Little Pink Starfish

Countless beastly roars formed a unique language understood only by them.

“Roar… eat it… fight for…”
“Screech! Fight for beast king…”
“Hiss hiss… physique… similar… mine…”
“Howl—whoever wins… it’s theirs!”

Among the surging beast horde, leading the charge were two fierce birds and two ferocious beasts.
They had the strongest presence and were the fastest to arrive.
At the same time, they also felt the incomparable allure of that meat mountain ahead.
They wanted to eat it…
As long as they ate it, they could defeat the other three beasts of equal level and become the beast sovereign!

When all the beasts arrived and were roaring and arguing among themselves—
Suddenly, an incomparably terrifying aura surged from that meat mountain ahead!

Almost in an instant, the few fierce beasts at the very front were already pressed to the ground by that terrifying pressure!
The fierce birds flying freely could no longer soar above the sky, the strong and upright beasts could no longer hold their backs straight. The sense of suppression from deep in their bloodlines made them involuntarily lower their proud heads, and those fierce beasts who stubbornly refused to bow were crushed into a pile of meat paste by that dreadful pressure in the very next second!

So strong!
Too strong!

Countless beasts trembled in fear, all bending their legs to kneel.
Only then did they finally understand—that meat mountain they had thought would be easy prey, something they could tear apart at will, was in fact an unimaginable, soul-trembling—Beast Sovereign!

Then, the meat mountain moved.
A terrifying suction force was suddenly released, and over a hundred ferocious beasts were devoured in a single gulp.
Some tried to flee, but the fear in their bloodline kept them from even raising their bodies… they could only submit to this beast sovereign’s will.

In that instant, the beasts willingly submitted.
“Roar—”
“Beast Sovereign!”
“Sovereign, we submit—”

From that moment on, the few beast kings that were supposed to each claim their own territory in the original story all became subordinates under a single, gigantic beast sovereign that seemed to come from nowhere.
And from that moment on, under this sovereign’s command, they rapidly expanded their power, rapidly grew stronger, and rapidly occupied countless territories.

Then, they began to move.

·

Gu Bai sat expressionlessly on the leather sofa, refining his abilities in his dantian, while his ears… quietly listened to Meng Qiao’s endless rambling.

“Master I’m telling you, do you know that guy is really BLABLABLA……”
“He’s such a damn pervert, he actually dared to say that to young master BLABLABLA……”
“Think young master is that easy to seduce? Unbelievable BLABLABLA……”
“Seeing that face, young master almost punched him BLABLABLA!”

Gu Bai: “……”
Damn it, did the protagonist shou mutate or what!
Wasn’t it just a trip to the restaurant, did he have to treat me like a trash bin every day after!?
How am I supposed to work like this, protagonist shou, show some professionalism!

Meng Qiao ranted for a full half hour before huffing to a stop: “Say, master, do you know that guy? He’s way too arrogant, even in your restaurant acting all high and mighty?”

Gu Bai: “Don’t know him.”
Aside from ranting and calling him an old pervert, you didn’t even tell me his name or what he looked like—how the hell would I know who it was? But protagonist shou is protagonist shou after all, never at peace, always causing trouble. Might as well lock him up!

Meng Qiao furrowed his brows.
Gu Bai: “He insulted you?”
Judging by all that cursing, he seemed full of energy, so it probably wasn’t anything serious. Protagonist shou’s luck wouldn’t really let him be wronged. But I’m just that kind, might as well ask.

Meng Qiao pouted: “…He hugged me, and I ran off.”
Gu Bai nodded: “If I recognize him later, I’ll beat him up for you.”
Meng Qiao instantly grinned from ear to ear: “Master, you’re such a good person!”

Gu Bai: “……”
Why am I getting a good person card from a guy too!?
In a danmei novel, if I’m not gay, am I doomed to die alone or what!?

After pouring out all his complaints to Gu Bai and receiving a promise, Meng Qiao was satisfied. This willful young master casually sat on another sofa and started cultivating.
He just felt that being around the master was really comfortable, secure and safe.
No pressure either.

That is… if this young master wasn’t bent yet.
He would think of this as…
a bestie kind of vibe.

The two of them quietly cultivated like that.
Not long after—

“Captain,”

Gu Bai: “Speak.”
Meng Qiao also opened his eyes.

Someone had come in—it was one of Gu Bai’s newly promoted little brothers, loyal and meticulous, especially good at handling daily chores, and quite trustworthy.
That little brother entered very respectfully: “Captain, someone from the Thunder Mercenary Group is here to request a meeting. They hope to discuss a potential collaboration. Please advise!”

Gu Bai froze for a moment.
Thunder Mercenary Group.

Come to think of it, in every apocalypse novel there’s always a gong with lightning powers, and Meng Qiao’s old gong was no exception. Honestly, no matter how cliché, the Thunder name really sounds damn【beep——】cool! Totally jealous okay!
But what are they doing wanting to collaborate? Was there a collaboration in the original? Actually, yes—but it shouldn’t have been now!

Did the plot change?

