Chapter 80: He Ate Zao Zao’s Candy and Said It Tasted Bad

Chapter 80: He Ate Zao Zao’s Candy and Said It Tasted Bad

The wind swept up sand and gravel, scraping harshly against Xiao Chuzao’s cheeks.

The little one’s eyes widened slightly as someone suddenly shielded him.

A deafening crash rang in his ears, leaving them numb.

An Ya whirled around to strike back in that split second, but in his haste, and while also shielding Xiao Chuzao, the force of the collision made the child smell the metallic tang of blood. The next moment, both parties involved in the violent clash were sent flying by the tremendous impact—

Along with everything around them.

The candies in the little one’s pockets scattered in the chaos, scattering everywhere.

An Ya’s wings snapped open as he released the child, his body crashing into a mountain on a mining planet. Meanwhile, the other figure shot like a cannonball, slamming heavily into the nearby human settlement on the mining planet.

The earlier calm shattered in an instant.

Dust swirled, and alarms blared abruptly.

“Huh?”

The voice, laced with malice, sounded surprised.

Amid the swirling dust, a tall, humanoid figure materialized—a coiled leopard tail behind him, inhuman beast-like eyes glowing faintly through the haze.

Tougher than he’d thought?

Storm mused to himself.

Then his gaze shifted to Xiao Chuzao, whose alluring scent of blood and flesh had drawn him from afar.

The little one stood completely frozen, still clutching the innocent white bird in his hand. The little guy looked dazed. Gusts ruffled his curls, and tiny streaks of blood marked his cheeks where flying pebbles had scraped him.

Uncle…?

The child loosened his grip, and the white bird frantically flapped free. The little one turned anxiously to look behind him.

An Ya’s reckless charge had put him at a disadvantage. Though he had mitigated much of the impact, being hurled so far left no movement in the dust cloud.

“Tsk—”

Storm licked his wounded arm.

During the clash with that eerie mental force, his arm had burst open, blood splattering everywhere.

The other guy wasn’t seriously hurt—only hurled a good distance. Storm, however, was in worse shape.

His eyes fell on a candy, still wrapped, that he had grabbed in the chaos.

He tossed it into his mouth, chewing the wrapper along with it—

“Disgusting.”

Storm remarked.

But no matter. There was plenty of prey here. Storm gave a dismissive once-over to the crowd behind him.

The humans present here included the Saint Casians and residents from other rogue planets temporarily sheltered here.

The look in its eyes was savage, not the kind you give to living things—it was purely the stare you’d give to prey.

Especially since a member of the Crown Clan had been knocked back—the very Crown Clan capable of holding his own against the entire Aberrant Beast Legion single-handedly.

In that instant, everyone was frozen in terror, too petrified to run.

Of course, the first to be devoured would undoubtedly be this defenseless 'fledgling' who had lost its protector.

Black Flame had barely taken a step forward.

"Cough, cough—"

Under the collapsed eaves, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted—

"Protect the Little Highness!"

"Yes, protect the Little Highness—Her Highness An Ya will return soon—"

The Saint Casians snapped out of it, jolted into action. Though this was a moment of lowered guard, most of them were armed with Energy Guns at their waists or backs.

In an instant, the Saint Casians attempted to fight back.

The cry snapped the others out of their stupor too.

"Madness! These Saint Casians are out of their minds—"

"What the hell are they made of?! Don’t they see the Crown Clan’s already down?!"

"Go, go—run! Let’s get out of here—"

These lunatics could at least buy us time.

The commotion woke the little cub too.

He whipped his head around to take in the scene—everything in ruins.

In that moment, time seemed to slow for the cub. Wen Qingfeng, his head covered in blood, lay collapsed on the ground, while Wen Qingyu, whom he had shielded, screamed through tears, firing her Energy Gun.

These Energy Guns could inflict some damage on aberrant beasts, but for stronger ones, such weapons wouldn’t cut it—what was needed were energy cannons mounted on mechs or starships.

To Black Flame, these Energy Guns were just a tickle, but the combined barrage still caused him pain and irritation.

Hmph—their psychic energy had seemed weak at first, like ants, but their weapons turned out to be unexpectedly potent. A bit more force, and they might even breach his defenses.

With a snarl, Black Flame whirled on them, ready to strike—

Might as well devour them first to replenish his strength, then deal with those two winged Crown Clan members later.

Amid the carnage.

