Chapter 049

Chapter 049

To avoid sellers running off with credit points or switching goods after payment, interstellar black market transactions must be conducted on physical stalls across various offline platforms throughout the galaxy. These stalls have card slots where the items are locked in place. Once the transaction is successful, the item drops into a shopping cart below the slot for packaging and delivery.

After logging out, Bai Xiaoyu quickly received the Transformation Grass along with other seeds and miscellaneous herbs.

Upon receiving the Transformation Grass, he inspected it once more.

Despite being harvested a few days ago, the seller's professional technique ensured minimal loss of its medicinal properties.

Transformation Grass is usually consumed immediately after harvesting. Many snakes found it and swallowed it whole.

Rumor has it that this herb is somewhat eerie; the juice it exudes is as red as blood and tastes like blood too. The texture when eaten is similar to snake meat. Everyone who has eaten Transformation Grass describes it as if they had swallowed a live snake.

Of course, there is still a faint herbal aroma proving its nature. Moreover, the herb is about two fingers thick, with a curved body resembling a snake. Without transforming into a beast form, a normal person cannot finish it in one bite.

Without delay, Bai Xiaoyu informed Lou Hao to wrap up his current affairs and set aside three days for the transformation.

Lou Hao finished his work late at night, and Bai Xiaoyu asked him to wait in his room.

Bai Xiaoyu washed the Transformation Grass and placed it on a white plate, garnishing it with a few sprigs of coriander.

As he was about to leave, he paused. The Big Black Egg hopped over, and the little one on the bed waved its mental tentacles, calling out to him.

Lou Hao, waiting anxiously in the room, felt uneasy again when asked by Bai Xiaoyu to wash up and wait. The idea of disappearing resurfaced until he saw Bai Xiaoyu carrying both eggs—one black and one white, one big and one small. He instantly realized he was overthinking again. The two eggs were already showing hostility towards him, which he was almost getting used to. As long as they didn't attack, his small frame couldn't handle a fight with an egg—it would be embarrassing.

Ignoring the eggs' hostility, Lou Hao asked, "Boss, what do you need me to do this time?"

Bai Xiaoyu handed him the plate with a half-smile, "Good news. I've brought something good for you."

Distracted by the eggs, Lou Hao finally noticed the plate in Bai Xiaoyu's hand. Seeing the snake-like body and scales, he took several steps back, looking terrified and refusing, "Boss, what are you doing? My beast form is a snake, so I never eat snakes."

Bai Xiaoyu found it amusing, "This is Transformation Grass. Eating it will initiate your transformation period, reshaping your body. With time, you can recover to your peak condition."

Lou Hao was stunned, then appeared right in front of Bai Xiaoyu, staring intently at the Transformation Grass, "Is this herb really that miraculous?"

Bai Xiaoyu handed it to him, "I never joke about such matters. Take it."

Lou Hao carefully accepted the plate, staring at it without blinking.

Seeing him hesitate, Bai Xiaoyu urged, "Eat it."

Lou Hao placed the plate on the table, finding the herb increasingly snake-like, "How should I eat it?"

Bai Xiaoyu placed a knife, fork, and chopsticks on the edge of the plate, "Choose whatever method suits you. You can also eat it with your hands. Personally, I suggest avoiding using a knife and fork to prevent the juice from leaking and making it look like a dissection scene."

Lou Hao: "..."

Why did you even bring them out then?

Lou Hao picked up the chopsticks, lifted the Transformation Grass, and under Bai Xiaoyu's watchful gaze, took a deep breath and put it in his mouth.

Instantly, the familiar sensation of scales on his tongue made his scalp tingle. He closed his eyes and bit down hard. Blood filled his mouth, and the raw, fresh meat texture overwhelmed his senses.

His stomach churned, and his hand holding the chopsticks trembled.

Bai Xiaoyu saw blood at the corner of his mouth, "Swallow it. Don’t waste a drop."

Lou Hao swallowed reluctantly, but this was just the first bite, with much more left to go.

Bai Xiaoyu watched as Lou Hao slurped down the thick herb, staining his lips red.

After finishing, Bai Xiaoyu examined Lou Hao closely, asking, "How do you feel now?"

