Chapter 100: The Perfect Evolution: Meeting the Cat Companion

Cats are the ‘perfect form’ of Blue Star’s hunter evolution. Which lord, ruling over thousands of acres, wouldn’t want an Evolved Cat—the natural nemesis of Evolved Rats—as a companion?

You can pet them when times are peaceful.

In battle, they hold their own.

That’s why both Xia Qing and Hu Zifeng put special care into preparing for today’s meeting with the Evolved Cat companion. Each brought a little ‘first meeting’ gift for the cat.

Hu Zifeng brought bamboo rat jerky. “It’s from the bamboo rat we caught a few days ago while clearing Mountain 49 with our squad. I didn’t have the heart to eat it, so I dried it out just for the kitten.”

According to the lease agreement between Xia Qing and the Azure Dragon Unit for Mountain 49, Xia Qing is entitled to know about and get first dibs on any Greenlight food the squad finds there.

That’s why whenever Hu Zifeng caught Greenlight Rats or dug up Greenlight bamboo shoots from the mountain, Luo Pei always informed Xia Qing. But since the haul was small, she didn’t ask to buy any this time.

To be honest, not to brag, but: I’m not short on Greenlight food right now.

Greenlight vegetables? They’re growing on my own land.

Greenlight meat? Just a few days ago, I nabbed a forty-pound Evolved Greenlight Snake from my private training ground.

I added seasonings and roasted the snake meat into delicious jerky. I packed it into small vacuum bags, so whenever I go for training I grab a little bag. Whenever I’m tired or hungry, I snack on jerky. If I get bored of that, I munch on a Greenlight cucumber or tomato. Life’s pretty good.

Cats eat both fish and rats, but Greenlight meat definitely wins over Redlight. But what if the kittens fall for the Greenlight rat and all decide to follow Hu Zifeng? That’d be a problem.

Stealthily, Xia Qing pulled a small bag of Greenlight snake jerky from her protective suit pocket and shoved it in her bag. Only then did she feel reassured. “Brother Feng, do you know what breed Third Brother’s cat is?”

Hu Zifeng shook his head. “No idea. My guess is it’s a domestic shorthair.”

Domestic shorthairs in the Hua Nation have remarkable genes. They’re hardier and have stronger evolutionary potential than those delicate imported breeds.

Xia Qing was full of anticipation. “I love tabby cats. And if it’s wearing little white socks, that’d be absolutely perfect.”

Even before the Great Evolution, tabby cats were smart and tough. After evolving, they’re bound to rule the cat world.

Hu Zifeng nodded. “I hope it’s an Evolved tabby too. Do you want a male or female kitten?”

Xia Qing didn’t have a preference. “Let’s just see which one I click with. I’ll pick whichever kitten suits me.”

Hu Zifeng secretly hoped Xia Qing would leave the male kitten for him, since Third Brother said Xia Qing would get first pick.

They both arrived on time at the Barrier of Territory Seven and met a familiar face: Ji Li, the tall guy in charge of delivering goods between the lords in Territory Seven.

Ji Li welcomed them into the Buffer Forest of Territory Seven.

Territory Seven, just like Territory Three, has Buffer Forests on two sides. The difference is, Territory Three’s are on the west and north, while Territory Seven’s are on the east and north.

Xia Qing followed behind Ji Li, keeping her gaze under control. After entering the forest, she noticed Territory Seven’s Buffer Forest was much tidier than her own.

Clearly, Third Brother must have plenty of people in his territory. Otherwise, with so many crops to tend, who has the extra time to build stone paths and weed in the buffer forest?

Ji Li led the way for about 150 meters before stopping, then lowered his voice and said, “The big cat brought the two little ones out for some sun today. They’re just up ahead—look.”

Barely twenty days old and not even as big as a palm, yet the mother cat has brought her babies out here to bask in the sun?

Following Ji Li’s pointed finger, Xia Qing—the Vision Evolver—swiftly locked onto a cat grooming under the sunlight on the clearing 150 meters ahead.

A genuine tabby!

But where are the kittens?

Xia Qing scanned around and soon found kitten shadows flitting under the grass beside a stone.

One kitten looked just like its mother, a classic little tabby. The other had a white neck and white paws—a tabby with adorable markings.

The moment Xia Qing saw those four tiny white-pawed kittens, she even thought of a name already: Little Fifth!

No, that won’t work. If my idol, Third Brother, finds out, that’s too hard to explain.

Then maybe—Little Sixth?

No, that doesn’t work either, there’s already a Fourth Sister. Fine, it’ll be Little Fifth. From now on, it’s the Fifth in my territory.

Hu Zifeng was just as excited. “Which one did you pick?”

Xia Qing whispered, “The one with white paws. What about you, Brother Feng?”

“…Same here.” He was thinking exactly the same thing.

“When the big cat brings the kittens over, you two stay put. Watch what they do first, then decide.” After giving his instructions, Ji Li switched to an oddly gentle tone for someone so tall and called for the Evolved Cat: “Princess, I’ve brought your visitors.”

The evolved tabby cat named Princess kept lounging on the rock, lazily grooming herself, but Xia Qing noticed her ears twitching. She definitely heard Ji Li’s call—she just didn’t care enough to respond.

Now that’s a cat for you—full of personality!

Ji Li wasn’t the least bit impatient. He called a few more times, and only then did the big evolved tabby get up, stretch, hop off the rock, and lead her two kittens over slowly.

Xia Qing’s heart melted at the sight of Little Fifth, stumbling along next to her mom—black nose, black eye-rings, brown eyes, white whiskers, white gloves, all wobbling as she walked. Too cute to handle.

How could such an adorable kitten make do with plain old Redlight fish? All the Greenlight meat at home is hers now.

And when she’s finished, mom can always head to the woods and grab more for you!

Want mice? Mom will catch mice. Want snake? Mom will catch snake!

Hu Zifeng held up the Greenlight bamboo rat jerky, his eyes shining as he looked at the two little kittens: “Come here, little ones. Daddy’s got treats for you. Come to Daddy…”

Just as Xia Qing was gazing dotingly at Little Fifth, Princess’s pupils suddenly dilated and, moving like lightning, she lunged straight at Xia Qing.

It all happened in a flash. Xia Qing’s hand shot to her machete, swinging it to block Princess’s charge.

“Princess!” Ji Li shouted, but it was useless. Princess’s razor-sharp claws were already slashing at Xia Qing, catching only the blade.

A harsh grating sound split the air as Princess’s claws gouged deep grooves into the heavy machete.

With one attack, Princess leapt back five or six meters, arching her body and puffing her tail to shield her kittens, glaring menacingly at Xia Qing.

Both kittens pressed close to their mom, digging their little white paws into the stone, tiny mouths open to reveal little kernel-sized fangs as they squeaked out fierce hisses together.

Xia Qing thought this was a test from the mother cat and gripped her machete, eyes hard. But Hu Zifeng, who’d dealt with Evolved Cats before, sensed something was off and stepped protectively in front of her.

Even more familiar with Princess, Ji Li guarded the feline trio behind him and turned to Xia Qing. “Miss Xia, have you met Princess before? Had any conflict with her?”

Xia Qing shook her head right away. “No, this is my first time meeting her.”

“But Princess senses a strong threat from you.” Ji Li pressed further, “Miss Xia, have you ever owned a cat? Gotten along well with them in the past?”

“Never had one, but before the Catastrophe I used to feed stray cats all the time. The strays always liked me.” Xia Qing’s heart was all over the place. With the mother cat acting like this, would she even let the kitten follow her?

No…my little Fifth…