Chapter 168

Chapter 168

If it weren't for his mental energy capturing this scene, Bai Xiaoyu really wouldn't have expected something like this to happen.

This egg had arguably the most and densest small vortices among all the eggs, and external data indicated it was also the healthiest one. Thus, the small vortices in this egg were not only numerous but also mostly fully formed.

Bai Xiaoyu examined the other eggs. Currently, the small vortices in all the eggs were rapidly developing. In some eggs, the previously smooth and flawless yolks were gradually developing small spots, similar to those in other eggs. These changes were indeed multiplying.

After observing for a while, Bai Xiaoyu naturally had various theories but refrained from concluding anything without confirmation.

Apart from the aforementioned anomalies, Bai Xiaoyu observed that only these small vortices were developing, while the overall progress of the egg's body remained unchanged.

Even after repeatedly confirming this, Bai Xiaoyu remained uneasy.

He then searched through various documents but found no relevant cases about this race.

Recalling what the Little Prince had said earlier, he wondered, could these cubs be related to the Bug race?

As Bai Xiaoyu frowned, a group of people near the breeding facility were examining the acquired potions.

The S+ grade nurturing essences were something they had learned about from intelligence reports. However, these potions were from the star region where the Sixteenth Legion was stationed, and the warriors there had prevented any from leaking out. As a result, although they knew of these potions' existence, they had rarely tested their effects.

To be honest, at three million credits per bottle, they had gathered over a hundred people, each limited to three bottles.

The young Bai Yi looked at the potion in his hand. He had seen quite a few high-grade potions, and their packaging was exceptionally exquisite. In contrast, the bottle of this potion was quite ordinary. Lou Hao had given each of them three bottles on the spot, in a simple cash transaction.

If he hadn't scanned the potion multiple times and others hadn't confirmed from its transparent color that it was an elite-grade product, he would have thought it was a street-side product.

Packaging an elite potion in such a crude bottle was probably a unique case in the entire star system.

Many people here had similar thoughts. They'd seen all kinds of high-end, extravagant, and sophisticated packaging, and in comparison, this product looked extremely shabby.

They had bought many potions before. Potions of the same rank and function cost 30 million credits per bottle, making these among the cheapest available.

Bai Yi pouted and said, "If a body-strengthening potion doesn't cost at least 100 million credits, I wouldn't dare use it."

The others nodded in agreement. Though they remained suspicious, many of the younger tiger cubs were eager to try.

I wonder how the long-term effects of the S-12 potion, which the Huang Family releases in limited quantities every month to enhance innate potential, compare?

It is said that it can be taken orally or used for baths, with the best results coming from combining both methods.

Bai Yi's gaze shifted among the three bottles of nurturing essence, finally landing on the one with the most pleasing and transparent color. This potion looked so appealing that it made him want to drink it.

Without hesitation, Bai Yi picked up the potion and downed it in one go, then his expression twisted. In an instant, he transformed from his human form back into his beast form, becoming a knee-high tiger cub that rolled and howled on the grass.

Seeing this, everyone's expressions changed. Was the potion poisonous?

Was Bai Xiaoyu trying to harm them?!

At that moment, Lou Hao looked over and saw the familiar sight of the cub rolling around. Having seen this happen too many times, he was momentarily stunned.

These potions were obviously not made by the boss. What he didn't know was that when he brought this box of potions, there weren't enough herbs earlier, and the batch from the potion refining instrument was short a few bottles. Bai Xiaoyu had casually added a few of his own potions to make up the shortage.

Just as the two elders hurriedly arrived with medical kits and were about to check on the writhing tiger cub, it suddenly let out a long howl, fell to the ground panting, its beastly pupils turning red. "Wuuu, this potion is awful!"

Bai Yi expressed that he had never eaten anything this disgusting in his life!

The cub's whole body began to ache faintly now, and the pain was growing worse. The tiger cub swatted away the hand the old man stretched out; he simply didn't like others touching him.

The elderly man was indeed Elder Chen. The other, who picked up the bottle from the ground, was Elder Han. However, they had changed their appearance and were now using different identities.

Elder Han picked up the bottle, sniffed it, and looked at the remaining contents. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

Bai Chufan walked over and asked, "Elder Chen, what's going on?"

