Star Hunter.

Chapter 290 Let's Freeload

After the small flying robot carried Xilin and the other two out of the mountains, it flew back.

Just as the giant viper had said, a flying vehicle had been prepared there long ago, and the three of them piloted it back to the landing site.

They arrived on the planet guided by the giant viper, and the journey was smooth. However, even on their return trip, despite using a flying vehicle, some flying creatures in the sky showed curiosity towards them. They dared not indiscriminately kill the animals on this planet, so they primarily avoided them.

After finally piloting their aircraft back to their landing point on the planet from the mountains, the three didn't leave immediately. Instead, they rested and chatted for a while, since they would be cooperating with Kenza in the future. Even though the three of them were in charge of different categories, they were all jointly managing the large "Black Viper" group.

Neither Xilin nor Hadar are like Bai Ye, so neither of them will interfere in the management of people like that. Xilin focuses on academics, which involves many areas. However, if Xilin takes over here, what will happen to the Royal Academy of Sciences? Will it be like Guan Feng, holding positions in both?

Xilin really didn't know why they trusted him so much, just because of Guan Feng's recommendation and that giant serpent's consent? If he found a way back to the Star Alliance, Xilin would definitely go back. What would he do then?

Having learned that all three had the Great Viper's approval, Kensa, the heir to the throne, became much more amiable in their presence. From Kensa, Xilin learned that the Great Viper's opinion greatly influenced the choices of the royal family and the current leader of the "Black Viper." The Great Viper, having survived to this day, possessed a high degree of spirituality; the stronger an animal's spirituality, the more reliable its intuition. At least so far, the choice of the Black Viper leader had not been problematic; for a thousand years, the Black Viper had maintained its mystique as the leading dark force.

Furthermore, although the position that Xilin has taken over is quite important in Black Viper, there are actually three leaders in Black Viper. To put it another way, even if one of the leaders has a problem, the other two leaders can handle it without the intervention of the royal family. Not to mention that the original "Black Viper" was backed by the Lanza royal family.

After resting and exchanging information, Kensa dealt with the matters here and then requested to leave.

Yes. Even leaving requires an application, even for the future Emperor Lanza and the three giants of "Black Viper".

Only after receiving permission to leave did the pilot allow them to board the aircraft, but before they departed, a flying robot flew over. This robot was similar to the one that had guided Xilin and the others out of the mountains, only larger.

"These are gifts from the Black Viper King to the three of you." The flying robot said, taking out a plate with four sets of clothes on it, made from the shed skin of a giant snake.

Due to the giant viper's unique characteristics and its unusually young age, its shed skin has strong protective properties against radiation and acids/alkalis, as well as resistance to cold and heat. It can even be used as bulletproof vests and is also very beneficial to the human body, making it an extremely rare treasure.

The snakeskin had been compressed and felt thin to the touch, but even Xilin couldn't easily tear the snakeskin garment.

Four pieces of clothing were given to Xilin and his three companions. Each snakeskin garment was custom-made and fit the four of them perfectly.

Kensa felt flattered. After all, he hadn't received such treatment before. They were lucky if they were given face and a few extra words, let alone snakeskin clothes? Dream on! Not even Kensa, let alone the royals who had come before, had ever received such treatment. But today…

Kensa wouldn't think it was his fault. Otherwise, he would have received one when he came last time. It seems that the Great Viper is quite satisfied with this successor of "Black Viper".

  

The four knew the value of the snakeskin garment they possessed, so they carefully put it away. Just as they were about to express their gratitude, the flying robot produced a ball and several rather unusual-looking scales. Even more surprisingly, these items were all for the gray cat.

The gray cat had only mentioned it casually on the way to the mountains, but unexpectedly, the giant snake actually made a ball out of its shed skin. The gray cat played with it for a bit and found it quite nice. As for the scales, they were very heavy. The gray cat scratched them a couple of times and took a few bites, then nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good, thank you, Great Serpent!" The gray cat used its tail to lift the ball and handed the scales to Xilin to help him collect.

