Chapter 207

Chapter 207

It was as if this incident erupted at this precise moment, overshadowing the good news of the breakthrough in conquering dark matter.

What a coincidence.

Despite his busy schedule, Bai Xiaoyu could clearly sense that something was off.

However, matters involving confrontations with the Bug race weren’t his concern.

For now, his focus was solely on these cubs. The little guys had eaten their fill, been comforted, and were now asleep in their narrow containers, some of them even burping in their sleep.

Some of the cubs slept deeply, while others seemed startled, their bodies twitching occasionally, clearly uneasy.

Bai Xiaoyu and President Luo made their rounds, ensuring all the cubs were asleep before tiptoeing out.

Outside, several supervisors assigned by the royal family to watch over the cubs approached them enthusiastically. "Young Master Bai, President Luo, is there anything you need us to arrange?"

Bai Xiaoyu had noticed their envious glances at the nurturing essence earlier. Every time a parent fed their cubs after they hatched, they couldn’t help but drool over the nurturing essence provided for the cubs. Even Su Ran and the warriors had similar reactions. Now, these supervisors had the same gleaming eyes as the parents before them.

Considering these cubs would be under their care and they reported directly to the royal family, not even President Luo could give them orders. As the saying goes, "Even little ghosts can be troublesome." Bai Xiaoyu would inevitably have to deal with them in the future. Moreover, he had received news that Old Qi and his team had arrived. The Little Prince had mentioned before that Old Qi was aligned with Bai Qi’s group. They might do something to these cubs, especially since they weren’t receiving the protection and treatment newborns in the star system deserved.

Bai Xiaoyu took out some nurturing essence. Several pairs of eyes immediately turned towards him. Bai Xiaoyu was now one of the people in the star system with the most top-tier nurturing essence. Although Fire Seed wasn’t as large as major suppliers like the Huang Family, every bottle from Fire Seed was top-tier or above. Their store had limited daily sales, and they always sold out quickly.

These supervisors had tried to grab some before but failed due to the competition.

Some rubbed their hands together, their eyes fixed on the nurturing essence.

Bai Xiaoyu handed out the bottles, giving three to each supervisor.

The supervisors were very appreciative and eagerly offered their help in return.

Bai Xiaoyu asked, "Can the cubs be taken out of the containers?"

The leader looked troubled. "I'm afraid that's not possible; there are strict orders from above."

Further conversation revealed that the higher-ups didn’t treat these cubs like their own. They were kept in containers, much like captured Bug race members.

These supervisors were veterans in managing hybrid cubs with Bug genes. Seeing Bai Xiaoyu’s concern for the cubs, one couldn’t help but say, "Uh, Young Master Bai, based on how things usually go, you might want to be careful about getting too attached to these cubs."

They knew the nurturing essence Bai Xiaoyu provided for the cubs likely came from him.

The orders from above were just to keep the cubs alive until execution. They wouldn’t receive such high-quality nurturing essence. In the past, cubs with Bug genes usually disappeared without a trace.

Some were likely disposed of, while others were taken to special places for further use before being dealt with.

Either way, Bai Xiaoyu thanked them sincerely and handed over two more bottles of nurturing essence. "When I'm not here, please take extra care of the cubs. If something’s wrong, inform me immediately. There will be a generous reward."

As Bai Xiaoyu and the others left, Old Qi’s research team arrived shortly after, ready to inspect the cubs.

Old Qi went straight to see the cubs, and seeing the successfully hatched cubs, he excitedly picked one up. He reached out to touch its half-Bug body.

He immediately recognized the half-Bug body as carrying mid-level Bug genes, which were less aggressive than leader-level genes but still blended well with human DNA.

This discovery excited Old Qi greatly, and he couldn’t wait to return to his lab for further study.

As soon as Old Qi entered, the experienced staff, who had seen him during previous encounters with mindless hybrid cubs, quickly and discreetly reached out to Bai Xiaoyu.

Bai Xiaoyu was analyzing the data and genes collected from the cubs with President Luo when he received a message that made his expression change.

Bai Xiaoyu: "Old Qi is here with his team and seems to want to take away two cubs. I’ll go see what’s happening."

President Luo, who was also aware of the situation, immediately stood up and said, "I’ll go with you."

Bai Xiaoyu arrived just in time to see Old Qi carrying three small cages, each containing a cub with an upper insect body, a lower insect body, and a half-insect, half-beastman hybrid.

