Chapter 72

Chapter 72

"Queqiu?!"

The three of them called out Queqiu's name in unison, with Xufeng being the most observant, noticing Queqiu's weak state and quickly stepping forward to support him.

"Queqiu, are you alright?" His eyes were filled with concern.

"It's nothing, just a bit drained from using too much spiritual power. I'll be fine after some rest," Queqiu replied.

Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Baitianxing realized the truth might be different from his assumptions but still frowned discontentedly: "How did you end up like this in just a few days? Saying it's voluntary, you must have been deceived by these shameless Alphas."

As Xufeng helped Queqiu sit on the sofa, Tang Butian retorted before Queqiu could speak.

"He's right under your nose, you saw it all. Why are you making baseless accusations?"

Baitianxing, hands on hips, disdainfully replied: "Who knows what kind of nonsense you've fed him, probably brainwashed him."

Seeing the two on the verge of arguing again, Queqiu, somewhat helplessly, interrupted: "I'm sitting here just fine, can you both stop arguing?"

Tang Butian, always obedient to Queqiu, immediately stopped talking and sat back down beside him.

Baitianxing rolled his eyes at Tang Butian's back, then turned to Queqiu with a more amiable expression: "They're all liars. I want to hear it straight from you."

Seeing this, Queqiu knew the other party was determined to have his way, so he told Tang Butian and Xufeng, "You guys go back first, I have something to discuss with him."

As the two prepared to leave, Xufeng still seemed worried and whispered, "He looks tough to deal with, Queqiu, are you sure you don’t need us to stay and help?"

"Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing." After several encounters, Queqiu had fully grasped Baitianxing's personality, knowing that such an Omega needed a gentler approach.

"Alright then, but if he dares to bully you, make sure to call us for help," Xufeng cautioned before leaving.

Queqiu nodded obediently.

As Tang Butian passed by Baitianxing, he issued a rare fierce warning, "Even if you're an Omega, if you dare to bully Queqiu under our watch, you’re done for."

"Hmph, how laughable, only an Omega would care for another Omega. You Alphas are just putting on a show," Baitianxing scoffed.

Once Xufeng and Tang Butian had left, Baitianxing hurriedly sat next to Queqiu, holding his hand and carefully inspecting his condition.

"You seem alright, they probably haven’t mistreated you, but..." Baitianxing's expression suddenly turned serious, "why do I smell blood on you? Are you injured?"

Queqiu's heart skipped a beat, instantly thinking of Morfa's pheromones.

Subconsciously touching his nape, he was surprised at Baitianxing’s keen sense of smell.

"It might be..." As Baitianxing sniffed closer like a puppy, Queqiu quickly found an excuse, "Maybe it’s from the treatment room."

"From the treatment room?" Baitianxing looked at him suspiciously, his gaze resembling a jealous spouse suspecting infidelity.

"Ahem, probably." When Queqiu lied, his expression always remained unchanged, lending him a trustworthy aura. This time was no different, and Baitianxing soon dropped the subject, not pressing further.

For some reason, Queqiu, who normally doesn't conceal things, found himself subtly changing his mindset when it came to matters slightly private.

In other words... was he feeling a bit embarrassed?

"Alright, as long as you're okay," Baitianxing, reassured, settled back into his seat.

Only then did Queqiu breathe a sigh of relief.

He changed the subject, "By the way, why did you suddenly come looking for me? Did something happen?"

"What do you mean 'something happened'? Your actions as a battle Omega entering the treatment room to provide mental guidance to a bunch of Alphas and Betas with genetic disease anomalies have been the talk of the school. I felt something was off when I heard about it and rushed over, fearing you were coerced by those detestable Alphas."

Queqiu couldn't help but worry about Baitianxing's impulsive actions, "It's too risky to come here without confirming the facts. What if I really was being coerced? You'd be putting yourself in danger."

Baitianxing said, "It was an emergency. I couldn’t think of anything else but your safety. Didn't I tell you before? These Alphas might seem accommodating, but they could drop their benevolent facade at any moment and hurt you."