The four members of Xilin's group twitched at the sight.

"What are these scales for?" Kensa asked the gray cat.

"They're sharpening their teeth and claws," the gray cat said matter-of-factly.

The four people: "..."

How incredibly extravagant! What cat sharpens its claws with scales from a thousand-year-old viper?!

After expressing their gratitude, the flying robot that delivered the items didn't say much. The giant snake showed no intention of communicating visually, and the four of them didn't force their way in. After exchanging a few words with the flying robot, the four of them stepped into the aircraft and left.

When the spacecraft flew into space, Xilin and the others could see the viper on the mountain range. They could see the big guy with the naked eye. They hadn't seen it when they came before, so the snake must have been staying in the mountain range at that time.

After watching the spacecraft depart from outside the mountains, the giant viper slithered back inside, and everything on the planet returned to its original state. This thousand-year-old creature was so terrifying that most beasts would flee in terror at the mere smell of its scent. Therefore, every time this behemoth appeared, it caused a commotion. After it returned to the mountains, the other animals at the top of the food chain would emerge and continue their domineering ways.

After transferring to their original spacecraft at the space fortress's guard post, the four of them felt much more relaxed. There had always been a serious, oppressive atmosphere inside that specially designed spacecraft, and Kenza and Hadar hadn't uttered a sound. Once they were on the other side, they relaxed considerably and began discussing current events in the Empire.

Now that it had a toy, Grey Cat didn't stay with Xilin and the others; it was happily playing with the ball. The balls they bought before couldn't withstand more than a few scratches from Grey Cat before they were worn out, but this snakeskin ball was much better. Grey Cat had a lot of fun during the voyage, and if you exclude the few instruments that were damaged by the ball, the return trip was relatively smooth.

Kensa watched the gray cat rolling around on the ground with the ball, and felt a surge of admiration for Guan Feng and Gu Chang'an. No wonder they treated this cat differently; they were using it to curry favor with the Black Viper. Without this cat, he probably wouldn't have that snakeskin outfit he was wearing. Even though he was a prince of a vast galactic empire, Kensa wouldn't dare use the skin of a thousand-year-old snake to make clothes, even if he truly ascended the throne.

Back on the test planet, Guan Feng and his team already knew the results, so they convened another meeting with some key figures from Black Viper. However, to Xilin's disappointment, Xikai had to leave due to an urgent matter. Apart from a few other high-ranking Black Viper members who couldn't attend for special reasons, everyone gathered in the meeting room to announce the succession of Xilin and his two successors. Kensa was also present. These people witnessed the succession of the three leaders. However, due to the different areas of responsibility of the three Black Viper leaders, the official succession time would also differ. After this meeting, the three successors and the former leader would have a separate conversation. Xilin would also have more detailed discussions with Guan Feng afterward, and Guan Feng would explain some important issues to Xilin separately.

Upon learning that all four had acquired a snakeskin garment, everyone, including Christy Lang, displayed expressions of envy. Even the most advanced technology couldn't perfectly replicate the skin of a thousand-year-old viper, and each molted skin of the black viper was different. This snake was constantly evolving and mutating; no one knew what it would ultimately become. However, one thing everyone agreed on—the molted skin of this unique thousand-year-old viper was definitely, absolutely valuable!

The most unique and enviable person in the conference room was Gray Cat. He was nonchalantly playing with the ball, and several times it bounced onto the conference table, but no one scolded him. Instead, they all hoped the ball would bounce to them, giving them a legitimate chance to touch this specially made ball. Because anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the snakeskin material of Gray Cat's ball was better than the clothing of the four men, including Xilin. Not to mention the Black Viper members present, even Kensa missed the feel of that ball; he had had a chance to touch it on the aircraft, and the texture was damn good!

Only Xilin, who understood the gray cat's wicked nature, knew that the cat was actually playing a trick on him. With this cat's abilities, how could it not control the ball's direction? Nonsense! The moment the gray cat's whiskers twitched, Xilin knew what mischievous scheme the cat was plotting.

