Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Bai Xiaoyu was truly perplexed, but the current weightless, floating state was a bit uncomfortable. He needed to get back to the spacecraft quickly.

He patted Big Black, then spoke to those who were still in shock. "Let's head back first."

At that moment, Mosen snapped out of his daze. Gazing at the empty space below, his eyes were wide with disbelief. "What about the planet? How did it suddenly disappear?"

As he spoke, he kicked his feet and tried to dive downward.

Bai Xiaoyu couldn't hear him but guessed from his expression and lip movements. Seeing this, he reached out and pulled Mosen onto his spacecraft. The warriors quickly followed and boarded the craft. Mo Yan hesitated for a moment before returning to his own spacecraft.

Once inside, the dozen or so people on the spacecraft exchanged confused glances. After all, they had witnessed the small planet vanish before their eyes and had already begun searching for information and analyzing the situation.

Still in a panic, Mosen tried to rush out. "I'll go look for it. Maybe a black hole swallowed the planet. Without the Insect Crystal, what will happen to my brother?"

Bai Xiaoyu said, "If it were a black hole, we wouldn't be able to stand here safely. Don't worry, I took it away."

As soon as these words left his mouth, the warriors on the spacecraft almost immediately understood. Bai Xiaoyu hadn't hidden much from the two legions, so they knew he might possess advanced technological artifacts from another civilization.

In the current star system, achieving such vast storage space is impossible, but perhaps a higher-level civilization's spatial technology could.

Mosen froze, his eyes suddenly brightening. "Has the empire already developed such advanced spatial technology? Can I take a look?"

Bai Xiaoyu casually draped an arm over Tao Limeng. "It was developed by a top expert from our side. If you want to see it, it's not impossible."

With that, he removed his optical brain. "It's right here."

The advanced optical brains of the star system had small storage spaces, and his was the highest grade. It had integrated the system, so the system space was naturally included.

This child, who had first met Bai Xiaoyu when he was acting carefree, had since been obsessed with finding his brother. Now, his eyes sparkled as he looked at the optical brain, temporarily forgetting about his anxious search for his brother.

Mosen examined the optical brain thoroughly. "I don't see anything different."

Suddenly, he pulled out a small wrench from who knows where and looked at Bai Xiaoyu with anticipation. "Can I take it apart and see?"

Bai Xiaoyu was left speechless.

It seemed he had encountered an extraordinary child. Perhaps he could take him back as a surprise for Tao Limeng.

Bai Xiaoyu said, "If you break it, the planet might disappear. Then we won't be able to retrieve your brother."

Mosen paused, his expression hesitant. Finally, he reluctantly put the optical brain down and returned it to Bai Xiaoyu, looking very disappointed.

However, his eyes stayed fixed on Bai Xiaoyu's optical brain, his eyes darting around, plotting something mischievous.

Suddenly, he spoke up. "I want to ask, does that master still take apprentices?"

Bai Xiaoyu, wearing his optical brain again, gave Mosen a smile like a wolf facing Little Red Riding Hood. "You can ask him yourself."

As the two chatted, the warrior piloting the spacecraft suddenly spoke up. "Our sensors show an unknown object rapidly approaching us."

Bai Xiaoyu looked at the display screen on the spacecraft, where a massive, dark, and ominous object was quickly approaching. The spacecraft had already started sounding alarms.

Big Black Egg suddenly stepped forward, its tiger claws extending mental tentacles, instantly linking to the spacecraft. With a series of beeping sounds, the spacecraft began to transform, quickly changing from its original form into a massive, metallic tiger-shaped mecha.

At that moment, the moving planet appeared within the detection range—a huge, ink-blue monstrosity with flailing tentacles. Before it even arrived, the tentacles had already begun reaching towards them.

Mo Yan was completely stunned. If he hadn't guessed wrong, this should be the Zerg Prince, right?

He never expected to encounter the Zerg Prince here. It seemed that today might be the day he would face his end.

He was resigned to his fate, but Mo Sen was still too young.

At this moment, Mo Yan’s feelings were extremely complicated. He sent a message in the Dawn Group chat: "We’ve encountered the Zerg Prince. I leave Mo Lin in your care. Stop being pirates, find a planet, and settle down."

Ignoring the group chat that was now like a pan of hot oil exploding, he turned to face the tentacle reaching out towards them.