Bai Xiaoyu stood in front of Old Qi, blocking his path, and looked at the three cubs huddled in fear. "Where are you taking the cubs, Old Qi?"

Seeing his target appear, Old Qi remained calm. "I’m taking them back for research, of course."

Bai Xiaoyu’s expression grew serious. "Old Qi, don’t you think this is inappropriate?"

Old Qi shook the cage. "I was assigned to lead the research team to study these cubs. This is my duty. What’s inappropriate about it?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "But the cub you’re holding has human-like consciousness."

Old Qi shook his head. "You’re mistaken. They’re Bugs. White Young Master, I’ll discuss some questions with you after the research. Now, please move aside."

Bai Xiaoyu: "Leave the cubs behind."

Old Qi wasn’t afraid of Bai Xiaoyu. Being the strongest there, Bai Xiaoyu couldn’t take the cubs from him by force, and he had no intention of complying. However, the next second, he felt the cages slip from his hands as the tall man behind Bai Xiaoyu took them.

Bai Xiaoyu looked at the trembling cubs in Big Black's hands and gently stroked them to calm them down.

Despite his anger at the high and unfathomable strength of Big Black, Old Qi didn’t dare to cause trouble. "Don’t struggle unnecessarily. Even if this goes to His Majesty, you won’t be in the right."

Bai Xiaoyu: "I’m not afraid even if it goes that far."

Old Qi: "If I want to research, there are plenty across the star system. Anyone can send them to me."

Seeing Bai Xiaoyu’s unfriendly gaze, Old Qi posed his request. "I won’t take these cubs, but you have to answer some questions for me, and you can consult the master alchemist behind you."

Given the strength of Bai Xiaoyu’s bodyguards, it would be difficult to take him by force, so Old Qi decided to take the opportunity to discuss the problems he encountered while breeding the dragon and Bug hybrid eggs, hoping for a solution.

Bai Xiaoyu didn’t expect Old Qi to bring up the issue of the problematic hybrid eggs. "Go ahead and ask."

Old Qi: "I’ll send them to you later."

With that, he left with his team, no longer insisting on taking the three cubs.

While privately giving medicine to several responsible individuals and calming the frightened cubs, Bai Xiaoyu received Old Qi's message. Looking at the vague description on his optical brain, if not for his experience breeding the Twelfth Legion’s cubs, he wouldn’t have noticed the clues hidden in the information.

He hadn’t forgotten that the dragon eggs were taken by the Little Prince from Bai Qi’s side. Old Qi asking now, what did it mean?

Perhaps there were more than just those twenty-three hybrid eggs. Moreover, these eggs weren’t bred through normal procedures, and even the parents were unaware of their existence, proving they were bred in secret.

The more Bai Xiaoyu thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

But where exactly, he didn’t know. After all, the Huang Family’s Pharmacy Department was spread across the star system, with many underground labs. Dawn had destroyed quite a few before.

Bai Xiaoyu quietly noted this down and replied to Old Qi. "Each egg might need to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, but they can be transferred to my breeding facility through the Breeding Association for me to study."

The reply came quickly, "Just some problematic eggs we encountered before. If there’s a chance, I’ll take you to see them later."

After this, with Bai Xiaoyu and President Luo keeping a close eye on things, Old Qi didn’t attempt to take any more eggs. His research team conducted studies on-site every day, along with two other elders, which always scared the cubs.

Over the next three days, hundreds of half-human, half-insect cubs were brought in, and the number of isolated parents continued to grow.

While some parents, who were ideologically committed, managed to hold back their tears and remain isolated, others couldn't bear it any longer. Some families, who hadn’t seen their kids in days, finally gave in and started asking to visit them.

At first, only one parent made such a request, but each day there were more.

Even the parents who had a strong dislike for the Bug race and were ideologically committed wanted to see their cubs.

They began to have various conflicts with the royal guards, attempting to overcome layers of obstacles to see their cubs for just a moment.

Bai Xiaoyu soon became aware of the parents' actions. At that moment, he had just finished giving the cubs their medication. After several days of proper nutrition, the cubs were looking healthy, plump, and had gradually regained their original liveliness, rolling around and acting cute inside their containers for Bai Xiaoyu.

