Chapter 82: Interstellar Interview Part 2

[Don’t freak out upstairs lol. Not to mention the lake water isn’t even for sale—the reason it’s full of healing power is because His Highness Li Ao regularly infuses it with Spiritual Power. It’s not just from some bubble bath (smirk).]

“Every single day since Miracle Day four years ago,” Hannah spread her arms and spun in place, “this planet has been delivering miracles to humanity.”

Miracle Day was the day four years ago when Delphi opened fruit sales to the entire interstellar community.

“Everyone knows how hard it is to get a Delphi work visa.” Hannah smiled. “In recent years, most of what we’ve learned about this planet comes from official footage. Now, let me take you all on a close-up tour of this planet.”

In fact, every year, every day, countless teams applied to come to Aiai’ang’ang for filming, but none had ever been approved.

This time, they were granted an exception due to a special opportunity.

Every ten years, the entire interstellar held a global election to select the ten individuals with the greatest influence over the past decade. The fundamental purpose was to pave the way for Federation officials’ appointments, but a few were genuinely on the candidate list for real contributions to all humanity.

“Hello, uncle.” Hannah stopped an old soldier who was picking fruits. “Are you harvesting tomatoes?”

The old soldier had slightly upturned eyes that looked fierce, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, and a face that screamed “Are you an idiot?” He gently placed the tomato into his basket. “What else?”

Professional poise helped Hannah suppress her sudden embarrassment, maintaining her smile. “If you don’t mind, could I help you pick some?”

No sooner had she spoken than a cry rang out from behind her: “Hannah—run!”

Before she could react, she was tackled to the ground by a crew member. Then, a whooshing sound sliced over her head. A tomato vine as thick as an arm whipped down from the air with a smack, smashing a deep pit into the sandy ground right where they’d been standing.

“No need, I reckon.” The old soldier chuckled, spitting smoke as he patted the little cat pendant on his waist. “These plants are picky as hell. You folks wouldn’t cut it. Shoo, shoo—don’t bother this old man working.”

“O-okay.” Hannah scrambled up quickly, brushed the sand off herself, and smiled again. “Just as the legends say—these mutated plants can’t be approached by ordinary people.”

[With that reaction speed and calm face in a crisis, this girl’s getting a like from me!]

[Not bad, solid professionalism. Way better than that slick rainbow-fart blower from last time.]

Hannah learned her lesson and kept a safe distance as she introduced the planet’s plants to everyone, then got to the main point: “Everyone knows who brought this planet back to life, right? That’s right—it’s our Highness Leo!” She clapped for herself. “Leo Regalis is one of the hot candidates for Influence Star this time. Next up, we’re going to track him down for an exclusive interview!”

There were many busy people on Aiai’ang’ang, and as Hannah’s camera panned, the audience observed too.

[Seems like the pickers are all Delphi locals. Some of the material transporters aren’t.]

[Volunteers, probably. I saw the recruitment notice before—super strict requirements, need vetting to even help with transport.]

[So amazing. After all these years, Delphi folks are actually opening their borders, letting outsiders work their land.]

[It started when Little Cat Highness had to go to school. My neighbor was one of the first kindergarten teachers sent to native Delphi. Heard she’s prepping for Delphi’s Consciousness Trial now, aiming to join permanently.]

[Wow, that’s badass. Odds of joining Delphi are like winning the lottery… Kinda jealous. Means you get to farm and harvest veggies.]

The barrage scrolled with info as Hannah finally spotted a relatively friendly-looking woman. She jogged over, bent at the waist in greeting: “Hello, auntie. Do you know where His Highness Leo is right now?”

“What’re you folks doing? Why you looking for our Highness?”

A crew member quickly handed over documents. Hannah explained their purpose in detail and showed her the permit.

“Oh, that’s nice. You’re here to play with the kid, huh?” To Delphi folks who didn’t surf the net, this Influence Award was just like that Interstellar Cutest Fluffy Cat Award from a few years back—something to amuse the child.

The auntie’s face softened noticeably. Ignoring Hannah’s attempt to explain, she pointed off into the distance. “Go look over there. Little Highness just finished eating and is out walking the little dog right now.”

“Got it, thank you!” Hannah turned, beckoning the cameraman to follow, chatting with the audience as she went: “His Highness Leo is walking the dog? By the way, does anyone have little cats or dogs as pets?”

Ever since that little cat burst onto the scene four years ago, the long-dormant pet cat and dog markets had boomed again. Too bad there were no more fluffy primitive breeds like the little cat—only scaly, sparse-furred mutants left.

“Hannah has a little dog too. Not super fluffy, but super cute. It waits for me after work every day, then comes with me downstairs for walks. So obedient and sweet.” As she spoke, Hannah’s eyes lit up—she’d spotted a cat around the corner of a sand dune ahead.

