Chapter 074

Chapter 074

Xiaoyu's mental force tentacles were something he had felt before; they shared the same origin as his own mental force. Therefore, helping Xiaoyu with his awakening should not be too difficult.

However, for the other eggs, he was not entirely confident.

He had been researching this matter extensively, gathering a large amount of information. He discovered that in the galaxy, apart from parents, there were special cases where others could help with awakenings, but it required a very high level of mental force from the helper.

Moreover, it also depended on the similarity between the helper’s mental force and that of the youngling inside the egg.

In situations like these, where the eggs lacked parents, priority would be given to finding blood relatives of the eggs. Within three generations, the chances of successful awakening were higher, though still not as good as direct parental awakening. Beyond three generations, the chances dropped significantly, and the further the blood relation, the worse the effect of the awakening.

Of course, some individuals with exceptionally high mental forces, whose mental forces were more gentle and could easily merge and communicate with others, could also help with the awakening of the eggs, although success rates varied.

Bai Xiaoyu had previously requested the mainframe to investigate other relatives of these eggs and found that most of them lived on the same planet and did not survive the disaster. Only a few were elsewhere. Out of the twenty-one eggs, only five people came forward.

Among the five, only two were closely related to the eggs—one was an older brother, and the other was an aunt.

They happened to be studying elsewhere, while the others were beyond the third generation.

All five were present now, each looking extremely nervous. Two were young and still in school, two were middle-aged, and one was an elderly person with graying hair.

They had not appeared with the other direct parents, partly because a few arrived late, close to evening, and partly because none of them had experience with non-direct awakenings, so they were all waiting until nightfall.

Bai Xiaoyu looked at the five people, who seemed at a loss, and said, "Don't be nervous. Have you done your homework on awakenings? Let's try following the process now."

The two younger ones approached the eggs first, followed by the elderly person, and finally the two worried middle-aged individuals.

Bai Xiaoyu also walked up to Xiaoyu. The little egg, which had been well-fed and eagerly anticipating him all day, immediately stood up.

Bai Xiaoyu reached out and poked Xiaoyu’s shell. "Looks like you’re quite energetic."

He had been worried about Xiaoyu all day, since this little one was more mature than the other eggs. Seeing the white egg bouncing and nodding its head, he finally relaxed.

The white egg rubbed against his hand, and Bai Xiaoyu stroked it gently. "Xiaoyu, since your mother isn’t here, I’ll try to help you with your awakening."

Bai Xiaoyu chose to start with Xiaoyu to familiarize himself with the process.

Despite his appearance, this was actually his first time helping a youngling with an awakening. Like the other parents, he had done all the necessary preparations.

If he couldn’t successfully awaken Xiaoyu, then the chances for the other eggs would be even slimmer.

Bai Xiaoyu bent down and picked up Xiaoyu, sending a thin thread of mental force into the egg. The pink, furless little creature inside sensed him and immediately swam over, its tiny claws reaching out to grab his mental force thread. A small mental force tentacle emerged from its bald forehead, chubby and excitedly waving around. Seeing that its claws couldn’t reach Bai Xiaoyu’s mental force thread, it joined in the chase.

Bai Xiaoyu watched the furless little creature wriggling and twisting, its pink body looking small but with perfectly proportioned limbs. Its paws were not delicate like a kitten’s but rather thick like a tiger cub’s, and its tail swung powerfully.

In fact, Xiaoyu wasn’t as weak as it seemed. It grew slowly due to its injuries, but with various medications and nutrients, its growth rate had gradually increased, absorbing more and more of the nutrient solution.

Now, despite being smaller than the other eggs, it was more agile than their larger counterparts.

Looking at the pink bundle, Bai Xiaoyu smiled. He had to admit that the furless younglings were quite ugly.

He wasn’t just referring to Xiaoyu but all the eggs he had seen. Others saw the adorable newborns, but he saw the furless forms and the initial formation of blood and flesh within the eggs.

His mental force couldn’t resist poking Xiaoyu’s head, and the small tentacle immediately wrapped around it.

Bai Xiaoyu observed Xiaoyu’s mental force tentacle, which differed from the rounded tips of the students’ initial tentacles. Xiaoyu’s tentacle had a sharper tip.

