Chapter 081

Bai Xiaoyu played with the cubs for a while and watched Old Qi find their parents through surveillance. Seeing that many parents had already been contacted, he sent the cubs back to be fed and took advantage of their nap time to go out.

This time, he didn't ask Zhang Yi to bring him food; instead, he went directly to the cafeteria.

Sure enough, many parents were there, and about ten members of the Royal Guard were also present, sitting across from the parents and talking nonstop.

When they saw Bai Xiaoyu come in, they paused for a moment before continuing their conversations with the parents.

The parents seemed somewhat uneasy, and the members of the Royal Guard started gathering around Bai Xiaoyu.

Their purpose was the same as the previous three individuals, but after being rejected, their faces turned grim.

Just as they were about to continue contacting the parents, Bai Xiaoyu finished eating and called over the parents who had come with Xue Dan.

The meeting place was a classroom. This time, Bai Xiaoyu sat among the parents rather than on the podium.

Once all the parents arrived, he got straight to the point, "So far, have you all been approached by the Imperial Star's Royal Guard and Old Qi?"

Most of the parents nodded, looking even more nervous.

Bai Xiaoyu continued, "How many of you are considering giving your cubs up for adoption?"

The parents looked hesitant and ashamed as they gradually expressed their thoughts.

Bai Xiaoyu counted and found that five parents had already made their decision, while seven or eight were still hesitating and reluctant. The remaining parents, except those who hadn't been contacted yet, admitted they were tempted but still had some resources left to support their cubs.

The five parents who had made their decision were all alone and severely injured. Some had mechanical limbs, either one hand or both hands, and some even had both hands and feet replaced.

The parents dared not look at Bai Xiaoyu, but they had no other choice.

The conditions offered by the Royal Guard were too good. The adoptive families were powerful elders within their clans who had been childless for a long time. They could guarantee various nutrients and medications for the children. Moreover, the environment on Imperial Star was ideal for both living and schooling, ensuring the children would start life ahead of others.

Old Qi directly mentioned that his son, who had been married for years without children, could take them in and raise them as his own grandchildren.

It was hard for the parents not to be swayed. As disabled refugees from other planets, they would be shunned even on other planets. Pushed from planet to planet, even the most desperate planets did not want people who needed constant welfare and had limited labor capacity.

That's why their new planetary assignments were delayed, and when they finally came, they were usually the worst possible options.

Such planets were weak and resource-poor, with leaders lacking the authority to compete with others, leaving them no choice but to accept these refugees.

Life on such planets was even harder, with most only able to survive on welfare, making it difficult for their children to thrive.

After understanding the situation, Bai Xiaoyu realized how dire it truly was.

He thought for a moment and said, "Wait a moment."

Then he walked out and contacted the mayor of District Nine.

The mayor was delighted to hear from Bai Xiaoyu, given that he had cultivated a batch of high-quality cubs for their district. Other district mayors now tried to get close to him during meetings, hoping to receive some eggs.

However, he refused them, remembering how these people acted during the district's reconstruction.

Now he could stand tall in front of other mayors, and more importantly, their district had always been sparsely populated. Many people were now applying to transfer their planetary citizenship, all thanks to Bai Xiaoyu.

After listening to Bai Xiaoyu's explanation, the mayor enthusiastically agreed that this situation required other planets to actively accept these people, as many talents were highly sought after.

The mayor was happy to do Bai Xiaoyu a favor and took charge, "I'll talk to the planetary governor and arrange for them to settle directly in District Nine. Although District Nine is still underdeveloped, it's much better than the worst options."

Especially now, many people wanted to move there but couldn't.

After their conversation ended, Lou Hao returned from his business trip and was immediately pulled aside by Bai Xiaoyu.

Lou Hao rubbed his chin, looking aggrieved, "Boss, I was just having dinner. What's so urgent?"

Bai Xiaoyu replied, "When I contacted you, you were done eating and picking your teeth."

Lou Hao shrugged, "Caught me. Boss, what's the plan?"

Bai Xiaoyu said, "Isn't our medicinal herb acquisition chain short-staffed?"

Lou Hao looked shocked, "Boss, you've never cared about this before."

Bai Xiaoyu explained, "If the parents of Xue Dan's cubs settle in District Nine, we can offer them jobs."

He did all this because he was worried about the cubs, knowing they were rescued from a research facility. The owner of that facility might still be aware of their existence, making it unsafe for them to travel to other planets.