He stood on two feet but was only a tiny bit tall, holding a shiny rope in his paws, the other end hidden behind the dune—presumably the little dog being walked.

“Your Highness Leo—” Hannah’s face flushed with excitement as she waved frantically and ran toward the dune. “I’m Hannah, a reporter. I heard you’re walking—the dog, dog, dog, dog—?”

The woman froze like a stuck tape, her brain bluescreening in place. She turned stiffly like a rigid compass.

The little cat blinked at her turning back, looking back, turning back, looking back, not getting what was up with this big sis.

At the end of that shiny rope was a black dragon’s neck.

Though still far from true adulthood, its body was already helicopter-sized. Just lying there quietly was enough to drop the air pressure around it.

Its scales were ink-black, gleaming with cold metallic sheen in the sunlight. Its chest rose and fell with breaths, rumbling low dragon roars.

This death-god-like pressure made one forget to breathe.

[Holy shit, walking the dog???!!!]

[A-ah, haha… no issue there. You just finding out the little cat’s “little dog” is a dragon? (shivering.gif)]

[What’s this got to do with a dog at all? Why call this terrifying monster a dog aaaaaaaaaah!!]

[Your “walking the dog” and mine are different (drooling)]

“What’s wrong?” The little cat had let go of the rope at some point and run over, tilting his head up at the still-glitched Hannah in confusion.

Her face was sheet-white, trembling as she spoke: “Y-Your, Your Highness.” The words barely left her mouth when the black dragon spread its wings toward the sky, stretching. Its bone wings cast a massive shadow, and Hannah plopped down with a thud, shoving the mic toward the little cat’s mouth: “P-please, for everyone, give a self-introduction.”

This big sis has a stutter? Worry flickered in the little cat’s eyes. With compassion for the disabled, he hugged the mic and said, “Hello everyone, I’m Li Ao.”

Audiences untouched by dragon pressure cheered:

[I am Leo—]

[Hello big guys, I am Li Ao!!]

[Wahhh, so nostalgic. Little Little Cat Highness introduced himself like that years ago, and it’s still the same vibe years later!]

[Li Ao! Little cat we love you yayayayay—]

Fierce Cat was no longer the illiterate kitten from before. Seeing the barrage flood with confessions, he shyly shuffled his feet: “Thank you everyone for liking Li Ao.”

[How can he be this well-behaved! Aaaah, I don’t buy it—fake, totally fake! No kid this age is this good!!!]

[Ten years old! My ten-year-old ignores dogs! Impossible! Fake! Trying to trick me into having kids!]

【I want to give birth, I want to give birth, tell me how to give birth to cats wuwuwu——】

The barrage refreshed too quickly, and Li Ao couldn’t make out what they were saying anymore. He tiptoed and handed the microphone back to Hannah. “Sister, you hold it first. I’ll let Xun go play by himself.”

He! Called! Me! Sister!

Hannah clutched her chest. At this point, how could she remember any fear? She just wanted to scoop up the cat and plant fierce kisses all over it!

Li Ao scampered back happily with pitter-pattering steps and returned to Xun’s side, hugging the black dragon’s head as it pressed against the sandy ground. “You go play with Little Blue. I’ll see what they want from me.”

He had grown a little bigger and often cooperated with Bai Yunjun for some filming sessions. He already knew in advance that someone would come to interview him.

Xun coldly glanced at the distant crowd, then nostalgically nuzzled the cat with a breath from his nostrils before spreading his wings and flying off into the distance.

Once the black dragon had flown far away, the overwhelming pressure suddenly receded. Hannah, who had been squatting, went weak in the legs and plopped down onto the ground—but this let her get an even better look at the cat.

She took several deep breaths, quickly fixed her makeup and hair, sat upright, and extended the microphone again. “Your Highness Li Ao, what are you planning to do today?”

Li Ao sat very properly, his two paws placed neatly in front of him. His tail, bigger than his whole body, curved around from behind to rest atop his paws. He lifted his head and said, “I’m planting new seeds today.”

Hannah’s eyes lit up. “Are they fruits rich in healing power too? Could we follow along and help you cultivate them? We can assist, and we absolutely won’t cause you any trouble!”

More people helping was of course great. Li Ao nodded, and Hannah asked, “What variety is it this time?”

“I don’t know either~ I have to wait for Auntie to tell me before I find out what it is.” The little cat’s eyes suddenly brightened as if he’d spotted something. He stood up and waved his paw toward the space behind Hannah. “Auntie, Auntie, you’re here!”

Hannah smiled and turned back. But once she saw the logos on those people’s clothes, her smile froze on her face.