Seeing Dong Mo’s dazed face, wandering eyes, and slightly parted pale lips, Luo Fei knew this little puppy truly knew nothing.
He let out a helpless sigh, thinking that the Moon Mountain Tribe was truly cruel to this sub-beastman cub. He could not help but use a clean hand to gently pinch Dong Mo’s ear. “What is wrong with the Moon Mountain Tribe? How could they kick you out without telling you anything?”
Dong Mo’s ears turned slightly red, and he followed suit, nodding. “Mm-hmm, exactly.”
He shifted all the blame and questions onto the Moon Mountain Tribe, his eyes drifting momentarily. Fortunately, he had the excuse of being a cub kicked out by his tribe to act as a cover. Otherwise, he really would not have known how to explain to Luo Fei that he had actually traveled from another world to this planet.
Xue Qiu, whose little paw was being gently held by him, sensed Dong Mo’s distraction and gave a small “Meow.”
Luo Fei sighed softly and flipped the grilled fish over. After a moment of thought, he said, “Let me think about where to start.”
“First, let us talk about the six major galaxies. In the universe we exist in, there are currently six planets where major life forms gather.”
“They are: the Beastman Planet where we live, which has the best ecological environment but ranks last in technology and economy. People are still living primitive lives here. Due to special environmental reasons and everyone maintaining the ancestral habit of transforming into beast forms, over time, both beastmen and sub-beastmen here are only male, unlike other planets.”
“In addition, there is Dovino, which has the most developed economy and manufacturing and is home to humans and various races from different planets. Then there is Koka, which is completely covered by oceans and inhabited only by merfolk. There is also Eri, a planet rich in minerals occupied by the uniquely shaped Winged People.”
“Meanwhile, the political and military center of the Six Galaxies Alliance is on the massive Alliance Capital Star. Finally, there is Rhodes Star, the smallest in volume but possessing the most advanced technology in the entire alliance.”
At this point, Luo Fei paused and glanced at Dong Mo, then at Xue Qiu in his arms. “Have you heard of that name?”
Dong Mo listened intently and blinked. “I saw it in the livestream chat. They mentioned ‘lunatics from Rhodes Star’ and said golden eyes are a ‘specialty’ of Rhodes Star. Some people said Xue Qiu’s eyes look like something from there.”
Even Luo Xiu had looked at Xue Qiu with that kind of gaze, making Dong Mo feel suddenly uneasy.
“Do not be too nervous. Perhaps Xue Qiu is just an albino, golden-eyed little lion?” Luo Fei saw his tension and spoke up to comfort him.
“The primary residents of Rhodes Star are robots, androids, and xenomorphic experimental subjects. Almost all chips, high-tech smart devices, and military weapons used by all species in the six major galaxies were invented by them. It is said that the people at the very top are ‘humans’ left over from Ancient Earth.”
“As for those comments you heard, it is because Rhodes Star produces a large number of experimental subjects without human ethics. Although most are used to benefit humanity and develop society across various industries, a significant portion is used in military, security, and even various black market chains. Those mad scientists of Rhodes Star believe that gold represents power and great strength. They replace the eyes of their most satisfactory ‘products’ with golden pupils for easy identification.”
Speaking of this, Luo Fei sighed, a trace of worry appearing on his face. “This is also what I want to tell you, Momo.”
He turned around and looked seriously at Dong Mo, who was shocked by these words. “No matter what happens in the future, you must stay away from every living entity from Rhodes Star, whether they are robots, androids, or experimental subjects. Not to mention those ‘mad scientists’ claiming to be descendants of Ancient Earth.”
“Xue Qiu’s appearance will indeed cause suspicion from many sides. Even I can only see that he looks like a beastman, but there is no guarantee those lunatics will not mistake him for one of their products. So in future livestreams, just let Xue Qiu act cute. Avoid showing his hunting behaviors. If outsiders ask, say he is a rare albino, golden-eyed mutant lion beastman.”
Luo Fei’s voice carried concern and a faint sense of worry. Dong Mo’s lips remained slightly parted. As he listened to this, he had unknowingly stopped kneading Xue Qiu’s little paw.
Everything he had just learned about Rhodes Star echoed in his mind. No wonder the people in the livestream seemed so terrified and held no good feelings toward those three words. A planet that possessed the highest technology and mass-produced androids, robots, and even experimental subjects, and those humans from Ancient Earth.
Most importantly, the golden pupils he had always thought were beautiful were actually the most dangerous symbol for Xue Qiu.
Snapping out of his daze, Dong Mo looked down at Xue Qiu in his arms, his eyes turning slightly red. “I will definitely be careful in future livestreams. I will protect him well.” After saying that, he met Luo Fei’s gaze. “Thank you, Brother Luo Fei, for telling me all this.”
No one could be sure if Xue Qiu was actually a beastman. He was just a poor little thing Dong Mo had picked up when he was near death.
“However, Rhodes Star looks down on the Beastman Planet the most, disdaining beastmen as dirty and smelly. They worship great power. Even those modified experimental subjects are selected from criminals and death row inmates from various galaxies.”
Luo Fei’s lips curled into a smile as he reached out and gently stroked Xue Qiu’s head. “Maybe our Xue Qiu is just a poor little stray kitty.”
“Meow!”