He hoped that if the parents were willing, they could stay here with their cubs. With the protection of the Sixteenth Legion's retired soldiers, the cubs' safety would be assured.

Recently, Lou Hao had been busy developing the medicinal herb acquisition chain on other planets. Besides the local network, they had established stations on three neighboring planets.

These stations required minimal work, perfect for the current situation of the parents.

After Bai Xiaoyu left, the parents barely spoke, their moods low.

With such outstanding cubs, following them would only lead to their potential being wasted.

If they could, they wouldn't want to separate from their children and would give them the best possible lives.

Ironically, even with Bai Xiaoyu providing medication at cost, the monthly welfare barely covered their basic needs. Without jobs, they couldn't afford a single bottle of medicine in a year.

All the parents' current planetary citizenships were still pending, and their situations were not good.

They slowly talked, feeling heartbroken at the thought of sending their cubs away. They knew they might never see them again, and their grown-up cubs might resent them for being incapable parents, their eyes welling up with tears.

When Bai Xiaoyu returned with Lou Hao, he saw this scene.

It seems that even after making their decision, they are the ones who suffer.

When the parents saw Bai Xiaoyu return with someone, they hurriedly bowed their heads and wiped their faces.

Bai Xiaoyu pretended not to notice their embarrassment: "I just spoke with the district chief. If you're willing, you can settle in District Nine of this planet, which is where we are. We’re expanding our operations here and need people. The medicine needed for your children will be provided as a benefit—five bottles per month for employees, with an additional bottle once you become full-time staff. This should cover your children's monthly needs. Are you interested?"

The parents couldn't help but hold their breath as Bai Xiaoyu spoke, their originally dim eyes growing brighter and brighter until they were overwhelmed with excitement, their voices hoarse as they all expressed their willingness.

Seeing the parents' reaction, Bai Xiaoyu quickly added, "Since you've agreed, this is your new supervisor. Get to know him. He'll handle all your work arrangements from now on."

He hadn’t mentioned to the parents yet that their children had been subjects of laboratory experiments, as the matter was too significant and hadn't been made public. The parents believed, like everyone else, that these eggs were rescued by Sixteenth Legion soldiers from planets ravaged by the insectoids.

He hoped the parents would remember this and not take their children away carelessly to avoid any accidents.

Pausing, he continued, watching as the parents' faces turned pale. "I'm not saying that all those who want to adopt have issues, but we can't guarantee that none of them do. What if some of the original lab forces are trying to stir up trouble..."

The parents trembled collectively, and those who had already made decisions turned pale, immediately sending messages to those they had planned to exchange contact information with.

Those who were gloating suddenly received replies indicating the parents’ unwillingness and their faces darkened.

Especially Old Qi, who had worked so hard to get this opportunity. With such good conditions, what could have happened to make them change their minds at the last minute?

Old Qi inexplicably thought of Bai Xiaoyu. Could it be him who ruined my plans?

The parents were soon settled, and Lou Hao sent over a message. Bai Xiaoyu read it and found it acceptable.

First, they would familiarize themselves with the work alongside the previous batch of parents of Little Seventeens, the veteran employees. Initial training would determine their areas of expertise, distinguishing between types, qualities, and grades of medicinal herbs accurately and efficiently. They would primarily be responsible for inspecting and pricing the herbs, with others handling the rest.

Some would stay in this district, while the rest would be assigned to neighboring planets' medicinal herb procurement stations. They would commute via the newly configured freight shuttles, going to work in the morning and returning with the shuttles carrying the herbs in the evening. Their work hours were from nine to five, and the commute to the neighboring planet took only an hour, leaving them time to spend with their little ones after work.

After settling the parents, they decided to stay, along with the blood-eggs and their children.

Old Qi was furious upon hearing this. Without getting the children or meeting the master alchemist, his trip was a complete waste. Not only that, he wouldn’t be able to report back successfully, and his request for insect crystals and resources would likely be denied. He’d also face ridicule from his colleagues.

The guards, who had worked hard all day, were equally angry, though not to the extent of Old Qi.

But Bai Xiaoyu didn’t care about them. It was the second day since the little ones hatched, and tomorrow, except for the blood-eggs and the little one, all the other children would leave the nursery with their parents to start their own lives.

After returning, Bai Xiaoyu crafted longevity pendants again. These children, whom he had raised, had spent three months together, and their future would be taken over by their parents. He inscribed his best wishes on the pendants to accompany them as they grew.

