarked, "The mother of that little tiger is still alive."

Xia You looked up at Lu Yinghuai in shock, "How could that be? Why then was the tiger cub left to wander alone?"

Female tigers possess a powerful maternal instinct. During the nursing period, even male tigers would be intimidated and kept at bay.

Lu Yinghuai pinched the bridge of his nose, pausing for a moment before quietly saying, "For some reasons, she doesn't recognize the cub as her own. There's a high possibility she might shun or even harm him."

"Is it because of his scent?" Xia You regretted her impulsive decision to bring the little tiger close to her in the flower room.

"No," a hint of pain flashed in Lu Yinghuai's eyes, "Due to complications during childbirth, she suffered cognitive distortions. Therefore, since birth, the cub has never seen his mother."

"If it's a psychological issue, then it's more challenging..."

Xia You had read many articles and watched documentaries about wild animals. She knew that animals, like humans, could suffer from conditions akin to depression, autism, anorexia, and other mental health challenges.

But animals can't communicate verbally, making it incredibly challenging to understand their feelings, diagnose, and treat such issues.

"Given that you brought this up, Your Highness, there must be a way I can help?" Xia You sat up straighter.

Lu Yinghuai accessed the psychic energy monitoring data from Xia You's recent training sessions.

"Have you recently experienced any fever or feelings of weakness, Xia You?"

"Not exactly, but..." Xia You instinctively covered her stomach and coughed softly, "I've been feeling hungrier than before."

Her nightly food intake had almost doubled.

"Which kind of hunger?" Lu Yinghuai seemed to understand her current state, asking with precision, "Is it physical hunger or a psychic energy deficiency?"

Xia You hesitated, "If I had to specify, it seems... the latter?"

Lu Yinghuai paused, "The energy crystal I sent you earlier, you didn't absorb it?"

Of course, Xia You hadn't.

"That crystal is too beautiful. I really like it, so... I've been keeping it." Xia You's eyes twinkled for a moment, and she turned her head away, mumbling.

Moreover, putting other considerations aside—

Xia You mumbled, "That was the only birthday gift I received this year."

Lu Yinghuai glanced at her, realizing that in taking care of the young sir, he had overlooked a significant detail.

Material provision.

It was his oversight.

As he pondered, Lu Yinghuai motioned for Xia You to come over.

With some reluctance, she patted the leopard's tail and then walked around the long table to Lu Yinghuai's side, inquiring, "Your Highness?"

"Give me your hand."

Xia You complied.

Lu Yinghuai raised his wrist, gently tapped his holographic computer against Xia You's, and after the connection request appeared, he selected the authorization to share scope and confirmed it.

Xia You: "!!!"

Viewing the shared account balance and listed assets on the holographic display, Xia You swiped down for quite a while before she reached the end.

"These are my personal assets. They can be shared without formal certification. Should I fall unconscious again, as my spouse, you can freely trade and use them."

After explaining, Lu Yinghuai paused for a moment and then said with a smile, "You can buy as many energy crystals as you like."

Xia You: "..."

Was this what it felt like to marry into a wealthy family?

To put it this way, with the sudden abundance in Xia You's account, as long as it didn't involve the military or research directions, she could easily afford several medium-to-large-sized planets.

"You just said the Lu family wasn't some old nobility..."

Xia You murmured.

Could the heads of those ancient noble families produce such an extensive amount of highly liquid assets on the fly?

Young Duke Xia had indeed treated her and Xia Qing well, but Xia Qing was adamant about marrying into the Fan family. Xia You hadn't understood her sister's determination before, but now it suddenly became clear. Even among nobility, there are disparities in wealth.

Lu Yinghuai nonchalantly responded, "Indeed, we're not. But generations of prudent management, coupled with few offspring and no significant offshoot families, have led to some accumulation."

After speaking, he quickly retrieved a dozen energy crystals from the spatial nexus and placed them on the table.

These energy crystals, with their pale-yellow crystalline exteriors, were visibly of a higher purity than those commonly found in the black market outside of the military.

Lu Yinghuai picked up one and placed it in Xia You's palm, "Try it."

Before Xia You could protest, she watched, spellbound, as her psychic tendrils immediately wrapped around the energy crystal the moment it touched her palm.

In the blink of an eye, under their watchful gaze, the precious energy crystal turned into a mound of ashy-white powder.

