The barrier of spiritual power enveloped the crowd. Snowflakes filled the sky. Walking in the wind and snow, the air around the group seemed to be frozen, not affected by the weather at all.

Chi Yao led the way, walking forward with a high and broad mind. Shi Xing followed behind him on the right. If you look closely, you will find that the amplitude and frequency of the two people's movements while walking are surprisingly consistent.

Well, in addition to Xu Jin, Shi Xing's teacher, Chi Yao also taught him some etiquette.

The line was not short, but the accompanying personnel were well-trained. Apart from the rustling sound of stepping on the snow, the only sound in their ears was the whistling wind.

At some point, Shi Xing glanced back, and suddenly recalled the first time he met Chi Yao in the tree nest in his previous life. The other person was also like this, with a group of people following in an orderly manner. At that time, Shi Xing only felt that the two people had a huge difference in status... Now, he didn't expect that he would become a member of this group of people.

While feeling a little bit of emotion about the fate in his heart, Shi Xing felt very stable, as if he had a sense of belonging.

He seemed to have found his place.

"Your Majesty, good day."

As he approached, he heard the neat and uniform greetings from the Seventh Army, and saw everyone bowing.

"Good day." Chi Yao nodded in reply.

The words, combined with his mental power, swept through all the reception personnel.

After a few greetings, Chi Yao looked to his side, and Shi Xing followed him out.

Chi Yao said to the receiving team, "This is Shi Xing. I saw him in the communication last time. The Seventh Army must be very clear about his situation, so I won't say more."

"Shi Xing, this is Marshal Tan Baishan."

"This is Mrs. Tan. She was born on Campbell Star. She came to the Empire through marriage more than a hundred years ago. Everyone is used to calling her Mrs. Campbell."

Marshal Tan nodded to Shi Xing, his face was firm and his posture was straight. Every move he made was full of the heroic spirit of a soldier.

Mrs. Campbell was noble and elegant. She smiled at Shi Xing. Her facial features were beautiful. The growth of age did not leave any traces of time on her face.

"This is their second son, Tan Wen, and also Yun Wu's partner; you know Yun Wu."

Admiral Tan Wen perfectly inherited Mrs. Campbell's delicate features and meticulous demeanor, but he also resembled Marshal Tan.

"Needless to say, Tan Yan, you know her."

"This is Tan Mei, their youngest daughter, about your age. You might have something to talk about in the North."

Tan Mei had a round face, and her facial features were less delicate, but she was particularly friendly when she smiled, and her demeanor and movements were inexplicably likable.

Shi Xing wrote them down one by one, and smiled appropriately to everyone.

Chi Yao paused for a moment, but Shi Xing had already turned his head to look at the next person.

The next one was different from the others in the Tan family. Strictly speaking, he was standing in the welcoming team, and his clothes and appearance were different from those of everyone else on this trip.

He was wearing too much and too thick.

He was a pale-faced young man, and his facial features showed the shadows of Marshal Tan and Mrs. Campbell. He was wrapped in a thick plush cloak. In the dense snow, if he was not standing with the Seventh Army, he would be so pale that he would blend into the crystal.

Shi Xing's heart suddenly shrank.

In a trance, he seemed to see himself before his death.

During the last period of time, because of the drying up of his spiritual sea, he was also...

Blinking again, the scene in front of Shi Xing changed again. Everyone showed different colors due to their different spiritual powers, except for the young man in front of him. The spiritual power surrounding him was gray, so dim that it was almost impossible to distinguish the original color.

Chi Yao's voice rang again, a little heavy, "This is Marshal Tan's eldest son, Lieutenant General Tan Chi, who has made outstanding contributions to the empire."

The introduction brought Shi Xing back to his senses, and he quickly closed his eyes and shook his head.

Tan Chi smiled and nodded at Shi Xing. When he looked up, he saw this scene and his expression froze. Chi Yao also noticed Shi Xing's little movement, "What's wrong?"

Shi Xing apologized, "I'm sorry, I don't have a good control of my ability yet."

It is common for mature Blue Star people to have their mental power leaked or suddenly dissipated. Tan's family had experienced Yun Wu's mature period. When Shi Xing said this, everyone expressed their understanding.