"Otherwise, if they were truly good to us unconditionally, why would they force healing Omegas into rotation?"

Queqiu clarified, "I volunteered for this. Now, with neither of my Alpha roommates around, no one's monitoring or coercing me, and my answer remains the same."

Baitianxing, deeply perplexed, asked, "Why? What’s so good about those damned Alphas and Betas that you’d exhaust yourself to save them?!"

"It's not about worth. They're just ordinary people. To many, they might indeed seem 'unworthy.' But among them are my friends and comrades. As I have the capability, I did it. That’s all," Queqiu replied calmly, as if answering a mundane question.

But Baitianxing couldn't understand at all, becoming emotionally agitated, "Just for that, you'd overexert your mental power to help them?! Didn't I tell you how those damned Alphas and Betas used to greedily exploit plants and Omegas?! How can you help these monstrous executioners?!"

His barrage of questions, filled with emotional intensity, seemed like an interrogation, while Queqiu maintained his characteristic calmness.

He said indifferently, "Past wrongs can't judge present crimes. Besides, those Alphas and Betas are patients, not criminals."

"What's the difference! To Omegas, every Alpha and Beta in this empire is either an executioner or a silent accomplice! Born from the suffering of Omegas, you saving them is a betrayal of the past Omegas who endured inhumane torture!"

"I understand that you need to remember the suffering your ancestors went through, so I don’t think it's wrong for you to refuse the school’s rotation. But for me, I just made a different choice. I believe neither of us is wrong," Queqiu maintained his composure and rationality even in the face of Baitianxing's emotional outburst, hoping to calm him down a bit.

But Baitianxing was beyond listening, venting his emotions relentlessly.

"Those damned Alphas and Betas don't deserve your help! Who asked them to carry genetic diseases? It’s their punishment!"

Queqiu continued, "You said the suffering of Omegas was caused by Alphas and Betas, and I agree. Most of them may indeed have been silent accomplices. But time has judged them; they bear the curse of genetic disease across generations, forever. The Sword of Damocles hangs over their heads, ready to end their short and sinful lives."

"Now, these Alphas and Betas who haven’t committed those acts still atone for their ancestors’ sins. They adhere to the empire’s unjust laws, with minimal resources and maximal contribution. From birth, they're taught to unconditionally accommodate every Omega, and society demands they tirelessly contribute like worker ants."

"Initially, without knowing the full story, I felt their situation was unfair—"

"Don’t be soft-hearted! They deserve it!" Baitianxing, anxious, sounded like he was trying to correct a misguided path for Queqiu.

"Yes, after learning how Omegas were brutally treated, I neither pity nor sympathize with these Alphas and Betas. However, it's undeniable that they are indeed atoning for past crimes. But the real culprits?"

Queqiu’s tone, though calm, was impactful as he looked into Baitianxing’s eyes.

Baitianxing felt unsettled: The real culprits...?

He continued, "The real culprits have always lurked behind the scenes, past and present. They ascended thrones by feasting on Omega flesh and now enslave common Alphas and Betas to maintain their rule. They've never been judged, not even by genetic disease. The disease that burdens many Alphas and Betas is non-existent to them, isn’t it?"

"Because they are the culprits and the elite. Surrounded by high-ranking Omegas, rich in plant resources, they can easily keep genetic disease at a manageable level. The demon troubling ordinary Alphas and Betas isn’t so frightening to them."

"No one judges them, not even genetic disease. But the common Alphas and Betas bear many sins that aren’t theirs. Is this fair?"

Queqiu rarely elaborated at length like this, even on these issues. Compared to Baitianxing’s tone, his was restrained, even gentle.

Yet these gentle, softly spoken questions left Baitianxing unable to provide any answers.

Finally, Queqiu said to him, "You can remain angry, but you also need to stay rational."

Baitianxing clenched his fists, eyes lowered in deep thought.

No one knew what he was thinking, but undoubtedly, he was profoundly shaken by Queqiu's words.

He had only been told to remember the scars imprinted on Omegas, but no one had ever told him who inflicted these scars.