Lou Hao: "Nauseous and want to vomit."

Bai Xiaoyu: "...Anything else?"

Lou Hao's face turned red, as if flushed with blood, "Hot, my entire body feels like it’s burning."

He started tearing off his clothes and rolling on the ground.

Bai Xiaoyu could hear the faint sound of bones stretching. He said, "Hold on. Transformation is painful. Endure it, or you'll suffer in vain. If you miss this chance, it might take years to recover, or you might never reach your peak again."

Lou Hao could barely hear Bai Xiaoyu clearly, but he understood the gist. Amidst the searing pain of boiling blood and deforming bones, he maintained a sliver of consciousness with sheer willpower.

Soon, his body began to change, his clothes tearing apart as his bones stretched. In no time, a silver-bellied, black-backed snake as thick as an adult's waist lay where Lou Hao had been, with sparse scales and scars from having wings removed.

Lou Hao was delighted to find himself transformed back into his beast form. He wanted to roar with excitement but the intense pain prevented him from making any sound.

In the midst of agony, he curled up tightly, feeling his body tearing apart, something emerging inside...

Bai Xiaoyu saw cracks forming around the snake, with thick, viscous blood flowing out, creating a gruesome scene.

He frowned slightly, glancing at the little one in his arms and the Big Black Egg beside him. His two eggs remained eerily calm despite the situation. The Big Black Egg was understandable, but the little one seemed unusually brave.

With both eggs acting calmly, Bai Xiaoyu felt slightly reassured and focused on Lou Hao's transformation.

The thick blood continued to flow, gradually forming a large blood cocoon. The cocoon grew thicker, and three hours later, where Lou Hao had lain, a pure blood-red egg as tall as Bai Xiaoyu's chin appeared.

He walked over and gently tapped the eggshell, which was still warm with a steady pulsing sound inside, indicating the person inside was rapidly improving.

Bai Xiaoyu was surprised. Previously, snakes consuming Transformation Grass would expel old, damaged tissue and shed their skin. Now, Lou Hao had transformed into an egg. Could this be related to the physiology of interstellar snake-form beasts?

The Big Black Egg and the little one were stunned, then became increasingly hostile towards the colorful blood egg.

Tao Limeng came to find Lou Hao after finishing his work, his expression subtle upon seeing Bai Xiaoyu open the door. Bai Xiaoyu turned and let him in. Tao Limeng entered and did not see Lou Hao but instead saw three eggs.

Two were familiar, always following Bai Xiaoyu, while one was new. Had Bai Xiaoyu brought another strange egg from the incubation room? But why bring it to Lou Hao's room without any incubation equipment?

Tao Limeng: "Where’s Lou Hao?"

Before Tao Limeng could wait for Bai Xiaoyu to answer, he sniffed the air and looked at the bloody egg in shock.

"Lou Hao, did you turn into an egg?!"

Bai Xiaoyu was no longer surprised by the keen sense of smell of the star beasts. "Yes, he ate the Transformation Grass and is undergoing metamorphosis."

Tao Limeng looked bewildered. "Does that mean it needs to be re-hatched?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "Yes. We need to replenish all kinds of nutrients, but he won’t need too long—just three days until he hatches. Also, the incubation chamber is full because we didn’t expect him to directly transform into an egg. Since you’re here, make a single incubation chamber for him."

So Tao Limeng worked through the night to create an incubation chamber for Lou Hao, placing the pure blood-colored egg inside. The slot began to fill with a large amount of nutrient solution mixed with the later-stage egg cultivation medicine and bone-washing elixirs.

This solution was originally prepared for the big black egg. Given the special circumstances, they had to use it temporarily.

The big black egg hopped around the incubation chamber, causing the sleeping blood egg to shudder involuntarily.

Watching the blood egg absorb nutrients at an incredible speed, Bai Xiaoyu wasn’t surprised. Reconstructing a body required a lot of energy, so he needed to prepare more.

Three days later, the blood egg finally woke up.

Bai Xiaoyu was refining medicine when Zhang Yi ran up to him. "Master Bai, a blood-colored egg suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It’s not one of our red-and-white eggs; it’s a large, pure blood-colored one. It’s fighting with the big black egg!"

