By the time Xie Xingyan finally regrouped with her mentors, two hours had already passed.
Her classmates, upon realizing she had been the first to notice something was wrong and report it, all blushed red with shame—after all, they had often shown her cold faces in the past.
Most of the students, however, were fair and reasonable. Once they learned what Xie Xingyan had done, they immediately added her on their light-brain accounts. Not only did they thank her in person, they also sent her messages of gratitude through their light-brains.
Only a small handful complained that she hadn't immediately notified them directly, saying she was selfish and self-serving.
Xie Xingyan: back then, she didn't even have all her classmates' light-brain accounts. The few she had were only just added.
In light of this examination crisis, the school decided to let them return early. This year, all pharmacology students' assessment scores would be marked as full marks and passed.
The school also did not overlook Xie Xingyan's contribution during the emergency. She was directly awarded twenty thousand starcoins.
When Teacher Tonis told her the news, Xie Xingyan declared: money rewards were her favorite—what's the point of youth if not to be a little worldly?
Meanwhile, on the Interstellar Garbage Star, Direna had fled there with her remaining forces. She immediately contacted the spy she had planted in the Imperial Capital Star, determined to uncover the cause of this fiasco.
At their original retreat speed, it should have been impossible for them to run into the Qingmu Corps. If not for that, she wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses or been forced to delay her invasion plans.
"You say it was a human cub named Xie Xingyan who gave the warning? Fine. Stay hidden well, and don't forget—your family is still in my hands."
After cutting the call, Direna was consumed with rage. She let out a furious, screeching roar:
"Xie—Xing—yan! Just you wait! I will remember this debt, and one day I will settle it with you!"
The lower-level bugs beside her trembled under the crushing pressure of her rank. They curled in on themselves, terrified that their queen might vent her wrath upon them.
And so Xie Xingyan had unwittingly made herself an enemy. Though she hadn't killed a single insect, just by sending out a warning, she had attracted a deadly rival.
At that moment, Xie Xingyan was drenched in sweat inside the Xie family's training chamber. The recent crisis had made her recognize her weakness and helplessness. She had survived by sheer luck—was she to rely on others again next time?
No. Xie Xingyan would never submit. Since she had recognized her own shortcomings, only double the training could make up for it.
She extended her physical training by twice the usual duration. When she finally emerged, soaked through, she found Butler 0028 waiting outside.
"Little Mistress, your father requests your presence."
So—such was the way of the powerful. For a daughter to meet her own father, she had to go to him.
Considering her current strength was still insufficient to oppose the royal family, Xie Xingyan bathed, changed into a temperature-regulated suit, and went. For now, with no power, it was better to bend than to break.
As soon as she arrived, a robotic steward greeted her:
"Princess, His Majesty awaits you in the First Council Hall."
So—it was to be discussed in the council chamber. This meeting must be important.
The moment she stepped through the door, the sensor gates opened automatically. Xie Xingyan saw her father sitting stiff and solemn.
Forcing a false smile, he greeted her warmly:
"Xingyan, you've come. Hurry, sit down."
His acting was painfully unconvincing. Clearly he had only thought of this performance on the spot, since in the past he had shown her nothing but a blank face.
"Father, what matter do you wish to discuss with me?"
Xie Xingyan had no patience for circling around. She just wanted the conversation over quickly so she could return to training her spiritual power.
"Xingyan, as a princess of the Xie royal house, I actually value you very much in my heart. It's just that, with so many political enemies, I had no choice but to make your mother keep her distance from you. In truth, it was all to protect you…"
Listen to that—turning neglect into "protection." Truly, without a thick skin, no one could speak like him.
Seeing her still listening obediently, her father assumed that a ten-year-old child must be moved by his tender words.
Now that the groundwork was laid, it was time to move to the real subject.
"It's like this. The Li family's second son—you know of him, yes? His aptitude is quite decent. Our two families are preparing a marriage alliance, and after much thought, I believe you are the most suitable candidate."
So—it was the same marriage partner as in her previous life. And not a good one. His spiritual power had apparently been tampered with recently, and as he aged, his mental strength would only weaken further until he became useless.
And worse, this person was not only a waste but also cruel—especially after his fall from genius to failure, his mind had grown increasingly twisted.
What's more, the marriage proposal had come earlier than in her previous life. Back then, it had been raised only fifteen years later.