The cub, who had just recovered, reflexively used his tail to snatch the bottle back from the person holding it. Although there was only a little left in the bottle, even though his body was in great pain now, Bai Yi could faintly feel his body becoming stronger. The effects of the potion had just begun, and the more sensitive the beastman was, the more they could feel its effects. Bai Yi had already realized that the potion was extremely unpleasant to taste, but it was indeed making him stronger.

Not a single drop could be wasted.

So, everyone saw the tiger cub shaking the bottle vigorously over his mouth, and after that, he rolled around a few more times before stopping.

Elder Chen attempted to examine the cub's body, but the cub evaded him.

However, the others also noticed that the cub, who had just fought, became noticeably more spirited after consuming the potion. From the cub's attitude, they could guess something was off.

Quite a few of the younger ones present immediately started consuming the potion themselves, but none of them rolled around like the cub did. After consuming it, they naturally felt the same as Bai Yi. The adults, however, waited until they were back in their rooms before consuming it.

After finishing the potion, many of them naturally had various thoughts and calculations in their minds. The effects were far better than those of the potions produced by the Huang Family. Even the royal family's potions in this regard weren't as effective.

They could truly feel their own improvement, especially in terms of physical fitness.

Moreover, Lou Hao had mentioned before that this potion could be used over the long term. They might be able to establish a long-term trading partnership with Bai Xiaoyu. They quickly contacted Lou Hao, only to find out that they would have to wait until next month, and the potion would only be available if there were extras.

This infuriated everyone. Normally, everything they ate or used was given priority.

They tried to coerce and bribe Lou Hao, but he said it was Bai Xiaoyu's decision.

At this point, they were at a loss.

After all, Bai Xiaoyu was someone who feared nothing on Imperial Star. Now, they didn't expect him to change, and they were sure he was doing it on purpose.

Thinking about their previous conflicts, they had no choice but to swallow their pride and bear it.

One by one, everyone returned to their aircraft. Bai Chufan also went back after chatting with the two elders.

As the aircraft left to find a relatively bustling place to rest, Bai Xiaoyu clearly felt that the small vortices inside the eggs began to slow down, eventually returning to their previous state.

Watching this scene, which resembled a catalyst abruptly stopping a reaction within seconds, Bai Xiaoyu was puzzled.

At that moment, his optical brain flickered and connected. It was Lou Hao on the other side.

Lou Hao: "Boss, they've left."

Bai Xiaoyu: "When?"

Lou Hao: "Precisely one minute ago."

Bai Xiaoyu thought about the exact moment when the small vortices inside the eggs stopped and wore a contemplative expression.

Lou Hao: "Boss, I'm mainly calling to ask if you mixed in your own refined potion with the batch I delivered earlier?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "There were three bottles short, so I topped it off."

Lou Hao, sounding regretful: "That was 2S+ grade potion, and I gave it to them at the same price."

After hanging up, Bai Xiaoyu once again focused his attention back on the eggs.

The timing of those people's departure was too coincidental, but if the masked man was also among them, as a little emperor, he might have influenced the other Bugs around him.

Whether or not that was the case, he couldn't be sure.

Meanwhile, Bai Chufan looked at the three bottles of medicinal liquid in his hand, his eyes landing on the one in the middle that appeared significantly more translucent if one looked closely.

This must be the 2S+ grade medicinal liquid.

He wasn't very interested in the liquid himself, but he might as well take it back for Tanglang. He would probably like its pure herbal energy.

As for Bai Xiaoyu, he glanced at the time—it was the feeding time for Little Prince and the other little ones. He quickly went to the storage room where the high-energy milk and meat for the little golden tiger were kept.

He took out two large pieces of meat and had the robot next to him cut the meat into fist-sized chunks with a special knife, filling a large basin.

Carrying the basin of meat, he went to the room where Little Prince and Little Breaker were. As soon as he opened the door, he saw the two cubs in a transparent, human-sized spherical container looking eagerly at him, as if they had been waiting for him for a long time.

When Little Breaker saw Bai Xiaoyu, his eyes lit up and he swam over flexibly like a little mermaid, blowing bubbles continuously. Little Prince snorted and turned his head away, but he also ate without hesitation.

Bai Xiaoyu, seeing how excited Little Breaker was, softened his gaze. He walked over and opened the top of the container, scooping up several pieces of meat with both hands and placing them inside.

Little Breaker immediately swam over and started eating the meat, one piece at a time, while Little Prince, despite his snort, also ate without hesitation.