Bai Xiaoyu was about to finish refining the medicine and immediately guessed what was happening. He just wanted to facepalm. After finishing up, he went with Zhang Yi to the incubation facility. Before they got close, they heard loud bangs and booms coming from the grassy area in front.

Seems like the fight was intense.

Interns were also shouting in surprise, clearly shocked by the scene before them.

They had always been curious about the big black egg that hopped around Bai Xiaoyu. After all, the eggs they usually saw never left their incubation chambers. Seeing two eggs fighting so fiercely and leaving craters on the ground was a first.

When Bai Xiaoyu arrived, he found not only the interns but also Tao Limeng, who was engrossed in the fight.

Seeing Bai Xiaoyu, Tao Limeng waved. "Perfect timing! Guess who will win?"

Bai Xiaoyu watched as the black and red eggs dodged attacks and used various tactics. Clearly, the blood egg was at a disadvantage.

The big black egg seemed to be holding back, considering how fierce its previous fight with Xiao Xi had been.

Without hesitation, Bai Xiaoyu said, "The big black egg."

Tao Limeng was surprised. "Lou Hao is an adult, the top student in both the Command and Mecha Systems. There aren’t many people in the Imperial Military Academy who can match him."

Bai Xiaoyu: "But he’s no match for the big black egg."

Indeed, the big black egg was holding back. It didn’t like this guy, but he was Bai Bai’s helper, and his skills were average. If it beat him too badly, Bai Bai would have to take care of him.

Even though it couldn’t hurt him, it could still teach him a lesson.

Upon waking up, Lou Hao felt a surge of strength, as if all the past weakness had vanished. Frustrated after being cooped up for so long, he saw the big black egg and decided to confront it.

During this time, the big black egg had taken good care of him, and now he wanted to repay it.

He hopped over and slammed into the big black egg.

The two eggs soon engaged in a fierce battle.

As the fight continued, Lou Hao grew increasingly frustrated. Despite feeling much better, he still felt overpowered.

Being consistently dominated and led around by the other egg severely damaged his newfound confidence.

What kind of egg is this? Even the strongest student from the Imperial Military Academy can’t defeat it?

The more he fought, the more embarrassed Lou Hao felt.

Zhang Yi: "Master Bai, aren’t you going to stop them?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "No worries, the big black egg knows its limits."

Zhang Yi: "I’m worried the blood egg might bully the big black egg."

Bai Xiaoyu: "You should worry about the blood egg being bullied by the big black egg."

Tao Limeng: "... Lou Hao, you’ve been underestimated. You need to step up."

At that moment, the two eggs collided with a loud bang, accompanied by the sound of cracking shell.

Everyone gasped as they saw the big black egg unscathed, while the blood egg had a crack at the top.

The big black egg was shocked. It hadn’t used much force, yet it had cracked the other egg’s shell. Oh no, would Bai Bai be angry?

So the big black egg quickly hopped over to Bai Xiaoyu, standing still with a small twig on its shell, as if in penance.

Bai Xiaoyu patted the big black egg. "Big Black, he’s about to hatch. It’s not your fault."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Bai Xiaoyu turned to the curious interns. "Have you completed today’s tasks? Otherwise, I’ll add some more..."

The interns scattered in panic, disappearing in seconds.

Zhang Yi and the others also left, while Bai Xiaoyu returned, carrying his little one, and together with Tao Limeng, brought the black and red eggs back to Lou Hao’s room.

He took out the hatching equipment and placed the blood egg inside.

The blood egg rolled around for a bit, and soon the crack at the top widened. Suddenly, something pushed it open.

A pair of silver wings emerged, not feathered like bird wings, but more like the wings of a pterodactyl, with sharp bone spurs gleaming menacingly, as if they could cut through metal.

Tao Limeng reacted the most strongly, jumping to his feet with eyes full of disbelief. "Regrowth of a severed limb in beast form?"

With the appearance of these wings, everything became much easier.

The blood-red eggshell's cracks widened, and with a fierce swipe, the wings pushed the shell apart into two halves that fell away.

Inside was a snake with a silver belly and black back, adorned with beautiful silver wings. Compared to the previous thick snake, it was noticeably smaller.

