Chapter 3

"Finally! One of the most anticipated items! Item No. 99: a piece of our sacred motherland!"

On the elevated stage, a small, clear glass was carried by a beautiful feline-eared lady. The drones took a closer shot, and in front of the participants, a virtual screen popped out, giving a more detailed look to everyone.

"These are the seeds of an ancient spiritual tree called Mandarin. According to the records, it's a fruiting tree." The host introduced it, and the system showed another 3D hologram in which the seed was planted, germinated, and eventually grown into a mature tree, bearing rounded fruits with deep shades of orange.

"Its fruits, like tiny little suns, are said to taste sweet, juicy, and nutritious! Starting bid at 10 million!"

Why don't you grab it?! Hua Lian's heart twitched in pain.

That's just seeds, not even a seedling. 

Believe it or not, even for the Ecological Research Institute of the Capital planetary system, seeds are the most useless samples. 

A tiny sprout, whether it grows or not, will still radiate pure spiritual energy. As for the seeds, they're known for being eternally dormant. They won't germinate even if you serve them with pure devotion, nor will they respond to any outside stimulation.

The more tragic situation was that all the seeds of spiritual plants are in dormancy.

Bury them, drown them, and they're still the most precious, useless tiny sleeping princesses.

No matter how frustrating, it's illegal to get rid of them; after all, seeds represent hope.

A hope that the motherland will return.

Hua Lian had many complaints but still participated in the bidding with the determination to go broke.

What she identified as hers will be hers!

[Guest No. 1297 (I am Extinct): 13 000 000]

[Guest No. 1297 (I am Extinct): 14 500 000]

[Guest No. 1297 (I am Extinct): 16 000 000]

"..... sold to Guest No. 1297 for 16 million! Congratulations to Guest No. 1297 for receiving a piece of our Motherland!"

Oh my gawd! Thank you, goodbye!

After finishing her purchase, Hua Lian bolted off in an instant.

What a scammer! A pebble is bigger than this; what kind of piece was this? 

If she stays longer, she'll start to hate anyone richer than her.

Comparisons will distort people.

Hua Lian gave herself mental comfort. To be able to win means she's also a rich little lady.

Her kind was extinct, which makes her rare. As a person, she might be unwanted, but saying that her whole body is valuable would not be wrong. That's right, she's rich in assets.

Good. Good.

As Hua Lian soothed herself, she reached the main entrance of the temple and mixed among the common visitors who were leaving.

Walking back to the main street, Hua Lian keenly noticed the tension around her.

There are more drones patrolling, and from the corner of her eyes, she glimpses a uniformed soldier.

"Forget it. We better go back."

At this time, two groups of guards have already been sent to search for the general. The Dean also dispatched all available personnel to assist.

Despite this, the general remained missing. The head of the general's guards prepared to have the starports close and even lock down the whole planet.

"Calm down. We can't find the general because we can't detect his spiritual aura. It means he has come out of his outburst, which is good."

"It will only be a matter of time before his next outburst." The head of the guards' shook his head. "If the general had an accident in a populated area..."

"That won't happen." The Dean's face turned solemn. "After each manic episode, the patient will have a moment of clarity. Although short, I believe that's enough for the general to make a quick judgement."

The Dean breathed out the depression in his heart before continuing, "As the general of the Empire, our protector and hero, General Liele would not put the civilians at risk. Captain Saren, as the one next to the general, you must absolutely remain rational."

"I… You're right."

Saren smiled wryly. Ever since the general degenerated into his juvenile form, they seemed to have lost all their backbone, always thinking of the worst and wallowing in it. As soldiers, they are so embarrassing.

"Let's double our efforts. The worst outcome hasn't happened yet; there's still a lot more ways to maneuver. I'll also send the working staff. Although they're neither nurses nor doctors, they are trained in basic emergency aid. There is at least no problem administering tranquilizers, anesthetics, and other medicines."

After saying this, the dean took a medical kit and walked out to join the search.

Only he knew in his heart how many times he had died inside.

Please, just don't hold him entirely responsible. 

He's merely a doctor who's too weak, too pitiful, and has soft bones.

If the universe has compassion, really, please, please, just let him enjoy his kind's lifespan in peace. 

Since they couldn't find the general using technological means, they simply started spreading their spiritual energy.

Although this meant a higher risk to the individual doing the search, there's no hesitation in their movements.

The dean did the same, spreading his spiritual energy thinly. As a doctor, he was quite confident in his meticulous use of spiritual energy.

He did feel he was being narcissistic, but he didn't expect to really detect the general!

What to do when you find out you're amazing?

After sending the estimated area to the search team, the Dean decided to see for himself.

In his mind, the general was in a state of weakness after an outburst, so the danger was calculated. What he didn't expect was to see a young girl.

His eyes moved atop her head, made eye contact with the fake ugly hairpin, and then his heart jumped into his throat.

"T-that… tha-t-t…" 

A guy kept pointing at her, stuttering, which made Hua Lian confused.

Looking at the back, there's nothing. Looking around, there's even more nothing.

Well, except for her means of transport, her father's mecha.

There's only her in here, so she looked at herself, then touched here and there before picking up a tattered yellow butterfly.

This! A butterfly! 

Hua Lian was surprised.

When did you fly here, little buddy?

The butterfly fluttered its wings, and Hua Lian's eyes lit up.

"This... are you looking for it?" 

Hua Lian asked softly, and the Dean nodded his head like a chicken pecking rice.

"Is it from the Mother?"

"No… No, he.. he's not. Little girl, be careful, ok? Ok."

Don't look at him as being so tiny; that guy can grow to be a giant in an instant! Even in the last years of the Ancient Blue Planet, there weren't such gigantic monsters.

"Come here, little girl. Give him to me. I'm his doctor, look. Be careful. Slowly. Slowly."

The dean spoke in a low voice, coaxing her like a toddler.

Hua Lian pursed her lips and lightly touched the wings of the butterfly.

"Little girl!"

Good guy! Good guy! I have seen for myself that you're seeking death!

Hua Lian side-eyed the fidgety guy and touched the little butterfly a few more times. Seeing the guy's pale face, she still handed over the little butterfly. 

Full of reluctance, she never turned her gaze away.

The Dean hadn't heaved a sigh of relief yet before General Liele flew back to the vulnerable civilian girl.

When the little butterfly landed on her fingertips, Hua Lian almost giggled out loud. The smile on her face cannot be wiped off.

Very good. 

You are mine from now on.