The cat-eared fox was not a creature from the Second Universe but an "alien species" native to the First Universe and brought into the Second Universe. With R19 entering the Second Universe, the number of cat-eared foxes was not many, and it was even less likely to find any that had escaped. Because it was well known that the cat-eared fox was Bai Zhongqi's favorite pet.
Bai Zhongqi looked at the petite and cute but seriously expressioned cat-eared fox, a familiar feeling swirling in his heart.
"It shouldn't be my little guy, right? It's been eighteen years; it should have grown into an adult by now, and an adult cat-eared fox shouldn't look ," Bai Zhongqi somewhat doubted.
The cat-eared fox was also a creature whose genes could undergo targeted mutations. Once they reached adulthood, the cat-eared foxes could change into different forms, which was part of the fun for many of their keepers. Some cat-eared foxes evolved to acquire traits of aquatic organisms, some could spit flames, while others could release currents lethal enough to kill. Some extremely rare mutations became pets many enthusiasts were willing to pay a fortune for.
But no matter the mutation, fully-grown cat-eared foxes were at least the size of a large dog, undoubtedly not as small as a young one the size of a Pomeranian.
Yet, no matter how he looked, Bai Zhongqi felt this cat-eared fox was his own.
At this moment, not only were the top ten evil giant beasts gathered here, but countless creatures living on the Hunting Planet also converged here like soldiers under command. Through the riot, these creatures had already killed nearly all the tourists on the planet, even striking many service stations established in the area, with some already breached.
But the arrival of Bai Zhongqi, who had beaten the Hydra into a mess, provoked the anger of the monsters.
Or perhaps it was the anger of that cat-eared fox.
"Awoo~" the cat-eared fox let out a sound that was more of an angry roar than a cute whimper.
But the effect of the roar was not cute at all. The top ten evil giant beasts, as if gone mad, began attacking the wave-riding beast driven by Bai Zhongqi. Many giant beasts, just like the Hydra, had long-range attack capabilities, and soon Bai Zhongqi was surrounded by danger.
Bai Zhongqi did not want to risk Lan Xue's safety, so he smoothly recalled the wave-riding beast into the Golden Great Sail Ship, with Lan Xue also transported inside to the hangar of the ship.
Lan Xue, who had been tensely excited fighting the monsters, at least that's what she thought, suddenly found herself in a changed scene with many large warships docked nearby, and some individuals who looked a bit like humans but had some insect features, were maintaining the ships.
"Eh, brought into the Golden Great Sail Ship? Uncle, how could you do this to me again?" Lan Xue was quite displeased.
Meanwhile, Bai Zhongqi was left to fight alone. Although the top ten evils were indeed fierce, he was not so easy to deal with.
After consulting Zero on the method of Instant Flash, and training in the Virtual Universe for five years, Bai Zhongqi had barely mastered this advanced technique usable only by high-level Star Warriors. He was not a complete high-level Star Warrior; in fact, he only possessed Star Energy in his left hand, which made using the Instant Flash even more difficult.
Relying on his talents and efforts to tackle challenges, Bai Zhongqi executed an Instant Flash that crossed a distance of over a thousand kilometers and suddenly appeared on top of the gigantic head of the Rhino-faced Beast.
Right in front of him was the cat-eared fox that led the myriad of beasts, only a single step away from him.
The fur of the cat-eared fox looked messy, far from well-groomed, and its expression seemed somewhat fierce.
In the instant Bai Zhongqi appeared, the cat-eared fox's fur exploded, but only for a moment before a look of pure astonishment crossed its small face.
Bai Zhongqi crouched down; the cat-eared fox yipped delightedly like it was playfully surprised, then dashed into Bai Zhongqi's arms.
Bai Zhongqi scooped up the little creature, affectionately scratching the fine hairs under its neck and even planting a kiss on its forehead.
"It really is you!" Bai Zhongqi exclaimed with boundless joy.
The cat-eared fox, excited as a pup welcoming its owner home, wriggled in Bai Zhongqi's embrace, its tiny tongue licking his face, yet its expression held various grievances.
In an instant, Bai Zhongqi received a stream of information into his consciousness.
Indeed, his cat-eared fox had also mutated. The little one hadn't developed abilities like breathing fire or emitting electricity, but it had evolved a terrifying psychic power. This psychic power was so strong that it could transmit its thoughts to others.
Eighteen years ago, after Xiao Yu threw Bai Zhongqi into the void, the cat-eared fox immediately sensed the danger and stealthily slipped away from the Cliffless Palace. Had it been a person, escaping from the palace would surely lead to a chase, but as a long-lost cat-eared fox, nobody paid attention.
Afterward, the little creature secretly boarded a spaceship leaving Earth and began its drifting journey through the universe. Later, quite unlucky, it was discovered by a captain who then sold it to a manager of hunting planets within the Trade Alliance. Despite its small size, the cat-eared fox was quick and as strong as twenty humans, thus a true beast. Its rarity meant it was thrown onto a hunting planet.
Arriving on this dangerous, predator-filled planet, the cat-eared fox suffered greatly and lived there for many challenging years until recently, when it finally completed its maturation mutation. To its disappointment, its body hadn't grown, but its capabilities had become fearsomely powerful.
This beast tide was single-handedly caused by the cat-eared fox. Its powerful psychic ability had controlled the creatures of the entire planet and eventually sparked a revolt.
Bai Zhongqi, receiving its "dialogue," cradled the little creature in his arms with heartfelt pity, saying, "You've suffered a lot too. The pain we've endured will soon be repaid, I promise you that."
The little one yipped, and another thought came through; it was saying that it could control the beasts of a planet and could help Bai Zhongqi fight, able to devour his enemies.
Bai Zhongqi stroked its fur on the back and laughed, "Hey, I've gotten stronger than before too, otherwise I wouldn't be collecting debts so easily."
At this moment, with his little companion in his arms, Bai Zhongqi felt a mix of joy and emotion. He thought not only of the little cat-eared fox that had suffered due to Xiao Yu's betrayal, but also of Han Jiaxue, Xu Lanzhou, and many others he once knew, who had all suffered untold hardships.
Thinking this, his eyes gleamed coldly.
The cat-eared fox told Bai Zhongqi that it couldn't abandon the other monsters on the hunting planet.
Bai Zhongqi just smiled and said to it, "No worries; taking a whole planet with us is quite simple for me now."