Mu Xuan’s post-traumatic stress went on for a few months, during which he spent his days indulging in affectionate behavior with Yao Si. After expending an immense effort, she had finally managed to elevate him from a pure, naive boy who would blush at the slightest touch to a man that could share the same bed with her without a flinch. He even managed to button up her deliberately opened top.
“…”
But even after sharing the same bed for a couple of months, nothing exciting had happened. Everything remained innocent.
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From the start, Yao Si had been dropping hints aggressively, but as time passed, her shyness morphed into anger, her actions turning more forceful. However, Mu Xuan would always stop her at the very last second, putting a stop to all her advances. There were times he would even tap on his ability.
Yao Si could feel a dagger ripping through her heart every night, the blood loss enough to fill a river.
Even though Mu Xuan was affected by her advances, he still held onto his defence. With his actions, Yao Si sometimes felt like she was a pervert that preyed on young, naive ladies.
Mu Xuan’s only excuse was… her young age!
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F*ck that! She hated when people called her young. You better clarify yourself, which part of me looks too young?
Just as Yao Si was trying to figure out what had caused the misconception, Bai Yi sent her an urgent message.
“Your Highness, are you heading to the Ability Planet the day after tomorrow?”
“Ability Planet?” I have never even heard of it. “Why would I go there?”
“It’s Luo Ying’s coming of age ceremony.” He pulled out an invitation for her. “Shu Cheng sent me the invitation a few days ago, so didn’t you receive one as well? It can’t be. It isn’t possible for him to miss you .”
Yao Si paused, remembering that she hadn’t opened her inbox in a long while, since the planet they were on previously hadn’t had any reception. With a quick search, she found the invitation.
“I received it.” She waved the invitation about. “But… why is there a coming of age ceremony? Isn’t she already of age?” It couldn’t be hasn’t she hadn’t registered her marriage with Nephew Gu?
“Of course not, and it’s not even my turn yet!” Bai Yi seemed to have been reminded of something, for his speech filled with indignation. “I planned to join her, but after her graduation test on Nirvana, she went over without any notice. She’s really too much! And to think Gu Shucheng actually agreed! I was only informed after she had passed the coming of age test,” he fumed, itching to bash him up.
“Wait a minute! A coming of age test? What do you mean?” Yao Si was growing increasingly confused. Wasn’t the coming of age ceremony a formality when friends and family would gather for a meal? “Why is there a need to head over to Ability Planet? Are there any other standards or requirements for coming of age?”
“Of course there are! Why else would I still be a single dog, one that has been enduring the flaunting of love from two heartless beings for so many years?” he said, sneaking in a complaint into his explanation. “But Your Highness, it’s normal that you aren’t aware of such a formality, since it hasn’t been long since you awakened.”
As usual, he started to fill up the gaps in her knowledge.
A bloodling wasn’t considered of age no matter their years since awakening or what education they had completed. They were required to pass a series of stringent tests to ensure they possessed sufficient abilities to protect themselves before they were considered of age.
Once they were recognized as adults, they were no longer required to study, but more importantly, they would be able to send a cub request to the Elders Council. This would then place them in the queue for a converted clone.
This explained why Gu Shucheng had Luo Ying while Bai Yi was still alone even though both of them belonged to the same batch of converted bloodlings,
“Back then, Gu Shucheng went off to Ability Planet secretly, without me, and Luo Ying did the exact same thing! They really are too much!” Bai Yi remarked while holding onto a grudge. “If Ability Planet didn’t focus mainly on the attack power of one’s ability, I would have passed eons ago. There’s no way I would be without a cub to this day.”
Yao Si was suddenly reminded of his mind reading ability. There was indeed not much attack power in it.
She silently lit up a candle for him.
“What’s that place about?” she asked then.
“That’s the only uninhabited planet in Galactic E,” Bai Yi answered. “The atmosphere and terrain there is highly unusual. Even though the environment is suited for life and has dense forests, the climate can change drastically in just a day. The airflow is extremely erratic as well, sometimes emitting even ability-like phenomena.
“Its harsh and unpredictable environment is the reason why the Elders Council has chosen it for the coming of age test. Those who can survive in the planet for a month are said to have passed.”
“One month?” That explained why Luo Ying hadn’t been with Nephew Gu recently.
“That’s right, Luo Ying has already been there for about thirty days, and the day after tomorrow will be the last.” Bai Yi pouted. “Heh, Gu Shucheng invited us over purely to flaunt it.”
“Are you sure you can be considered an adult bloodling once you pass the coming of age test?” Yao Si confirmed once more.
“Of course!” He nodded.
Joy spread through her, and she turned toward a certain someone who was serving her drinks on the side. “Mu Xuan, I want to go to the Ability Planet this instant! Immediately!”
“…”
She was finally going to get rid of the young cub title! Wasn’t it just surviving in a deserted place for a month? She would do it, and no one would call her a baby ever again!
–
Mu Xuan was against her impulsive decision, spending two days in the same sorrowful state of: My young cub wants to drive herself to her death again, seeking urgent help! However, he relented under her insistence and constant coaxing.
After congratulating Luo Ying hastily, Yao Si immediately headed over to Ability Planet. At the last moment, a certain someone started going through all the minute details with a sunken expression.
“Is your optical computer fully charged?”
“It can last for three years.”
“Have you brought the defensive equipment?”
“I brought it, ten sets.”
“What about food? Spiritual beast blood curd, abnormal beast blood curd, duck blood curd—”
“I brought everything. They’re all piping hot in the thermos flask.”
“What about clothes? Have you brought enough? Did you bring your favorite black and white set—”
“Yes, yes, yes, I have everything! I can wear three completely different sets each day!”
“Have you brought emergency medications?”
“I’m a bloodling, I can self-heal.”
“Self-healing isn’t fail proof. What if something goes wrong? What if you encounter a situation you can’t handle! What if—”
“Alright, alright, alright, I’ll bring some.”
“Mmh, you’ll also need a simple housing for accommodation, a heater, a backup navigator, games for entertainment, sleeping… Ah! There’s so many things you’ll need that I don’t think you’ll be able to handle all the weight. I’ll go with you!”
“…”
Enough!
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