Gu Bai thought for three seconds: “Invite them in.”
Who cares! Plot or not, it’s none of my business! I want survival, not storyline!
Getting in touch with the Thunder Mercenary Group meant Meng Qiao could get close to his old gong—matchmaking chance! Must take it!

Meng Qiao jumped up and sat next to Gu Bai.
Felt safer this way, mm.
But he was also curious—he’d only heard of the Thunder Mercenary Group, never seen them. What did they actually look like? The captain, he heard, was very powerful…

Step, step, step.
A group of people strode in with a bold, confident air, following behind several of Gu Bai’s tough underlings.
Uniform black trench coats, uniform tall boots—so shiny it was blinding.

Gu Bai wasn’t impressed.
What was this? Competing with me for who’s more【beep——】cool?
Let me tell you, I’ve trained for this!
No way I’m losing in style here okay!

Busy inwardly complaining, Gu Bai naturally didn’t notice that Meng Qiao’s face had instantly changed.
Meng Qiao: Woc it’s that old pervert ahhhhhhh!

Gu Bai expressionlessly stood up and took a step forward.
He was dressed in white clothes, white pants, white gloves, with shoulder-length hair, the whole person spotless and exuding a cold and noble air as he nodded slightly toward the approaching group: “Long time no see.”
Come! Let me show you all my【beep——】style!

The leading man in black had a cold expression, walked over, and reached out a hand: “Long time no see.”
Gu Bai stared at that hand for a second, didn’t want to reach out… but whatever, he did.

Pa—the two clasped hands.
In that instant, a bolt of lightning burst from the black-clad man’s arm, while an icy chill surged from Gu Bai’s.
Lightning and cold clashed and exploded right where their hands met.

Both Gu Bai and the man in black took a step back.
The man’s cold face showed a trace of surprise: “Captain Zhang has made great progress.”
Gu Bai: “Captain Yin is no less impressive.”

Then both of them took a few more steps back, sat down on opposite sofas with their respective groups.
Gu Bai’s internal OS: Nima what is this, a mafia boss meetup!? What the hell! These chuuni kids still do this? Cringe level over 9000!

Both groups of underlings were fully alert, feeling this was ultra classy, atmosphere super tense, the air thick with conflict.
Neither side yielded!

Yin Jiu leaned back: “Today I’ve come to discuss business with Captain Zhang.”
Gu Bai: “Go ahead.”
Yin Jiu’s gaze swept over and landed on the handsome youth beside Gu Bai: “I want him. Captain Zhang has beauties galore, surely you won’t mind giving this one to me?”

Underlings on both sides: “……”

Gu Bai: “……”
Woc is this business!? Since when was this called business! What kind of plotline is this!
Also, I hate people who are even more cool-handsome-domineering than me okay!

Meng Qiao’s face flushed red in an instant, almost blowing his top: “You old pervert, I’ll fight you!”
As he spoke, he charged forward, baring claws and teeth to go at Yin Jiu.

Yin Jiu reached out, grabbed Meng Qiao’s wrist, and with a forceful pull dragged him into his arms, holding him down: “You’re mine, you won’t get away this time.”
Meng Qiao: “You wish!”

Gu Bai’s inner expression twisted into a giant 囧.
What! The! Hell!
Wasn’t I supposed to be matchmaking? Why did it feel like they already knew each other! So the old pervert from the protagonist shou’s rant was actually his future gong!? In the original it was supposed to be hero saves beauty, slowly falling in love, both turning gay!? This is way too fast okay!
And even setting the plot aside, Yin Jiu’s EQ was way too low!

Meng Qiao struggled helplessly, urgently shouting: “Master save me! Master save me!”
Gu Bai slightly moved, already carrying overwhelming cold air, appearing beside Yin Jiu, and reached out to grip his wrist.
In the blink of an eye, a chunk of extreme ice wrapped around Yin Jiu’s arm.

Gu Bai: “Let go.”
Yin Jiu: “Give him to me.”
Gu Bai: “Look at him.”
Yin Jiu: “Mine.”

Gu Bai: “……”
Damn it, is fighting the only way to communicate!?
This guy’s EQ wasn’t just low—it was negative! Where did this possessiveness even come from! What is this, an apocalypse CEO novel with forced snatching!?

Yin Jiu looked at Meng Qiao: “Zhang Youqing has many people.”
Meng Qiao ignored him and kept trying to pry off his hand.
Yin Jiu continued: “I only want you.”
Meng Qiao: “Who the hell are you? Master is way better than you, okay.”

Yin Jiu let go, then shot a dark look at Gu Bai.
Meng Qiao immediately jumped behind Gu Bai to hide.
Yin Jiu’s expression grew gloomier.

Gu Bai: Not! My! Damn! Problem!

——He never would’ve thought that in the original, Yin Jiu, who fell in love at first sight with Meng Qiao and slowly built a relationship while restraining his possessiveness, would now, thinking Meng Qiao belonged to Zhang Youqing, just come straight up and try to snatch him! With zero EQ!