Only Chi Yao lowered his eyes.

Shi Xing: "Hello, Lieutenant General Tan Chi."

Tan Chi: "Hello, Your Highness."

Chi Yao introduced several vice marshals and generals of the Seventh Army to Shi Xing, and then stopped, "The landing point was not chosen well this time, and everyone has been waiting in the ice and snow for a long time. Let's leave it like this for now, and Shi Xing will get to know the other officers later."

Even though the spiritual power has wrapped everyone airtight, the cold environment cannot be changed.

There is thick snow under the feet, and after staying for a long time, the cold air rises from the soles of the feet.

The clothes in the northern border are designed with cold-proof and thermal insulation layers, but Shi Xing's clothes, coming from the direction of the imperial capital, do not have them.

Everyone knows that the bodies of Blue Star people are not strong enough before they reach maturity. Chi Yao mentioned this, and Marshal Tan took the lead and quickly welcomed everyone to the airship that had been prepared long ago, and flew to the residence arranged for Chi Yao and Shi Xing in the North.

After boarding the airship, Chi Yao asked Shi Xing, "When you saw Tan Chi just now, what ability was out of control? Talent?"

It must be said that Chi Yao is sharp.

Shi Xing nodded and told Chi Yao what he saw truthfully. At the end of the words, he hesitated a little.

Chi Yao: "Just tell me what you have to say." Shi Xing

hesitated, "I feel... Lieutenant General Tan's spiritual sea may be drying up."

Everyone on the airship couldn't help but choke.

Xu Jin: "Are you sure?"

Shi Xing shook his head, "It's just a feeling. If you want to be sure, you need to use your talent to see it in person."

In other words, he needs to use his mental power to see more deeply and see the condition of Tan Chi's spiritual sea.

Xu Jin was stunned. After being in disbelief, he couldn't hide his melancholy on his face, "Tan Chi is not much younger than Your Highness, and I watched him grow up... It's really a pity."

There are many differences between the Imperials and the Blue Stars, but also many similarities.

The process of the Blue Stars' spiritual sea drying up in mature stage is irreversible. Once it starts, the end is death.

The Imperials are different. The process of the Imperials' spiritual sea drying up can be prevented by medical means. After the spiritual sea is completely dried up, they will only lose their abilities and weaken their physical strength. Even if their lifespan is also reduced, they will not die.

But... even if the drying up of the Imperial Spirit Sea is reversible, it must be prevented during the process. If it is delayed until it is completely dried up, no matter how skilled the doctors are, they will be powerless to save the situation.

By that time, the Empire will be what is commonly known as "abandoned.

" Fu Qing thought of something and frowned, "But the Tan family never mentioned this!"

The drying up of the Spirit Sea is not a trivial matter. Considering how much the Tan family cares about Tan Chi, it shouldn't be.

"Maybe it's not that they didn't mention it." Chi Yao said in a deep voice, "I just don't know."

"I remember that the reason why Tan Chi's disease is difficult to treat is because the injury is in the core area of ​​the spiritual sea."

"Yun Wu is only S-level, and his spiritual power can't penetrate into the inner part of Tan Chi's spiritual sea."

In other words, if it is really drying up slowly, then only Tan Chi knows it, and it has been kept secret from everyone in the Tan family.

Thinking of this, Fu Qing felt uncomfortable, "Oh, Lieutenant General Tan has done this... How will the family accept it when the time comes?"

After it is completely dried up, there will be no fluctuations in spiritual power. It can be hidden now, but after it dries up, Tan Chi will know it sooner or later.

Chi Yao also felt a little reluctant. Shi Xing wanted to say something, but thinking of what happened before, he swallowed his words again.

But fortunately, Chi Yao took the initiative to ask, "Do you think it will be difficult for you to use your talent to observe his spiritual sea?"

Shi Xing shook his head, "No."

To be honest, "I can observe the spiritual sea of ​​Major General Xiang Fei with my talent, no matter what stage of 3s Lieutenant General Tan's original spiritual power level is, his spiritual power is so weak now that I can trigger his talent unconsciously. If I use it actively, it will be even less difficult."

Chi Yao nodded.

