Chapter 11: Ningxia

Besides the presence of alien races, there were also exotic beasts and some ancient creatures lurking in the universe.

The human race faced tremendous peril. To survive, the people of the homeworld split into two factions.

One faction was dedicated to preserving pure bloodlines; they forbade intermarriage with alien races and refused genetic modification, living in seclusion for generations.

The rest chose genetic enhancement and intermarriage with interstellar humans, fully embracing their identity as star-faring humans.

However, they did not anticipate that although this integration enhanced the talents of most, it also brought inherent drawbacks.

To contain the damage, the Empire expelled a large number of humans with mixed bloodlines, leaving only those with stronger beast bloodline genes.

Those who were driven out pioneered new frontiers, cleared habitable planets, and founded the Federation.

From then on, the two great human powers stood on equal footing.

They cooperated against exotic beasts and ancient cosmic creatures, but in times of peace, disputes never ceased.

The Empire’s beast-blooded humans were physically stronger but relatively weaker in spiritual development.

The Federation’s people could also transform into beasts but never fully unleashed that ability because their vital energy was not completely developed.

However, their spiritual power reached its peak. The Federation’s current marshal was a young male with an SSS-level spiritual force.

The two sides looked down on each other.

The Empire considered the Federation’s people to be mongrels—yes, a derogatory term.

After all, the most primitive beast bloodlines lived within the Empire.

Conversely, the Federation despised the Empire’s autocratic, bloodline-supremacist regime, deeming them indulgent and lacking true spirit.

In short, their conflicts had deep roots.

In this song, Lan Yuyan saw an era of peace, witnessed elders caring for the young and the young revering their elders.

Thinking of his parents, tears long absent welled in his eyes, and his nose tingled with emotion.

He used his light-brain to make a call.

A young voice answered, “Brother Lan, what’s your command?”

“Help me find the contact information for Miss Jiang Qin, ranked seventy-third on the new song charts.”

“Received!”

After hanging up, Lan Yuyan listened to the song several more times. He had a hunch this young female singer was destined for stardom.

If he had the time, he would even buy a spaceship ticket to Azure Star just to hear her live.

***

At that moment, Jiang Qin was about to take the stage.

She was surprised to see nearly every booth in the bar was filled.

What was going on? Was the bar holding a promotion? It couldn’t be just because she uploaded a song a few hours ago.

But she quickly adjusted; after all, many internet-famous spots on Earth became overcrowded once popular.

Perhaps their bar had become an interstellar hotspot now.

Immersed in the mood, she lifted her delicate hands, her fingertips dancing gracefully over the black and white keys, lips parting softly.

“A tranquil summer,
Stars scattered across the sky,
In my heart a yearning,
Yearning for your face…”

Tonight, An Zeyu was also present, and at fans’ request, he livestreamed.

He sat in the booth nearest the stage, squinting as he swirled his drink.

[This atmosphere makes cheap bars seem upscale; one would think this was a high-end lounge.]

[That’s just our Brother Yu showing off.]

[What’s a cicada anyway?]

[Hey, no clue? Let me enlighten you. Cicadas were ancient insects, part of the cicada family—yes, the winged creatures that can attack with sound waves.]

[…Yikes, cicadas? Sorry to intrude.]

[Well, stepping halfway into summer, I suddenly feel a chill all over, as if winter has come.]

[Ancient cicadas weren’t like that. Haven’t you seen documentaries?
Red brick and white walls of a low house, two big trees at the door, cicadas singing in the summer afternoon, a bamboo rocking chair swaying inside, and the radio telling stories.]

“Stars scattered across the sky,
In my heart a yearning,
Yearning for your face,
I can pretend not to see,
Or secretly long for you...”

In a trance, Jiang Qin’s spiritual force began to emanate, and the males around immediately felt clarity and sharpness.

It was as if they were experiencing first love.

Youthful, romantic, and innocent…

On a summer night, stars twinkled in the sky, cicadas sang, and a girl tasting love for the first time lay in bed, sweetly thinking of her beloved.

All was still; only the heart moved.

Watching Jiang Qin on stage, dressed in a floral dress with her hair braided and cascading down, the audience felt they heard their own hearts beating—

Thump, thump, thump—again and again—

A bittersweet ache mingled with sweetness and joy.

You Wei clutched his chest with a complex expression.

Of course, he knew he wasn’t in love with Jiang Qin; he had once known a love that pierced the soul, and only she had ever stirred his heart.

But now he tasted the flavor of love.

Jiang Qin’s song had once again drawn their spiritual seas into her realm.

Everyone shared her emotions.

The cheerful song, Jiang Qin’s sweet voice, and the pure affection in the lyrics without distress.

The bitterness and ache they felt came from their own hearts.

Interstellar humans, on hearing such pure emotion, first reacted with bitterness because most had never truly experienced such feelings.

From birth, they were classified; after awakening at age three, they were defined—many males had never tasted love’s sweetness.

Most weighed pros and cons or bore responsibility.

As the last note fell, Jiang Qin smiled and said, “This song is called ‘Ningxia.’”

“I love you, little female!!!” a voice screamed from a booth, heart-wrenching and loud.

His companion immediately covered his mouth and pinned him down, apologizing awkwardly, “Sorry, he might be drunk on the suppressants. I’ll take him away right now.”

Daring to flirt with a female in public was reckless; his friend just wanted to save his life.

Jiang Qin was unperturbed.

After all, in her past life, she was a star; fans often exclaimed their love for her.

But she was young, and most fans called her “Mama,” “Daddy,” “Brother,” or “Sister.”

So she knew this male meant no harm, just a little carried away emotionally.

Seeing his anxious expression, she smiled and said, “It’s okay. I know you mean no harm, but could you call me by my name next time? I don’t really like being called ‘little female.’

By the way, my name is Jiang Qin.”

Though she was a beast-woman, the term still felt a bit strange.