Chapter 5: Zao Zao is a strong Zao Zao!

Chapter 5: Zao Zao is a Strong Zao Zao!

The little cub's "Meow" cries were incomprehensible to anyone except the Crown Clan.

In this form, they communicated through the Crown Clan’s unique psychic energy.

So at this moment, Xiao Chuzao with claws out looked like just a small Star Beast to others—and not even a well-known ferocious one in the galaxy.

The store was in chaos, with noisy commotion all around. The man who had been shouting earlier quickly approached, naturally spotting the broken Star Beast egg on the ground and the little furball on the nearby chair, clutching the last fruit while letting out angry "Meow Meows."

This wasn’t a rare or pricey Star Beast egg. The buyer had purchased it like opening a blind box, hoping to hatch something that could be sold to underground merchants on these chaotic planets—specifically, to the daughter of the local ruler.

That girl adored fluffy, cute creatures, but her twisted personality ensured that no adorable little thing survived in her care for more than a month. As a result, such eggs were hot commodities on these drifting planets. Everyone dreamed of hatching an "SSR" and earning enough to sustain themselves for a year.

Xiao Chuzao was still holding onto the fruit, his little paws waving frantically.

Then his claws extended, jabbing accusingly at the thief, so mad he almost spoke.

"Meow! Meow!"

Zao Zao didn’t even move!

It was this guy!

You liar! Bad guy!

The man blurted out the accusation, panicked, intending only to create confusion and slip away.

Now, seeing the egg owner eyeing Xiao Chuzao, he relaxed slightly and quickly spoke again, putting on a stern act: "It’s definitely him! This little Star Beast doesn’t know the rules. Look, sir, he even stole a fruit to eat!"

Stole a fruit?!

Xiao Chuzao bristled in outrage.

Zao Zao never steals!

Papa gave this to Zao Zao!

"Seems like it really is him."

The man’s shifty eyes darted, his scruffy beard adding to his cunning appearance.

Behind him stood a few others, making up a small crew. Such hunting squads were common on drifting planets—where danger and opportunity went hand in hand.

Someone nearby recognized them: "Isn’t that the Tiger Team?"

"Yikes, steer clear of them. Once they set their sights on you, there’s no reasoning with them."

Amid the murmurs, the other customers in the shop hesitated to intervene, while the remaining staff, unsure of the situation and intimidated by the Tiger Team’s notorious reputation on this drifting planet, kept their distance.

The group now encircled both the accuser and the little furball, fangs bared, hissing at them.

Small but mighty.

His little wings tensed behind him, the soft little creature already plotting attack angles.

But he paused—

He still didn’t know what was going on with Papa.

Could he handle these guys? Would it stir up trouble? Before, even if he couldn’t win, Zao Zao could just run away, but now Papa was here too.

The little fluffball bristled, not moving an inch.

“Sir,” the other cornered man was sweating bullets. He wanted to slip away, but his escape route was blocked. He had no choice but to try again, “Since your lost item has been found, can I…?”

“Hey, hold on.”

The burly, scruffy-bearded ringleader walked up to him, chuckled, and patted his shoulder, pulling him closer. He glared down menacingly.

“Didn’t you just see this little thing steal the egg and break it? You’re my witness.”

“That’s right—you’re a witness. You can’t just bail now.”

The tall leader leaned in, squinting at the fruit in Xiao Chuzao’s arms.

The milkfruit was a rare delicacy, usually not displayed in the open. Though he had some reputation in these parts, he’d never seen one before and couldn’t even guess what it was.

But one thing was clear—this little thing belonged to someone, likely someone who’d temporarily left him here. And that person must be well-off, given how they could afford such high-quality food for their pet.

His eyes lit up with greed.

The little guy’s fur was plush, his tail unique, and he even had tiny wings—irresistibly cute—the kind that melted hearts.

Why gamble on some egg when he could just take this one?

“Go ask who owns this little thing. You break it, you buy it! Everyone knows how expensive these beast eggs are. Skip the talk—just hand him over!”

He laughed loudly.

“No more talking. I’ve got things to do, so I’ll just take this little guy now. I’ll leave one of my guys to sort things out with you. Make sure to tell his owner I’m doing them a favor by being in a hurry.”

The clerk stammered, “J-just hold on—”

Even if the clerk didn’t know much about Xiao Chuzao, he recognized the milkfruit in his arms.

This was one of the shop’s few premium, low-pollution foods. Anyone who could afford such fruit must be someone important.

But he couldn’t risk crossing the guy in front of him, so he quickly sent someone to fetch the manager, trying to buy time.