Raising his eyelashes, he looked at Shi Xing seriously again, "Do you remember what you promised me before?"

Shi Xing hurriedly said, "Remember, all actions will be arranged by Your Highness, and you can't make decisions on your own."

Shi Xing promised, "I won't, Your Highness, I will do whatever you ask me to do."

Regardless of whether it can be done or not, at least his attitude is very correct at present. Chi Yao nodded again, which is considered satisfactory.

The accommodation was arranged next to the Marshal's Mansion, a small three-story villa. Chi Yao and his party were familiar with it. Every time they came to the Northern Territory, the main personnel would stay here.

Tan Baishan led Chi Yao to the door, and then let Yun Wu continue to lead everyone inside.

First, it was not good for a group of people to follow Chi Yao into his residence. Second, Chi Yao had asked Yun Wu before, thinking that he had something to ask her, so Tan Baishan went with the flow and simply let Yun Wu greet them for the last part of the journey. A

few soldiers on duty lived on the first floor, the second floor lived with military officers, and Chi Yao and his entourage lived on the third floor.

When only Chi Yao and the four closest people were left, Yun Wu led everyone to the third floor. As soon as they got out of the floating ladder, they saw two large boxes. Fu Qing's eyelids jumped. He looked at these boxes very familiarly.

Yun Wu smiled and said, "Your Highness came to the Northern Territory. When mother saw Shi Xing, she felt that they had a good impression of each other. It happened that she didn't have anything to give to Your Highness, so she transported two more boxes of crystal stones from Campbell. They are all gifts for us in the Northern Territory to entertain Shi Xing during this period."

Fu Qing knew it!

At that time, the red ore was packed in this kind of box.

Chi Yao didn't pretend to be polite. Hearing this, he asked someone to open the box on the spot. One box of red ore and one box of Campbell's famous high-grade ore called phosphate ore.

Chi Yao took one and said to Shi Xing, "Stretch out your hand."

He put a piece of phosphate ore into Shi Xing's palm. Although it was not as fast as the red ore, the phosphate ore was still absorbed unconsciously by Shi Xing. During the absorption process, the inside of the phosphate ore emitted beautiful crystal colors, like a fireworks display.

"Is Campbell's phosphate ore beautiful?"

Shi Xing's eyes widened with curiosity. "Beautiful."

Chi Yao smiled and took two more pieces and put them in Shi Xing's hand for him to absorb for fun. He was not polite and said to Yun Wu, "Then please tell Mrs. Campbell that the crystal is very good. I am very satisfied and thank the North Territory for the hospitality."

After that, he instructed the attendant Yan Changyue to move the box to Shi Xing's room later.

While Xu Jin and Yan Changyue were cleaning up the room, Chi Yao asked Yun Wu to use his mental power to probe Shi Xing's spiritual sea. The result was indeed different from that of the imperial people. Yun Wu's mental power easily entered, and the perception result was similar to Chi Yao's, which was blocked inside the outer layer.

The mental power also disappeared in an instant.

Chi Yao got the result, Yun Wu completed his mission, and said goodbye and left.

In the evening, there was a sumptuous dinner for Chi Yao and his party at the Tan family, and Tan Baishan was arranging it.

Chi Yao was ready to wait for the attendants to pack up, change clothes and go to the banquet.

After Yun Wu left, Shi Xing looked at the two large boxes of crystals and said a little embarrassedly, "The gift from the Tan family is too expensive."

Since Ancheng, Shi Xing has received a lot of beast core crystals from the other party, and he gave them to the Northern Territory again... The Tan family dared to give them, and Chi Yao dared to accept them, but Shi Xing was a little embarrassed to accept them.

Chi Yao looked at Shi Xing's inexperienced look with a smile, and took out another flash phosphorus ore and put it in his palm, "Now you know why I didn't plan to come to the Northern Territory at first, right?"

"The Tan family has a very good sense of propriety in dealing with people." So good

that even if people have made up their minds, it would be difficult to refuse them in person.

They always seem to have a way to make it difficult for people to refuse, which is also a kind of skill.

Hearing Chi Yao's embarrassment, Shi Xing hesitated, "Well, how about we send it back?"