Realizing he might have been too biased, he felt wronged, tears welling up in his eyes. His words seemed less of an accusation towards Queqiu and more like a stubborn child seeking affirmation and comfort.

"Are you saying I'm wrong? But isn't this rule of forcing healing Omegas into rotation just another form of enslavement? Just because it’s wrapped in a more attractive package, does it mean the essentially dark nature of it is concealed?!"

Queqiu sighed softly, "I didn't say you were wrong."

"Not... wrong..." Baitianxing stared at him blankly, unaware of when his tears had fallen.

Queqiu leaned forward slightly, gently wiping away the tears of the aggrieved Omega.

"Of course, you’re not wrong."

He said, "Even now, I wouldn’t tell you that your choice not to save those Alphas and Betas in the healing room is wrong. Even in front of any Alpha or Beta, even in front of Principal Gebu, I would say no one can claim you’re wrong. Because I have the freedom to choose, and you don’t. I'm not more noble than you; I just happen to have this ability and the right to choose."

"I always believe that Omegas haven’t done anything wrong, and neither have Alphas and Betas. The consequences of mistakes should be borne by those who truly made them, not by you or them."

Baitianxing seemed to grasp something but it was too elusive for him to fully comprehend. He asked blankly, "Will you still go to the healing room?"

Queqiu nodded: "I will."

"But it's clearly not your responsibility..."

"I’m just casting a vote for the world I like," Queqiu said.

"A world you like?" Baitianxing didn't quite understand.

"Take this for example: you can freely choose whether or not to heal those Alphas and Betas, instead of being forced to accept the arrangement."

Baitianxing seemed contemplative.

He appeared to have clarified something in his mind, wiped away his tears, and said to Queqiu, "I need to think about this more. But still, thank you."

Queqiu shook his head, "I haven't really done anything for you."

Suddenly, Baitianxing leaned close to Queqiu, who hadn’t reacted yet, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"You certainly have done something for me."

"You've been a fifteen-minute teacher to me."

Although Queqiu usually maintained a cool demeanor, he was thin-skinned. Caught off guard by Baitianxing's sudden kiss, his cheeks immediately flushed with a shy red.

He quickly pushed the Omega away, turning his face aside with embarrassment, "What are you doing?"

Baitianxing blinked, his expression sincere and tone straightforward, "Kissing you."

His frankness left Queqiu, the one who had been kissed, at a loss.

Queqiu couldn’t help but think, if Mo'erfa hadn't entered the cocooning phase, he might have jumped out in a rush of irritation to chastise Baitianxing by now.

"I should go now. Rest well and don't rush to the healing room until you've fully recovered."

Baitianxing's words pulled Queqiu back from his reverie. He nodded absentmindedly, responding with a soft "Okay."

Before leaving, Baitianxing fondly pinched Queqiu's cheek, "So cute."

Once Baitianxing hurriedly left, the previously bustling living room suddenly quieted down. Only then did Queqiu have the chance to check his internal condition.

He closed his eyes, gathering spiritual energy at his dantian, feeling streaks of golden light coursing through his body, converging towards a central point like numerous rivers flowing into the sea.

Queqiu had expended a considerable amount of spiritual energy healing the combat Alphas in the healing room. After returning to his dormitory and resting for just one night, he had again drained his energy to provide power to Mo'erfa entering the cocooning phase. By the time he fainted, the spiritual energy he had stored

"Perhaps it's true that things must break down to be rebuilt. After depleting my spiritual energy, I found a new opportunity—I've advanced."

"Or rather, I've broken through my limitations."

"In fact, I feel there was no mistake in equating spiritual energy with mental energy. The essence of plant cultivation is to use oneself as a vessel, absorbing the essence of the universe and transforming it into usable spiritual energy, storing it within."

"Initially, a cultivating plant might only have the capacity of a mineral water bottle, limiting the amount of spiritual energy it can store. However, as the level rises, the 'vessel's' size increases. The longer the cultivation, the larger the 'vessel' and the more spiritual energy it can store, enhancing one's strength."

"If we apply this world's power system to my situation, defective Alphas, Omegas, or ordinary Betas are like non-cultivating plants; whereas higher genetic grades correspond to stronger spiritual plants."