During the first batch of eggs, Bai Xiaoyu noticed that their mental force tentacles were also sharper compared to those of their parents.

This state usually formed after students practiced repeatedly against targets.

Now, except for Xiaoyu, the mental force tentacles of the younglings in these eggs were in the same state.

Drawing from his experience of using mental force to harmonize with the students’ mental forces, Bai Xiaoyu quickly realized this was due to his frequent contact with the younglings’ mental force tentacles inside the eggs.

These eggs encountered his mental force threads from the moment their spiritual bodies began to form, and his mental force lingered within the eggs during the removal of dark matter, much like how he injected mental force into the medications for the interns to train with.

Thus, from the very beginning, the spiritual bodies of these eggs were influenced by his mental force, leading the tentacles to evolve in his direction.

Newly formed spiritual bodies were highly malleable, and the mental force tentacles of these eggs had already started evolving, even surpassing the interns’ trained mental force tentacles.

These eggs’ mental force tentacles had a head start compared to the interns’.

If the interns knew this, they might have spat out blood from their endless training.

Xiaoyu, with its naturally stronger mental force, showed this even more clearly.

Bai Xiaoyu was certain that Xiaoyu’s mental force tentacle already possessed some offensive capability.

He played with Xiaoyu for a while. Unlike other eggs, Xiaoyu didn’t need to get acquainted with him or be coaxed to release its natural instincts for the awakening.

Xiaoyu was already familiar with Bai Xiaoyu, and its small mental force tentacle began to actively rub against his mental force thread, swaying playfully.

Bai Xiaoyu found it amusing—this was a clear request for an awakening.

Other parents might spend an entire day trying to get their eggs to accept their guidance for the awakening.

Now, with Xiaoyu being so obedient, how could he refuse?

Bai Xiaoyu retracted the mental force thread. The originally divided hundred-plus threads gradually converged. Since he exercised his mental force constantly, he had never retracted any of the threads before.

It was slightly uncomfortable for him to retract all the threads for the first time.

He picked up the white egg, and soon a thick, nearly tangible mental force tentacle emerged from his forehead. This tentacle swayed drunkenly above his head.

As soon as this mental force tentacle appeared, all the eggs in the incubation compartments stopped their antics and became excited, attempting a collective escape.

Seeing the eggs about to roll off, he had no time to deal with them. The tentacle on his head gently waved. "Behave yourselves, don’t cause trouble."

Zhang Yi and Lu Qing watched as all the eggs instantly returned to their original positions, behaving exceptionally well.

They were stunned. These eggs had never been this obedient before. Could it be because of the authority in Old Qi's words today?

Looking at Bai Xiaoyu now, they couldn't help but avoid looking directly above his head, feeling an inexplicable sweat breaking out in their palms.

Satisfied that the eggs were no longer causing trouble, Bai Xiaoyu pressed his forehead against the small egg.

His mental tentacle entered the egg, and the pink blob inside excitedly tried to wrap its four claws around the large tentacle. The tiny tentacle on top immediately reached out and looped around Bai Xiaoyu's large tentacle.

Bai Xiaoyu was taken aback. This sensation felt like the little one holding his hand, even though its mental strength wasn't strong enough to touch his yet. At this moment, however, they could feel each other.

Was this the feeling parents have when guiding their child within the egg?

Feeling the joy and affection coming from the small tentacle, Bai Xiaoyu's gaze softened.

The large tentacle moved gently, holding the small one and conveying emotions of anticipation, surprise, and blessings to the little creature.

Inside the egg, the little beast rolled around excitedly, then shyly covered its bald face with its tiny paws.

The large tentacle carefully protected the small one, gradually extending it outside the eggshell.

At this moment, the large tentacle acted as a guide, leading the small one into the new world while simultaneously strengthening its mental power.

This was what parents needed to do. Not only did they need to guide the young one, but also provide their own mental power to help the egg hatch when the young one's mental strength was insufficient.

As the little one's mental power began to change upon touching the new world, a tiny bud emerged from its small tentacle.

Bai Xiaoyu immediately sensed that this was a sign of mental power evolution.

He started transferring his mental power to the little one. Soon, a second and third bud appeared on the small tentacle.

