Chapter 51: Arrival at the Tourist Planet

Delphi people had no spirit for entertainment. From the moment their cubs could pick up objects, parent-child relationships revolved around teaching children to wield blades and guns, acclimating them early to the Crystal of Delphi.

When it came to their monarch, he was equally stern with his younger siblings. No matter the little lions’ personalities, their combat prowess was top-tier anywhere in the interstellar realm.

But what about the little cat?

“Too young, can’t maintain human form for long. Wait until he’s older.”

Zane had entered the training field at three years old, while the nearly six-year-old Li Ao was still sitting in his enclosure, playing with toys alongside Xun.

The imperial warship Mandjet—this steel behemoth symbolizing the pinnacle of Delphi’s military might—boasted thick armor plating, a stern hull design, mechanized defense systems everywhere, and the interstellar’s top-tier firepower configuration. Its kinetic power alone could shatter planets.

Yet inside such a warship brimming with murderous aura, one corner had been fenced off into a cozy cat enclosure.

Li Ao sat on the ground, cradling Xun in his arms, his fluffy tail joyfully swishing back and forth behind him.

The little monster lay quietly, his black bone wings slightly folded, scarlet beast pupils half-lidded, allowing Li Ao to toy with him as he pleased.

With practiced cat paws, he pinned a crystal hair clip onto Xun’s head. He admired it from left and right, found the effect satisfactory, then held up the little dog with sparkling eyes, offering it up like a treasure to the emperor seated nearby.

“Xixi!”

The golden-haired emperor lowered his gaze to the dignity-stripped little monster, paused for a moment, then gave a calm evaluation: “Not bad.”

Approved by Xixi, the little cat was instantly delighted. He stood up and dashed back to his jewelry box, rummaging through it and hanging whatever he deemed suitable onto Xun.

“Your Highness.” Brenna approached with a plate of food. “Tired from playing? Want to eat something?”

Playing could make one tired? This was an incomprehensible statement to Delphi people. But when it came to the little cat, it all made sense.

“Thanks, Bunana.” Li Ao stood and thanked the maidservant, but suspicion clouded his cat face upon seeing what was on the plate.

Raw?

The sashimi-inexperienced Fierce Cat gingerly poked at it with his claw, confirming it was indeed raw meat. No big deal—in the past, whenever Li Ao picked up raw stuff, he’d drag a chair over, twist open the stove, and heat it up before eating. Now, it was even more convenient.

“Xun.” The little cat raised the little dog toward the plate. “Breathe fire.”

The little monster blinked its scarlet eyes. The next second, upon grasping the little cat’s intent, it controlled itself to spit out an extremely tiny flame breath.

The moment the flames ignited, the sashimi’s surface was seared with a layer of faintly golden oil, the fresh aroma overflowing.

Fierce Cat took a bite, chewed it a couple times like gulping dates, and found it still a bit raw. Without another word, he shoved the plate back toward Xun. “Breathe fire!”

The little monster activated at once.

Isiris sat to the side, witnessing the entire process.

Seeing his own child command the Xenoid to breathe fire just like training a puppy, the golden-haired emperor lifted his teacup with three fingers, a flicker of contemplation emerging in his pupils.

The unending war between Xenoids and humans had raged for a millennium, with countless planets reduced to ash in the flames. Any form of coexistence had once been dismissed as impossible delusion.

But now, a cat had appeared that could make a Xenoid quietly submit.

Typical superior’s mindset led Isiris to instinctively interpret the scene as submission. The little monster was clearly in its newborn phase, while the little cat’s Spiritual Power was so immense it defied human measurement. To outsiders, it was domination of the weak by the strong, absolute power crushing into obedience.

But for the two little ones, there was no domination, no submission. Xun was Li Ao’s little dog, and Li Ao was Xun’s little cat—that was all.

The plate was large. Li Ao took two bites from his side, then switched to Xun’s. Even though it was the same food, he had to try the other one’s before going back to his own.