"After arriving in this world, I've distinctly felt my true strength was suppressed. I speculated whether this world couldn't bear my original immense energy, hence limiting my 'vessel' to a manageable size."

"Subsequent events indeed confirmed my suspicion."

"I've been diligently absorbing the spiritual energy from nutrient solutions, but never regained my state on Earth. Perhaps it was because the 'vessel's' maximum capacity was restricted, limiting how much energy it could contain, hence unable to unleash full power."

"But these consecutive episodes of exhausting my spiritual energy inadvertently touched upon these limits and broke through them, expanding my 'vessel's' capacity and allowing me to store more spiritual energy."

"After the dust settled, I slowly opened my eyes, the golden hue in them seemingly more translucent, like a crystal ball spinning in the light, shimmering with dreamy brilliance."

"My fingertips emitted speckled light, deeper and finer than before. The milky way flowing from a small fingertip seemed to contain an entire dazzling universe, mesmerizing to behold."

"'The spiritual energy is purer now,' I murmured softly."

"I felt the meridians throughout my body had widened, allowing for more spiritual energy storage."

"This means my strength in this world will increase, making it easier to treat the Alphas and Betas in the healing room."

"However, currently, it's just an increase in the 'vessel's' capacity; the previously depleted energy is indeed gone. I'm like a kettle with more space but lacking hot water."

"That's why I appeared somewhat fragile and brittle when facing Baitianxing and others."

"It's not a big issue, though. I just need to absorb more spiritual essence and transform it into energy."

"Back in my room, I absorbed the remaining nutrient solution, barely improving my complexion."

"It seems I'll need to visit the black market more frequently in the coming days," I thought to myself.

"In the period following my breakthrough, I entered a phase of weakness. The quicker I replenish my spiritual energy, the more beneficial it will be for my recovery."

"However, before I can focus on that, there's unfinished business to attend to."

"When I returned to the healing room, night had already fallen."

"Louis initially thought I might not come back. After all, even for an A-grade healing Omega, providing mental guidance to over twenty Alphas at once is an extremely taxing act that could cause permanent damage or leave lasting effects."

"Besides, I'm not a healing Omega. It wasn't my duty to begin with. My willingness to step forward was already commendable."

"So, even if I didn't return, it wouldn't change people's perception of me: I'm still regarded as a deity-like figure."

"But in reality, the slender Omega reappeared under the towering walls of the healing room."

"My utilitarian training outfit highlighted my lean and superior physique. Though smaller than the average Omega, it didn't conceal my vibrant strength."

"Compared to a few days ago, I seemed even thinner, standing in the wind like a delicate, swaying rose - fragile yet resiliently alive. I always held my chin slightly up, as if nothing could ever crush me, exuding a stubborn pride that was also somewhat pitiable."

"Even from a distance, Louis could clearly see those eyes, as radiant as the morning sun, so pure that one willingly wanted to follow them, just like following the sun."

"Moreover, what was visible to all members of the inspection team was that this time, I wasn't alone."

"Behind me, there were indeed many followers."

"Everyone was stunned, hardly believing what they were witnessing."

"It was a scene that seemed impossible even in dreams."

"Even I, Qiu Qiu, was momentarily stunned."

"As I looked at the additional shadows on the ground and turned around, there they were – the healing Omegas led by Bai Tianxing."

"Each one of them had cute little plants on their heads, dressed in the uniform white attire of the healing class. Without any special effort, they all looked stunning as if attending a joyous ball."

"However, Bai Tianxing, the leading Omega, said to me, 'I've thought about it for a long time, but I still can't fully grasp what you said.'"

"‘But if this world can indeed be changed, then we are all willing to be those who bring about that change.'"

"I came back to my senses, understanding their intentions, and a slight smile curved up the corners of my mouth."

"I nodded to the Omegas, my voice soft yet clear, knowing that once the wind carried it, it would reach everyone."

"'Of course, it will get better.'"

"After the sunrise, all the darkness and gloom will dissipate."

"Author's note:"