Chapter 46: Receiving Guests

The wind whipped up snow fiercely, scouring the endless ice fields.

A foot landed on the ground, and the instant it stepped into this region, the wind and snow froze still.

Crystalline, translucent specks of light hung motionless in the frigid air, the entire world pausing in that moment.

A silver-white blade flashed with dazzling light as Isiris’s sword pointed ahead. “What are you?”

The area at the sword’s tip lay beyond the Monarch’s Spiritual Power, where wind and snow howled around two figures.

A massive azure beast stood tall and imposing, covered in thick ice armor with razor-sharp ice spines protruding from its back, resembling a cross between a dinosaur and a lizard. Its breath could freeze an entire planet, and everywhere it passed, temperatures plummeted to extreme cold. That was why, despite this asteroid being so close to its star, it remained sealed in ice for miles.

Everyone knew Xenoids were conventionally graded A, B, C, D, E.

However, most people mistakenly believed the grading depended on size. In their minds, something as massive as Zolax should be B-Rank.

Even the Dawn League’s scoring rules unwittingly reinforced this misconception: killing an E-Rank Xenoid earned 1 point, a D-Rank 10 points. So many assumed a D-Rank was roughly ten times stronger than a C-Rank, and so on—the higher the rank, the exponentially greater the power.

This was wrong. Xenoid abilities couldn’t be simplified that way.

Rank was a true dividing line.

Below B-Rank, the gap wasn’t too obvious. But above B-Rank? It was an impassable chasm.

A-Rank Xenoids were rare, creatures that had transcended physical limits. They could teleport in an instant, breach spatial barriers, leap between unknown dimensions, and hunt in ways beyond human comprehension.

As for S-Rank? That was near-legendary.

With so few records, many even doubted S-Ranks existed at all, or wondered if they were just phantoms born of fear. After all, facing one often meant no chance to even report back.

In human history, only one person had ever successfully slain an S-Rank Xenoid.

The Sun God Sword hummed, but not at the giant beast—instead, at the pitch-black figure beside it. “Answer me. Who are you?”

The figure was humanoid, wrapped in writhing black threads and distorted black mist. The black strands surged like living things, and faintly, a pair of sunken blue eyes glimmered in the shadows.

No response came. The golden-haired emperor tightened his grip, the sword tip dipping slightly before thrusting forward explosively.

In an instant, wings unfurled. Golden hair whipped in the rush, his crimson cloak billowing like blood as he tore through the chill wind, charging straight at the target.

Freed from the emperor’s Spiritual Power, the ice and snow churned again. Winds howled as the tang dao was unsheathed. Shen Que’s voice carried an uncharacteristically icy edge: “That Xenoid won’t have spare energy to seal the planet’s energy field while entangled in combat. Look for an opening, send out our message. If we don’t contact soon, Little Highness will worry.”

With those words, he shot out like a released arrow. Tang dao crossed in front of the Monarch battling the commander, blocking the giant beast’s icy breath.

The massive energy clash triggered intense magnetic fluctuations. Light in this space refracted wildly, creating the illusion of sudden nightfall.

In Delphi’s night, Li Ao clutched his little dog, stubbornly dialing Isiris’s number over and over, but it never connected.

Brenna squatted beside him, smiling reassuringly. “Little Cat Highness, maybe His Majesty’s warship entered a signal-dead zone. Once they sail out, he’ll pick up.”

The little cat’s eyes held doubt and grievance. “He said he’d call me.”

Brenna hurried to reassure him. “Normally, His Majesty would definitely call our Little Cat Highness, but there’s no signal right now, right? We moved here from Aiai’ang’ang—you saw how vast the universe is! Lots of places have no signal. How could he answer without it?”

Though Li Ao had never been to school, his instincts were sharp. He sensed something must have happened to make the man not pick up. He’d said he was Li Ao’s dad and would always protect him. He trusted Xixi—he wouldn’t ignore calls on purpose. So… was it really just bad signal, like Brenna said?

Still worried, the little cat turned to the robot, his triangular rice-ball ears drooping slightly. “Machine, really?” Compared to Delphi’s people, he clearly relied more on this robot.

Silver Wing never lied. It pretended to analyze for a second before agreeing with Brenna. “Yes. Passing through a supernova burst zone can disrupt signals and even require evasion to avoid energy waves affecting navigation.”

The flat electronic voice brought Li Ao some comfort. The little cat’s tense tail dropped to the ground as he sighed in relief and looked up. “How long till it’s fixed? Till he can answer?”

The little guy wasn’t easy to fool anymore… Silver Wing’s CPU whirred at high speed. The ever-precise machine gave a vague answer: “Probably a few days.”

But this poked the hornet’s nest.

Before meeting Grandma, Li Ao had heard too many such lines.

“Wait a few days, I’ll take you out then.”

“Said a few days—can’t you see I’m busy?”

“I’m leaving. Go to your mom if you need something. I’ll be back in a few days.”

What were “a few days”?

He’d never gotten a clear answer, nor had anyone ever returned in a few days to tell him.