Mo Yan’s flight vehicle was the first to be attacked. Just as that small flight vehicle was about to be smashed to pieces, a massive metal tiger tail wrapped around it, deftly dodging the blow at an incredibly precise angle.

The Zerg Prince was also momentarily stunned. This ant actually dares to resist?

The aura of the insect crystal had vanished from this place. It must be related to these people.

Bai Xiaoyu watched through the display screen as countless deep blue tentacles launched their attack.

Is this the fully-grown form of the Zerg Prince?

He turned to look at Big Black. At that moment, the large black egg was standing in front of the cockpit. Bai Xiaoyu thought he could faintly see that steadfast figure again.

Under the overwhelming tentacle assault, a metal tiger tail, with a mech still attached to it, moved rapidly across the tentacles. With each leap, a row of tentacles was cut off.

When the Zerg Prince realized he had been wounded by an ant, he roared in fury. The tentacles attacked even more fiercely, but the metal tiger mech suddenly spread its wings and closed in on a vulnerable part of the Zerg Prince’s body.

Without any visible attack from the metal tiger mech, the Zerg Prince began to wrap himself with tentacles and screamed.

At this moment, other Zerg signals were detected.

The metal tiger mech immediately fled and, after locking onto coordinates, began a space jump.

Bai Xiaoyu and the others were on edge as they watched, while the warriors looked at the Big Black Egg with excitement.

The Marshal’s action must have severed one of the Zerg Prince’s central nervous system connections, putting the Prince in a defensive state temporarily. This was their chance to escape.

However, this mech was no match for the Marshal’s mech. Its damage rate was nearing ninety percent, and more Zerg were coming. If they didn’t leave now, they would be in serious trouble.

Bai Xiaoyu felt Big Black initiate a space jump, and his body could hardly handle it.

Big Black seemed to glance back at him, slowly pressing closer as a thought was transmitted through mental energy: “Bai Bai, hold on a bit longer. I need to shake off the pursuers before this mech falls apart.”

Bai Xiaoyu also saw the damage rate of the mech. “I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”

Big Black then sent a message to the vehicles behind them. Mo Yan, who had just experienced a perilous journey clinging to the metal tiger tail, was drenched in cold sweat. He thought he was done for, but now they were in a different place?

He was physically unharmed, but his flight vehicle couldn’t withstand the intense impact and began to fall apart.

Before it fully broke down, he received a message from the heavily damaged metal tiger mech in front, instructing him to enter his own mech the moment the flight vehicle disintegrated.

In a few moments, the flight vehicle wrapped by the metal tiger tail broke apart and fell. Instantly, it was replaced by an eagle-shaped mech, but its neck was still held by the tiger tail, dragging it away.

After half an hour of jumping, they finally shook off the pursuers and arrived above a beautiful planet with green and blue hues. The moment the metal tiger mech shattered into powder, twelve primitive humanoid mechs appeared. The leading mech held a large black egg and Bai Xiaoyu, who was leaning against the egg and almost passed out.

A small owl-shaped mech fluttered its wings around the mech hands that were holding Bai Xiaoyu.

They landed in a barren desert, where warriors soon arrived with a flight vehicle.

Recognizing the familiar battle uniforms, Bai Xiaoyu realized that they were on a planet guarded by the Sixteenth Legion.

Without much exchange, Bai Xiaoyu and the others boarded the flight vehicle.

Mo Yan had no choice but to get on the flight vehicle, though he was still somewhat shaken.

It took some time for him to recover, his gaze wandering uncertainly over the twelve warriors. One of them had piloted the flight vehicle, taking them on a perilous escape from the grasp of the Zerg Prince. The skill on display was the best he had ever witnessed.

Only the Sixteenth Legion warriors and Bai Xiaoyu knew that it was Big Black who had controlled the mech, thanks to the direct neural link. Mo Sen, on the other hand, was also confused and couldn’t explain anything when asked by Mo Yan either.

However, the two soon let the chaotic group know they were safe. As the flight vehicle passed a certain area, Bai Xiaoyu slowed down to prepare gifts for the little ones at home, as well as gifts for the others.

Carrying the large black mech’s egg, he first picked a gift for Big Black.

