Chapter 022

Chapter 022

Bai Xiaoyu patted the smooth shell of Dahhei, "Dahhei is great too."

Yu Xi suddenly transformed back into a White Wolf and ran to the other side for a pat.

Bai Xiaoyu also stroked his fluffy head, "Isn't it time? Why don't you two go eat?"

After saying this, he turned to look at the youth. Su Ran flashed a sly smile, "Can I join you?"

At these words, Dahhei and the White Wolf both looked at him in unison.

Bai Xiaoyu was taken aback, "Sure."

Guests were guests, after all, and since he was also Dahhei's guardian, he couldn't be too neglectful. It wasn't the end times anymore; he could afford one more meal.

Su Ran showed no change in expression despite the hostility from the two.

They were old acquaintances. The leader always shared his food with his subordinates, and the person beside him had never been stingy about giving him a meal. Now they were staring at him like hawks, which was truly heartbreaking.

Though he thought this, he still followed them.

In the entire Sixteenth Legion, no one had a thicker skin than him. If he didn't have a thick skin, how could he snatch military funds, weapons, and medicine from those cunning old foxes in Imperial Star?

Something flashed through his eyes, a hint of killing intent, but it quickly disappeared.

He leisurely followed behind the two and the egg, silently observing their interactions.

The usually aloof and untouchable leader, now as Dahhei, was quite clingy to this spoiled brat from Imperial Star. Beside him, Yu Xi, the general of the Twenty-ninth Legion, Liu Lingxi, who had lost his memory and regressed to adolescence, was now behaving like a delicate flower.

The two most feared and difficult-to-manage individuals by the royal family of Imperial Star had now retracted their fangs before Bai Xiaoyu, who also carried royal blood.

One might say that their regression and loss of memory caused this change. However, Dahhei, who usually remained motionless and wouldn't let anyone touch him, was now lively and playful, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

Liu Lingxi and Yu Xi were interesting cases. Before his transformation, Yu Xi had been obedient, but why he changed later was something he hadn't figured out yet.

As for Bai Xiaoyu, he was considered the weakest among all the royal descendants of this generation.

It was Bai Xiaoyu who had been implicated in that incident years ago.

Thinking of this, Su Ran's face darkened, but he quickly recovered, glancing at Dahhei and the White Wolf once more.

Entering the incubation facility, he watched Bai Xiaoyu interact with them. His gaze also shifted between the eggs within the energy shields. He already knew what had happened earlier, and indeed, these eggs seemed healthy. At least in size, they matched those hatched at the same time.

Bai Xiaoyu was actually taking care of these eggs seriously.

He recalled the person locked up in the legion. Bai Xiaoyu had fled here and was chased, eventually saved by the leader who had run away from home.

From the information he had seen on Bai Xiaoyu, his brows had not relaxed.

Everything about Bai Xiaoyu, including his actions in Imperial Star and even his bed-wetting at age five, was clearly documented.

So he couldn't understand why the leader and Liu Lingxi would stay here with such a person.

Then Bai Xiaoyu appeared with a box of nutrient solution. Su Ran unconsciously sniffed the air.

This smell...

Having eaten it recently, Bai Xiaoyu patted Dahhei, "How much do you want this time?"

Dahhei bounced twice, and Bai Xiaoyu nodded, "Two bottles. I'll put them in the energy shield slot."

Turning to the White Wolf, he said, "Xiao Xi, take as much as you need yourself."

The White Wolf, though a bit envious that Dahhei had Bai Ge's attention, understood that the egg couldn't do anything for itself.

With this thought, he skillfully opened the lid with his paw and drank it with both paws.

Su Ran's nose twitched imperceptibly, his pupils dilating.

The scent of premium nutrient solution!

Such rare premium nutrient solution, and there was an entire box—seventy or eighty bottles—being consumed by Yu Xi like water!

The smell was comforting, and his stomach felt a bit empty.

Since the owner had offered to treat him, he wouldn't be polite.

Who isn't a baby these days?

After all, there were two others his age drinking it, right?

He reached for the nutrient solution, and the White Wolf looked shocked. After swallowing, he tried to press down on Su Ran's hand with his paw, but missed.

The White Wolf was a bit angry and bared his teeth at Su Ran.

How could this person be so shameless, stealing the nutrient solution meant for the eggs!

Su Ran easily dodged, "Your strength is far from enough to stop me. Even though I'm injured, your regression to adolescence is worse."