The meeting ended with Gray Cat tossing a ball around. Xilin and Guan Feng would leave together afterward. Bai Ye would stay behind with Gu Chang'an, and his file at the affiliated high school would be completely erased.

"By the way, Director Guan. What about Niki and the others?" Xilin asked. He absolutely did not believe that Guan Feng would let these people off easily; either erase their memories completely, or let them join Black Viper.

Guan Feng smiled innocently: "Their files will also be erased."

In other words, these people were pulled into the Black Viper. That doesn't matter, though. Xilin suspects that Guan Feng had planned this all along. These guys hadn't joined any other factions or groups, and were gradually sucked into the Black Viper.

The gray cat was lured away by Gu Chang'an's bag of dried fish and was lazily lying on Gu Chang'an's lap eating dried fish, leaving crumbs everywhere. Gu Chang'an smiled and squeezed the ball in his hand, letting the gray cat deliberately wipe its mouth on his lap, smearing crumbs all over Gu Chang'an's pants.

The old man and the cat watched as several black viper-like figures and Qiu Xu, who was pushing a wheelchair, twitched on their faces.

"Let's go, you glutton!" Xilin called to the gray cat from beside an airship.

"Okay!" The gray cat stuffed the remaining dried fish into its mouth, and with a flick of its tail, it sent the ball flying from Gu Chang'an's hand. Every time the ball was about to fall, the gray cat would jump up and flick its tail to send the ball flying back to the place it had calculated.

Finally, when the gray cat stopped in front of Xilin, it caught the falling ball steadily with a flick of its tail, raised its chin, and walked into the aircraft.

After bidding farewell to the people outside the spacecraft, Xilin and Guan Feng departed and flew back towards the capital star system. Unlike when they arrived, Xilin now had an additional identity. This identity might be clandestine, but it would allow him to easily resolve some troubles without relying on the Yuan family's power. Moreover, Xilin would also have access to some deeper information.

After being away for so long, the affiliated school is about to start a new round of semester tests. However, Xilin is not afraid. After all, Xilin has already been exposed to and understood those courses. Guan Feng also gave Xilin a private lesson by Xiao Zhao. Therefore, he is confident in the course exams and semester tests.

Back at the First Affiliated Hospital, Xilin had to prepare for several exams, while the gray cat, bored, went to find the other animals there. However, it caused a commotion, especially with the anaconda, who was knocked unconscious by the gray cat's ball.

It wasn't that the gray cat threw the ball with great force; it was mainly the innate oppressive aura emanating from the ball that caused Bona to immediately back down and faint.

Originally, I was planning to find people—no, animals—to play ball with me. But no animal dared to touch the ball at all. Perhaps humans can't understand it, but animals can deeply feel the terror of standing before a massive creature and being unable to struggle. Just a ball caused hormonal imbalances in many of the animals at the First Affiliated Hospital, especially the reptiles.

The culprit, Gray Cat, regretfully took the ball to find someone to play with after causing the commotion. Since animals weren't an option, he had to find people. There were many gifted children at the school. Gray Cat didn't know many, but Teita was one of them.

While the gray cat was using its tail to dart the ball around looking for someone, it spotted Teita, who had just finished her exams, and invited her to play on the court. This cat, though sometimes silly, is quite perceptive, though it won't reveal things about the black viper. So when Teita asked the gray cat what it had been doing, the gray cat simply replied, "Visiting a friend." So, is that big snake a friend now?

That day, Xilin had just finished her last exam and returned to her dormitory when the doorbell rang. After looking at the image on the electronic screen, Xilin sighed.

As soon as the door opened, Yuan Xingming and the other two, along with Naimi, squeezed in and questioned him.

"Hey, Xilin, where have you been all this time? We've been looking for you several times!"

"That's right, I also asked my second grandfather, but he only said that you had something to do and needed to go out, without saying what it was."

