Dragon Girl said, "No, I rarely leave the sterile chamber. This time was absolutely necessary. My brother simply has no one capable under him, and if I don't help, no one will."

I deliberately shifted my weight, causing Dragon Girl's breasts to press hard against my back. It was her fault for bringing up her brother again; it was all Elena's fault for telling me about the Fuxi siblings, making me think about that topic constantly.

I said to Dragon Girl, "I really look forward to meeting your brother. Is he a very handsome young king?"

Dragon Girl replied, "Yes. Once we reach Mount Yan, we'll persuade Captain Haas to deploy his Saucer to help my brother quell the rebellion. Then we'll take their ship back to Dragon Mountain together, and you can meet him then."

Since I was in a bad mood, I stopped talking. Dragon Girl seemed tired, and soon rested her head on my shoulder, remaining silent. Elena walked beside us and said in English, "Seeing you two so devoted to each other, you'll have to compensate me later."

I replied in English, "How will I compensate you? Besides, I haven't gained any real advantage here."

Elena insisted, "I don't care. You felt her backside, and you enjoyed her chest—that counts as an advantage, doesn't it? You owe me at least ten very stimulating stories."

What kind of compensation was that? I conceded, "Fine, ten stories it is."

The rain showed no sign of stopping. After half a day of walking, the grassland gradually became less continuous. Little Ke and the others had long since mounted their Centaur-horses. Eventually, even Elena had to get on a horse. The rain was too heavy, and the distance too long; traveling only on foot wouldn't sustain us for long. Although I was intensely jealous of that Centaur-horse, I reminded myself that horses are meant to be ridden, whether by a man or a woman. I couldn't be angry just because Elena was riding a stallion.

It felt like I had regressed six thousand years, becoming a jealous fool. Was this the result of the excessive dependence the women at home placed on me, and the fact they never associated with other men, which had spoiled me?

As dusk approached, a Centaur-horse scout returned from ahead. It spoke a few words to Little Ke and the others, which I couldn't understand. Dragon Girl translated from my back, "There's a primitive village ahead. The Centaurs suggest we enter the village to rest. Traveling in this rainy night is too dangerous; we'll see what happens when the rain stops tomorrow."

Shortly after moving forward, we indeed saw a collection of thatched huts. This area wasn't far from the Centaurs' grazing lands, and they maintained some level of communication with the primitives. After knocking and exchanging words, we entered one of the huts. Although it was a thatched structure, it was far better than the pouring rain outside.

These primitives weren't advanced in any significant way; they were even less developed than those I first encountered below Mount **. This was evident in their tools and clothing—in fact, they had almost no clothing at all. After seeing over a dozen of them, all completely **.

I couldn't help but ask Dragon Girl, "What is your relationship with these primitives?"

Dragon Girl explained, "They are the indigenous natives, a species that evolved naturally on Earth. Their evolution is painfully slow. In over two million years, they have only managed to master upright walking, the use of fire, and shaping stone tools. Their cranial capacity evolved only from just over 600 milliliters to just over 1400 milliliters. Initially, we integrated our genes with these primitives, but the results were disappointing. Their intellect remained dull and undeveloped, a stark contrast compared to successful gene fusions with other species."

I inwardly mused, "These prehistoric hyper-civilization humans are too impatient. These primitives are actually the future overlords of Earth. Their desire for rapid development could only result in the creation of monsters that are neither fully beast nor fully human."

Thinking this, I comforted Dragon Girl, "Perhaps you shouldn't be so rushed about this. I believe humans are the true masters of this world. Though their development is slow, they are best adapted to the current survival environment of Earth. The Man-Beasts, despite their rapid divine evolution, defy natural species principles and are destined for extinction."

Dragon Girl sighed, "Dragon Envoy, you can't blame us for being anxious. We truly cannot wait any longer. The original population on the ten Saucers was over ten million. Do you know how many people remain after five hundred years, even with our strong encouragement of procreation? Less than one hundred thousand! A total loss of ninety percent! Furthermore, due to generational genetic alteration, our lifespans are shrinking with each generation. Originally, ordinary people could live over two hundred years, but now anyone exceeding one hundred is a rarity! Even those who die at fifty or sixty account for over eighty percent of the fatalities!"

I let out a sigh, "So that's the situation. The circumstances are indeed grim. No wonder you are conducting all these experiments simultaneously, even releasing large numbers of Man-Beasts into the natural world for adaptation trials. If I were the king facing extinction or violating ethics, I would choose the latter." Then I asked, "But was the initial population truly ten million? Can ten Saucers carry ten million people?"

Dragon Girl answered, "The Dragon Envoy has not truly seen our Saucers. You will believe it once you do. Each Saucer was designed to carry two million people. Due to the fifteen-hundred-year interstellar journey, half of that population perished en route."