Xia You's hand, cradled by Lu Yinghuai's, trembled slightly.

Energy crystals were typically used as the power source for mech cores, military airships, and large starships. No one had ever managed to absorb the massive energy contained within them with bare hands.

"Don't be afraid, watch."

Lu Yinghuai extended his hand, similarly selecting an energy crystal, and under Xia You's gaze, he began absorbing its energy using his psychic power.

However, compared to Xia You's pace, the energy transformation of the crystal in Lu Yinghuai's hand was slower. By the time he released it, the crystal merely looked slightly faded.

"Your Highness?!" Xia You quickly grasped Lu Yinghuai's fingers, her eyes intense, "Does that mean ordinary people can also absorb energy from these crystals?"

"Then, why hasn't the empire disclosed this?"

Naturally, the Xia You of the past was unaware of this.

In the post-apocalyptic world, humans didn't possess special abilities; only a few had enhanced senses or physical attributes, such as sharper hearing or extraordinary strength.

When it was first discovered that there were crystalline cores within the brains of zombies, it caused a sensation.

However, as scientists researched, they couldn't find any positive effects these cores could bring to humans. Instead, they discovered that potions containing these crystalline components had a chance of turning the user into a zombie.

Over time, these zombie cores became beautiful yet useless byproducts.

When Xia You first reincarnated on Blue Star, the reason she managed to dodge dangers and locate a survivor base was her unique ability to absorb energy from zombie cores using psychic power.

With this gift, she didn't need to scavenge for resources to satisfy her hunger like others. Her increasingly powerful psychic energy, though non-aggressive, could minimize her presence and even soothe lower-ranked zombies.

But upon reaching the survivor base, Xia You realized that her ability to absorb energy from zombie cores was considered an anomaly among Blue Star's human population. Her psychic energy's capacity to soothe zombies was even more extraordinary.

That's why Xia You never deeply engaged in conversations with anyone; no friends, no teammates, and certainly no one he trusted.

He would covertly absorb crystal cores when accompanying gathering teams and eat just like any other human.

If it weren't for the ubiquity of the killed zombies and the discarded low-tier zombie crystal cores – as commonplace as trash except for the colorful high-tier ones – Xia You would not have managed to "consume" his psychic power up to S-level within five years.

"No, only us, and the predecessors who once came to Blue Star suffering from psychic disorders, can do that."

"And since the energy stones have always been under the control of the military and the royal family, this research was never publicized."

Lu Yinghuai noticed the young man's trembling fingers, the grip tightening, like a taut string on the verge of snapping.

Xia You's head hung low, tears dripping silently, but he pressed his lips together, making no sound.

"Xia You?"

Lu Yinghuai's psychic power gravitated towards them, and Xia You felt a resurgence in the dormant psychic power within Lu Yinghuai's legs.

Wiping his eyes briskly with the back of his hand, he muttered, "I'm fine. Don’t move. I... I'm coming over."

Saying so, the young man moved closer, one hand still firmly holding onto the other's.

A few seconds later, Xia You hesitated, then chose to sit down on the carpet leaning against Lu Yinghuai, embracing his knees. He only allowed a glimpse of his golden hair, hiding his reddened eyes from view.

"I thought I was the only one." After a while, Xia You, controlling his emotions, murmured, "I was afraid to tell anyone, afraid of being found out."

While powerful monsters are feared, weak ones are easily exploited.

Having faced betrayal, Xia You didn't dare to trust human nature, especially not in the post-apocalyptic world.

This was the real reason Xia You, despite knowing he needed to absorb energy stones and being aware that Lu Yinghuai could provide them after their marriage, hesitated to ask or absorb them.

He didn't trust Lu Yinghuai enough.

The stoic and ruthless Marshal wasn't adept at comforting others, let alone consoling such a delicate young man. So, without a word, he placed the energy stones from the table into the young man's lap and hands, even pulling out more from his storage, filling Xia You's arms.

Starved for so long and finally presented with food, Xia You's psychic tendrils plunged into the pile of energy stones, sweeping through voraciously.

As the energy stone dust settled on the carpet, Xia You, eyes still reddened, involuntarily let out a burp.

Oops, he'd overeaten.

With a look of annoyance, Xia You rubbed her stomach, just as a soft chuckle sounded from above.

Xia You: "..."

Sensing its master's embarrassment and anger, the tiny tentacle of spiritual energy stealthily crawled onto the wheelchair and draped over Lu Yinghuai's wrist, lifting its tip as a sign of protest.

