Chapter 12: Within Three Days

People really do laugh when they’re utterly speechless.

【Hahahaha, I’m not blind, but I’m crazy. This is hilarious lol, better than that Alien blockbuster that won awards this year.】

【I’m sure this is the officials messing around (lol cry)】

Eleven Mantis Monsters—Li Ao’s paws hurt from plucking at the yarn.

These low-level Xenoids stood in a row, heads drooping oddly under Xun’s stare, shoulders hunched in a rather dejected manner.

“One by one, okay.” Li Ao sighed: “Too many, my little cat can’t handle them all at once.”

Due to the special structure of their eyes, the world low-level Xenoids saw was mostly shrouded in a cold purple-blue hue. Their vision lacked warm colors, and the glow emanating from the little cat in front of them held a fatal attraction for Xenoids.

Like moths to a flame—the danger lies in the moth. But if the moth was too big and reckless, it would be the flame that got extinguished.

Xun glared with his eyes, mimicking the little cat by placing his short forelimbs akimbo on his waist, intimidating them in a way the little cat couldn’t perceive:

[Move one bit, and I’ll devour you all.]

The Xenoids pitifully tucked in their six legs. They had no thoughts and couldn’t understand words, but instinct told them that if they dared extend their mouthparts toward the glowing little cat, they’d be done for.

“You guys look alike.” Li Ao lifted his small head, staring at the one in front: “But a little different. You…” He gestured with his paw: “Your head is a bit bigger.”

【This film’s really well-made, so realistic.】

【The director’s a genius. Is this 3D modeling? Why build a cat with such short legs? So cute hahaha】

【Impossible, I don’t believe this is acted. The info on that cat’s head says Regalis—who dares joke like that?】

【Exactly (muttering). If it’s fake, isn’t this insulting the late Prince Zane? Delphi’s warships gonna fire?】

【Zane died protecting humanity. He shouldn’t be insulted like this after death, his name taken by a legless cat. @Organizers, clarify the truth.】

The scene on the screen was beyond human acceptance. They questioned, cursed, attacked—the previously cute round-faced short-legged cat now seemed an insult to Zane Regalis.

How could Qin Mian not know the severity?

Concerning Regalis, she’d already reported to the Federation Central, awaiting contact between leaders and Delphi. Star Network’s public opinion was boiling over, organizers’ authority questioned. She suppressed her inner anxiety and focused on the little cat’s screen.

Li Ao had picked up another sticker today, one with a number. He tore it open excitedly: “I’ll stick them on you guys.”

His cat paw beckoned yesterday’s leader Mantis Monster. Seeing it lower its head obediently, he slapped the No. 1 sticker on its head with a “smack.”

“Mantis Monster No. 1, your claws are longer.” The little cat affirmed.

Though these low-level ones looked almost identical, he always pointed out subtle differences to distinguish them.

What was this?

Mantis Monster No. 1 bent a slender foreleg to touch its head. It couldn’t sense anything there, yet knew something was— what was this feeling?

Like an invisible beautiful flower, unseen by eyes, but scentable.

No creature had ever distinguished low-level Xenoids like them. To humans, they were all man-eating enemies; to high-level Xenoids, just lowly trash. They weren’t individuals, but a group. Even they themselves lacked such distinction. Who was who? They gathered to hunt better; without food, eating each other was common.

“The one with a slightly bigger head, you’re No. 2.”

[It smells so good.]

One by one, they lowered their heads before the little cat, letting him assign them numbers.

[ Delphi ]

In a new classical study, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and gold-green velvet curtains draped behind the man.

Isiris crossed his legs, slender fingers lazily propping his handsome face: “You’re saying a cat using Zane’s name joined the Dawn League?”

“Yes.” Shen Que knelt halfway, putting slippers on Isiris.

“He’s already dead.” Isiris lowered his eyelids. He’d flown over battlefields countless times confirming—his brother devoured by Xenoids, no bones left.

How could the king’s loyal hound not sense the emotion in his words?

The purple-eyed man’s hand paused slightly, fingertip on that not-weak ankle, voice gentle: “The Federation suspects it’s Zane’s child.”