Bai Xiaoyu continued to place chunks of meat into the container, watching the two cubs eat with their cheeks puffed up, and suddenly felt like he was feeding goldfish. He couldn't help but recall the time when he was three years old and had goldfish of his own. Once, he had accidentally poured too much food into the tank. Although he had scooped some out, the goldfish had still eaten too much, and soon after, several of them were floating belly-up. His father had even made him help save them.

Now, as he watched Little Prince start to blow bubbles after finishing his meal, giving him a little look that urged him to continue feeding, Bai Xiaoyu couldn't help but laugh. These two little gluttons were definitely not going to be satisfied anytime soon.

He continued to feed them, and after the meat, he also placed a large transparent Insect Crystal into the container. Watching the two little ones happily gnawing on the crystal, he found himself feeling a little hungry too.

After the little ones finished eating, they began tapping on the container wall and asking, "White Papa, can we come out?"

Bai Xiaoyu nodded. "Yes, but you need to immerse yourselves from time to time to make sure you have enough medicinal liquid on your bodies."

Excited, Little Breaker poked his little head out and rubbed his head against Bai Xiaoyu's palm, while Little Prince snorted and also emerged. "What about that egg?"

Bai Xiaoyu explained the situation and his thoughts to Little Prince, who wasn't surprised. "That means the guy is indeed nearby. The little emperor does have an effect on the Bugs."

After a pause, Little Prince continued, "Bring an egg up here."

Bai Xiaoyu did as he was told, using a nurturing box to bring the egg up, and both cubs stared at it.

Little Prince waved at Bai Xiaoyu, who approached him. "Little Breaker, you're not telling me to put this egg in, are you?"

Little Prince snorted. "There's only me and Little Tail here. If you put the egg in, I'll treat it as food and eat it. Come a bit closer, I'll place my hand on the egg. You use your mental energy to check inside."

Soon, as Little Prince placed his hand on the egg, and Little Breaker curiously touched it as well, Bai Xiaoyu once again probed the egg with his mental energy and quickly discovered that the small vortices, which had begun slowly developing, had started accelerating again.

However, the speed wasn't as fast as before, only about two-thirds of the previous speed.

Little Prince and Little Breaker could actually influence the development of the small vortices on the egg yolk.

Bai Xiaoyu fell into deep thought. He was now quite certain that these vortices were related to the Bugs.

The various features displayed on the egg were indeed those of a human, but the small vortices on the yolk belonged to the Bugs.

What exactly was Bai Qi experimenting with?

Just then, Bai Xiaoyu noticed that two relatively larger vortices closest to the yolk had started to collide and devour each other.

Even though the process was very slow, Bai Xiaoyu quickly noticed that the egg yolk began to destabilize as the two vortices collided.

Bai Xiaoyu was stunned. Previously, he had said that these egg vortices wouldn't affect the overall development of the eggs, but now this issue awaited him.

He quickly asked the Little Prince and Little Bai to stop, and much to their reluctance, he took the eggs back to the breeding facility. He found that the small vortices in the eggs had become extremely slow, and this slow speed wasn't impacting the egg yolk.

He added repair substance to the eggs and felt relieved once they stabilized again.

Then he applied repair substance to all the eggs with vortices, checking each one until he felt at ease.

He started thinking of a solution but couldn't find a solution until he went to bed.

After finishing his wash-up and returning to the bedside, he saw three tigers of different colors—one large tiger and two smaller ones—all gazing at him.

Bai Xiaoyu patted each of them, "Didn't I tell you to go to bed early?"

The three tigers cried out together, indicating they were waiting for him.

At this moment, the big black tiger pushed aside the two tiger cubs, wrapped its tail around Bai Xiaoyu's waist, and guided him to sit beside the black egg.

Big Black quickly jumped into the eggshell, curling into an unrecognizable shape and squeezing out a bit of space with its large paw, inviting Bai Xiaoyu, "Bai Bai, how about we sleep together inside the eggshell tonight?"

This way, they could isolate the two persistent "third wheels" next to them, creating a private space for him and Bai Bai.

Faced with Big Black's enthusiastic invitation, Bai Xiaoyu looked at the empty space inside the eggshell, which was a cozy nest meticulously crafted by Big Black's soft underbelly. How should he tell Big Black that, as an adult, he wasn't in the habit of sleeping in an eggshell?

But as he looked at it, he was tempted to try. It seemed that he couldn't resist Big Black's soft underbelly.