After half an hour, the little one's mental power had grown beyond just one small tentacle; there was now a main tentacle with six smaller ones. All the small tentacles waved excitedly on top of the little beast's head, resembling a tiny transparent octopus. They also grabbed onto Bai Xiaoyu's newly differentiated tentacles, swinging them around like a child holding an adult's hand.

Bai Xiaoyu's forehead was still pressed against the small egg, which was now swaying along with his tentacles.

The enlightenment was nearly complete; all that was left was for the little one to release its grip after its excitement subsided.

Just then, Bai Xiaoyu received a notification and video feed from the robot, showing Feng Shuang'er bringing Old Qi here, heading straight for the incubation room.

Bai Xiaoyu glanced at the black and silver eggs, which were now glaring at the small white egg, and said, "Mother is bringing Old Qi over. You should move aside."

The two eggs glared at the small white egg before reluctantly leaving.

Soon, Feng Shuang'er and Old Qi arrived.

Feng Shuang'er saw Bai Xiaoyu with his forehead pressed against the small white egg and exclaimed, "Xiaoyu, are you enlightening Xiao Er?"

Bai Xiaoyu remained expressionless. "Yes. Why are you here?"

Feng Shuang'er replied, "I wanted to try again. If I can't do it, maybe Old Qi can. He has helped many eggs with enlightenment before."

Bai Xiaoyu responded, "I just finished enlightening him. There's no need to trouble Old Qi."

Feng Shuang'er asked, "Xiaoyu, does that mean you succeeded?"

Bai Xiaoyu answered, "Sort of."

Feng Shuang'er didn't believe him and approached him. "How is that possible?"

She, who shared closer blood ties with Xiao Er, couldn't do it, yet Xiaoyu, whose mental power had always been weak, managed to succeed?

The little one's mental tentacle froze the moment Feng Shuang'er appeared. Now that she was close, it reluctantly tugged at Bai Xiaoyu and quickly retreated back inside.

Bai Xiaoyu withdrew his mental tentacle, and Feng Shuang'er stood beside him.

She looked at the motionless small white egg, her expression complex. "Let me see."

Bai Xiaoyu didn't refuse. Feng Shuang'er took the small white egg and probed it with her mental tentacle.

She finally felt the faint mental fluctuations inside, including a very weak and unstable tentacle that dispersed upon contact with hers.

It was indeed enlightened, but so weak that it disintegrated upon touch!

Her gaze shifted between Bai Xiaoyu and the small white egg, recalling that the closer the mental power strength, the easier the enlightenment.

Her mental power was too strong, while Xiaoyu and Xiao Er's were too weak, making it easier for him to enlighten the egg.

Realizing this, Feng Shuang'er didn't dwell on it anymore.

She turned to Old Qi and said, "Xiaoyu, you and Xiao Er share the same source of mental power, but you must be struggling with the other eggs. Old Qi is one of the best people in the galaxy to help these unparented eggs. He has a request: if you let him meet the master alchemist, he will help with the unenlightened eggs here."

Bai Xiaoyu declined again. "No need. I'll find another way."

Old Qi urged, "Young Master Bai, don't rush to refuse. After all, the optimal time for enlightenment is these few days. You can wait, but these eggs cannot. My success rate is 70% to 80%. My request isn't high. Will you consider it?"

Bai Xiaoyu replied, "I'll think about it. Please go back for now."

Old Qi looked at the five people nearby, noticing that one had successfully communicated with an egg while the others were eagerly watching. He smiled. "I hope you decide soon. Time waits for no one."

Feng Shuang'er tried to persuade Bai Xiaoyu. "Xiaoyu, don't be stubborn."

Suddenly, Bai Xiaoyu spoke up. "You're right. How about letting Old Qi help with the other eggs?"

Old Qi was pleased with Bai Xiaoyu's pragmatism, realizing that Feng Shuang'er's visit was justified.

He quickly approached the unenlightened eggs. In front of him was a blood egg that had been severely damaged. Its shell was covered with deep red veins and large nodes, making it very noticeable.

Old Qi knew these eggs were part of the experimental batch, and the mad beast grass potion was his creation. He thought these eggs wouldn't hatch, but now they were alive and ready for enlightenment.

The pattern on the egg was repaired seamlessly, and the blood-colored markings looked just like real blood. He flipped through Bai Xiaoyu's live stream and saw that he had used red and white colored potions to mend the eggshell.