He pointed at Bai Xiaoyu, "He's in charge here, and he said he'd treat us."

The White Wolf immediately backed off, growling at Su Ran, then drank two more bottles, ending up overfed.

Su Ran opened the lid, leaned close, and took a deep breath, feeling intoxicated by the scent.

Then he sipped it slowly, like tasting wine, but his face suddenly changed, almost spitting it out.

Bitter, spicy, salty, sweet, numbing...

What is this terrible smell?!

Why does it smell so good but taste so awful?

Su Ran rolled his eyes and forced himself to swallow it down. Soon, he felt a warm current flowing through his body. The lingering injuries from that great battle and the constant pain, which even the best military doctor in the Eighteenth Legion could only alleviate with sedatives, now seemed much more bearable after drinking the nutrient solution.

He narrowed his fox-like eyes, staring at the box of nutrient solutions with a green glow in his gaze.

If the Imperial Logistics Department saw him with that look, they would definitely flee Imperial Star with their flying machines overnight.

When Bai Xiaoyu returned after placing the nutrient solution for Big Black Egg into the slot, he planned to ask the guest what they wanted to eat and order takeout together. He certainly didn't want to eat the bland nutrient solution, which was the most convenient food in the galaxy; he couldn't stand its taste.

However, his gaze was immediately drawn to the box, now emptied by over ten bottles. He turned to look at the White Wolf. Xiao Xi's appetite had increased again, doubling as before?

The White Wolf, sensing Bai Xiaoyu's gaze, burped and pointed angrily at Su Ran, who was wiping his mouth.

Bai Xiaoyu's gaze shifted to Su Ran, noticing the neat row of empty bottles in front of him—exactly ten.

Su Ran gave Bai Xiaoyu a post-meal bow. "Thank you for the meal; I enjoyed it very much."

Bai Xiaoyu: "...I'm glad you liked it."

What's wrong with people these days? They don't like eating regular meals but prefer nutrient solutions meant for hatching eggs?

How many more days can these nutrient solutions last?

Su Ran cleared his throat, looking increasingly pale. "It's getting dark outside, and I have lingering injuries, so it's not advisable for me to travel. Could I stay here for the night?"

The White Wolf stood up and growled, "Aaah!"

Inconvenient, no spare rooms.

Su Ran: "No spare rooms? I can share a room with you."

The White Wolf: "Aaah!"

Get lost!

Su Ran, with his thick skin, turned to Bai Xiaoyu. "I remember the breeding facility has guest rooms, right? After all, we from the Sixteenth Legion helped build this place."

Seeing this, Bai Xiaoyu found it hard to refuse. "Xiao Xi, show Su Ran to the guest room."

The White Wolf reluctantly stood up, wagging his tail at Bai Xiaoyu before turning to face Su Ran with a completely different attitude, baring his sharp, gleaming fangs.

This differential treatment...

Su Ran clicked his tongue, then looked at the bouncing Big Black Egg approaching. "Where will he stay?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "Big Black stays with me."

Su Ran nearly dropped his jaw.

What's going on with the boss?

Could it be that an iron tree has finally bloomed after a thousand years?

Bai Xiaoyu watched as Su Ran was led away with a mystified expression. He wondered about the purpose of this person staying here.

He remembered that when he first met Big Black, the members of the Sixteenth Legion seemed to be targeting him.

Now it was clear that Su Ran was also after Big Black. An egg as powerful as Big Black must have very strong parents.

Could Big Black be the orphan of the missing marshal?

Even if not, he must be the egg of someone high up in the Sixteenth Legion.

Still, he needed to be more vigilant tonight.

Bai Xiaoyu finished his meal and returned to his room to continue refining medicine. Fortunately, Yu Xi had found another herb, which could be used to make a bone-washing potion to relieve the immediate need.

This time, however, Big Black Egg did not follow him back to the room but headed into the forest.

He needed to find where the bone-washing herbs grew. Although he couldn't collect them himself, he could bring Bai Bai to do it.

But just as he stepped out, he was stopped. Su Ran, no longer acting casual, instead looked extremely serious, saluted Big Black Egg, and said, "Marshal!"

Big Black Egg stiffened, knowing instinctively that he was being addressed.

He quickly regained his composure and continued walking straight ahead.

Su Ran, seemingly accustomed to this, followed. "Marshal, you should come back with me for medical treatment. Many people on Imperial Star are looking for you; it's not safe here."

