Chapter 10

When Qin Lang and Lin Zishu arrived, they saw that the green light in the direction of their son’s master bedroom was shining brightly. A large group of people was gathered at the door of the bedroom, but none dared to step further. Their eyes were fixed on the bedroom, and the atmosphere was heavy. A sense of unease settled in Qin Lang’s heart. Could it be that he… His mind raced with unpleasant thoughts as he hurried inside.

Lin Zishu immediately asked, “Xi Yuan, how is the situation now?”

“The Male Master is still in the process of evolution. The magic plant is still providing energy to the Male Master. Master Mu Ying believes that it is beneficial for the Male Master’s transformation.”

“Master Mu Ying?”

Upon hearing these words, both Qin Lang and Lin Zishu visibly relaxed. “Has Master Mu Ying already returned?”

“Master Mu Ying said that, based on the Male Master’s condition, it might take several days. He returned to handle some matters and will be notified to come back if there are any changes.”

Qin Lang took a few steps forward, standing just within the range of the green light. He closed his eyes, and the others held their breath, not daring to make a sound, fearful of disturbing him.

Qin Lang was using the bloodline connection between father and son to sense his son’s condition.

But Qin Lang couldn’t sense anything. His expression immediately darkened. In the previous transformation, he had always been able to vaguely feel Qin Fei’s condition, but now it seemed as though the zerg lying on the bed before him didn’t even exist, as if everything was empty. Lin Zishu sighed and looked at the bed with a worried gaze. Their young one had survived the three most critical transformations, yet was now about to fail during the relatively inconsequential fourth transformation? This was absurd! In nearly a century, there hadn’t been a report of a cub failing during the fourth transformation! His Qin Fei couldn’t possibly be the first! Lin Zishu mentally encouraged himself and glanced at Xi Yuan, who was kneeling on the ground. Originally, he had great admiration for him and was confident that he would take good care of Qin Fei. But now…

If Qin Fei was fine, everything would be okay, but if something happened to Qin Fei, Xi Yuan would have to pay the price!

A group of people stood outside, helpless. Xi Yuan’s face was pale, and the only thing he could do was watch as the magic plant’s roots were replenished with more crystal cores.

Three days passed, and finally, things began to change. The doctor immediately contacted Master Mu Ying, who hurried over. Inside the bedroom, the green light’s area of influence slowly started to shrink. Master Mu Ying deliberately cut off some of his own unclaimed spiritual power and sent it to the magic plant, which immediately absorbed it, but it no longer felt as desperate as before. Master Mu Ying was reassured.

Another day passed, and the green light had shrunk back to the bed, but they still couldn’t see Qin Fei’s condition clearly, because a green “cocoon” had formed on the bed, standing upright.

Xi Yuan’s expression shifted. “Thump, thump, thump…” That was the sound of the Male Master’s heartbeat! His body weakened, and he almost couldn’t maintain his kneeling posture. He had been kneeling all this time, without drinking a single drop of water, enduring immense psychological pressure. If the Male Master had died, it would be his fault! If he hadn’t brought the Male Master that magic plant, this wouldn’t have happened! He had been blaming himself, thinking that if the Male Master’s condition wasn’t uncertain, he might have already used his claws to stab himself in the chest.

But now, the sound of the Male Master’s heartbeat meant that the Male Master was still alive!

The doctor waved his hand, and a large group of people rushed over, surrounding the giant glass-like cocoon with various instruments, taking measurements. Mu Ying, on the other hand, was much simpler. He stepped forward, placed his hand on the cocoon, and after sensing for a while, smiled. “There’s nothing serious. He’ll break out of the cocoon once he wakes up. Right now, he’s just digesting energy, so don’t disturb him.” After saying that, he left, and an overjoyed Qin Lang and Lin Zishu hurriedly saw him off.

Qin Hong, however, noticed something. The magic plant that had been at the bedhead was gone. Could it be… He glanced at the cocoon—was it inside? Would it affect his younger brother?

Even though he still had doubts in his heart, there was nothing he could do. In this situation, it was impossible to break the cocoon.

After such a long time of merely observing, the doctor finally had a chance to step in and take action. He and his team surrounded the cocoon, thoroughly examining it with various instruments from top to bottom, left to right. Finally, he smiled and said, “We’ve checked. The life vitality is very strong. As long as the male master breaks out of the cocoon, he’ll be fine. Also, the energy fluctuations are very intense, suggesting that he will likely advance to the next level. This is also a rare and fortunate event.”