From what he could see here, the potions used by the eggs were all top-notch. The same went for the potions sold in the Star Network store. This potion master indeed had some impressive skills; he was becoming more eager to meet this person.

He looked at the blood egg. Since he couldn't meet the person now, he felt an urge to dissect the egg and study it thoroughly.

Old Qi showed a kind smile and reached out to pick up the egg. "Egg, let me see how you're doing."

At that moment, the blood egg flicked its tail like a carp, hitting his hand hard and splashing the nutrient solution from the incubation chamber onto Old Qi's face.

When he tried again, the egg flicked him once more. This time, he bent down and leaned in, only to have the egg leap up and hit him in the face.

Instead of getting angry, Old Qi became intrigued by the egg's fighting spirit. He stared at the health report next to the egg, his eyes gradually darkening.

These were the statistics of a highly gifted beast child, and the other blood eggs from the same batch were the same.

Did this prove that the idea with the Mad Beast Grass had succeeded?

While Old Qi was facing off against the blood egg, Bai Xiaoyu quietly walked to the window. With his back to everyone, he opened his palm, revealing a transparent sphere containing a deep blue small tentacle, now as thick as half a pinky, pointing in the direction of Old Qi's residence, bouncing excitedly.

Bai Xiaoyu thought for a moment and used his mental power to separate the two intertwined tentacles, one large and one small.

The deep blue tentacle hesitated but soon complied, shooting out from the transparent sphere and disappearing from his sight.

Although he couldn't see it anymore, Bai Xiaoyu knew everything that was happening because he had placed a strand of mental power ten times thicker than usual on the deep blue tentacle.

Watching it swiftly reach Old Qi's dormitory building and enter his room, it caused a commotion before emerging, dragging a transparent crystal the size of an egg behind it.

He turned and walked toward Old Qi, observing the blood egg's hostile reaction. "Old Qi, it seems Egg doesn't like you. If Egg won't let you approach, the enlightenment won't be successful."

Old Qi: "That's not a problem; I have a way..."

Suddenly, his expression changed dramatically. "I have something else to attend to; I'll come back tomorrow."

With that, he hurriedly left.

Feng Shuang'er spoke to Bai Xiaoyu briefly before also turning to leave.

Bai Xiaoyu soothed the agitated blood egg, stroking its shell. "I'm sorry, little one. Be good; I'll enlighten you right away. I won't let him near you again."

He turned to look at the five people. Except for the brother who was successfully enlightening an egg, everyone else had failed. Bai Xiaoyu arranged for them to rest.

He spent the night enlightening the blood eggs, just as he had anticipated. Each egg's mental power tentacle was lively and actively sought his own tentacle for enlightenment.

Soon, these eggs completed their enlightenment, and their mental power tentacles sprouted buds, differentiating into additional smaller tentacles. While they didn't have as many tentacles as Little Dot, each egg had at least two, mostly three, and some even four.

Meanwhile, back at his place, Old Qi faced a chaotic room and completely destroyed traps, his face darkening.

While he was guarding, nothing happened, but within minutes of leaving, the insect crystal was stolen!

Could a low-level, instinct-driven tentacle really possess such power and intelligence?

After each enlightenment, Bai Xiaoyu checked and found the blue tentacle lingering somewhere, wrapping around the insect crystal, rubbing and sucking on it. However, it only took a tiny bit before stopping, then started rubbing again, repeating the process.

It seemed very tempted by the crystal but somehow managed to restrain itself. Just before six in the morning, Bai Xiaoyu finished an enlightenment and discovered the tentacle dragging the crystal towards Qi Yanhuan.

Bai Xiaoyu rushed over and immediately contacted Qin Lie, instructing him to prepare for his arrival.

When he arrived, Qin Lie and Qi Yanhuan were facing off against the deep blue tentacle, which was repeatedly trying to jump onto Qi Yanhuan's stomach but being dodged each time.

Gradually, the tentacle grew more agitated, about to go berserk.

Bai Xiaoyu approached from behind and swiftly pinched the tentacle with his long fingers.

The deep blue tentacle seemed startled, struggling fiercely while dragging the crystal, refusing to let go no matter what.