Xun had no thought of guarding its food from the little cat—instead, it wanted to snuggle. So it squeezed beside the little cat, you nudging me, me nudging you, happily chowing down together.

The delectable sashimi came from the fatty belly of some oily fish species. The metallic-hued blue fish lurked in the seawater, its pale belly looking delicious at a glance. With a flick of its tail, it barely swam away before being gulped down by a massive whale.

This was Federation Star 92, a colossal ocean planet. Not only the interstellar-famous tourism paradise, but also the venue for this Dawn League awards ceremony.

After devouring the school of fish, the whale leaped from the surface, splashing rainbows amid the spray as tourists cheered and snapped photos.

“The awards ceremony doesn’t start until evening.”

“That’s still early—five hours left. Hey, did you hear? In this Dawn League, fifth place went to Delphi’s little Highness!”

“How could we not? I not only heard, I saw it—Leo Regalis, who’s supposedly only six!”

“Not even six! Culture class was zero points, but by past standards, he’d be a proper first place!”

“This year’s first isn’t bad either—a Delphi guy named PJ.”

PJ kept a calm expression, but inwardly his face had collapsed into utter defeat.

Outrageous! Who wanted to be this first? Give the championship back to my Highness! Ah—Highness, my Highness, this servant’s victory is dishonorable!!!

“Hey!” The buzz-cut guy pounced onto PJ, baring his teeth to ruffle his hair. “Congrats! You’re awesome, first place again, hey!”

What was awesome about it? A first place won only by bullying a Highness bad at math—total garbage!

“Thanks.” PJ’s face stayed composed, while inwardly he crawled through the darkness.

The high ponytail girl, this competition’s third place, held a brimming tall wine glass and took a hearty swig, wiping her mouth. “Finally over. Grab the award and head home.”

Home? With a first like this, wouldn’t Brenna beat him to death?

PJ thought of his big sis, his expression unable to stay relaxed anymore. Just as he was about to say something, he spotted the anomaly in the sky.

PJ’s pupils contracted sharply. He abruptly shoved the buzz-cut guy off his back and shot to his feet, shouting: “Mandjet!”

The imperial warship descended from the skies, its massive hull ripping through the clouds and slamming into position above Star 92, blotting out a vast expanse of bright blue ocean and casting a shadowy dark blue.

“What’re you doing?” The buzz-cut guy was still annoyed by PJ’s action, but following his gaze upward, he instantly went slack-jawed. “Am I seeing things? Why is Mandjet here? Is the Federation going to war with Delphi?”

What nonsense? The clear-headed high ponytail girl smacked each of them once, her eyes gleaming with joy. “It’s the little cat Highness! He’s fifth place—he’s here for the award!”

“Little cat… Highness?” PJ froze, then he saw it. The golden-haired monarch descended the gangway first, followed by many familiar faces. There was one slightly unfamiliar: a mech nearly three meters tall. And atop its head perched a tiny cat.

Thrilling crimson flushed from his soles upward inch by inch, turning PJ’s pale face beet red in an instant.

“Aaah—it’s Highness—” Ignoring his companions, the long-haired youth bolted straight toward his own people.

Seeing his teammate so uncharacteristically unhinged for the first time, the buzz-cut guy was dumbfounded.

“Dumbass! Hurry up!” The high ponytail girl’s face bloomed with a brilliant smile as she dragged the buzz-cut guy along in that direction.

Compared to the trio’s excitement and agitation, ordinary tourists were far less relaxed.

“That’s… an Alpha Machine?” Even scaled down, the massive lightsaber on its back and its folded mechanical wings were unmistakable!

“A real Alpha Machine—how is it here?”

“That’s the Delphi monarch’s warship. What the hell is going on?”

Delphi’s monarch and an Alpha Machine—either one alone was enough to strike terror, let alone together. It was downright blinding, leaving people at a loss.