Qin Lang let out a sigh of relief, and then his expression brightened with joy. He himself was a level 8 male zerg, and his female, Lin Zishu, was a level 9 female zerg. Generally speaking, their offspring were all of a high level. Their eldest son was the highest-ranking, a level 9 female zerg, their second son was level 8, and the youngest, Qin Fei, had the lowest rank at level 7. However, based on measurements taken when he was young, there was a strong possibility that he would be a level 8 male zerg. Qin Lang had always been blaming himself, thinking it was his failure to protect his child properly, which led to him being schemed against and becoming a level 7 male zerg.

This one-level difference should not be underestimated. The higher the rank, the more significant the gap. Not to mention, the subsidies given by the Empire clearly reflect the difference between levels. The Empire gives a yearly financial subsidy of 1 million to a level 7 male zerg, but 10 million to a level 8 male zerg. Of course, the subsidy for a level 9 male zerg is even higher—over 100 million. But money is only one small aspect. The more valuable subsidies the Empire provides, those that cannot be purchased with money or are even impossible to acquire on the market, are the most precious.

For example, the special-grade nutrition solution provided by the Empire every month is beneficial for both the physical body and the spiritual energy of the male zergs. However, the production of this nutrition solution is extremely difficult, and the materials used are rare. It is practically unavailable on the market, no matter how much one is willing to pay. But every year, the Empire provides a varying number of these benefits to each high-level male zerg.

A level 7 male zerg receives one bottle per year, an level 8 male zerg gets three bottles, and a level 9 male zerg receives ten bottles! This nutritional solution doesn’t only benefit male zergs, it has significant effects on female zergs as well. When a female zerg suffers serious injuries, drinking one bottle can enhance his self-healing ability and accelerate the healing of his wounds. In critical situations, it serves as a life-saving remedy! However, it is extremely difficult for regular female zergs to purchase it unless they are part of the military, as those who need to go to the battlefield are allotted a certain amount they can buy.

Lin Zishu asked, “Doctor, when do you think he’ll wake up?”

The doctor glanced at the extremely high numbers on the data in his hands, then thought for a moment. Typically, a male zerg’s transformation takes about ten days, but this one will likely take more than a month.

“Probably over a month. If anything changes, contact me. They will come for daily check-ups. Don’t worry, nothing should happen now.” He looked at the still-kneeling Xi Yuan. “Major General, you should get up. Your male master still needs your care, so you can’t collapse just yet.” It seemed that Xi Yuan hadn’t eaten or drunk anything, and if he continued like this, even the most resilient female zerg wouldn’t be able to last.

Xi Yuan nodded slightly, using his large palm to cover his eyes and hide the redness in his eye corners. His back remained perfectly straight, without the slightest bend. After a slight tremor, he stood up, walked to the kitchen, grabbed a few nutritional solutions, and drank them carelessly. He then walked to the sink, turned the water to full, cupped his hands, washed his face, and rinsed away any remaining tears. He stuffed a few bottles of nutritional solutions into his pockets and returned to the bedroom, where Qin Lang, Lin Zishu, and Qin Hong were still waiting.

“Male Father, Female Father, second brother, you all go rest. I’ll stay here and watch.”

Lin Zishu glanced at him. High-level female zergs can go without food or water for days without major issues. They might feel a little frail due to mental stress, but it’s nothing serious. However, male zergs are different. They need to rest properly every day. Qin Lang hadn’t been sleeping much these past few days and had only been drinking a little nutritional solution to get by. He was clearly looking exhausted. “Male master, let me accompany you to rest. I’ll stay here and watch over them.”

Qin Lang nodded and didn’t try to force himself. He was indeed tired. He leaned against the queen and closed his eyes.

Lin Zishu supported him, one hand around his waist, and led him downstairs.

“Just rest your eyes for a moment. I’ll keep an eye on things,” Qin Hong said, glancing at Xi Yuan’s knees. “You should apply some medicine.”

Xi Yuan showed no response, standing stiffly with his eyes fixed on the cocoon. He needed the pain, it was a reminder of the mistake he had made.

Qin Hong observed him in silence, then looked toward his brother. He sighed inwardly. He had never found a male zerg he liked, nor had he become betrothed. He wondered if he would end up like this in the future.

To everyone’s surprise, a month passed with no change. Two months passed, still no change. Three months passed, and there was still no change! Mu Ying came again with the same conclusion: once the energy was fully absorbed, the transformation would be completed. It hadn’t been completed yet.

But this was taking too long! Typically, a male zerg’s cocoon would break open within ten days! High-level male zergs usually break free within 15 to 20 days, and a level 9 male zerg would take at most a month!

The eldest son of the Qin family, along with his male master, hurried back from the border, and the two younger brothers also arrived. Later, Qin Lang sent the younger two back with his subordinates. He and Lin Zishu handled work remotely via video calls, staying here to wait for Qin Fei to emerge from the cocoon.

Qin Hong took a six-month leave and stayed to watch over everything. Xi Yuan didn’t leave his side, and the military granted him an extended leave as well.