A thought suddenly popped into my head: could such massive Saucers be related to the Moon? As I pondered the Centaurs and the primitives, they had already prepared food, so I shelved that idea for the moment.

During the meal, several primitives constantly chattered in their guttural language with the Centaurs, speaking words we couldn't grasp. Their ** bodies were quite off-putting to both Elena and me. It seemed we would need a long time to adjust to primitive society.

After eating, Elena asked for my opinion, "Tonight, do you plan to sleep with her, or with me? Given how open they are here, she won't mind sharing a sleeping space with you."

I replied, "We'll each sleep separately."

Elena, however, ignored the suggestion. She grabbed one of her relatively dry pieces of clothing and crawled into my bedding—though it wasn't really bedding, just a few animal hides.

Dragon Girl and Little Ke slept facing us, while the other few women went to the outer room. Everyone was exhausted after a day of travel and fighting wolves; they went to bed right after eating.

Dragon Girl propped her beautiful face in her hands and looked at me, "Dragon Envoy, could you tell us about yourself? Where are you from? Where are you going? Are the customs and habits where you come from very different from here? I've noticed you've expressed different opinions on many of our local matters today."

I mirrored Dragon Girl's pose, facing her directly, while Elena wrapped her arms around my waist, leaning in to listen carefully. I said, "I come from where I came from, and I'm going where I'm going."

Dragon Girl furrowed her delicate brow, "The Dragon Envoy's words are so profound. Dragon Girl doesn't understand."

Elena chuckled secretly in the covers. I adopted a serious expression and continued, "I'm not joking. The place I come from is very far from yours..."

Dragon Girl interrupted me, "It's definitely not Earth, is it? But why haven't we seen your Saucer? Did you have to land on Earth temporarily because your ship malfunctioned? When do you plan to leave?"

I didn't want to deceive Dragon Girl; she gave me too good an impression. "Dragon Girl, to be honest, the place I come from is quite hard to fathom, but it is absolutely Earth. We don't have a Saucer; we arrived here completely naked. Once we finish our business, we will return. As for your customs, many are indeed hard for me to accept. Take matters between men and women, for example. Where I come from, we practice monogamy—one man to one woman, with a fixed shared dwelling, not the casual unions and separations you have here where each goes their own way. In my hometown, if a man and woman are fond of each other, they marry. After marriage, the woman moves to the man's family, must be completely devoted to her husband, and the husband must protect and provide for her, never abandoning her for life."

Dragon Girl suddenly laughed and looked at Elena, "Is this woman the Dragon Envoy's wife? She is beautiful, but her skin color is very different from ours; she doesn't seem to be an Earth race."

Elena, having long been unable to tolerate my lecture, squirmed out of the covers and said to Dragon Girl, "Dragon Girl, don't listen to his nonsense. Let me tell you, I am his twelfth girlfriend. He has eleven preceding wives, plus N number of informal girlfriends. If you believe him, rats could fly."

I hastily defended myself, "I am a special case; you can't generalize from me. If you doubt me, check back in our hometown. How many men can be like me? Even in tribes where a man can have four wives, can that man truly give four women happiness simultaneously? I can. That's why I am special, understand?"

Elena pouted and burrowed into my embrace. Dragon Girl looked between us and said, "I believe the Dragon Envoy. Please, Dragon Envoy, continue."

I went on, "When arranging marriage, many things must be considered, such as genetic heredity. Men and women who share an ancestor within three generations cannot marry and have children, because consanguineous offspring often have congenital disabilities. Even if one generation seems unaffected, their descendants might manifest disabilities. Therefore, marriage within three generations of the same lineage is forbidden. Can you understand this point, Dragon Girl?"

Dragon Girl nodded, "That makes sense. It seems the 'Water' Star people from two thousand years ago had a similar taboo. But during the lonely and arduous interstellar voyage, most of these customs and manners were discarded. After reaching Earth, the population plummeted, and no one paid attention to these matters anymore. However, in the long run, the Dragon Envoy's words are worth deep consideration."

Elena interjected, "What is there to consider deeply? You can perform complex genetic hybridization and even clone humans. Don't you even know this basic piece of genetic knowledge? This world has defeated me."

Dragon Girl admitted, "Please forgive our ignorance. We are actually living off old capital. Much of our technology relies on ancient data brought back by the ten Saucers, including Man-Beast gene hybridization and cloning techniques. After five hundred years of plague and chaos, very few people in our nation can grasp the fundamentals of genetic technology. All current experiments are merely replications of ancient civilization data. If we asked our own scientists to conduct genuine genetic research, I suspect we would face extinction before they could fully understand it."

Elena said, "Consider that I said nothing. Dragon Envoy, please continue your lesson."