At that moment, fireworks and welcome projections lit up the sky—not just greeting the foreign leader, but also soothing the Federation’s citizens.

“So they came for the awards ceremony…”

Public sentiments fluctuated wildly, while Silver Wing atop the gangway had its program in turmoil too.

“Is it really okay for me to show up like this?” It asked the monarch ahead, only to get responses from the ministers behind.

“What’s the problem?” A burly man patted the mech. “You’re a Delphi person—no need to hide.”

“Exactly.” Another chimed in: “You’re also Leo Highness’s guardian.”

Delphi people’s protectiveness and unity were etched into their genes. They didn’t care about Alpha Machines or mechanical wars—as long as the monarch permitted it to join Delphi, it was one of them.

And Delphi people were open and aboveboard, forthright and honorable.

Li Ao was oblivious to the tremor in Silver Wing’s program. He was high up now! Standing atop the giant’s head, Fierce Cat didn’t even need to stand on tiptoes to see far.

“Xun!” The little cat happily tugged the little dog over, pointing at the vast ocean ahead. “That’s the sea!”

He was simply too excited and happy, his big tail wagging back and forth as he busily pointed left and right. “Big fish! Wow—big tree!”

Since his rebirth, he had never had such leisure. No need to farm fields, no classes, no scrambling for food and drink—he could fully savor the world around him.

“His Highness is very happy.” Shen Que withdrew his gaze, a trace of amusement still lingering in his purple eyes.

Isiris didn’t turn back or look up, walking forward at an unhurried pace. But in his heart, he felt this decision was quite good.

A little kitten’s childhood should be this joyful.

This was a tourist holy land, full of food, fun, and entertainment. Shen Que eyed the street scene ahead. “There’s still plenty of time before the award ceremony. We can take His Highness shopping for snacks and toys.”

He was truly attentive, genuinely keeping the person in his heart—his considerations were remarkably thorough. The escalator was quite long; as they walked along while planning activities, the warmth in his purple pupils chilled at the sight of the figure on the ground below.

“Respected Monarch of Delphi.” Fitt, flanked by his attendants, curved his eyes into a smile and performed the standard interstellar gesture of courtesy toward Isiris. Seemingly not expecting a reciprocal salute from the emperor, he raised his head and waved cheerfully at the little cat. “Hello, Your Highness Leo of Delphi.”

Everyone had stopped in their tracks, and the little cat perched atop the robot’s head could see it all.

Silver Wing scooped him down and set him in its palm, where he stood and greeted Fitt in a daze. “Hello, I’m Li Ao.”

Fitt unfurled his fan to hide his smile. “How cute. Oh, Isiris—it’s truly hard to imagine a handsome and aloof man like you having such an adorable child.”

“You’re courting death.” Tang Blade in hand, Shen Que’s voice turned icy. “How dare you address His Majesty by name.”

Fitt chuckled, folded his fan, and bowed to Isiris in apology for his rudeness.

Only then did he turn to Shen Que. “My little brother, it’s been years. Your looks have changed, but your temper’s the same as ever.”

With that, he swiftly shifted topics, his brows arching in a dazzling curve. “Your Majesty Isiris, there’s still some time before the award gala. Allow me to show you around?”

Isiris never responded. He simply lifted a hand, picking up the cat and tucking him into his arms, before saying indifferently, “I am the Monarch of Delphi. Your rank doesn’t qualify you to host me. Where is your father?”

Fitt’s smile faded a touch. Before he could reply, the golden-haired monarch patted the kitten’s head in his embrace. “What have you prepared to receive my Leo?”

The implication was unmistakable: You’re peers with my little kitten. Without your father here, you don’t even have the standing to speak with me.

The innocent blue eyes met the gorgeous purple gaze. Fitt, the same age as Isiris, could only force a smile. “I will certainly satisfy Your Highness Leo.”