Chapter 5: The Negotiation

She had only learned about latitude and longitude; she had no idea how to handle planetary coordinates! Were they supposed to use the arbitrary coordinates she had defined back on Blue Star?

Qin Yixuan spoke up: "If you are unsure, our only option is to send you to the First Military Academy as a freshman. Once you turn twenty-two and successfully pass your graduation exams, you will be able to live independently in society."

Xiao Ningxue: "???"

She wasn't opposed to this decision. After all, the apocalypse had arrived before she could even finish junior high. Having struggled through those dark times, the prospect of a stable education was quite appealing. However, did this decision not seem a bit hasty? Weren't they worried she might be a spy?

Thinking about the rarity of plant mages, Xiao Ningxue understood. No nation would ever send its own precious national treasure out to act as a spy. It would be as absurd as a country failing to protect its own top scientists and sending them on dangerous missions instead.

"Thank you both for the arrangement," Xiao Ningxue said. "It suits me perfectly. Once I graduate, I will certainly contribute my strength to the Federation!"

Talk was cheap; she might as well say what they wanted to hear. A "plant mage" could only be described with respect, whereas the term "noble" was reserved exclusively for females.

"We will provide you with some assistance," Hu Lingfei said, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes that immediately made Xiao Ningxue wary.

"What price must I pay?"

Her value was obvious here, and Xiao Ningxue did not believe these two beastmen—especially this fox beastman—would let such a resource go to waste.

"Supply us with a certain amount of edible plants every month!" The price Hu Lingfei demanded made Xiao Ningxue breathe a sigh of relief. Vegetables? That was no problem for her.

"Agreed. But I have a condition: after I graduate, you are not to interfere with my life choices." She did not want to become a puppet for the Red Blood Battleship.

"That is only natural. Surely, once you graduate, you will successfully marry a female. We cannot interfere with the choices of a married man."

Qin Yixuan's words left Xiao Ningxue petrified. Wait, how did this turn into marriage? She had already planned out her life after graduation. One sentence brought her crashing back to reality. Given the rarity of wood-element ability users, it was impossible for them to let her remain single for long; they would certainly pressure her to choose a female to marry.

"Let's talk about that later," Xiao Ningxue chose the shameful path of avoidance.

The time hadn't come yet, so she would stall as long as she could. This attitude caused a flash of insight in the eyes of the two beastmen watching her. It seemed that on this little male's home planet, females were not in short supply! If they could only find it... Qin Yixuan and Hu Lingfei felt a surge of excitement just thinking about it.

Xiao Ningxue was exposing this on purpose. After all, she couldn't just throw herself away, could she? Only by appearing uninterested could she preserve her purity!

"Since the plant mage has other plans, we will not force the issue. We only hope that you will step in to help us when necessary." Qin Yixuan continued with his... request. A plant mage's potential was immense; yesterday’s events proved her abilities were far from low. If this request could be utilized, it would surely play a significant role! Though, deep down, he hoped it would never be needed.

"I will. Thank you both for your help." Xiao Ningxue was genuinely grateful to these... two beastmen. If not for them, she wouldn't have such a comfortable place to stay; she would likely still be struggling against the Zerg.

Xiao Ningxue's face was covered in grime, but she had beautiful eyes that seemed to contain starlight. Looking into them made Qin Yixuan and Hu Lingfei feel strangely... warm. It was odd. They had received gratitude from male beasts before, so why did this little male—smelly and soot-covered—make them feel so flushed? However, the scent radiating from Xiao Ningxue brought them back to their senses. It was too pungent.

Xiao Ningxue didn't notice their sudden emotional shift, simply satisfied with their arrangements.

"This is what we should do. Of course, if you have any needs, we will do our best to help you, provided it is within our capabilities!"

Xiao Ningxue was satisfied with this trade. Although they added conditions, as long as the vegetables were on the table, they would never stand by and watch if she needed help.

"Fine! One more question: what about my identity?" Because of her status as a wood-element mage, she knew they wouldn't harm her, but in a place with such advanced technology, a citizen's ID was crucial. She couldn't attend school as an undocumented person, could she?

A glint of calculation flashed in Qin Yixuan's eyes: "Rest assured, sir. I have already made arrangements. Give me a drop of blood, and at our current speed, we will reach the Capital Planet in two days. By then, your identity will be fully established."

Blood? Xiao Ningxue's heart tightened. She couldn't just hand that over! Who knew what they could detect from a single drop? Moreover, they already knew she was an "alien," so they would certainly dig deep into her genetic makeup. Who knew how far interstellar technology had progressed? Not to mention anything else, her gender would be impossible to hide in her blood.

This drop of blood was absolutely off-limits. She didn't want to be forced into taking five beast-husbands. Even though the beastmen here were incredibly handsome, she felt that men would only slow down her blade—and five men? The potential for them to hold her back was astronomical...

Xiao Ningxue feigned wariness: "I cannot give you my blood. You have already seen my ability to accelerate plant growth. If you can secure my identity, I guarantee that the quantity of edible plants I provide will be to your satisfaction!"

Recalling the growth-acceleration she had displayed when her identity was revealed, not just Qin Yixuan, but even Hu Lingfei was moved.

Qin Yixuan agreed without hesitation: "Deal! On the condition that you provide us with one... two hundred pounds of edible plants per month!"

Xiao Ningxue's expression soured, as if she hadn't expected them to push their luck so far: "You are being too demanding!"

Hu Lingfei urged Qin Yixuan: "That is truly too difficult. How about one hundred and fifty pounds?" As he spoke, he cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Ningxue's face.

Xiao Ningxue struggled for a long moment before gritting her teeth and agreeing: "I accept your terms, but the quantity must be calculated at market price!"

Qin Yixuan and Hu Lingfei exchanged a look. Qin Yixuan replied without hesitation: "Agreed!"

The most difficult thing about edible plants was that they were priceless and unavailable. Nearly all wood-element mages were monopolized by females, and since they didn't even have enough for themselves, how could they possibly let edible plants reach the market?

Seeing Qin Yixuan agree, Xiao Ningxue's expression improved significantly: "I don't have the proper conditions right now. These arrangements can only begin once I am settled."

Even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice. No matter how capable she was, she needed land to plant crops if she were to produce enough food. Primarily, it was about saving her own effort.