While crafting the pendants, a palm-sized white tiger cub and two eggs—one black and one silver—waited nearby. As soon as he finished, the silvery-white ball jumped onto his foot and climbed up his leg with its claws, reaching his shoulder.

Turning his head, Bai Xiaoyu saw the little one sitting on his shoulder, a tiny fluffy ball staring at him eagerly.

Reaching out to poke the little one’s forehead, the white tiger’s ears twitched, and its two small paws with pink pads clung to Bai Xiaoyu’s hand, refusing to let go.

Amused, Bai Xiaoyu used his other hand to put a silver longevity pendant around the white tiger’s neck. "This is yours, little one."

The white tiger played with the delicate pendant, growing more fond of it. It nuzzled Bai Xiaoyu’s neck with its fluffy head.

Bai Xiaoyu felt the soft warmth of the tiger’s fur against his neck.

The little one, having fun, then jumped in front of the two large eggs and strutted around, showing off its necklace.

The two eggs nearly couldn’t bear it and, when Bai Xiaoyu turned away, blocked his path.

Facing the two eggs that seemed to glare at him, Bai Xiaoyu chuckled, "Do you want one too?"

The two eggs bounced in unison.

Bai Xiaoyu: "Alright. But Big Black, don’t you already have a pendant?"

Big Black egg bounced again.

So, half an hour later, the white tiger was surrounded by the black and silver eggs, constantly displaying its pendant.

The silver egg had one pendant on top, while Big Black had two.

The white tiger, not to be outdone, placed its pendant on its head, facing off with the eggs.

At that moment, his terminal rang. The caller was Feng Shuang'er. Bai Xiaoyu stepped out onto the balcony to answer. As soon as he answered, Feng Shuang'er’s voice came through: "Xiaoyu, where are you? I need to see you."

Bai Xiaoyu: "What’s the matter? Can’t you tell me here?"

Feng Shuang'er: "Not convenient."

Ending the call, he returned to the room to find the black and silver eggs trying to sneak away, and the white tiger also attempting to run.

But Bai Xiaoyu called out, "Little one, you can’t leave now."

The white tiger resignedly jumped back onto the bed, and in the next second, a premature baby appeared, rolling to the side of the bed, flipping over to lie down, and waving its tiny hands and kicking its short legs. When the knock came, the little one instantly faced inward, pretending to sleep.

Bai Xiaoyu opened the door, and Feng Shuang'er entered, looking around and asking, "Xiaoyu, where’s the little one?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "He’s sleeping in the room."

Feng Shuang'er: "Let me see him."

Bai Xiaoyu nodded and led the way, with Feng Shuang'er following closely behind. Soon, they saw the sleeping bundle on the bed.

Seeing how small and weak the child was, Feng Shuang'er frowned involuntarily.

She picked up the little one, noticing it didn’t wake up: "Sleeps deeply, just like you did when you were young."

The weaker the spirit force, the more sleep a child needs to recover.

Bai Xiaoyu: "Is that so?"

Feng Shuang'er nodded, looking closely at the tiny creature, almost too weak to bear.

She placed the little one back on the bed and looked at Bai Xiaoyu: "Xiaoyu, can I meet that alchemy master?"

Bai Xiaoyu: "Do you need something from him?"

Feng Shuang'er: "I want him to check my body. You've seen your brother's potential. I don't understand; both your father and I have good potential, so logically, both of you should have good potential too. Your father's children with other women are fine, but mine... I suspect there might be something wrong with my body."

Bai Xiaoyu understood. He had also suspected that the little one's condition was not accidental and wondered if it was due to an issue during pregnancy. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "The master is away on business recently. He left after Old Qi angered him. I've learned a bit from him, though, and I can take a look."

Feng Shuang'er looked at him skeptically, "You?"

Bai Xiaoyu nodded. Feng Shuang'er didn't believe he could have learned much, but remembering the eggs he had cultivated, she let him examine her.

Bai Xiaoyu held her wrist and carefully inserted his refined mental power.

To Feng Shuang'er, this thin thread of mental power felt like a C-level force. Even so, she was surprised. After all, Bai Xiaoyu had never shown any improvement in either mental or physical strength despite taking countless potions since childhood.

In just half a year, his mental power had risen from F to C, skipping two major levels. It was rare for anyone in the interstellar world to jump three levels in such a short time.

As Feng Shuang'er was amazed, Bai Xiaoyu was equally surprised.

