The Empire’s Beloved Little Phoenix Chick

Ji You is the only phoenix in the entire empire, living alone on a desolate planet. The tiny chick has only just hatched. Innocent and sweet, with golden feathers and glassy eyes, he is the most precious beauty in the world. Little Phoenix loves collecting things, and brings home a badly injured mute human. Having grown up alone, little Ji You really wants a pet. He politely rubs against the human’s palm. “Excuse me, may I keep you as a pet? QwQ” But in the end, he’s the one who gets “kept.” QAQ The berries he brings the human end up in his own belly; The ribbons he plans to use as bandages are tied into a bow on his own head; The branches he picks from the sacred parasol tree are all made into a new nest for himself. The recovered human scratches the little chick under the chin. “Do you want to give me a home?” And so, the little phoenix follows the human home, still utterly bewildered. Wait, isn’t this backward...? - Divine birds need the faith of others to sustain their spiritual power. After entering the homeworld, the phoenix’s power dwindles until it is nearly gone. On the verge of death, Ji You cries out to his caretaker for help and accidentally appears on a live broadcast being watched across the entire star network. The little chick sleeps in his own hammock, clutching his bottle, curled into a tiny golden ball of fluff as he sobs. The livestream instantly fills up [Wait, isn’t this the Crown Prince’s home?] [That cold Crown Prince actually keeps a bird?] [What an adorable little darling, let Auntie give you a kiss! Q3Q] [Oh my gosh, the baby has a cowlick!] Affection +1 Faith +1 Spiritual power +1 Tips +10086 As spiritual energy fills him once more, the phoenix tilts his little head and watches the lines of comments flying across the screen. Curiously, he pecks at it. “Chirp?” With his strength restored, Ji You uses the tips to buy a gift for the human he keeps, then flies onto his head, chirping proudly: This is the very, very best thing! Looking at the sunflower seeds nearly filling the room, the Crown Prince laughs helplessly, cradles the little bird in his palm, and bends down to kiss the fluffy ball tenderly. - In the interstellar age, humans have evolved psychic powers and need to bond with spirit pets to soothe them. Crown Prince Xie Kaichen possesses peerless S-rank psychic power, but it is prone to violent surges. No spirit pet dares approach him to heal him, and he can’t use his power effectively, so he is stripped of his right to inherit the throne. Xie Kaichen is ambushed and disappears, only to return unharmed, with a tiny golden chick peeking out of his collar. The crowd mocks him: He picked up such a weak little sparrow? Pretty to look at but useless, just like the Crown Prince. One day, the Crown Prince loses control and goes on a rampage, taking on the entire Imperial Army by himself. No one can stop him, and despair grips the crowd. Then Ji You arrives, summoned by the news. He lowers his iridescent tail feathers and sings a cry that resounds for thousands of miles, cleansing the corruption and healing wounds. Xie Kaichen’s eyes gradually clear. He draws Ji You into his arms. The crowd: Holy crap, a phoenix?! That divine creature from the nine heavens, the one that exists only in legend?! - Everyone healed by Ji You not only recovers from their injuries, but also gains higher psychic power. The tables turn, and all things bow in reverence. The powerful even fight over the phoenix: A renowned director makes a film especially for Ji You; A revered Imperial Preceptor becomes obsessed with making bird nests for him; A powerful marshal gives Ji You his medals as toys; The empire’s top mecha engineer names a starship after him. The little chick hides in his caretaker’s arms, bewildered. “Mr. Human, are they going to eat me? O.O” Xie Kaichen gently strokes his downy feathers, an extreme possessiveness lurking deep in his cold eyes. “No one dares covet my phoenix.” =[Bonus Scene]= Everyone knows that the iron-fisted Emperor Xie Kaichen is cold and unfeeling, and that his only tenderness is reserved for his little bird. He even carries it on his shoulder during his coronation. The little chick is so sleepy that he tumbles off. In midair, he transforms into a beautiful young man. Audience: ??? The emperor’s lips curl into a tender smile. “Is there anything you’d like to say to your people?” The young man looks at the camera, then turns and rises onto his tiptoes. Just as he usually pecks at him with little chirps, he softly kisses his cheek. “Mr. Human, I love you most of all.” Audience: ?!?!?!?! Reader’s Guide: * A cool-headed, iron-blooded human Crown Prince who dotes on his spouse seme × an adorable, straightforward, incredibly powerful little phoenix uke. Xie Kaichen × Ji You. * Ji You, pronounced together as “ji-you,” sounds like “chirp.” Theme: Peace is hard-won and must be protected by us all.