"Could it be... you're going to pick up girls?" Naimi asked with a lewd grin.

Xilin rolled his eyes at them. He had absolutely no time for chasing girls. He almost lost his life.

"It's nothing, I just went out with Director Guan for a bit."

Once Xilin mentioned it, Guan Dao and the others stopped asking questions. The students must have missions and work to do when they go out with their mentors, and these things are confidential to a certain extent. If Xilin didn't bring it up, they would all change the subject without prior notice.

"Alright, let's not talk about that. We've finally finished another large-scale test, don't you want to go out and relax a bit?" Yuan Xingming came over and put his arm around Xilin's shoulder in a friendly manner, winking as he spoke.

"Where can we relax?" Xilin asked.

"I haven't decided yet, I'll just wander around."

"Oh, by the way. Haha, didn't you mention that my cousin was getting married? Has the wedding taken place yet?"

As soon as Peter brought it up, Yuan Xingming and Wulagano clenched their fists at the same time, "Yeah, let's go there to eat and drink for free and see the beautiful bride! I heard there are lots of pretty girls at the wedding!"

Ulagano's cousin wasn't actually a member of the Winddiska royal family, nor was they directly related by blood. The relationship was somewhat distant; he belonged to Ulagano's mother's family. However, because he had an aunt who became a princess, he had connections within the Winddiska royal family. Ulagano's cousin was doing quite well, as he was considered a member of the upper nobility, though his status still didn't compare to that of a member of the Winddiska royal family.

The Wendiska royal family didn't pay much attention to their cousin Ulagano's wedding. Only Ulagano's mother mentioned it briefly. Originally, they only planned to send a gift, but now...

"Since he's my cousin, of course I have to go!"

So, these playboys quickly decided on their next destination for fun, but before they could discuss the details, the door to Xilin's dormitory opened.

Besides Xilin, only Grey Cat can freely open this door.

The gray cat walked in with its tail held high, glanced at the group of people who were excitedly discussing something, and then turned its head toward the milk machine on the side.

"Hey, hoohoo, long time no see. We were just about to go out and relax. Do you want to come?" Before he could finish speaking, Yuan Xingming stood there looking constipated.

Not only Yuan Xingming, but also Pele, Ulagano, and Naimi all had the same expression. Because after the gray cat entered, another person came in.

It was Teita, who had just finished playing ball with the gray cat.

"Long time no see, Xilin!" Teita said to Xilin, and then greeted Yuan Xingming and the others.

"Te...Teita, what are you doing here?" Yuan Xingming asked with a stiff smile.

Teita tossed the ball in her hand. "I just played ball with Huru. Come and have some milk."

As she spoke, Teita walked to the chair next to the milk dispenser, sat down, and picked up the cup that the gray cat had pushed towards her with its tail to collect the milk.

Outside the door of Xilin's dormitory, Teita's old servant stood there, and only after Xilin extended an invitation did he smile, bow, and enter.

"Where did you guys say you wanted to relax?" Gray Cat asked Yuan Xingming after finishing his milk.

Yuan Xingming shook his head seriously, "No, we just got together to chat and relax for a bit, and then went back to continue studying!"

"That's right! This test has made us realize many areas where our knowledge is weak, and we're ready to go back and improve our understanding!"

Naimi quickly nodded to indicate that she shared the same thought.

We mustn't corrupt children, especially someone like Teita. If Teita's father found out, he'd probably discuss the children's education with the three kings, and they'd all be in for a memorable beating.

Xilin turned his head away and remained silent, letting them ramble on.

Teita didn't dwell on it any longer. He finished his milk and left. His mother and siblings were coming to see him today, so he couldn't stay.

After Teita left, Yuan Xingming and the others wiped their sweat and returned to their usual selves, rattling off a bunch of plans.

Peter reached out and poked the gray cat's tail. "How about it, Cat Lord? Interested in freeloading?"

The gray cat wiped the milk stains stuck to its mouth onto Peter's sleeve. "Of course I'll go!"