The two wings gently fluttered, still shimmering with silver light, looking incredibly beautiful.

The black snake's head turned to look at its regained wings, and it actually grinned, sticking out its tongue and hissing in laughter before starting to flap its wings wildly, flying up and down frantically.

Everyone's initial joy for him soon turned to numbness as they watched him fly endlessly until Tao Limeng could no longer bear it. "Lou Hao, are you done yet?"

The serpent gave him a glare before suddenly flying towards Bai Xiaoyu, hissing, "Boss, I love you so much. I want to give you a big hug."

The large black egg, now understanding the beast language, rushed in front of Bai Xiaoyu, sending the serpent crashing into the wall, sliding down slowly.

Tao Limeng chuckled. "Serves you right. Are you finally sober now?"

Bai Xiaoyu gently patted the large black egg and turned to Lou Hao, who had just returned from his excitement. "Your beast form is now smaller than before, likely regressing to a juvenile state. Your strength has also decreased. We should test your physical condition and mental power to see how they compare to when you were a juvenile."

Curious, Tao Limeng immediately ran over to take the test. Having known Lou Hao since childhood and having competed with him secretly, he knew roughly what to expect.

His physical condition was SS, and his mental power was SS-.

Looking at the numbers, Tao Limeng remarked, "The rank hasn't changed, but the values have increased significantly."

At this moment, he looked at Bai Xiaoyu with the same bright-eyed enthusiasm he had for the instruments upstairs, only to be blocked by the large black egg.

Lou Hao had already transformed back into human form, much shorter than before, appearing like a teenager around sixteen or seventeen. He glanced at his test report and couldn't help rushing towards Bai Xiaoyu again, calling out "Boss" before being sent flying once more.

Bai Xiaoyu: "Calm down. It's all on you now. With proper training, you'll be back to your original self in a few months."

Just then, a spacecraft landed at the entrance of the breeding facility. A tall, scarred man carrying someone wrapped in thick blankets stepped out. The blanket slipped slightly, revealing a woman's emaciated neck, barely held together by skin, occasionally twitching.

Inside the room, Bai Xiaoyu, who was examining Lou Hao, stood up and patted his shoulder. "Xiaolou, you're almost fully recovered. Seeing you fight with the large black egg shows you're energetic. There's a pile of work waiting for you, so keep it up."

Lou Hao: "I can go three to five days without rest, and I'll handle everything perfectly."

Bai Xiaoyu instructed the robot to bring the person in, coinciding with encountering the scarred man downstairs.

Upon spotting Bai Xiaoyu, the man with the scar identified the individual from the images and grew restless. "Breeder Bai, I implore you to help my companion. She's on the verge of losing consciousness from the pain, and her periods of lucidity have significantly decreased compared to before."

Bai Xiaoyu: "Hold on a moment."

Bai Xiaoyu placed Xiaobudian back into the incubation compartment. Dahhei was unwilling to leave and insisted on following him, seeming to be somewhat wary of the scarred man.

He led them to a prepared room upstairs, where Tao Limeng had set up medical equipment.

The woman was placed on the bed, and the nearby instruments quickly generated her current health report.

At this moment, the woman's vitality was extremely low, nearing the brink of death.

Bai Xiaoyu lifted the blanket, revealing a swollen belly covered in veins, with only a thin layer of skin left. Beneath the skin, something seemed to be moving constantly, pushing against it as if about to break through.

Bai Xiaoyu reached out and pressed his hand on the belly. His mental power threads probed inside, revealing a twenty-centimeter-diameter egg covered in blue segmented tentacles, each ending in a circular suction cup filled with tiny mosquito-like openings. These suction cups were deeply embedded in the mother's body, continuously absorbing nutrients, nearly draining her dry.

Bai Xiaoyu maneuvered past the suction cups, his mental power threads sneaking into the eggshell. He discovered an unrecognizable shape directly connected to the yolk, which, compared to the mother's dire condition, was surprisingly healthy.

Bai Xiaoyu withdrew his mental power, frowning slightly. The situation was more complicated than he had anticipated.

This was not an ordinary parasitic egg but a symbiotic one.