Chapter 4: Putting Yourself in Someone Else's Shoes

Only plants cultivated by botanists can be consumed directly; mutated plants require immense manpower and resources to remove their mutated factors before they can be cooked and eaten. Thus, the existence of botanists is especially precious.

Xiao Ningxue was so shocked after watching that she forgot to hide her expression. Naturally, the leopard soldier did not miss her obvious change in demeanor.

He assumed she was stunned by the females of the home star. “Well? Our females are beautiful, aren’t they?”

Xiao Ningxue recalled the females she had just seen: “Beautiful.”

The males here were not bad-looking either; over time, even if the females were less attractive, their genes had long been improved. Coupled with advanced technology, there were no ugly orcs in the entire Federation.

“As a respected botanist, you will surely have the chance to serve by the side of a female and even have an official status in the future!” The leopard soldier said this with a flicker of deep envy in his eyes.

???

Xiao Ningxue: “...This...”

She wanted to refuse, but dared not challenge the authority of the females here.

The Federation Encyclopedia had just explained that no matter how precious a botanist was, they could never be more esteemed than the females; ultimately, they must serve the females.

Obedience education towards males started from childhood. Regardless of identity, males must respect females. Even botanists, who were rarer than females, were no exception.

After watching the animation, Xiao Ningxue’s biggest impression was that females here were truly noble!

It was worth noting that over the past five centuries, greenery across the galaxy had steadily declined, and wood-type abilities had become increasingly rare.

To date, botanists had become even rarer than females.

In the Federation, there were just over five thousand females, but only ninety-five botanists.

In the Empire, the number of females was even fewer, only four thousand five hundred forty-two, while botanists numbered one hundred and three.

Despite such proportions, botanists were not granted any privilege over females and remained slightly inferior in status.

At this moment, Xiao Ningxue was unsure whether recognizing herself as a botanist while not acknowledging herself as a female was good or bad.

She was a female... no, a woman. Was the final outcome really to marry another female?

Ah, this...

The leopard soldier thought she was ecstatic and did not know how to respond.

Putting himself in her shoes, if he were favored by a noble female, he might stammer even more than the respected botanist before him.

When would he be able to catch the eye of a noble female?

When that happened, he would obey her every command. If she told him to go east, he would never turn west; if she told him to chase dogs, he would never pursue chickens!

Imagining the wonderful life awaiting him under a female’s favor, the leopard soldier almost laughed aloud.

Noticing Xiao Ningxue’s strange gaze, the leopard soldier blushed and restrained himself.

The shaking outside had become very slight; presumably, the struggle outside had come to an end.

“It seems quiet outside now. Have the insectoids been repelled?” Xiao Ningxue’s tone carried a hint of apology.

Most likely, these insectoids were attracted because of her presence.

Insectoids favored females and those with wood-type abilities.

And she...

Had forcibly combined both.

Interstellar females had abilities, but without exception, they were weak.

Of course, this was largely because they lived in ivory towers and did not train diligently.

Moreover, none of the females possessed wood-type abilities.

Because females with wood-type abilities could not be protected in the galaxy.

Whether in the Federation or the neighboring Empire, let alone smaller states.

These two major powers were the strongest in the universe.

Females with wood-type abilities were invariably ambushed by insectoids during their growth.

For some reason, whenever a female awoke wood-type abilities in the galaxy, insectoids would frantically suppress her.

Three hundred years ago, they almost breached the capital planet.

It was only after an insectoid with spatial abilities teleported into the capital and devoured a young female with wood abilities that the insectoid forces finally withdrew.

Recalling what she had seen, Xiao Ningxue wondered if the insectoids were overreacting to females awakening wood-type abilities.

Could it be that the dual identity of wood abilities and female status was too tempting to them?

Or perhaps...

Females with such an identity posed a genuine threat?

Being new here, she had only theories and dared not ask questions rashly.

At present, the only way to mask her scent was the bloodstains on her body. If she washed clean, would she be exposed?

No, she must not reveal herself before understanding the situation.

Therefore, when the leopard soldier suggested she wash, Xiao Ningxue refused, as she could not yet conceal her scent.

The leopard soldier was momentarily stunned.

His sense of smell was keen, and enduring such a long conversation with Xiao Ningxue was already difficult. Why did this respected botanist dislike bathing???

Was his true form some lazy animal???

Ahhh! His nose was about to fail!

Xiao Ningxue noticed the leopard soldier’s restraint but silently apologized in her heart.

Then, without any burden, she continued to have him find another educational video to watch.

She paid no heed to the poor leopard soldier’s green-tinged face.

This time, the science video was about the insectoids.

The previous one had only given a general overview of the Federation—its history, laws, and culture.

This next one was a rough introduction to the insectoid species.

The video was quite long. By the time Xiao Ningxue reached the ninety-third species of insectoid, Hu Lingfei and Qin Yixuan returned.

The two beast-men came together into the reception room.

Xiao Ningxue turned to see two handsome men of completely different styles enter.

She was just glad she was not overly attracted to appearances.

Her appreciation of handsome men was limited to admiration, with no other thoughts.

“Respected botanist, greetings. I am Qin Yixuan, captain of the Crimson Blood Battleship.”

“I am Hu Lingfei, the chief commander of the Crimson Blood Battleship.”

Looking at the two, Xiao Ningxue inexplicably thought of the phrase—‘a fox assuming the majesty of a tiger.’

“Greetings, officers. Please sit. I am Xiao Qingyu, from a... strange planet. Thank you both for your rescue,” she said politely.

These two beasts were not easily fooled like the leopard and bear soldiers. The moment they entered, Xiao Ningxue was on full alert.

“Botanist, please relax. We are not hostile,” Hu Lingfei reassured her. “You can tell us the location of your planet if you wish.”

Seeing Hu Lingfei was persistent in trying to extract her planet’s location, Xiao Ningxue sighed and said, “I’m sorry, Commander Hu, but I truly do not know where my planet is.”