Xiao Chuzao’s uncle’s whereabouts remained unknown.

The crown atop Xiao Chuzao’s head flickered twice before suddenly igniting into flames, transforming in an instant into Black Flame.

No!

Xiao Chuzao stretched out his hand, and a small bow appeared in his hand.

Drawing the bow and releasing the arrow—

Black flames shot forth in an instant.

But after all, he was only five years old, still just a child—

His arrows lacked the destructive power of Finn's, and weren't as fast as those of other Crown Clan members.

If you tried to dodge it, the kid's attack was indeed easy to evade.

Storm sensed the power within the arrow—though not strong, the beast's gut told him that touching it would be troublesome.

Storm casually sidestepped it.

"Hah, a powerless little brat—but to show my respect, I'll devour you properly, not leaving a single bit of marrow—"

Zao Zao had practiced countless times with his family guiding him—arrows, combat, evasion, hiding his presence...

Of course.

He knew that at such a distance, his speed couldn't truly threaten the enemy.

Everything happened very quickly—the Saint Casians' reaction time, the shouts, the arrow's flight—all in just seconds.

In those brief moments, Chu Zao had already realized this.

So, as the arrow shot forth, the kid instantly hid his presence and moved.

His tiny hands clenched tightly around his small bow.

No one was shielding him now.

This wasn't like before, where he could stay far away, shooting his Love and Peace arrows and waiting for the adults to solve the problem.

Can I do this?

The kid felt a mix of fear and anxiety. Childish tears welled up but were suppressed.

Deep in his memory, the marks of being held back remained—

Gentleness, meekness, timidity, blending into the group without standing out—learning to accept how others treated you and becoming like the angels.

But the System had said—only Zao Zao could do this, only Zao Zao was capable.

Baba, Teacher, and Zao Zao's family and friends had all said—

Once, on a sunny afternoon, the kid was sprawled across his desk, lifting his big eyes to look at Hale, who held a book: "Teacher, Zao Zao only knows Love and Peace... doesn't that mean I'm not really like a Little Crown Clan?"

Hale looked surprised then: "Why think that? Zao Zao doesn't need to. The Crown Clan's abilities are all over the place. It's just that we've chosen combat now, so what you see are mostly those types. Don't listen to that nonsense."

And the third uncle's laughing voice seemed to ring out behind him, his hand gripping the kid's small hand just as it had during training: "As an archer, what you need to improve is strength, accuracy, agility—then focus completely, hold your breath, and steady your mind. Of course, if long-range doesn't work, we can always get up close."

Xiao Chuzao hid his presence, darting forward as Storm turned to face the Saint Casians behind him.

He heard a faint metallic clinking, like chains rattling.

The others hadn't gotten far yet.

They glanced back over their shoulders.

Watching alongside the Saint Casians—

The abilities of the Crown Clan were exceptional, even in a five-year-old cub.

Before Storm could extend his hand, that tiny figure—the Little Highness they always viewed as adorable and needing protection—had already charged straight at Storm, his small wings whipping up a whirlwind amidst the flying sand and stones, under everyone's stunned gazes.

The cub raised his little bow and aimed it straight at Storm’s face.

His high-pitched child's voice shouted—

“You’re not allowed to bully Uncle or hurt Zao Zao’s friends!!”

Zao Zao won’t allow it!

For a brief moment, surprise flickered in Storm’s eyes—

Hand-delivered to me?

Storm assessed the power in the little cub’s hands, weighing for a split second whether to strike back or dodge.

In the end, Storm chose to temporarily avoid the attack's force.

“Little Highness!!”

Wen Qingyu called out.

They attacked again, energy cannons blazing.

This was a scene incomprehensible to anyone but Saint Casians.

The ‘leading figure’ of Saint Cas, upon encountering trouble, didn't retreat but stood shielding the Saint Casians, who themselves showed not the slightest intention of running—they'd been ready to sacrifice themselves all along.

Zao Zao’s arrow shot forth, a burst of power flaring momentarily—whether Storm imagined it or not, for that brief moment, the bow wreathed in Black Flame in the little cub’s hands seemed to grow slightly larger, his Psychic Weapon expanding like his crown, the single arrow briefly multiplying before disappearing.

But since Storm was already moving from his original position, Xiao Chuzao hadn't built up enough power—only one arrow flew out, streaking toward his most vulnerable spot—his eyes.

Brave. But still too slow—

Storm thought to himself.

