On the Enemy's Heels

They sprinted over anxiously, but by the time they caught up, the three guys had already boarded the ship. Just as Yao Si was thinking what to do now, Bai Yi pried open a small opening and signaled her over. "Here here." 

Yao Si followed behind instantly. The opening was tiny and could only fit one person at a time; it was most likely an air vent. They crawled into the ship and moved through it until they reached a store-like room. Bai Yi seemed familiar with the structure of the ship, for he tapped a button on the wall and closed the air vent. The moment they got more comfortable, the ship shook, probably taking flight to an unknown destination.

"Don't worry." Bai Yi seemed to have sensed her worry. "I learned about the structure of such small ships three years ago. They aren't suited for long journeys and can't enter space portals. I'm sure our destination isn't far."

The ship shook once more, and a sea of white was the only thing one could see through the windows. The next moment, an electronic reminder popped out on the screen. 

Ding!

[The ship is about to enter a space portal.]

"..." Didn't you say it can't go through portals?

Bai Yi froze. He could vaguely hear a mocking laugh by his ears. 

"F*ck, this ship must have been illegally modified," Chatterbox Bai said, attempting to retain his pride. The mistake was definitely not because of his limited knowledge. 

Yao Si dismissed him and thought to update Yao Qian about the situation, but she then realized that there wasn't any reception.

"They should have a device that reflects signals," Bai Yi said, not the least bit worried as he found a box to sit on. "Let's wait, we'll know what they're up to once the ship lands." Reaching into his pocket, he brought out a Popsicle like object. "Want some instant duck blood curd? My treat."

"..." Is this the time for that?

"You don't like it?" He reached into his pocket and started to fiddle around it once more. "It's okay, I also have other flavors. There's a floral one, seafood, fruit, and savory as well, want any of them? I also have the latest 5T drama downloaded, so it'll keep us occupied for the next four-five days, interested? Floating in space is the best time to watch dramas. My favorite ones is…"

"..." Is this a rescue mission or a vacation! Where's your sense of urgency? Isn't the person held captive your good friend? "Did you hear anything from your mind reading?" 

"Nothing..." Bai Yi answered calmly. "I hadn't fully activated my ability, so I could only hear some random thoughts: The last bloodling we caught was… half a month… We don't have to monitor, he's dangerous. Stuff along those lines, and Gu Shucheng and Luo Ying are the only ones living near that area." 

This meant that Gu Shucheng was not on their ship but had been held captive for a long time now. Nephew Gu had been missing for almost half a month now. The time he was captured couldn't be much earlier than that. These three were most likely here to examine the situation, afraid that other bloodlings might have noticed something. Was this why Bai Yi decided to wait with her and follow them to their nest?

"The very thought of a pathetic Gu Shucheng excites me!" Bai Yi clenched his fists, his eyes bright. "You have no idea, ever since we were young, that guy was already an old soul, often poking his head into the business of others. Even though we're of the same generation, he would often chastise me as though I was his son. This time, it's finally his time to be the pathetic one one! I must be the first to ridicule him! Hahaha!"

"Er..." Was that the only reason behind his hurry? "Aren't you worried?" They were , after all, bosom friends since their birth. 

"Worried?" He stilled.

"Because of his plight!"

"What a joke." He rolled his eyes. "Do you think anyone can inflict harm on a bloodling?"

"Er..." That sounds reasonable.

"Don't worry, even great danger does not matter much. We're immortal." He waved his hand and passed her another treat. "You really don't want one?" 

"Its… okay." With such a nonchalant friend, should she help Newphew Gu by lighting a candle for him?

The ship left the space portal after less than ten minutes inside it. Outside the window, there was an unfamiliar sight, vastly different from what Yao Si had seen in the Galaxy before. There were many tiny planets and star belts scattered around, but not many were fully formed. They were like an incomplete puzzle, many parts of which were missing. 

"Isn't this the Forgotten Dreams Galaxy?" Bai Yi asked as he ate the duck blood curd. 

"Forgotten Dreams! Is this where the bus' mother planet was?"

Wasn't it a deserted planet now?

"Mmh!" Bai Yi nodded. "So this is where they hid them, I wonder if— Eh, quick, look there."

He pointed toward the front, and Yao Si turned in the direction of his finger. In front of them was a place covered in pitch black darkness. Suddenly, though, that darkness was ripped apart, and a blue planet appeared before them. It was exceptionally small, like a big space station.

"When did this Galaxy have a fully formed planet?" When bloodlings joined the Galaxy, this place already on the verge of destruction. There was no way a formed planet could still be around here. 

Just then, footsteps came from outside. "Someone's here!" Yao Si whisper-shouted and instinctively pulled Bai Yi into the air vent. 

"Wait, you can't!" Before Bai Yi could finish his sentence, he was pushed in… successfully blocking the opening. 

F*ck, this isn't logical! We could clearly crawl through it a while ago! The footsteps came increasingly closer, and Yao Si panicked. She pushed Bai Yi evne more aggressively. 

"I told you I can't… Ouch, oww! It hurts… Can't we hide in another spot?"

"It's too late, why did you eat so much just now!" His stomach probably hadn't been so stuffed before. 

"Now you blame me, don't you know that bloodlings can't be starved?"

"I really had no clue."

"You… you… outside."

"Shut your trap, hurry in!" She pushed him in with all her might. 

With a pop, as though a carrot was pulled out, she finally managed to push him inside. 

The next moment, she rushed in after him, slamming the vent closed behind her. 

Two familiar figures—they were part of the three men they had seen on the street—walked into the room. They scanned the surroundings, then headed toward the overflowing boxes and each picked two before leaving. 

At this moment, Yao Si became aware of another problem. How was she going to pull the carrot out again?

"What are you doing? Put down the staff, wait a minute… Not here! Ouch… It hurts… No!"

"Shut up!"