Chapter 103

However, Xia You stared at the hibernation pod for quite a while without noticing any signs of Lu Yinghuai awakening.

Puzzled, Xia You controlled his psychic tendril, preparing to pull it out from Lu Yinghuai's palm.

It was effortless.

Lu Yinghuai's grasp on the tendril wasn't strong; with just a little pull, Xia You retrieved the tendril.

After waiting for a while, Xia You prodded Lu Yinghuai repeatedly with the tendril but never received another response.

The stray tendril seemed fond of Lu Yinghuai, curling its elongated chubby form into a small ball, bouncing on the chest of the slumbering Lu Yinghuai in the pod. It looked like a transparent jelly blob.

Xia You didn't have the inclination to study this detached part of his psyche. He swiftly tapped on the pod's control panel, bringing up all the instances of intense psychic fluctuations from Lu Yinghuai.

A floating screen beside him displayed dates and times, several of which Xia You highlighted in red.

Reflecting on their time together, Xia You's expression turned somewhat complex.

The gases and environment within the hibernation pod induce profound comfort and immersion, promoting long-term mental relaxation and hibernation.

Yet, Lu Yinghuai's moments of intense psychic fluctuations always occurred when he was alone with Xia You.

Xia You pondered on those specific times, his gaze contemplative and thoughtful.

Suddenly, he recalled something Uncle Zhou had mentioned before.

***

By the time Lu Yinghuai returned home, he had outgrown his youthful appearance as a tiny black coal-like creature, exuding the aura of a mature predator from his black jaguar form.

Holding Lu Yinghuai's robust, dark jaguar paw, Xia You couldn't help but reminisce about the soft pink paws of the younger jaguar.

If he had known His Highness would recover so quickly, he should have coaxed him into taking a few photos with those tender paws.

——Indeed, after being inspired by Sen Shi, Xia You has collected numerous photos of Lu Yinghuai from the Star Web, forums, Marshal Fan Club, and Uncle Zhou's personal collection.

From different periods and outfits, including the tiny coal-black cub and the big jaguar (special edition from Uncle Zhou), all were printed and bound by Xia You, tucked away in his bedside cabinet.

Measuring the big jaguar's paw with his fingers, Xia You regretfully set aside the idea of capturing its imprint.

Lu Yinghuai sat beside Xia You, his sleek black tail wrapping around Xia You's wrist resting on his lap, the tip of the tail brushing against Xia You's palm.

Lu Yinghuai loved doing this, but ever since he regressed to his juvenile form, such actions became challenging for him.

Xia You let Lu Yinghuai's tail tip caress his wrist, leaning over to nuzzle the long-missed big black cat.

[The Royal fleet has landed on Blue Star.]

Reading the words on the screen, Xia You was momentarily dazed, then recalled that three months ago, Latiao mentioned he was going home. Perhaps the little tiger wanted to see him return safely and bid him a proper farewell, which is why he delayed until now.

"Latiao's condition has indeed improved significantly. Just yesterday afternoon, I groomed him and provided psychic comfort," Xia You murmured, leaning against the reassuringly fluffy presence beside him. "He should return to the life he belongs to."

After all, he is the empire's heir, Qin Anhong, not the carefree, playful little tiger Latiao.

"By the way, Your Highness," Xia You straightened up and turned to Lu Yinghuai, "I've been meaning to mention for the past few days; I suspect my sister might have regained some consciousness."

The fluffy black presence paused for a moment before admitting: [She's been awake for a while.]

Xia You: "Hmm?"

Lu Yinghuai: [That uniform... was a collaboration between your sister and Uncle Zhou.]

Xia You immediately felt somewhat awkward: "Ah... I see..."

Holding back for a moment, Lu Yinghuai slowly typed: [Everyone says I don't pursue the one I love.]

In that brief message, Xia You could sense a hint of pouty expectancy.

Shifting closer to the warm and fluffy big jaguar beside him, Xia You unwrapped the tail from his wrist and gave a big hug to the seemingly dignified marshal who was inwardly anxious.

"But I do like it."

A glint in Lu Yinghuai's eyes, he inquired: [Between the rose and the uniform, which does Xia You prefer?]