I cleared my throat and continued, "Another crucial aspect of male-female union is that it must be a formal, recognized marriage; it cannot be casual. For example, if I see a beautiful girl walking outside, I can't just walk up and say, 'Miss, I want to marry you and **.' That is incorrect. The first thing I must do is find out her name, her workplace, and ideally, her personality and various preferences. Then, I must find an opportunity to approach her, get to know her. Once both parties genuinely know each other, I can ask her out to a movie, a walk, dinner, or tea. Only after a deep understanding is formed and an emotional foundation established will I propose marriage. If she likes me too, she will accept. Then we can find a highly respected person to officiate, enter the wedding hall, consummate the union, and have children."

Dragon Girl exclaimed, "So tiring!"

Elena cried out, "Zhao Qian, you're lying! You never took me to a movie or for a walk, yet I've slept with you! And you still haven't said you want to marry me, only that you want me to be your girlfriend."

I comforted Elena, "There are no movie theaters or paved roads here. We have several Centaur-horses, though. Can we discuss these things when we get back home?"

Dragon Girl observed, "If our society were like the Dragon Envoy describes, I think in ten years, our nation wouldn't even have ten thousand people. Many people would probably die before completing the process the Dragon Envoy described. This suggestion... this one is much harder to implement than the previous one."

I responded, "It doesn't matter if the second point can't be implemented right now. The key is that the taboo against marriage within the same lineage must be enforced, otherwise, what good is it to have a hundred thousand fools and simpletons ten years from now? As for the second point, it can be realized once you adapt to Earth's survival environment and your quality of life improves."

Dragon Girl nodded solemnly, "Understood. What else?"

"Another thing is, to show the man's sincerity, a betrothal gift must be presented during the proposal. If the man later disrespects the marriage and his wife, this betrothal gift cannot be reclaimed."

Elena reached out from my embrace, "The betrothal gift? Where is yours? Comrade Zhao Qian, don't just talk the talk!"

I felt around my person; I only had a ragged set of clothes. I whispered in English, "My dear wife, can you settle down for a moment? This marriage system was established by our ancestor, Nüwa. I can't be absolutely certain if this Dragon Girl is the original form of the mythological Nüwa, but look how promiscuous their male-female relations are now. If I transmit this marriage system to her, perhaps she can change this degenerate era. Otherwise, when we return, if we find the world in chaos—man and beast indistinguishable, kinship meaningless, men just dropping their trousers and jumping into bed upon seeing a woman—how will we even live?"

"Hehe, isn't this the world you men desire? Fine, I won't say any more; continue your missionary work."

I told Dragon Girl, "This child is young and just likes to cause trouble. Let's focus on our discussion."

Dragon Girl replied, "Elena is a very good girl, very suited to the Dragon Envoy. What the Dragon Envoy emphasized most in his words was the foundation of mutual affection between men and women; I strongly agree with that point. Actually, I have many thoughts on the current chaotic state, but I feel powerless to solve it."

I carefully asked Dragon Girl, "Dragon Girl, I want to ask you something that perhaps I shouldn't."

Dragon Girl responded, "Why does the Dragon Envoy speak like that? There is nothing inappropriate to ask. Ask away; I will hide nothing that I know."

I covered Elena's mouth, fearing she would interrupt our conversation again. "Is there such a thing as a ** in your world?"

"**?" Dragon Girl seemed to be recalling the meaning of the word in their language. Soon, she laughed, "Five hundred years ago, our language didn't have that word because the girls from 'Water' Star were born without that membrane. But after returning to Earth and assimilating for five hundred years, we have actually grown this strange thing inside our bodies, just like the Earth primitives. However, it disappears once we have ** with a man. Does it have any significant meaning?"

"How do you put it? Does Dragon Girl mind telling me if this membrane is still present inside you? Of course, if you feel it's inconvenient, you don't have to say."

Elena in my arms was incredibly agitated. She knew my motives were impure, but being held tightly and having her mouth covered, she could only fret.

"How could it be inconvenient? What is there to hide? In answer to the Dragon Envoy's question, although I am very strong, my constitution is frail. That's why my brother never allowed me to leave the sterile chamber since childhood, nor even a single step outside the palace. Thus, I have never had contact with any other male, nor have I ever had **. The thing the Dragon Envoy speaks of should still be there. Does the Dragon Envoy need it?"

At this moment, I felt immense gratitude towards that fellow Long Xi. It was a miracle that he managed to keep his sister intact in such a chaotic era. Helping him was the least I could do just for that reason alone. However, starting from this second, I had to keep a close watch on Dragon Girl. Though I couldn't harm her, I also couldn't allow any other male or any male species to possess her! She was too beautiful, and her beauty carried echoes of my many wives. I absolutely had to find a way to resolve the gene conflict; then, hehe, perhaps I could take her home.