Lu Yinghuai pinched the little tentacle of spiritual energy, considering it a reciprocation for the little fellow's usual nuzzling against him with its energy.

Startled, Xia You quickly sat upright and forcibly stuffed her spiritual tentacle back into her head.

How could His Highness casually touch someone's manifested spiritual energy?

"Your Highness, your actions just now were quite ungentlemanly," Xia You said, lifting her head with a serious expression.

Isn't touching someone's spiritual energy... akin to teasing?

"Indeed," Lu Yinghuai nodded, his expression somewhat inscrutable, "I hope you'll keep that in mind in the future, Xia You."

Xia You: "?"

On the sofa, a black panther, having just finished grooming its disheveled fur, lifted its head. Glancing at the two behind the long table, it gracefully leapt from the balcony railing and landed smoothly on a tree branch, vanishing in an instant.

Lu Yinghuai always allowed his spiritual entities to roam freely, letting the black panther move as it wished.

Having eaten her fill, Xia You finally remembered to inquire further, "Your Highness, you mentioned earlier that those who can absorb energy stones suffer from a disorder of their spiritual energy?"

But he doesn't, does he?

"Yes, including the crystals embedded in our spiritual suppressors, which are also a type of special energy stone."

Pausing briefly, Lu Yinghuai added, not concealing anything from Xia You: "You are the first healer with spiritual powers known to be able to absorb energy stones."

Xia You looked down, taking out the ring she had sneakily pocketed earlier, which belonged to Lu Yinghuai. She remained silent, occasionally poking at the fractured red energy stone.

After a long pause, Xia You finally murmured, "This taste... hmm, it's quite delicious."

Xia You genuinely hadn't realized that this was also an energy stone.

Lu Yinghuai paused before explaining, "This red energy stone is a product of a unique vein on the Blue Star. It has an inert exterior but can absorb and counteract spiritual energy, making it the best crystal for crafting suppressors."

After a moment's reflection, Xia You hesitantly asked, "The energy I absorbed from this just now was…?"

Lu Yinghuai answered calmly, a slight blush creeping up his neck, though mostly hidden by his collar, "It was my spiritual energy."

Xia You: "..."

She couldn't help but fidget with her toes inside her shoes.

The young lad's ears turned a shade of crimson in embarrassment. Not dwelling on the subject any longer, Lu Yinghuai returned to the earlier topic about releasing the young tiger back into the wild.

"Xia You, although your spiritual power isn't aggressive, it possesses a strong calming capability. If you can soothe the cub's mother, we might consider reintroducing him into her territory."

Xia You's eyes brightened. Just as she was about to respond, Lu Yinghuai placed a finger on her temple, halting her.

"However, this will only be considered once you've fully resonated with the Blue Star and your spiritual energy has stabilized."

Xia You glanced downward, recalling the projected timeline given by Meng Wenxuan.

In reality, Xia You's issue with controlling her spiritual power wasn't that significant. Much of the time was spent improving her physical endurance.

Just like a barrel, it's often the shortest plank that determines its capacity.

Perhaps she should intensify her training regimen...?

Just as this thought crossed Xia You's mind, Lu Yinghuai said, "There's no need to increase your training intensity. According to the plan, half a month should suffice."

"By then, let Wenxuan conduct another assessment of your spiritual power level."

"Alright!" The prospect of spending an additional half month with the young tiger brought a smile to Xia You's face. "If Yuan Yuan gets upset, Your Highness better not hide him from me."

Lu Yinghuai chuckled, "Alright, I won't hide him from you."

Glancing at the clock, Lu Yinghuai suggested Xia You review the assignment he had annotated earlier in the study. This way, she could ask him directly if she had any questions.

However, before Xia You had gone through even two pages, a cacophony of crashing noises echoed from the floor below.

Xia You: "?"

Lu Yinghuai: "..."

Xia You had a sneaking suspicion that she could faintly hear the young tiger wailing in the distance.

Lu Yinghuai began hesitantly, "Xia You, your bedroom..."

Xia You's eyelids twitched, suddenly recalling that since earlier, he hadn't seen Yuan Yuan.

He's here with me, which means, at this very moment in his room — there's a lone little tiger cub.

Xia You sprang up, grabbing the homework by his side, and dashed out the door.