This made Chi Yao laugh, "Why send it back? You even thought of the blank check before you came here. I don't think I would dare to take it?"

He spoke in an extremely shameless manner, which was rarely seen in his usual manner.

Shi Xing whispered, "Your Highness, you don't have to do this for me." You

don't have to sacrifice your reputation for him, which is something extremely precious to Chi Yao.

Originally, he wanted to tease Shi Xing, but seeing that the child was very serious, the idea of ​​teasing faded in an instant.

Chi Yao finally said, "Don't worry, the Tan family is much smarter than you think, and they can't afford to lose."

Later, Shi Xing understood the meaning of Chi Yao's words.

The dinner was rich and the conversation was enthusiastic. Shi Xing ate until his cheeks were full and he was very satisfied.

He liked the food, and Chi Yao would occasionally help him pick up a few chopsticks, not deliberately, and even without looking at him. While talking to the Tan family and the officers of the Seventh Army, the chopsticks in his hand turned and the food fell into Shi Xing's bowl.

The atmosphere at the table was also good and the conversation was harmonious.

As usual, Chi Yao always asks a few questions about Tan Chi's recent situation, and this time is no exception.

Tan Baishan and Mrs. Campbell thanked Chi Yao for his concern and replied a few words. Tan Chi also replied a few words. It sounds no different from the usual replies. It's still the same.

The body is the same as before, Yunwu is trying, and everything else is fine except the spiritual sea.

It's almost the same every time he comes here. Chi Yao didn't ask Tan Chi specifically before coming, and his attitude is still very clear. When Tan Baishan and Mrs. Campbell thought it was time to change the subject, Chi Yao said a few more words.

Chi Yao said, "Shi Xing's current rating is SSS."

"He has treated a major general with a mental power level of 3S in the guard team, and the process was not difficult."

"Since Yun Wu has not been able to solve Tan Chi's problem, let Shi Xing use his talent to see the situation in two days."

Chi Yao did not promise what to do after the examination, whether to treat or not.

But he could take the initiative to ask this question, and let Shi Xing treat Tan Chi's condition without any conditions. It was impossible for Tan Baishan and Mrs. Campbell not to be excited.

The two of them were so overjoyed that they did not react at first.

Chi Yao said a few more words, and the Tan family gradually came back to their senses and realized what Chi Yao had agreed to.

Afterwards, Shi Xing saw expressions of gratitude and appreciation on the faces of the Tan family...

Chi Yao politely responded to the Tan family's words of thanks one by one.

Before going to bed at night, Chi Yao told Shi Xing the history of the Empire for half an hour. The reaction of the Tan family was rooted in Shi Xing's mind. From time to time, he would always think back to it, thinking of Marshal Tan Baishan's excitement, Mrs. Campbell's tears, Tan Wen's overflowing excitement, Yun Wu...

Thinking about it, Shi Xing also asked, "Your Highness, did you agree to let me treat Lieutenant General Tan today? Is it for the convenience of the subsequent purchase of the Red Mine Star?"

Chi Yao called He explained the projection without raising his head, "Why do you say that?"

Shi Xing thought for a moment, "I thought you had to agree on all the conditions before you would let me see Lieutenant General Tan Chi."

Chi Yao laughed, "Am I this kind of person in your mind?"

Shi Xing waved his hands quickly, and this time he learned to refute, "You know I don't mean that, Your Highness, don't deliberately misinterpret it!"

The use of the word "deliberately" can be said to have, to a certain extent, understood some of Chi Yao's character.

The smoky gray eyes glanced at Shi Xing with a smile, and did not deny it.

Chi Yao: "You said today that you can treat Tan Chi with your talent."

Shi Xing didn't understand and tilted his head, "So, are you willing to let me see him?"

"No, this is only a small part of the reason."

After a pause, Chi Yao said seriously, "Another big part is that Tan Chi has become what he is now for the empire."

"I can't let the soldiers who sacrificed for the empire feel disappointed."

"Tan Chi is worth it."

Therefore, on this basis, regardless of the purchase of red ore, as the emperor of the empire, Chi Yao has already made the decision to let Shi Xing see Tan Chi's condition.