"Marshal, Bai Xiaoyu was one of the key players in that incident. You may have forgotten, but the royal bloodline must still be guarded against."

"Marshal..."

Big Black Egg suddenly stopped, hopping in displeasure.

Don't doubt Bai Bai!

Su Ran felt a headache coming on. The marshal currently had the intelligence of a two-year-old child, and the military doctor had instructed him to keep a close watch.

But he had lost track of him, and now the marshal was with someone he shouldn't trust, unwilling to return.

There was no choice but to find a way to stay. He needed to bring the military doctor here to treat the marshal.

Given the current situation, the marshal must recover quickly.

The empire is corrupt, and the birth rate of beastmen is declining, leading to generational decline. Half-beastmen and ordinary humans are also becoming weaker with each generation. Yet the insectoids' strength remains unchanged.

Now that the Marshal is gone from the battlefield, he won't be able to intimidate the Queen Bug or stop the swarm of bugs.

Looking at Dahede who was cheerfully searching for herbs, Su Ran felt dazed again.

He had never seen a Marshal like this before. In his memory, the Marshal was almost always in battle, returning each time with wounds all over his body.

He was the empire's immortal legend, the guardian god of the stars who stood firm on the most dangerous frontlines as long as he remained standing.

Su Ran followed quietly behind, perhaps...

Until his optical brain received a message.

"Marshal, do you want to give Bai Xiaoyu a gift?"

After finishing the concoction of the Cleansing Elixir, Bai Xiaoyu looked at the bottle and knew it was still far from enough.

Especially Dahede; he didn't know how much of that domineering black substance was inside the eggshell.

He needed to find more Cleansing Herbs as soon as possible.

At this moment, there was a light knock on the door. Hearing the rhythm, Bai Xiaoyu knew who it was.

Opening the door, he found Dahede and another person outside.

Bai Xiaoyu: "Dahede, Su Ran?"

Dahede, with a delivery box on his head, excitedly placed it near Bai Xiaoyu.

Su Ran: "This is a gift from my superior."

Bai Xiaoyu took the delivery box off Dahede's head and patted his head. "Where have you been so late?"

Dahede hopped around happily, seemingly urging him to open the package.

A smile flashed across Bai Xiaoyu's eyes as he opened it, then was stunned—a box full of Cleansing Herbs!

There were at least thirty of them. From his past life until now, he had never seen so many Cleansing Herbs.

Seeing Bai Xiaoyu's surprise, Su Ran's expression showed a hint of regret. "Due to the tight schedule, we only managed to gather 36."

Bai Xiaoyu: "That's already a lot. Thank you very much; I really need these Cleansing Herbs. Please thank your superior for me, but I can't accept them without giving something in return. The potions I make are decent; if you need any, we can trade. We might not have enough right now, but we can work together long-term."

Su Ran glanced at Dahede. "This is a gift from my superior; you don't need to repay it. Consider it payment for taking care of Yuan... Dahede here."

Bai Xiaoyu: "I'll keep that option open for your superior. Also, if the Sixteenth Legion needs any potions, let me know."

Su Ran suddenly remembered the top-grade nutrient solution he had drunk earlier, and his expression changed. "Could those top-grade nutrient solutions have been made by you?"

Bai Xiaoyu nodded. "Yes, right now, I have repair potions, essence-nourishing potions, and cleansing potions. You can ask your superior if they need any?"

This time, it was Su Ran's turn to be shocked. Wasn't Bai Xiaoyu supposed to be uneducated, always scoring between 0 and 10 on exams?

That information was still in his optical brain, yet now he was a master alchemist?

How could that be possible?

Su Ran still couldn’t believe it. If he didn’t believe it, where did those seventy bottles of top-grade nutrient solution come from?

Good alchemists were already divided among various factions, and such top-grade nutrient solutions with unheard-of effects were rare.

Could it be that his boss had rescued a master alchemist?

Bai Xiaoyu: "If you don't need these, perhaps the Sixteenth Legion could use some hemostatic and qi-restoring potions. By the way, the Cleansing Potion is actually very suitable for you. It can improve mental strength and physical constitution..."

Su Ran waved his hand. "Wait, you said it improves mental strength and physical constitution?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "Yes, primarily cleansing the bones and improving one’s innate talent, and it can also heal hidden injuries."

Su Ran: "...Let me take a moment."

Was the treasure his boss rescued truly a great find?