“Snort—impossible?” Isiris withdrew his foot and stood: “Connect the Federation call. I want to see who dares provoke Regalis.”

—

For some reason Li Ao himself wasn’t aware of (short legs), he always liked standing on hind legs to walk—it let him see higher and farther.

“Today’s goal: sort the trash!” The Cat King stood akimbo, pacing back and forth to command: “Edibles collect here, others—” His cat paw pointed to a dented sand pit, “Pile the others there.”

Could Xenoids distinguish edible from not? Obviously not—everything was edible in their mouthparts.

Li Ao kicked a metal lump annoyedly: “This isn’t edible.” The Mantis Monsters picked fast, but they only brought back junk.

Got it! The little cat smacked his round paw on his head and dragged out a military backpack for them: “Just pick these bags.” After days garbage-picking, he had experience—scattered food rare, mostly brick-like biscuits in these bags.

Once Mantis Monsters fetched bags, he’d open and get biscuits.

What a smart cat.

Li Ao held the bag happily: “This kind, got it?”

Xenoids stared eagerly at the glowing cat, ignoring the drab bag. The black-furred chestnut ball glared, its forelimb swinging the bag to land one smack per bug.

[Go find!]

Receiving the superior’s order, Xenoids scattered, plunging into trash piles haphazardly.

【Gotta say, the writer’s got wild imagination hehe.】

【So this black monster dumpling is 3D modeled too? No wonder no matching species—invented look?】

【Only you little girls like this cute stuff, what’s to see?】

【Oh please, what era is this, still ‘human’ doing gender discrimination? ‘You little girls’ (pink rat sarcastic)~ Bro’s stuff down there taller than you, what you calling?】

【Exactly! Don’t like, get out. Live room locked you in? Want bug-killing, next door. Why here?】

【Little cat, hands on your non-existent waist (perv face blush lol)】

【Who, who gender discriminated! Out I go!】

Barrage chattered variedly, each insisting, but unanimously deeming it official comedy stunt. Even if organizers clarified not their film, none believed.

With Mantis Monster help, Li Ao didn’t slack—he inserted claw into zipper teaching Xun: “Hook this gap with claw, pull back hard—”

Meow? Meow confused.

“Why no claws?” His cat paws cupped the black forelimb, prying it open—it was cat-like, but had no nails. “Aiya, you, you’re really weird-looking.”

Fierce Cat sighed: “Li Ao’s pet dog is special.”

Xun narrowed eyes, delightedly nuzzling the little cat.

Mantis Monster No. 1 tossed a bag by the little cat. Li Ao dropped Xun’s forelimb to open it.

“Two more biscuits.” Little cat grinned.

“Hm? What’s this?” A fluffy yellow flower collar, hollow center perfect for Li Ao’s head.

【Hahaha, isn’t this an Elizabeth circle? How’s this here?】

【Owner probably a cat slave, my mutant cat had one for neuter.】

【Don’t say, this short-leg one looks weirdly cute with it.】

【Weirdly cute? Total cuteness nuke!】

Fluffy frills framed little cat’s head like lion’s mane. The little lion flicked tail, Xenoids quietly submitting behind.

When Isiris opened the stream mid-Federation talk, this scene hit.

He stared at the massive cat head on screen. That second, “fate” took form.

Hand propping cheek dropped. “Announce it.”

“What?” Federation official’s torrent stopped.

“Publish your conclusion. Since it’s your surveillance, within three days, I want this cat’s star system coordinates.” Isiris said.

His aura overwhelming, yet reasonable—no refusal possible: “O-okay.”

Right after the emperor of Delphi nodded, Qin Mian over there quickly received the instruction.

Official broadcast: [Upon investigation, the current top-ranked contestant in points is a descendant of Zane Regalis. This is not a filmed video. Please take note.]

【?】

【What? Does this mean it’s Prince Zane’s child?】

【No, forget that—isn’t the fact that the bug-taming scene right in front of us is actually real way more terrifying??】

【How could this possibly be real? This world has finally gone mad hahahaha.】

【6】