Chapter 12: Come With Me

If Shi Chan had matched with another alpha, he could have found someone to cover the mark after the other person passed away. After all, alphas are plentiful while omegas are few, so omegas never have to worry about finding an alpha. But the alpha who marked Shi Chan was Xi Ming.

Xi Ming, the empire’s most outstanding alpha in decades.

Even though his reputation was tarnished now, his genetic excellence couldn’t be denied, and the strength of an alpha’s mark largely depended on their genes.

Luckily, it was a temporary mark.

Lan Ying reassured himself. Over time, temporary marks would gradually fade.

Lan Ying knew that Shi Chan had feelings for Xi Ming. They had stayed up late together to watch Xi Ming’s live interview back in the day. When Xi Ming fell from grace, Shi Chan never said a bad word about him. But now, whether the accusations against Xi Ming were true or not, the injuries he had suffered were real. Lan Ying didn’t want Shi Chan to waste his life on Xi Ming, whose future was uncertain.

“Chan Chan, you…” Lan Ying was so anxious that his words became incoherent, “Chan Chan! Using suppressants is really tough. Even if you like General Xi, don’t be foolish. You’re still so young! You have a long future ahead of you. Don’t get permanently marked! If you really do, there’s no turning back. Please don’t ruin your life, Chan Chan, sob sob…”

By the end, Lan Ying was so scared that he started crying, fearing that his best friend would have to live on suppressants forever. “Chan Chan, please choose another alpha.”

“Don’t cry,” Shi Chan said helplessly.

He had witnessed Lan Ying’s emotional sensitivity many times over the years. Omega emotions are always so delicate and changeable, but over time, he had become quite skilled at soothing him. “I won’t let myself suffer…”

He wouldn’t reveal anything about the cultivation world.

In his previous life, Shi Chan had died just before the tribulation to advance to the Golden Core stage. He had always been at the bottom of the cultivation world. His knowledge of cultivation was limited to what he had experienced, and the cultivation methods he knew were basic and only reached the Golden Core stage—he had planned to buy better methods later, but then he died during his tribulation.

This lifetime, Shi Chan’s spiritual root was the same as his previous life, so he could continue cultivating. However, if he lost his spiritual root or changed its attribute, he would have no way to continue cultivating.

As for whether his friends had spiritual roots and what kind they were, Shi Chan had no idea. Even if he knew, he didn’t have suitable cultivation methods for them.

Shi Chan had seen many ordinary people in the cultivation world who were doomed to never walk the immortal path. Some went mad, others became obsessed, ruining their lives. If his friends encountered trouble, he would definitely help with his cultivation. But until he was sure he could guide them onto the cultivation path, he didn’t want to reveal anything about it.

After a brief flash of thought, Shi Chan continued in a calm voice, “Ying Ying, don’t cry. Things aren’t as bad as you think…”

“Okay, I promise you. If his condition doesn’t improve, I won’t agree to the permanent mark…”

“I won’t harm myself… Alright, let’s meet up sometime.”

Just as Lan Ying was finally comforted, there was a knock at the door. Shi Chan froze for a moment.

He replayed what he had just said in his head, especially the part about the permanent mark, and felt a wave of unease. He quickly jumped off the bed and opened the door, studying the expression of the person outside.

Xi Ming seemed to have heard nothing. His expression was as cold as before, and though the radiation lines on his face were a little lighter than yesterday, they were still terrifying.

If it were another omega who had grown up in a sheltered environment, they would probably have trouble adjusting to such a face. But Shi Chan, having seen all sorts of strange creatures in the cultivation world, found Xi Ming’s face quite normal, almost ignoring the radiation lines.

Xi Ming’s gaze lingered for a few seconds at Shi Chan’s collar before he ordered, “Go change your clothes. We’re having breakfast downstairs.”

Shi Chan, still wearing his home clothes from last night, had a few buttons undone, exposing his collarbone and the white skin on his chest.

After hearing Xi Ming’s words, Shi Chan lowered his head and adjusted his collar.

He glanced at Xi Ming, unsure whether the other had heard what he said. Not wanting to bring it up, he decided to ignore it, nodded in response, and said, “Wait a moment,” before heading back to change.

Once the door was closed, Xi Ming didn’t move from his wheelchair. His pale face turned even colder, and the savage emotions in his eyes surged.

When Shi Chan came out, Xi Ming’s expression was back to its usual coldness, and Shi Chan followed him downstairs.

The morning in the residence was quiet.

Xi Ming had long gotten used to this silence, but the footsteps behind him made him feel an indescribable sensation, a mix of irritation and something else that wasn’t exactly unpleasant.

Since Xi Ming’s health deteriorated, no one had been this close to him. Today was the first time someone had walked beside him.

He lowered his gaze, hiding the emotions in his eyes.

The breakfast was simple: milk and fried eggs, served by a small robot carrying two trays.

Neither of them spoke during the meal. After they finished eating, the robot took the dishes away. Only then did Shi Chan look at Xi Ming and speak, “I might go out in the next couple of days.”

His voice sounded a little out of place in the empty dining room.