Even though he had been thinking about the bone tiger, he instinctively chose a large claw-sharpening yarn ball. Big Black was clearly pleased, nudging it a few times with his egg-shaped body.

Next were the gifts for Bai Kan and the others. Big Black wasn’t very interested in the others, but when it came to the little one, he pointed to a mech with his mental tiger claw tendril.

Bai Xiaoyu looked at the mech. Although it was designed for an immature cub, it was meant for a ten-year-old.

Surprised, Bai Xiaoyu turned to Big Black. "Isn't this mech too advanced for the little one?"

The Big Black Egg bounced and replied, "Not too early. It's time to start mech training."

Bai Xiaoyu nodded. "If you say it's okay, I'll follow your lead."

The Big Black Egg became even happier and a bit shy. "I listen to you too, Bai Bai."

Big Black decided it was time for the little one to start sleeping in a mech. He was grown up now and shouldn’t sleep with Bai Bai anymore.

On planet D36, the little white tiger sneezed three times, his silver fur trembling. The little tiger raised his head, his beast eyes filled with alertness. He was waiting for his brother's gift, but something felt off. Is something wrong?

Meanwhile, the Zerg Prince, driven to madness, wanted to attack, but with one main nerve center severed, combined with previous severe injuries that hadn’t healed, and the vast amount of energy expended this time, he had no choice but to continue resting.

After selecting the gifts, Bai Xiaoyu returned directly to planet D36.

As soon as he stepped out of the flight vehicle, he saw the rarely seen Tao Limeng rushing over from a distance. In front of him were two little tiger cubs, one golden and one silver, running at full speed. The little golden tiger, trying desperately to keep up with the white tiger, ended up slipping and falling on his back.

He quickly got up, not even bothering to fix his crooked little crown, and continued running, howling.

Little Bai, originally in human form, was walking unsteadily while holding the Little Prince’s hand. Seeing that he couldn’t keep up with the four-legged white tiger, he transformed into a small wolf and dashed forward.

The Little Prince couldn’t hold back either, his little mouth pouting as he crawled quickly on his hands and knees.

Bai Kan also hurried over, with Lou Hao, the only composed one, walking slowly behind.

In no time, Bai Xiaoyu had a little white tiger nestled on his head, a little golden tiger wrapped around his neck, a little wolf in his arms, and another cub clinging with a pout to his leg.

And of course, a Big Black Egg on his back.

Bai Xiaoyu began distributing the gifts to the cubs. The little white tiger was extremely delighted with the mech, immediately circling around it excitedly. The little golden tiger was happy with his various little crowns and accepted them joyfully.

Seeing that they hadn’t received their turn yet, the Little Prince started shaking Bai Xiaoyu's leg. "What about the treats?"

Bai Xiaoyu thought of the small planet he had stored away and then looked at the relatively flat, oval mini stone block inside.

The Insect Crystal was stored inside. Now, how was he supposed to retrieve it?

There's no way to take out this small planet, right?

Bai Xiaoyu began to mentally call out to the system, "System, I asked you to collect the Insect Crystal, why did you bring back this planet?"

System: "Host, the system followed exactly your instructions."

Bai Xiaoyu was stunned for a moment, then thought of the enormous Insect Crystal from earlier, which was much larger than the current planet. He suddenly asked, "Is this entire planet made of Insect Crystal?"

System: "Yes."

Even the usually calm Bai Xiaoyu couldn’t help but widen his eyes slightly at the thought of the planet's size.

He looked at the little wolf in his arms and the Little Prince who was clutching his leg. Just a while ago, he was worried about not being able to afford to raise these two little ones. Now, he felt he could provide for them for the rest of their lives.

Bai Xiaoyu picked up the little wolf and looked at the Little Prince, saying, "We will never run out of food again. You can eat as much as you want."

The little wolf immediately barked excitedly, and the Little Prince hugged his leg even tighter, saying, "Give us more food, the previous batch is gone."

Bai Xiaoyu nodded and asked the system, "System, can you cut off a piece of the Insect Crystal?"

System: "Host, the system does not have this function. Please do not make such requests."

Bai Xiaoyu: "Alright, how many points do I need?"

The system responded quickly, "1,000 grams for 10,000 points. How much does the host want?"

Thinking about the planet’s size, Bai Xiaoyu suddenly felt a bit frustrated. He ground his molars slightly and said, "Are you trying to rob me?"