"Your Highness, I'll go check on it immediately!"

……

One hour later · Inside Xia You's room

The terrified tiger cub hid behind a cabinet, only allowing a pair of ears and half its head to peek out covertly.

A large black panther paced gracefully in the center of the room, then lithely leapt onto the sofa. Walking along the backrest of the sofa, its tail swishing side to side, it gave no attention to the cub.

But both the tiger cub and Xia You were intently watching the panther.

Although the panther seemed nonchalant, the moment Xia You or the cub let their guard down, the black figure could vanish before their eyes. In the next second, its paw might swipe at the cub's head.

Xia You didn't dare intervene.

Any time he showed the intention to step in, the panther acted as if it would turn and leave, but the little tiger kept crying out in fear.

Xia You stood in the room's center, positioning himself between the tiger cub and the black panther, resembling an embarrassed owner caught petting a stray cat by his house cat. He was torn between both sides, hesitant and mute.

The force behind the panther's claws was restrained, not exerted with full strength. Moreover, it showed no real intention of catching and biting the cub, as if...

Xia You watched as the terrified cub cried out and darted chaotically, while the panther calmly chased it, never even opening its mouth. Every now and then, its claws would scratch the floor, producing a squeaky noise.

...It was like a domestic cat driving out a stray kitten scene.

As the prized possession caught in this fluffy tug-of-war, Xia You slowly backed away, pressing himself against the wall, giving space for the two cats who had resumed their chase.

……

Half an hour later...

Activating the light screen, Xia You glanced at the time with a sense of desperation.

2:30 in the morning.

Would he be able to sleep tonight?

Thinking about tomorrow's physical training, Xia You pondered hard for several seconds before deciding to exercise the authority he held in his room.

The psychic tendrils, nourished by today's hearty meals, subtly reached out. They minimized their presence, moving silently along the floor, approaching the tiger cub and the big black panther.

"Ah—Aha! Ha—!"

The tiger cub was precisely snared by the psychic tendrils, hanging in mid-air, flailing its paws wildly.

However, the tendril Xia You sent to capture the black panther came up empty.

The panther's golden eyes locked onto the direction of Xia You's psychic tendrils with uncanny accuracy, its gaze utterly cold.

It resembled an experienced hunter sizing up an unfamiliar threat: stepping silently and gracefully, its tail hung low, ready to aid in maintaining balance during rapid movements.

Huh?

He had deliberately controlled his psychic power to make it seem harmless and almost undetectable. Yet, Yuan Yuan could still sense and evade it?

His psychic power was at its peak, having just feasted.

Intrigued, Xia You used the tendrils to return the tiger cub to the bed, tucking it under a blanket, and then shifted all his attention to the black panther.

The tiger cub, now in the familiar scent of safety, timidly wrapped itself in the blanket, with only half of its head peeking out, watching the unfolding "duel."

The black panther, sensing Xia You's interest, seemed to willingly engage in this playful skirmish.

……

In the post-apocalyptic era, Xia You's psychic tendrils had been frequently used for calming and restraining, but against a panther, a seasoned hunter, its movements were much harder to predict than those of the lumbering zombies.

……

"Snap."

The room's lights flickered twice before abruptly turning off, plunging the bedroom into darkness.

The panther, with its jet-black coat, seamlessly merged into the encompassing darkness.

And in that obscurity, it silently observed its adversary.

The little tiger on the bed had already bitten its paws, too scared to make a sound.

Xia You's eyes widened instantly.

Is this the creature that has retained its wild instincts despite being domesticated by humans—possessing the terrifying intuition of a wild beast?

Such an overwhelming sense of dread.

In the darkness, Xia You backed against the wall, psychic tendrils at the ready beside him, while the robust black panther slowly crept closer along the wall…

"Click!"

Another soft sound echoed.

The noise came from behind him.

As Xia You instinctively turned, the panther in the shadows seized the moment, lunging towards him.

A sudden weight, an empty space behind him, Xia You was caught off guard and began to fall backward. Suddenly, the room was illuminated brightly, and the abrupt brilliance caused him to instinctively shut his eyes.

The anticipated fall never came. Instead, Xia You found himself caught gently yet securely, smelling a familiar and comforting scent.

Lu Yinghuai looked down at Xia You, who had been knocked down by the panther and fell into his arms, sighed, and activated his light screen, showing the time to the young man.

"Haven't you rested yet?"