The little cat suddenly got feisty, tail tensing again as his paws slapped the ground. “Two days? Five days? Or lots of days?”

He was clearly demanding, his tone fierce like a wild cat fighting, but tears welled in his eyes.

Ever since meeting that man, this little guy cried more and more… Silver Wing’s electronic voice paused briefly before replying: “Two days.”

If no signal in two days, it’d take the stinky little cat to find him. There’d be a way.

The child left behind, across endless time and space, finally got an answer. Hearing it, his face went blank, and a fat tear splashed down.

“Li Ao.” To protect Fierce Cat’s dignity, the little dog opened wide and swallowed the cat head, hiding Fierce Cat’s sadness.

“…” The sight was creepy and made the robot’s programming glitch slightly. It could empathize with the little cat now—after all, it’d once thought it was abandoned, waiting a full century.

It pulled the cat head out and smoothed his fur. “Said two days. If still no connection then, I’ll take you to scratch him.”

Light suddenly returned. The little cat squinted, grabbed his tail to wipe tears, and said stubbornly, “Li Ao didn’t cry.”

“…” Couldn’t make the robot lie against its programming, so it stayed silent. Brenna had turned to gaze at the sky long ago. As for Xun, he was the little dog—no issue.

With the little cat appeased, he shuffled awkwardly, relaxing control and flashing fangs again. “Then… then I’m a bit hungry.”

“Got it!” The maidservant jumped up beaming. “How about some late-night snack? A little cake?”

That sounded great.

The kitten, strictly rationed on sweets by the robot, actually got a bedtime cake. He was so happy that the next morning, sitting in his chair for breakfast, he was still kicking his little legs happily.

Today’s agenda was packed: tending the moon farm and receiving foreign guests.

He didn’t know what “receiving foreign guests” meant—Brenna had explained: “The Sun is away on campaign, Highness Lian is handling state affairs in The Federation, Little Highness Ryan’s health is improving so Highness Reniya is relieved after years of field training. Now, only our Little Cat Highness and Little Highness Ryan can receive guests.”

The little cat sat primly on the ground, paws neatly in front, tiny crown atop his head, not daring to move. His obedient pose waiting to be dressed had Brenna internally squealing.

“Highness.” The proper lady-maid shook out a small cloak. “Try if it fits.”

On the golden-white-brown-black little cat’s head sat a sparkling mini crown, red cloak over his shoulders. Cute beyond words, whether from human or feline eyes.

Little White Lion Ryan matched the style. Though slim, he had far more regal poise than Li Ao’s chubby, late-bloomer stubby-legged cat form.

“Good morning, Leo.” The little lion approached the little cat and gave a cheek kiss.

The cat face looked kissed. Li Ao blanked, tipping back twice like a go-kart, chin up staring a bit. Then: “You too.”

As expected. Ryan mentally fist-pumped—like the teacher said, the little cat preferred “little animals.” Using lion form worked; he greeted back.

Even in human form, Li Ao would respond—just less warmly than to the lion.

Xun narrowed his eyes, leaped between the cats, shoving the little lion aside, and mewled softly: “Li Ao.”

The little cat withdrew his gaze from the little lion, patted the little dog, and asked Brenna, “Can you give me another crown? He has one, so the little dog should have one too.”

Crowns were symbols of royalty, but in this era, there really wasn’t any rule saying that commoners or non-royals couldn’t wear them… But this was Delphi! They followed tradition! Still, Brenna only hesitated for a second before yielding to the little cat’s big blue watery eyes. “Of course, allow me to fetch one for you.”

These were His Highness’s little pets. If His Highness wanted to dress them up, that was completely fine!

The royal workshop hurriedly sent over a mountain of accessories piled high. Brenna simply took them all and handed the entire lot to Li Ao.

The little cat looked down. A whole box of sparkling jewels met his eyes, and they instantly shone brighter than diamonds. His two little paws rummaged through with a clatter, pulling out a few to hold up against the little dog. “This one looks good!”

The black-furred chestnut ball transformed in an instant, its body hair completely festooned with jewels of every color, looking just like a Christmas tree.

Ryan wouldn’t fight over it. After being shoved aside, he simply stood off to the side. Watching the little cat and little dog nuzzling against each other, his expression inexplicably grew wan.

What was he supposed to do about this… The sixteen-year-old little white lion wanted to go ask his teacher again.

The empire’s two young Highnesses were dressed neatly and sat properly to receive their guests. One of them was even holding a “little dog” decked out in ornaments. The little dog glittered with jewels all over, obediently sprawled by the chair—which actually served as quite the spectacle…

A bright red carpet stretched from the door all the way to the Highnesses. Delphi’s guest slowly stepped inside.

His footsteps were very light and steady. Several meters from Li Ao, he dropped to one knee, right fist pressed to his chest, performing a standard Delphi salute to the little cat.

The little cat took a look, then abruptly stood up. “It’s you!”

Bai Yunjun raised his head with a smile. “Good day, Highness Li Ao.”