System: "Host, the system maintains high standards of fairness and integrity. However, as a first-time offer, the first 1,000 kilograms will only cost 500,000 points. Would you like to make the exchange?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "Exchange."

Soon, a portion of the Insect Crystal was cut from the planet, inside the system's grid space, and Bai Xiaoyu watched as the transparent Insect Crystal was transferred to another slot.

System: "500,000 points. Thank you for your purchase."

Seeing the remaining over 10 million points, Bai Xiaoyu thought that this amount of Insect Crystal should last the little ones a long time.

At that moment, the system spoke again, "Host, we are offering a one-time service to separate the outer layer of dirt for free. Would you like to proceed with the separation?"

Thinking about the dirt that had previously blocked the energy fluctuations of the Insect Crystal, Bai Xiaoyu asked, "How much of the surface dirt is there?"

The system then displayed the outer dirt as a light green transparent crystal.

Bai Xiaoyu finally saw a transparent Insect Crystal in its fully formed state. The surface of the crystal was slightly caved in, and it was surrounded by various sizes of tentacles, lying on its side. The tentacles were in disarray, pointing in all directions, as though the creature had struggled to crystallize in its final moments. Overall, it didn't look as round as the Little Prince's body.

The surface of the crystal had several dents and irregular depressions. After zooming in on specific areas, Bai Xiaoyu discovered some torn claw marks, which showed the immense force that had once ripped the prince apart. Besides that, there was only a thin layer of light green soil covering it. This was the same soil that could block the Insect Crystal's energy emissions.

Bai Xiaoyu asked the System, "Do you know what this soil is?"

System: "10,000 points."

Bai Xiaoyu: "Tell me."

System: "Host, when an Insect Prince is fatally wounded, it can undergo a process similar to a cicada shedding its shell. During this time, the weakened Insect Prince secretes a layer of mucus around its body, forming a protective membrane. This particular prince failed to complete the transformation successfully, and the protective layer absorbed interstellar dust over millennia, eventually forming the soil."

Bai Xiaoyu thought Tao Limeng would be very interested in this and planned to give him some for research.

System: "Host, would you like to proceed with the separation? This offer is only available for today."

The system's sudden eagerness made Bai Xiaoyu think for a moment before directly refusing, "No need. Just help me extract one kilogram of dirt."

*System:* "The extraction price is the same as for the insect crystal. There are no discounts."

Bai Xiaoyu: "..."

Bai Xiaoyu watched as the system extracted a kilogram of dirt. He then handed all the dirt to Tao Limeng, along with the materials he had acquired at the auction.

He then spoke to Little Prince and Little Bai, who were looking at him expectantly, "Let's head back first."

Upon returning to the alchemy room—or rather, what had now been modified into a dedicated room for the two young cubs—Bai Xiaoyu took out the 1,000 kilograms of insect crystal. This was a cross-section of a tentacle, about one meter high and nearly one meter in radius. Now, it looked like a circular, transparent jade bed.

Both Little Prince and Little Bai gave Bai Xiaoyu a kiss to show their appreciation. Then, the two cubs rushed to roll around on the transparent insect crystal.

As they rolled around, they nibbled on it. Soon, the previously smooth edges of the crystal were dotted with small bite marks. One cub turned into a deep blue dumpling-like form, while the other reverted to its form with two wing-like structures on its back. They fell asleep hugging each other, burping with satisfaction.

With a slight smile, Bai Xiaoyu turned and left, closing the door behind him.

After he left, the dark blue dumpling's black, beady eyes slowly rotated, watching Bai Xiaoyu’s departing figure through half-closed eyes. Its tentacles moved slightly. Half of them hugged the cub beside it, while the other half pressed against the insect crystal, absorbing its nutrients.

In his sleep, Little Prince smacked his lips contentedly. He planned to escape with Little Bai after consuming all the insect crystal and becoming stronger. Lost in thought, he shuddered involuntarily in his sleep.

He was having a dream. In the dream, Bai Xiaoyu held a planet-sized insect crystal in one hand and stuffed it into his mouth, saying, "Eat up. You're not leaving until it's all gone, and don't even think about seeing Little Bai."

The dark blue ball shuddered involuntarily in its sleep.