Secret

As soon as Mo Yu entered the space, a brown mass came flying straight toward her. She didn’t need to guess to know what it was.

Sigh. Here we go again.

With a slight turn of her body, Mo Yu easily dodged the brown “stone,” which narrowly grazed her abdomen before shooting off into the distance.

The stone: ... It’s flown off again...

But to Mo Yu’s surprise, this little stone seemed stronger than the last time she saw it! Astonishingly, it managed to brake midair and reverse course!

Seeing it about to collide with her again, Mo Yu decided not to dodge. After all, it was time to have a proper talk with this stone.

She thought to herself: It’s not right for this stone to occupy her space like this, always attacking its owner. She might as well find out what exactly it is.

She spread her legs slightly, firmly grounding herself. Her palms faced outward, thumbs and forefingers forming an oval, the space between her hands just large enough for the “stone” to pass through.

The “stone,” as if under some control, really did fly straight towards her palms.

Click—

Just as it approached her face, Mo Yu suddenly narrowed the gap between her hands, catching the “stone” exactly at its “waist.”

Her hands were small and delicate, but at this moment, they held tight the “stone,” which was several times larger than her palm.

She watched as the massive “stone” writhed and struggled in her grip. Curiosity piqued, she shook it up and down with effort, even pressing her ear against it to listen closely.

To her disappointment, there was no sloshing sound of liquid—like the inside of an egg—but rather the thud of something solid. Just from the sound, Mo Yu could imagine the unknown creature rolling about inside the “egg.”

When she felt that was enough, she finally relented and stopped.

Aligning the top of the egg with her eyes, Mo Yu spoke softly, enunciating each word: “Tell me—who—are—you?”

Her voice was gentle, carried away by the sea breeze, yet it sent a chill through the being in her grasp.

Sensing its tremble, Mo Yu’s lips curled into a meaningful smile.

“Don’t—play—dead,” she paused, “I—know—you—understand—my—words.”

The trembling in her hands grew more intense.

Without warning, Mo Yu let go. The little creature shot away without a second thought, and Mo Yu immediately chased after it.

———

It was the same cliff where she had fallen into the water last time. The little creature darted straight down, and Mo Yu, without hesitation, leapt after it.

Human and creature alike paddled furiously toward the shore.

Breaking the surface of the azure sea, Mo Yu exhaled a heavy breath—only to freeze in astonishment.

It turned out this place was a hidden world!

—————

Last time she fell into the water, Mo Yu hadn’t come ashore to take a good look. Compared to this, the castle atop the cliff was nothing but a hollow fairy tale; this was what a true space should be!

From the start, she’d found it odd that the space was so luxurious yet “useless.” Now she realized it had all been a clever illusion.

She laughed aloud from the heart, then dove headlong into the dense forest.

The little creature was long gone from sight; she could only rely on her instincts to search.

The trees around her were thick and towering, their bark unlike any ordinary tree—smooth and even springy, much like the material of the “secret chamber.” It was truly marvelous!

She wandered like a curious child, exploring and delighting in every discovery.

Suddenly, in the midst of lush foliage, she stumbled upon a barren patch. The ground was bare, devoid of the vibrant flowers she’d seen along the way. Only a single green plant stood alone at the center.

Its serrated green leaves were enormous, about a meter long, radiating out from the base. Each leaf drooped naturally, shrouding the stem within, so from the outside it looked like a giant green ball.

Mo Yu slowed her steps, inching forward, certain by instinct that the little creature was inside.

The plant’s jagged leaves looked razor-sharp; she dared not touch them directly. Instead, she drew the sharp dagger she always carried at her side and poked at the plant’s tip.

Clang—

The blade barely touched the serrated leaf before it snapped in half. Even Mo Yu was taken aback.

Her dagger broken and with no other tools, Mo Yu was unwilling to give up. Weighing the risks, she decided to try with her own hands.

Slowly, she reached out, her heart pounding—if such a sharp blade was sliced in two, what chance did her flesh and blood have?

But just as she was about to touch the plant, she felt a faint resistance, as if a protective membrane shielded it.

Focusing, she closed her eyes, found a point by feel, and pressed with force.

She passed through effortlessly!

Opening her eyes, Mo Yu saw her hand had slipped through the layers of leaves.

So this serrated plant was also a deception!

She probed with her hand; inside was empty—nothing at all! The plant was just a protective shield.

Such a marvelous thing naturally ignited her immense curiosity.

Slowly, her whole body was engulfed by the “protective shield.”

Once she was inside, the once-barren ground was soon blanketed with a sea of flowers, and tender shoots grew into towering, dense trees in the blink of an eye—indistinguishable from the scene she’d traversed before!

—————

Outside the space.

Qing Xuan stared blankly at the green brain core resting in his left palm.

This was the first brain core the two of them had found together—the one he had never been willing to consume.

“Your Highness, please eat it.”

“Your Highness, don’t hesitate. It’s very good for your health, and...”

Qing Xuan returned to his senses, casting a cold glance at the two deferential alien forms prostrated before him.

“Shut up.” His voice was as icy as a blade, instantly silencing the two, who trembled uncontrollably.

Qing Xuan’s gaze softened as he looked back at the brain core in his palm, his eyes gentle as flowing water, a roomful of laughter pouring out.

The two aliens exchanged bewildered glances.

Alien One: What’s wrong with His Highness?

Alien Two: No idea. But, I’ve made a new discovery.

Alien One: What is it?

Alien Two: You’re getting uglier.

Alien One: ... (haughtily turns away)

Alien Two: Oh no, my darling is mad... No food for me tonight...

Alien Two sent a brainwave to Alien One: I was only joking, you’re the most beautiful of all~

Alien One: Hmph.

Searching for an Earthly compliment, Alien Two coaxed: Your beauty surpasses the most splendid chrysanthemum in bloom!

Alien One: Mmm.

Alien Two: And... your figure is more voluptuous than the strongest hippopotamus.

A blush spread across Alien One’s face: Mmm~

Alien Two: And your bottom is tastier and bouncier than pork!

Alien One’s face turned completely red: You’re awful~

———

That’s right, they lived on a matriarchal planet...

Author’s note: Ahhhhhhh, dear commenters, where are you~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!