Xue Qiu did not like being stroked by others and gave a loud meow at Luo Fei.
“My, quite a fierce temper.” Luo Fei was not angry and teased him with a smile.
Dong Mo held Xue Qiu’s paw. “I will definitely be careful in every way!” He looked at Luo Fei earnestly and made a promise.
“I trust you. I am only telling you this so you are aware. Do not worry too much. Knowing a bit and taking precautions is better than knowing nothing, is it not?” Fearing he had scared Dong Mo, Luo Fei shifted the topic with a smile.
“Now that we have covered the big picture, let us talk about what is closest to us.”
“As for the Beastman Planet, as you can see, the natural environment is perfect. It is difficult for other galaxies to grow such primeval forests and grasslands. However, because of the lack of development, our technology and economy have ranked last for years. Merfolk from Koka can already fly shuttle ships in the ocean, while we are still wading across rivers on two legs, relying on livestreams to earn money.”
He gave a helpless laugh as he spoke. “But in recent years, life for residents of other galaxies has become dull, and more people are watching livestreams. Our economy has started to pick up because of it. Perhaps it is a good sign?”
“Currently, there are six major tribes on the Beastman Planet: the Wolf Tribe of the Moon Mountain Tribe, the Fox Tribe of my former Luo Xiu Tribe, the Leopard Tribe of the New Rain Tribe, the Golden Eagle Tribe of the Zhetian Tribe, the Lion Tribe of the Zhonghu Tribe, and the Forest Deer Tribe of the Heshu Tribe.”
“Besides these large tribes with big bases and high populations, there are also some small, scattered tribes with few members. Most of them have no fixed base and will relocate according to surrounding dangers or seasonal changes.”
Luo Fei said a lot in one breath, and the smoke from the grilled fish in front of him made his throat feel dry.
Dong Mo was quick-witted and hurried to bring a beast-skin bowl that had already cooled from the other side, handing the water to Luo Fei. Luo Fei took a few sips to moisten his throat.
Seeing that the grilled fish over the fire was almost ready, he turned to ask him, “Do you have salt here?”
Dong Mo suddenly remembered the salt brick he had stolen and had not yet used. He set Xue Qiu down, walked to the stone hollow, moved out the large block of mixed salt, broke off a small piece with a stone, and handed it to Luo Fei. “Is it okay to rub this on top?” He had not yet had time to refine the mixed salt.
“Of course.” Luo Fei’s eyes showed a hint of surprise. He clearly had not expected Dong Mo to have salt. “How did you get these mixed salt bricks?”
Dong Mo scratched his head in embarrassment. “I went to the Moon Mountain Tribe’s salt mine and stole it secretly.”
Sitting back down, he briefly told Luo Fei about his “glorious deed” of hanging upside down to steal salt, his silver dog eyes darting left and right.
Luo Fei could not help but give him a thumbs up. “You are so capable, Momo. Much more impressive than me!”
Dong Mo gave a sheepish laugh. “Oh, it is actually quite embarrassing to talk about.”
“By the way, Brother Luo Fei, I understand most of it now, but there is one thing I am still not clear on. I saw the audience in the livestream tell me that we sub-beastmen have a heat period after we become adults, is that right?”
After a moment of hesitation, Dong Mo finally decided to ask this question boldly. After all, both Luo Fei and himself were sub-beastmen.
Sure enough, upon hearing this question, Luo Fei’s face showed a meaningful smile. “What, does Momo also want to find a partner?”
“No! I am not! I am not! I just do not understand it! I, I am afraid!” Dong Mo defended himself incoherently, his face turning red with panic.
Luo Fei, having successfully teased him, laughed. “Hahaha, why are you so cute? I will stop teasing you. Physiological knowledge is very important. Beastmen are born in beast form and need to grow to a certain stage before they can transform into humans. For them, the transformation period is the most important. Sub-beastmen are born in human form and can switch between beast forms at will, but they will have a heat period once a year after reaching adulthood.”
“Perhaps this is a leftover ancestral phenomenon from wild beasts, similar to the spring breeding season. During the half-month-long heat period, sub-beastmen are exceptionally fragile and will also trigger their partner beastmen to enter a heat period. It is perfect for conceiving cubs.”
As Luo Fei spoke, his eyes curved and his pink pupils held a hint of playfulness.
When Dong Mo heard the words “half a month” and “conceiving cubs,” his pupils shook with shock. “Half, half a month?”
“Conceiving, cubs?!” Dong Mo’s world came crashing down. “Why is it so long!!!”
Luo Fei blinked. “Is half a month long? In some tribes, even with that, beastmen cannot manage to have cubs.”
The little dog was startled. The little dog could not believe it. The little dog’s heart was as cold as ash.
Dong Mo took a deep breath and then closed his eyes. “It, it is fine. I understand. Let us change the subject, Brother Luo Fei.”
“No need to be shy, Momo. You will eventually find your own beastman partner, and he will take care of”
“No, he will not!” Dong Mo interrupted Luo Fei, nearly in tears. “I, I, I am asexual, a believer in singlehood. I am afraid of conceiving cubs QAQ.”
On his beautiful small face, he looked as though he wanted to cry but had no tears. At this moment, Dong Mo suddenly felt that his life as a little dog was completely dark.