Interstellar Farming: I Make Potions and Climb to the Top

"It smells so good, Nine-tailed! What delicious food are you making?" Ning Xuan exclaimed, catching the fragrant aroma from afar.

"Welcome back, Master. I made you a three-color mushroom soup, grilled matsutake fish, and crystal egg-wrapped meat. Is there anything else you’d like? I can make whatever you want," Nine-tailed said, overjoyed by Ning Xuan’s praise.

"YIP YIP YIP..." The Little Fox leaped into Ning Xuan’s arms, its little paws gesturing frantically.

Ning Xuan looked at the Little Fox and patted it. "Easy now, I know. You want some dried fish, right? Alright, there are some ready in the dining tent. I’ll go get them for you."

Ning Xuan said to the Little Fox, her voice full of affection.

"YIP YIP YIP..." The Little Fox put its paws together and gave Ning Xuan a little bow.

"Master, how can you understand what it’s saying?" Nine-tailed asked curiously.

"Er, I can’t, actually. But it’s very good at gesturing, so it’s not that hard to guess, right?" Ning Xuan said, carrying the Little Fox into the dining tent.

Ning Xuan sat before a desk carved from a Green Jade Spirit Stone, a wisp of pale blue energy gathering at her fingertip. After her recent period of Cultivation, she was now able to condense and release this newly formed energy.

The Little Fox was curled up in Ning Xuan’s lap, gnawing on the dried Bluefin Silverfish she had given it. The tip of its tail unconsciously brushed against the gilded incense burner on the desk, stirring up a wisp of Instant Rhinoceros Fragrance.

"I don’t know why a fox like you loves dried fish so much," Ning Xuan said, watching it eat with such focus. "There are still plenty of Bluefin Silverfish in the lake. If you like them, I’ll have Nine-tailed catch more for you."

At Ning Xuan’s words, the Little Fox yipped at her a few times. Seeing its satisfied and languid expression, Ning Xuan could have sworn it was thanking her.

"Contractor." Yun Han walked in from outside the tent. When he saw Ning Xuan holding the Little Fox, a wounded look crossed his face.

’Ever since this little fox appeared, I haven’t had a moment alone with Ning Xuan.’

’Just a short while ago, Ning Xuan seemed to like me so much, always hugging and holding me.’

"You’re back, Yun Han. How’s your Cultivation going?" Faced with Yun Han’s accusing gaze, Ning Xuan awkwardly set the Little Fox aside. For some reason, his stare made her feel as guilty as if she’d been caught having an affair.

"Contractor, I have some questions about my Cultivation. Could you perhaps offer me some guidance tonight?" Yun Han looked at Ning Xuan expectantly, his limpid eyes shining brightly.

"Absolutely not. Master, I had a major breakthrough today. I need your guidance more," Di Youlin declared, striding in from outside the tent. He was dressed in a black brocade robe embroidered with an exquisite flower-and-bird motif.

His tall, slender figure carried the weight of a mountain, immense and solid. As he looked at Ning Xuan, flames seemed to flicker in the depths of his eyes, fiery and brilliant.

Yun Han’s expression chilled. He took a step toward Ning Xuan and spoke with a hostile look, "Di Youlin, if you’ve had a major breakthrough, you should go back and meditate on it. The Contractor isn’t a Half-beastman. She can’t guide you."

The moment Yun Han finished speaking, an immense pressure erupted from Di Youlin. Yun Han, being the closest, bore the brunt of it. He gritted his teeth, trying to withstand it, but after a moment, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The crystal goblet on the desk shattered with a POP. The Little Fox, whether startled or sensing danger, let out a squeak and dove into Ning Xuan’s arms.

Outside the tent, Nine-tailed was about to bring in a pot of the three-color mushroom soup when the wave of pressure struck. He stumbled, lost his balance, and fell. With a CRASH, the pot of fragrant hot soup spilled all over the ground.

"Hsss..." Nine-tailed hissed softly, scalded by the hot soup.

Ning Xuan’s unique spiritual power protected her from the pressure. However, seeing Yun Han and Nine-tailed injured sent her into a trembling rage. She pointed a finger at Di Youlin. "Get out."

Di Youlin hadn’t intentionally released his aura to overpower Yun Han. He had just achieved a breakthrough and was still unfamiliar with the power coursing through his body. In his anger, he had momentarily lost control, leading to the scene before them.

Seeing Ning Xuan trembling with rage, Di Youlin retracted his aura and fell to his knees with a thud. "Master, please quell your anger. I didn’t do it on purpose."

A flicker of panic crossed Di Youlin’s eyes. Realizing his mistake, he immediately became docile, prostrating himself on the ground. His black brocade robe trailed across the floor, its dark embroidery shimmering with a faint golden light.

As the youth lowered his head, the prominent bone at the nape of his neck pressed against his pale skin, resembling a sword about to be unsheathed.

His forehead was pressed to the ground, his fan-like eyelashes casting shadows like butterfly wings across his eyelids.

With a CRACK, Ning Xuan shattered the crystal cup she had just picked up.

Seeing Ning Xuan’s anger, Yun Han also knelt silently to one side.

Ning Xuan looked at the mess all over the floor, where cracks spread like a spiderweb across the base of the tent.

"Di Youlin, do you think you’ve become so capable that you don’t need me anymore? Is that why you dare to be so audacious?" Ning Xuan’s voice was as cold as ice.

Di Youlin’s back went ramrod straight. He kept his head bowed, not daring to look up. "I wouldn’t dare, Master. I have offended you and am willing to accept any punishment."

Facing Ning Xuan’s towering rage, Di Youlin didn’t dare to jest as he normally would, speaking instead in a stiff, formal manner.

"Go kneel outside. I don’t want to see your face right now," Ning Xuan yelled, pointing out of the tent.

In that short time, Lan Xin, Lin Mo, and the others had also returned. Watched by so many people, Di Youlin got to his feet without a moment’s hesitation and knelt outside the tent.

Ning Xuan was in a terrible mood, so Yun Han didn’t dare speak again. He, Lin Mo, and the others helped Nine-tailed set out the dishes and prepare to eat.

The ones eating here were all Ning Xuan’s Contractors and slaves; Tang Xue and her group didn’t eat with them.

The meal was eaten in heavy silence. No one dared to say a word. Afterward, Yun Han had planned to sneak away, but Ning Xuan grabbed him and hauled him off.

「That night」 The air was cold, and Di Youlin was still dutifully kneeling as his punishment. With a SQUEAK, the Little Fox appeared from nowhere and bared its teeth at him, as if mocking him.

"What are you gloating for? Weren’t you kicked out too?" Di Youlin said to the Little Fox, a blade of grass hanging from his mouth.

"The fact that Ning Xuan is willing to punish me means she knows it wasn’t intentional. She’s just angry for the moment. After a few days, she’ll be fine with me again."

"You’re a strange one, though," Di Youlin said to the Little Fox. "I don’t know what you are, but I know you’re from the Federation Star System. The energy you give off has the scent of the Federation Star System."

"Why did you approach Ning Xuan? Are you human or an Exotic Beast? Or are you a Half-beastman who can switch freely between human and beast forms?" Di Youlin wondered aloud, completely perplexed.

The Little Fox perched on a rock without a sound, simply watching Di Youlin mutter to himself. Its eyes seemed to hold a hint of pity.