However, the man had no intention of backing down. He clearly planned to act now—once the deed was done, they’d take their spoils and vanish. What could anyone do, no matter how angry they were?

That’s just how the world worked.

He lunged, aiming to snatch both the little guy and his fruit.

But Xiao Chuzao was ready.

Gripping the fruit tight, he coiled his tiny claws. The moment the man’s hand came near, he leaped up, flipping midair before sinking his teeth hard into the man’s wrist.

“Agh!” The man yelped in pain, jerking his hand back.

The little cub vaulted onto the chandelier, perching at the highest point. A tiny white fluffball glared down—ears pinned back, claws dug into the fixture, wings flared, tail lashing.

“Meow!”

You’re all rotten!

Don’t think you can push Zao Zao around—Zao Zao is a seriously tough little angel!

Back when he was just a tiny fledgling, he was often bullied. But as he grew a bit older, he started pushing back. Later on, he realized that some folks only pick on the weak, so he had to be tougher as he grew up to avoid being bullied.

"Shit! Get that runt down!"

He was hopping mad, not quite noticing how fast Xiao Chuzao was—he couldn’t even react fast enough; his eyes barely kept up.

If not for the little one’s adorable, fluffy appearance, he might have realized sooner this little creature wasn’t someone to mess with and would’ve backed off.

Someone grabbed something off the ground and hurled it.

The little fledgling leaped effortlessly through the air, darting between chandeliers.

Below, the crowd was yelling and shouting. Above, the faint glow of a gleaming golden halo brimming with power flickered around the little one’s head, as if just one trigger was needed for it to fully appear. Meanwhile, Xiao Chuzao’s ever-present weapon, his little bow, itched for action, waiting for the right moment and place.

He was a kid nobody wanted, so he had to learn to be strong, to tough it out, to not fear pain—otherwise others would take advantage.

Zao Zao had figured that out ages ago.

Zao Zao was already used to it.

There were many things a person had to learn—how to find food, how to find shelter, how to comfort himself.

He had no one to call for help. He had to rely on himself…

A rock—who even knows where from—came flying at him.

The little guy, usually so fierce, stiffened slightly at the sight of the incoming stone. He was still too young, still haunted by the nightmare of being hit before.

As the rock came flying at him full force, the little fledgling suddenly froze.

But then—a quiet *snap*.

The thrown stone stopped midair, right there for all to see.

Then, as if disintegrating, its edges began to blur, slowly turning into dust that scattered downward.

Wait—what?

Xiao Chuzao snapped out of his daze, his tiny wings still frozen mid-flap, fluttering slightly in confusion.

The two palm-sized fluffy paws still clutched the fruit, looking like a toy someone forgot to wind up.

The people below exploded in rage: "Who did that?!"

"Zao Zao."

Another voice, calm and cold, cut through the commotion.

At some point, Amos had already walked beneath the chandelier where Xiao Chuzao perched. He looked up, his crimson eyes locking with the little fledgling’s gaze. He looked ice-cold, his brow slightly furrowed. Amos was usually composed, not one to cause a fuss, but now, he seemed irritated.

The little guy flinched back a bit.

He’d seen that expression before—the Archangel, once impatient with his crying and meddling, wore the same look.

Had he caused trouble?

The little one’s tail slowly, slowly drooped behind him.

“Mrrow—”

I’m sorry.

Zao Zao didn’t mean to cause trouble. They started it with Zao Zao.

The little cub didn’t want to burden others, especially not his own kind.

He also wished to be like the other young ones in his clan—having a family and companions, not left solitary when everyone else was in high spirits, all alone.

What’s this cub muttering about?

Amos paid no heed to the people behind him as he raised his hand. “Zao Zao, come here. We’re leaving.”

Hmm?

The little cub tilted his head, studying Amos’s expression, then leaped from the chandelier and darted into Amos’s arms.

“Mrrow~!”

Papa!

Amos caught the little one and reached up to cover his eyes with a hand.

Behind them, the hulking man, all ferocity moments before, now broke out in cold sweat as he stared at Amos—when the hell did he get here?

He hadn’t noticed at all.

But for pride’s sake, he gritted his teeth and barked, “Hey, wait! That little beast stole my beast egg, destroyed it, and bit my hand. You will surrender that creature, or I’ll make you regret it—”

Before he could finish, he noticed his subordinates pointing at him in terror. Slowly, he looked down—blood was dripping from his fingertips. Then his right arm suddenly dropped off. When the agony hit him, Amos had already walked past, cradling the snowy puff of fur with cold indifference.

A pair of crimson eyes—contemptuously flicked toward him.