C50 Xiao Hei

Hanyu Xiaotian paused, pondering his next move. "Hmm, where to?" Despite being fifteen, his world within the Hanyu Family had been limited to a tiny slice of their vast holdings—likely less than one percent of their entire domain.

"I recall Dad mentioning that the Hanyu Family has always maintained a semi-reclusive presence. While our branches and peripheral forces span across countless human-inhabited planets, our main headquarters still resides within an ancient relic on Earth. The relic is enormous, though. Where could I possibly start exploring? Ah, that's right, I've heard of a Marketplace not too far from our borders. Perhaps I should check it out."

The relic that housed the Hanyu Family was steeped in antiquity, shrouded in depth and mystery. Over the years, numerous outsiders had attempted to unravel its secrets, only to leave thwarted. A mysterious force permeated the area, rendering all human technological devices useless and disorienting those who ventured within.

To this day, the relic's enigma remained unsolved, yet adventurers continued to flock to it. Eventually, a Marketplace sprang up on its periphery, offering a place for rest, regrouping, and commerce.

With time, the Marketplace thrived, becoming a bustling hub for the exchange of rare and exotic treasures. The Hanyu Family paid it little mind, though members would sometimes visit out of curiosity or to alleviate boredom.

Hanyu Xiaotian booted up his Holo-Brain and began his search.

"Got it, the Sky Shuttle Market!"

He pinpointed his destination on the outskirts of the family's relic. It was a bit of a trek, so he hurried home to fetch his magnetic levitation car. As he reached the door, he called out, "Xiao Hei!" Instantly, a black panther the size of a small cat darted out from a side window like a streak of lightning, scampering to Hanyu Xiaotian's feet and affectionately nuzzling his legs.

Ordinarily, a black panther is simply a melanistic variant of its species, with blue eyes and heightened senses. This particular panther, however, was a genetically modified cub his mother had acquired at a high price from an interstellar auction two years prior.

The auctioneer had explained that this panther was the product of a secretive Genetic Research Agency's experiments. They had developed a novel Genetic Reagent, testing it on various animals, all of which perished—except for Xiao Hei's parents, who survived long enough to give birth before succumbing.

After a month of careful observation, Xiao Hei's vital signs had stabilized, and the mutated gene had settled. The cub thrived.

The agency speculated that the mutated Black Panther would possess unmatched speed, strength, vision, and potentially other extraordinary abilities due to its altered genetics.

Yet, due to the high fatality rate associated with the Genetic Reagent, the research was deemed a failure. The agency thus decided to auction off Xiao Hei, setting a steep price for this unique specimen.

At the auction, the mutated black panther presented too many uncertainties, which led to a sparse crowd of bidders. Xia Xiaodie, mother to Hanyu Xiaotian, felt a pang of sympathy for the forlorn Xiao Hei, reminding her of her own son left alone at home. Without hesitation, she decided to purchase the unique creature as a companion for her son.

Upon meeting Xiao Hei, Hanyu Xiaotian was instantly smitten and proudly named the panther Xiao Hei, a name he deemed grand and impressive. Time flew, and within two years, Xiao Hei had demonstrated remarkable intelligence and physical prowess. With just a glance or a subtle gesture from Hanyu Xiaotian, Xiao Hei understood exactly what was expected of him. Now at two years old, Xiao Hei's exceptional talents were evident; his speed was so swift that at times, even Hanyu Xiaotian, without relying on his spiritual sense, could only catch a fleeting black blur.

The bond between Hanyu Xiaotian and Xiao Hei had deepened significantly. As Hanyu Xiaotian prepared for a trip to the marketplace, it was unthinkable to leave Xiao Hei behind. They boarded the magnetic levitation vehicle together, setting off for the bustling Sky Shuttle Market.