His mental power thread entered her abdomen and immediately detected the residual presence of the White Tiger bloodline. Although faint, he wouldn't have noticed it without recent exposure to the White Tiger aura.

This bloodline was not as pure as Dahei's but rather muddled and chaotic, with traces of multiple White Tigers.

Bai Xiaoyu frowned. This felt more like several White Tiger bloodlines mixed together, stimulating the new egg through amniotic fluid. The little one's bloodline was purer, born as a primal White Tiger, needing no stimulation.

These White Tiger bloodline forces did not affect the little one directly, but they were mixed with dozens of other potent energies, continuously harming the developing egg during pregnancy.

Due to the complexity, it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was happening. However, it was clear that these were not inherent traits but repeatedly injected.

This meant Feng Shuang'er had been sabotaged dozens or even hundreds of times during her pregnancy.

That the little one survived under such conditions showed how strong and healthy he originally was.

Bai Xiaoyu turned to look at Feng Shuang'er, wondering how someone could be so oblivious to being drugged multiple times.

Feng Shuang'er: "Why are you looking at me like that? Did you find something?"

Bai Xiaoyu asked, "Did you often have abdominal pain during your pregnancy?"

Feng Shuang'er nodded, "Every few days, but the doctors said everything was fine. It was the same when I was pregnant with you, every three to five days."

Bai Xiaoyu: "..."

Well, he found the reason why the original host was always out of breath. He had only wanted to know the root cause of the little one's injuries but ended up discovering two issues at once.

Feng Shuang'er: "Why are you looking at me like that again?"

It was as if he thought she was foolish.

Being the mother of this body, it was disrespectful to look at her that way. Bai Xiaoyu composed himself and spoke bluntly, "Every time you had abdominal pain, it was because you were given abortion-inducing drugs."

Feng Shuang'er jumped off the bed, "What? That's impossible! Your father said there was nothing wrong."

Bai Xiaoyu: "You can dismiss it as nonsense, but I've learned a bit from the master. Your current condition means it will take at least twenty years to recover. During this period, you won't be able to get pregnant."

Feng Shuang'er's face turned pale, then red, "No wonder it took over twenty years after giving birth to you before I could conceive again. It must have been your father's other mistresses, those men and women! They've been hiding this from me."

Feng Shuang'er rolled up her sleeves and stormed out, leading Old Qi and the guard team back to Imperial Star overnight.

After sending these troublesome people away, Bai Xiaoyu was satisfied.

The next day, he began saying goodbye to the little ones, starting with the two squadrons of children.

Bai Xiaoyu hugged the babies from both squads, placing longevity locks around their necks. He held one from each squad at a time.

The two little ones growled at each other while rubbing against Bai Xiaoyu affectionately.

Before boarding the spacecraft, the parents and children from both squads had a fierce fight as a final farewell.

Before boarding, the little ones were quiet, their eyes red as they called out to Bai Xiaoyu. Being warriors' children, they were tough and held back their tears even as they were carried away.

The two spacecraft took off in opposite directions, and Bai Xiaoyu watched them leave.

When sending off the regional children, the little ones cried freely. Bai Xiaoyu's clothes collected tears and snot from the younglings, and he watched them cry as they departed.

Looking at the longevity locks in his hand, he kept one from each batch. Now he had two. These locks carried warm wishes, hoping the little ones would be blessed wherever they went.

Ye Feng stayed with seven little ones temporarily, waiting for the other fathers of the children who left yesterday.

The blood-egg children and their parents moved into the newly built residential area beside the nursery, where some parents would stay to care for the younglings while others worked outside.

Of course, only the strongest parents remained, as the younglings were quite energetic.

All the parents now wore new mechanical limbs, which, although not as advanced as the warriors' biological mechanical limbs, were still designed by Tao Limeng and functioned almost normally, unlike the previous clunky models.

The remaining twenty younglings he had nurtured stayed with him for now.

Another piece of good news was that Bai Xiaoyu received a call from Bai Qing that night.

Upon answering, he saw a man with a scratched face and torn clothes, seemingly having just escaped, glaring at him and asking, "What did you tell your mother?"

Bai Xiaoyu couldn't help laughing at the familiar face, "I just told the truth."

As he spoke, the screen shook, and then Feng Shuang'er appeared, chasing after him with an energy cannon, firing a shot towards the camera.

The call cut off instantly.

Bai Xiaoyu patted the little White Tiger rolling under the blanket, "Little one, did you get your revenge?"