Xi Ming’s gaze darkened as he placed the napkin he had used on the small robot that was waiting nearby. He asked, “Where are you going?”

Shi Chan explained, “I’m meeting a friend. I’m not sure where yet.”

Xi Ming responded with an “Mm” and his gaze remained unclear. He then added, “Tell me before you leave.”

Shi Chan nodded in agreement.

Xi Ming glanced at Shi Chan again and asked, “Not going out now?”

Shi Chan shook his head, asking, “Is something wrong? Is your mental power uncomfortable again?”

Although Shi Chan had helped calm Xi Ming’s mental power the day before, Xi Ming’s mental power was still in a very precarious state and could flare up at any time.

Xi Ming didn’t answer. He turned his wheelchair and ordered, “Come with me.”

Shi Chan stood up and followed Xi Ming, all the way to the bedroom.

The door slowly opened.

Although it was called a bedroom, there was more than one room upon entry.

The bedroom with the bed was at the innermost part, and the door was open. Shi Chan glanced around. Two other doors were closed, likely the bathroom and such.

This room was the one where Shi Chan had seen Xi Ming the other day. It had been in disarray, but now it was clean.

The room’s layout was simple. Aside from a cabinet, there was only a heavy desk with two books placed on it, unknown in origin. A cleaning robot quietly waited in the corner, its breathing light flickering on and off.

Xi Ming controlled the wheelchair and moved slowly. “Did you sleep well last night?”

Shi Chan looked away and nodded.

He had meditated all night, and his body had fully recovered, with his mental power restored to about 80%.

“Come over here.” Xi Ming spoke and moved the wheelchair toward the room at the far end, where the bed was.

Xi Ming had no experience with omegas before, and his understanding of mental power calming was only theoretical. After he returned to his room last night, he searched for information on omega mental power calming. He learned that most AO mental power calming could only alleviate everyday negative emotions, which was enough for most people. But when it came to mental power turbulence, the second most dangerous condition in the universe, it was ineffective.

After reading this, Xi Ming realized just how remarkable the mental power calming effect from Shi Chan was. His severe mental power turbulence had been calmed immediately.

Xi Ming didn’t know what had gone wrong, but it was obvious that this change was beneficial to him…

“Sit down. I need to check.” Xi Ming’s gaze fell on the edge of the bed.

“What are you checking?” Shi Chan hesitated for a moment.

“Your mental power and glands.” Xi Ming didn’t elaborate. He needed to see if Shi Chan’s mental power had been damaged due to the calming from the day before.

If there was no damage, that was best. If there was, it would be a hassle, and they’d have to carefully test Shi Chan’s limits for safely using his mental power.

Shi Chan looked at Xi Ming, who had a gloomy expression, but still sat down on the edge of the bed. As soon as he sat down, Xi Ming moved his wheelchair around behind him.

Shi Chan didn’t turn around, but he could sense from the sound of the wheelchair that Xi Ming was behind him.

A dangerous position, just one step away.

Xi Ming’s fingers, slightly callused, pressed on the back of Shi Chan’s neck. Shi Chan flinched slightly, though he had prepared for it. Without the buffer of the pheromones, he instinctively wanted to avoid the vulnerable spot.

Of course, it was just a fleeting thought. His glands quickly recognized the alpha who had marked him, and the skin under Xi Ming’s fingers heated up.

Shi Chan narrowed his eyes, feeling a strange urge to nuzzle under Xi Ming’s palm.

Xi Ming spoke, “Release some mental power for me.”

Shi Chan had just awakened his pheromones the day before. Now his glands were active again, and as he released mental power, a hint of his fragrance—like cold, refined dan incense—leaked out.

Xi Ming liked the scent of Shi Chan’s pheromones, but what mattered more was his mental power. He focused and wrapped Shi Chan’s released mental power carefully, checking it thoroughly.

Personal checks were not as accurate as those done with professional instruments, but the empire controlled all the equipment. Emergency visits to the hospital required a lot of time, and regular checks had to be scheduled in advance.

Xi Ming, however, didn’t trust the empire.

He had just discovered that his mental power turbulence had become more severe after his rebirth. The effect of Shi Chan’s mental power calming was incredibly important to him. Only with Shi Chan by his side could he continue executing his plans.

The empire had too many people who wanted to see him suffer, and no matter whether Shi Chan’s mental power had a natural calming effect or whether it was just effective for him, Xi Ming didn’t want to expose it.

Therefore, he had to check on his own.

Shi Chan sat at the edge of the bed in one corner, and although Xi Ming was right behind him, the wheelchair took up space, so there was still a distance between them.

The distance was fine for checking mental power, but when it came to checking glands, it was a bit too far.

Xi Ming glanced at Shi Chan, who was far from him. His gaze lingered on the back of his neck. His mind briefly flashed with the image of the visible bite mark from when he marked Shi Chan yesterday. Now, that spot only had a faint imprint.

Thinking of the words he had overheard outside the door this morning, Xi Ming’s expression darkened, and he gave up on trying to reach out again.

The room was silent as Shi Chan, who had just gathered his mental power back, heard a voice from behind him.

“Come over here. Sit on my lap.”