Suddenly, one cub's half-insect body completely transformed into a human form. Its two little chubby legs seemed a bit unsteady, but it quickly got up and patted the container wall, ahhing at Bai Xiaoyu as if to tell him about the successful transformation.

Bai Xiaoyu was surprised because, in the star system, it usually takes a month for a beastman cub to fully transform into human form, unless the cub is exceptionally gifted. This cub had transformed into human form just a few days after hatching, indicating it had excellent talent.

Bai Xiaoyu used his mental energy to gently touch the cub's head and praised it, "Well done."

Hearing this, the other cubs followed suit, and within the next half-hour, each cub transformed completely into a human form in front of him. Now, all the containers held only chubby human cubs, eagerly waiting for Bai Xiaoyu's praise.

Naturally, Bai Xiaoyu praised each of them, but he was also quite surprised by the situation. A few cubs having such talent was normal, but an entire group was unusual. This was more than just talent.

As he observed closely, he noticed they seemed to grow faster than the cubs at the breeding facility.

He couldn't help but think of Little Prince Xiao Bao and the little dragon cubs. Could it be that these cubs were growing as fast as if days were months?

Just as he was puzzled, his optical brain received a message from Bai Twelve outside.

The message reported that several parents had joined forces, using drugs to take down the guards outside, and asked Bai Xiaoyu whether he wanted to intervene.

Bai Xiaoyu had no intention of stopping them. For some parents, holding back until now had already been an extreme limit.

At that moment, Big Black reached over and covered his mouth and nose. "Bai Bai, there's a special smell in the air."

Bai Xiaoyu pulled Big Black's hand away, sniffed, and didn't smell anything. Big Black's nose was indeed sensitive. But to keep up the act, he took a couple of deep breaths and whispered to Big Black, "Lie down."

Since Bai Xiaoyu was meeting the cubs, the other staff had been sent away. So, only one person was left outside keeping watch, leaving just him and Big Black.

Pretending to be affected, they lay still as the cubs began to grow anxious, patting the container walls with their little hands.

Bai Xiaoyu turned his head and gestured with his finger for them to be quiet.

These clever little ones quickly understood and fell silent.

At that moment, several capable parents entered.

The moment they saw their children inside the containers, their eyes welled up with tears. Then, seeing their children—now completely human, with no trace of the Bug race—the parents were both shocked and overjoyed.

The cubs, who had only seen their parents on the day they were born, quickly recognized them and turned to hum.

The parents, seeing such lively cubs, were trembling with joy. These were their cubs, nothing like the vicious Bug race!

They had thought the cubs would be weak and emaciated, but to their surprise, the cubs had grown significantly. If they hadn't been counting the days, they would have thought months had passed.

Knowing they didn't have much time and other parents were waiting to see their cubs, they took photos one by one, and the parent at the front made a call to the other parents, including all the cubs in the photos. Soon, excited voices from many parents came through.

Throughout the visit, Bai Xiaoyu and Big Black stayed motionless, and the parents didn’t interfere with them. In fact, because many cubs were paying attention to Bai Xiaoyu, the parents looked at him a few more times.

The brief visit ended too soon, and the parents left with heavy hearts, knowing they would return as soon as possible.

The last one to leave was the lead parent, who had initially broken through the guard squad. He glanced back at Bai Xiaoyu, who was half-opening an eye to sneak a peek, and couldn’t help but smirk.

He recalled how, yesterday, he had gone to great lengths to get out again and ran into this person. This person didn’t alert the guards, giving him time to map out the area. On his way back, he stumbled upon a clear vial lying on the path. When he got back, he found a small bottle with instructions attached to the cap. The small bottle was an antidote. A dab on the nose would neutralize the effects of the potion.

When the potion was activated, several parents nearby dropped like flies, proving just how effective it was. That’s why things went so smoothly today.

He already knew this person’s identity. The other party possessed many high-grade potions, and he had guessed that it was this person who left the potion behind. Moreover, he suspected that the reason he was able to map out the area so easily yesterday was also thanks to this person diverting the patrolling guards. Though he didn’t know why this person helped, he felt a deep sense of gratitude.

As Bai Xiaoyu watched the parents walk away, he silently hoped they’d eventually take the cubs with them. But most of these parents were just regular folks, and there’s no way they could outrun the military with a cub in tow. And with more insect-human cubs appearing every day, this plan seemed less and less viable. But in a real emergency, they’d have to take the cubs and run, no matter what.