In my delight, I unconsciously let go of Elena. Elena, however, wasn't anxious anymore. Instead, she started chatting cheerfully with Dragon Girl, ignoring me completely. I had originally planned to discuss deeper issues with Dragon Girl, but Elena's disruption forced me to sleep.

In the middle of the night, I was awakened by Elena shaking me. I mumbled groggily, "Miss Nana, what do you want in the middle of the night?"

Elena said, "Zhao Qian, I can't sleep. Talk to me."

"But I'm terribly sleepy."

Elena ignored me and continued on her own, "I really don't understand why prehistoric civilization is so backward. If I had known, we wouldn't have had to take such a huge risk coming back."

I replied, "What is hyper-civilization? It means being beyond the current civilization. You compare Dragon Girl's level of civilization to the primitives. They can fly in the sky in Saucers—gods in the eyes of the primitives. Doesn't that count as hyper-civilization compared to primitives still using stone tools?"

Elena conceded, "That's true. I understood hyper-civilization as being established by some advanced extraterrestrial species who then quietly left Earth. I never expected it to turn out to be Earthlings after all. Is there truly no extraterrestrial intelligent life?"

"Is researching alien life your next project?"

"That's a good suggestion; I'll consider it. Were you very pleased with yourself tonight?"

I was confused, "What makes you say that? I didn't feel it myself."

"Six thousand years ago, a **—a rare specimen in this chaotic era—and so beautiful it makes me ashamed. Don't you think you were pleased? You were so eager to ask a young girl about such things. I have no doubt about what that prophetic master said; you truly are shameless and lewd."

Sweat broke out. Holding Elena, I dared not reply. I had indeed been too hasty. For some reason, I couldn't stop myself from asking that question so bluntly. But I didn't regret it.

Elena was right; a six-thousand-year-old ** was indeed rare, much like Little Ke and those four Tick Women. They did as they pleased; they could find anyone they desired. Although Little Ke held back in front of us, she likely hadn't been completely innocent before this, right?

Should I interfere in others' romantic affairs? If I let things develop as they are, will it affect the future world? If I intervene, will that also affect the future world? I don't know if what I said to Dragon Girl today will have any effect. If she actually establishes the ancient marriage law, wouldn't I be the teacher of a great deity?

It's a mess, what is all this? If I go back and say I taught the great deity how to establish ancient marriage law, won't I be cursed by the world? Never mind; I'll just go to sleep.

As soon as I closed my eyes, frantic noise erupted outside. Then the Four Tick Women shoved open the door, holding laser guns and guarding the entrance. They whispered a few urgent words, then Dragon Girl and Little Ke woke up. Dragon Girl told me, "A group of rebels has entered the village, but they aren't looking for us; they're probably here to loot."

No way? Looting in this era too? I snatched the laser sword by my side, "I'm going out to look."

Dragon Girl grabbed me, "Dragon Envoy, let's not cause trouble for now. Let's see what the situation is first."

I reluctantly agreed. Everyone pulled back the thatch to create a gap and peered outside. Our hut was in a relatively remote spot, and the enemies were quite far off, so they probably wouldn't check this area immediately.

Under the lights, we saw a group of people running back and forth, darting from one thatched hut to another. The primitives inside were driven out and gathered together. If this were filmed, it would definitely be a movie about devils entering a village, and no one would ever believe it was something happening six thousand years ago.

Just then, a Centaur-horse led a primitive into hiding with them. Dragon Girl questioned the primitive in their language, and the native spoke continuously, his expression full of indignation and agitation.

After the interrogation, Dragon Girl turned back to me, "It's a roving band of rebels. They live nearby and frequently harass the surrounding primitive tribes, mainly robbing food and the various livestock the primitives raise. These clones share human characteristics; they're tired of eating synthetic food for too long."

"Why don't you rise up against them?" I challenged the primitive people. "I see those outsiders looking so indifferent; are you content to let them pillage? Doesn't it pain you at all to see the fruits of your labor snatched away?"

The Dragon Girl translated my words to the native. The primitive man spoke at length after listening, and the Dragon Girl relayed it to me: "He essentially means that the others possess weapons, while they have nothing. In the eyes of these tribesmen, those people are as wondrous as birds in the sky or fish in the water—beings that ordinary folk dare not offend. Food, if lost, can be gathered again, but offending the 'gods' invites punishment."

I became intensely angry. "Nonsense! That is utter drivel. There are no gods in this world; so-called gods are merely constructs of human imagination. If you can fly, you are a god; if you can swim, you are a god. By that logic, everyone in this world could claim to be a god! If you indulge them today, they will return tomorrow. If you allow them to plunder again tomorrow, they will gradually come to believe that taking your food is their inherent right, and your lives will never see improvement! You must stand up and fight back; you must drive them out of your home!"