Ah, this...

Clutching the leopard, Xia You's eyes darted uncertainly.

Roses are indeed beautiful, but that's the uniform His Highness once wore to face the storms and glories...

Xia You buried her face in the leopard's fur for a few seconds, then abruptly looked up, smiling, "Your Highness, had D not transferred some psychic energy to soothe Uncle Zhou earlier, I wouldn't have realized that Uncle Zhou might have a mental disorder."

"Does Your Highness know about Uncle Zhou's spirit beast condition? I can now treat many spirit beasts at once. I can also help Uncle Zhou with treatment in the future."

She didn't feel the slightest awkwardness in her change of topic.

Lu Yinghuai nudged Xia You aside with his leopard paw.

Xia You remained unmoved, gazing at the leopard with pleading eyes.

Lu Yinghuai didn't push further, still sitting with grace and dignity. However, his leopard tail would occasionally sway, curling in a loop, then sweep uncontrollably back and forth on the floor.

But Xia You's idea was indeed dangerous. Lu Yinghuai typed cautiously with his leopard paw: [Do you want to see the golden eagle suffer or Uncle Zhou mentally disturbed?]

Are you sure you want to treat the old butler who manages everything in the house like this?

Xia You: "..."

Indeed, the reason Uncle Zhou possesses a spirit beast is due to the human experiments at the Federation test base, where the genes of the insect race merged with humans.

Inside the large golden eagle, there might be gray-black clumps of matter similar to what's inside Tang Gao and Sen Qiu.

According to the treatment methods Xia You currently knows...

Xia You shrank her neck, silently balling up the thought and tossing it into the trash.

Perhaps after advancing in psychic power, I can see if there's a way to directly consume those substances...

Thinking of this, Xia You took out the high-level energy stones from the spatial button, laying them in front of the duo, radiating a dazzling light.

High-level energy stones possess beauty unmatched by ordinary gems. In the past, Lu Yinghuai would've gazed at them for a while, but now, his eyes were only fixed on the most exquisite gem.

Transparent psychic tendrils quietly crawled onto the big black leopard's shoulder, dangling and swaying, their tips eagerly looking at the high-level energy stone.

Xia You: "Your Highness, may I absorb a couple to see?"

Lu Yinghuai paused, then asked, "[Can you sense the critical point?]"

If there's anyone in the empire who thoroughly understands the process of psychic power breakthrough and advancement, it must be Lu Yinghuai.

Xia You felt for a moment, "A tiny bit... It feels like I'm hungry, but not really."

This hunger isn't a physical one; it's a sense of emptiness relayed from her psychic sea.

Moreover, Xia You was acutely aware that such a void can only be filled with high-grade energy stones.

Lu Yinghuai extended his paw and sifted out three stones from the small pile of high-grade energy stones, patting Xia You's petite psychic tendrils with his paw pad.

The tiny tendrils curled around the leopard's paw and affectionately rubbed it twice before gleefully swooping down on the three energy stones, nibbling away.

Both were already in the bedroom, so Xia You promptly activated the room's lockdown protocol, not forgetting to send a message to Uncle Zhou.

Lu Yinghuai watched as Xia You found the most comfortable position to lean against him, his gaze lingering on the tendrils enveloping the high-grade energy stones.

The transparent tendrils looked still plump and round.

Lu Yinghuai got momentarily lost in thought.

His furry leopard paw treaded softly on the plush carpet.

For some reason, he suddenly recalled past moments when he could gently pinch those small psychic tendrils between his fingers.

The tendrils felt soft and seemed startled, stiffening in his palm, snug between his fingers.

Xia You would also look at him with wide eyes, her sapphire-like gaze full of reproach.

So endearing.

……

This wasn't Xia You's first time absorbing high-grade energy stones. However, unlike the last time when she wanted the process to be quicker, this time she intentionally slowed down the absorption, having certain things she wanted to ascertain.

The moment her tendrils wrapped around the high-grade energy stones, Xia You felt their abundant and pure energy.

Xia You carefully distinguished the sensation of absorbing high-grade energy stones from that of absorbing zombie crystal cores.