Yet suddenly, chains clanked loudly right by his ears.

Meanwhile, out in space.

*

A brief alarm sounded—originating from Saint Cas’s mining planet.

Following the disturbing energy signature, Amos had traced the path to numerous lifeless starships, then spread his wings to follow the trail—until the alarm sounded.

Frowning, he instantly changed course.

And through the comms, the voices of others came through.

Fei Man: “What’s happening? Why isn’t An Ya responding?”

Finn: “Where’s Zao Zao? Second Brother, are you with him? The Grail Clan situation's getting messy over here—mainly because Holy Grail Tribe Chieftain Cavenaugh can’t hold on much longer. These elders say his abilities are unique, so I’m bringing them toward you for now. Oh, right, I’ve notified the medical center to bring his son Derek along too—might as well show the kid what power runs in their family before it's over.”

Finn let out a somewhat exasperated laugh—talk about a grim joke.

Lynn: "I haven't gone too far, I’m turning back now—"

Mei Lun: "Hold on—where's my baby Zao Zao? Any news?!"

Kaman: "Nothing yet. Stop wasting time talking and just listen."

Amos sized up the situation.

"I'll be there soon—An Ya’s there—it’ll be fine."

Amos said this, but his expression remained cold and grim.

"Deal with the Grail Clan however you want. We'll discuss the rest later."

"Roger that."

"True, that An Ya kid may be prickly as hell, but he's reliable—"

Saint Cas Mining Planet No. 78.

"Drip... drip..."

Blood dripped onto the ground.

"Wha...t...?"

The Monster Commander whispered, disbelieving, an arrow burning with Black Flame embedded in one of his eyes.

His body was bound in place by countless silver-black chains, leaving no room to dodge.

Now, the arrow was crumbling to ash.

The gaping, bloody hole made him howl in pain.

"Don’t go switching targets like it’s nothing..."

A voice laced with malice and impatience, dark and icy.

"So you’re the new Monster Commander Second Brother said might’ve evolved?"

Someone landed amidst the dust, wings spreading behind them, scattering the ash.

A silver-black crown glowed faintly, crimson eyes burning with cold, murderous intent.

The chains in his grasp coiled twice around his pale wrist, stained with fresh red blood—black, white, red, a stark contrast.

More blood dripped from the silver-black chains.

With a vicious, taunting grin, he sneered.

"Seems like just another mindless freak. You’re all like a pack of psychos—maybe try getting a brain before coming out to play? Seriously, you’re an eyesore—oh, but gotta hand it to you for letting Zao Zao give you a makeover. The rest? A fucking joke."

The silver-black chains suddenly sprouted countless sharp spikes, spearing the Monster Commander before he could react. An Ya clenched his fist, the chains drenched crimson.

An Ya moved in the next instant.

"You... you... you..."

Goddammit, goddammit, goddammit—

The tantalizing prey was so close, yet he couldn't take a bite.

Why, why—

Is this the power of the Crown Clan?

The Crown Clan should be a race more similar to humans, right? Though it's unclear why they have wings and strange psychic abilities—no one this strong should exist.

Just like the formidable force that blocked their advance in the pollution, the roars, the crimson eyes, more savage than even the Aberrant Beasts—could that power belong to the Crown Clan?

In that instant, Storm's arrogance vanished as his hair stood on end.

He broke free in desperation, recoiling wildly—

The chains bound him too tightly, and breaking free came at a great cost.

Blood sprayed, flecks of torn flesh scattering, sliding down An Ya’s chains, silver-black now streaked crimson.

Storm hovered in mid-air—

He staggered, barely parrying An Ya’s attack, flying a little higher.

Their powers clashed in the air.

The collision of psychic forces left the weaker ones’ heads ringing.

An Ya couldn’t risk venturing far from the little one.

This thing was indeed different from ordinary Aberrant Beasts—it was too fast. An Ya wasn’t one of the speed-focused Crown Clan, and he couldn’t guarantee whether this freak was alone.

Each member of the Crown Clan had their own abilities and strengths, but Amos was the sole perfect balance.

Xiao Chuzao had used too much power in that earlier arrow to pierce through the enemy’s psychic defense and strike his eye. Now, he was running on fumes. Panting heavily, his little face nearly crumpled at the sight of An Ya, eyes welling up as he clenched his tiny fists—wanting to punch An Ya for giving Zao Zao a heart attack.

But he didn’t. Instead, the little one raised his small bow again.