It's quite similar, yet it feels like there's something more.

This additional sensation... It's somewhat like...

Xia You's brows furrowed.

It's like—the energy he once absorbed at the edge of His Highness's psychic core.

As the tendrils absorbed, Xia You's psychic sea became increasingly lively. Initially controlling the tendrils, everything went dark for Xia You for a moment, and in the next instant, he "saw" his own vast psychic sea.

This was Xia You's first introspective view into his psychic sea.

His psychic sea wasn't as dreamy and beautiful as His Highness's. On the contrary, Xia You's was serene, so calm it was almost uninteresting.

It only contained endless psychic threads, faintly shimmering in golden light.

Extremely pale and subtle.

With a mere thought from Xia You, those psychic threads intertwined, and his familiar tendrils emerged in the psychic sea, playfully writhing about.

Xia You could sense his absolute control over this domain.

The tendrils formed a soft, cloud-like bundle of psychic energy. Pondering for a moment, Xia You directed the delicate psychic threads to slowly weave and shape into a majestic leopard with sharp claws, a robust body, and a powerful tail that emanated strength.

Following that, a delightful tiger appeared, with a larger tiger lying beside it. There were also a golden eagle, a lynx, a snow leopard, a brown bear...

Capybaras and red pandas stood face to face, playfully scratching at each other, while nearby, a rabbit squirrel family stacked atop one another, curiously looking around...

These woven creatures, all fluffy and distinct, moved around each embodying different characteristics but also reflecting the affection of the master of the psychic sea.

Once the initially soft but barren domain was occupied by these fluffy beings, Xia You started to feel overwhelmed, a pulsating pain throbbing at his temples.

Rubbing his temples and opening his eyes, Xia You looked at Lu Yinghuai, who was bathed in a golden hue from the setting sun, and murmured, "Is it... evening already?"

Lu Yinghuai gestured for Xia You to look ahead.

Xia You then lowered his gaze to see a large pile of powder before him.

Given this amount of powder, he'd absorbed more than just three high-grade energy stones.

[You absorbed five. Do you feel any discomfort?]

Xia You stared at the words on the screen, then turned in astonishment to the little tendril that, after having its fill, hung limply on the large black panther like a lethargic fish.

He murmured, "I didn't feel a thing..."

Lu Yinghuai stood up, walked over to Xia You, and gently nudged him with his paw.

Clinging to the panther's paw, it took Xia You a considerable while sitting on the ground before he managed to stand up with the panther's assistance. The psychic tendril retreated back into his psychic sea.

The tension he had felt earlier now gave way to an overwhelming wave of exhaustion that spread through his entire body.

Kicking off his slippers, Xia You threw himself onto the bed, wanting to sleep but unable to drift off.

Lu Yinghuai stood by the window, using his slightly protruding muzzle to comfort Xia You time and again.

Xia You felt completely drained, as if standing up earlier had sapped all his strength. Subsequently, a familiar sensation of burning heat began to spread.

He tried to speak, wanting to make a sound, but all that emerged was a faint whisper: "Your Highness... I think..."

Lu Yinghuai's expression changed instantly, and he quickly notified Uncle Zhou and Meng Wenxuan.

In just a few moments, when he looked down again, Xia You had already closed his eyes, sinking into deep slumber.

His breath was scorching hot.

The fever and unconsciousness brought about by the psychic upgrade couldn't be treated with medicine; they could only wait for the psychic sea to gradually calm.

Fortunately, it was only a mild fever, so it wasn't too serious.

After the commotion, Meng Wenxuan gathered data on Xia You's erratic psychic fluctuations on one side, while Uncle Zhou took out a spatial node.

Uncle Zhou said, "Tang Gao just gave this to me."

The only thing Tang Gao had been busy with recently was improving the hibernation chamber.

The black panther's ears twitched.

……

Inside the underground hibernation chamber.

Two hibernation pods were placed side by side; one of them was the enhanced version that Tang Gao had just finished calibrating.

Lu Yinghuai stretched out his hand to retrieve the two small felt mats that were originally placed side by side on the hibernation pod, took a glance, stored them in his space button, and nodded towards Uncle Zhou.