He had just sensed something new—

The child still held his bow, his crown wreathed in black flames.

The small bow in his hand extended in an instant, and multiple arrows shimmered into existence—three psychic arrows now nocked in the little one’s grip.

Storm had already realized the problem.

Too strong.

The Crown Clan’s raw power was unmatched.

If not for his speed and his psychic talent for evasion and concealment, he would’ve been dead meat by this injured Crown Clan member long ago.

This was nothing like Storm’s expectations—

If this was the case, Storm could roughly understand why, apart from scattered Aberrant Beast Legions skulking in the pollution, no greater Aberrant Beasts lurked in this part of the galaxy.

Yes, Storm also thought the ranks of these Aberrant Beast Legions were too thin. That’s why, after breaking through the polluted defenses and arriving here, he’d gone straight for the kill. But if this continued, he’d be cut down in seconds.

To command the Legion in battle, he couldn’t afford to be exposed. He had heard that the Crown Clan was small in number. He’d almost pitied the rarity of encountering such a unique race, thinking he wouldn’t get to feast on many.

But now—their scarcity was their flaw.

Even if the entire Crown Clan were exhausted, they could never completely eliminate or block all extraterrestrial beasts in the galaxy.

He should find an opportunity to escape.

Storm quickly made his decision.

He dodged barely as the Saint Cas Army's ship cannons went into emergency mode.

Warships loomed overhead, and small starships or mechas leaped out from the hatches.

The level of technology here was also something Storm hadn't anticipated.

"Zao Zao!"

The opponent was too fast, though their attack power was somewhat lacking. An Ya muscled through to restrain them and shouted.

An Ya also realized that energy weapons barely scratched this creature—only Psychic Weapons could break through its defenses and inflict harm.

Xiao Chuzao was still aiming, still gathering strength. He channeled all his power into the arrows, the three arrows in his hand trailing long tails of flame. The little cub seemed to be clutching fire, glowing fiercely amidst the swirling dust and smoke.

He shielded the Saint Casians behind him.

Then, the little cub drew a deep breath— and held it.

Holding his breath, focusing intently—

Zao Zao had this.

Reading the opponent's possible direction and next move.

Zao Zao had learned this.

Pin him down—!

The cub finally pulled the bowstring taut and released it in an instant.

Through the haze, the cub saw something. His big eyes widened slightly, his cheeks streaked with blood—some An Ya's, some his own.

He stretched out his small hand, groping frantically into the air until he finally grasped something—

An Ya's chains snaked around, cutting off Storm's retreat and forcing him into the path of Chu Zao's arrows in the next moment.

Storm staggered, hovering unsteadily.

An Ya closed in, rammed a chain clean through his chest.

She yanked the chain back, poised to strike again—

An Ya was now very close to Storm—

Storm's chest was impaled by a pitch-black flaming arrow and the gaping wound left by the chain.

The bastard was tough—

But no matter, they'd got him.

An Ya was just thinking of going for the kill when—

In the next instant, Storm's head morphed horrifically—swelling into a massive, furry, and ferocious shape, its enormous fangs snapping toward An Ya's throat.

Whoa, what the—

An Ya was startled, recoiling suddenly.

"Disgusting."

Taking advantage of this moment, Storm broke free from An Ya's chains—he needed to leave quickly, gather all the Aberrant Beast Legions across the stars, and surround this place!

Storm issued a psychic command, and countless aberrant beasts surged toward Saint Cas.

An Ya tried to intercept them again—but then she caught sight of something in her peripheral vision.

The little one had fired three more arrows before becoming exhausted; he was no longer able to draw his bowstring.

He clutched something, removing his own crown and wrapped it around twice with familiar ease.

The little one shouted at the top of his lungs toward his crown: "Papa—"

Amos was here?

An Ya froze for a split second, her chains shifting from offense to total defense. Behind her, the little one's arrows soared past—she still hadn’t spotted Amos.

Then the little one spoke again. After exhausting his strength, his body temperature spiked, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. He pointed at the disgusting thing in the air, whimpering and sniffling as he complained: "He hit Uncle, hurt Uncle—"

His voice hitched, tears rolling down as he sobbed. The moment his cries rang out, the air around them grew heavy with menace—yet the little one only cried even louder, continuing his complaint.

"He also ate Zao Zao’s candy and said it tasted bad!"

An Ya: …?

Hold up, kiddo—are you more upset about Uncle or the candy??