"You still have business here?" Mu Qingyun raised a cold eyebrow, her eyes fixated on Bai Feifei, her voice devoid of the slightest warmth.
"I—I'll sleep outside at night, but can't I stay inside during the day?" Bai Feifei bit her lip, putting on a pitiful expression as if deeply aggrieved.
Mu Qingyun let out a light, mocking laugh. "Fine. But we don't feed freeloaders here."
"What do you mean?" Bai Feifei blinked in confusion, her innocent expression almost convincing.
"Fetching water, hunting—help with things like that. You're not part of my team. If you want to eat without working, I can't afford to keep you."
Water fetching?
Bai Feifei immediately thought of the packet of powder Mu Xueyao had given her. If she could get rid of them, she'd be able to return to her original team. As for the princess—whatever her personality—at least she never let her go hungry.
"Alright, I'll fetch water now," Bai Feifei said, nodding quickly and extending her hand. "Lend me your water container."
"Fan Xuanye, go with her," Mu Qingyun turned and gave him a quick glance, signaling with her eyes.
She didn't trust Bai Feifei. Even if seawater needed purification before use, who knew what Bai Feifei might try to pull. Better to be cautious.
"Alright." Fan Xuanye answered, picking up the water bucket they usually used.
One-handed, he looked at Bai Feifei and said curtly, "Let's go."
"Oh." Bai Feifei frowned and glanced at him, a flicker of impatience in her eyes.
She didn't like Fan Xuanye. The man never spoke politely and always managed to irritate her, yet she couldn't lash out at him.
Once the two were sent off, Su and Kazel came in as well. Everyone returned to their designated areas—some dazing off, some cultivating, some simply resting.
The house quickly settled into silence.
Mu Qingyun, a firm believer that strength ensured survival, wasted no time and resumed her cultivation.
Meanwhile, the livestream screen had erupted into chaos.
[Yi Beixuan is in danger!][Oh my god, I can't watch! That tiger's too fierce! Beixuan, please be okay!][Aaaah, Su, stop sleeping! Yi Beixuan's in trouble! Wake Mu-ge to save him!][Mu-ge, open your eyes! Look at the comments! Yi Beixuan is being attacked by a virtual beast!]
No matter how frantically the audience pleaded, Mu Qingyun remained with her eyes closed in cultivation, completely unaware of what was happening outside.
Su, timing it perfectly, slowly opened his eyes.
Glancing at the explosive comment feed, he immediately put on a shocked expression and ran over to Mu Qingyun in a panic."Mu-ge! Beixuan's in trouble!"
"Hm?" Startled by Su's voice, Mu Qingyun quickly withdrew her hand and looked up. "What happened?"
"He told me he was heading out to get some food, but the viewers are saying he's being attacked by a virtual beast!"
Su furrowed his brows, a picture of worry and distress. If Yi Beixuan were there to see it, he'd surely give Su a thumbs-up.
That acting was flawless—Oscar-worthy. If Su didn't win a golden statue, that trophy deserved to be smashed.
"Stay here," Mu Qingyun didn't hesitate. She immediately stood up. "I'll go find him."
"Alright," Su nodded obediently, staying put. He glanced again at the desperate viewer comments, feeling a growing wave of irritation.
Why hasn't Yi Beixuan hit the elimination button yet? If Mu Qingyun actually managed to catch up to him, everything would fall apart.
…
Meanwhile, facing the charging tiger, Yi Beixuan decisively pressed the elimination button on his wrist.
The beast halted mid-pounce and dissipated into golden particles moments later.
Yi Beixuan sat down calmly, waiting for the rescue aircraft to arrive.
[Noooo, he pressed the elimination button!][Why didn't he wait a bit longer? Maybe Mu-ge would've arrived in time!][I thought he was stronger than this... Didn't expect him to give up so fast.][Honestly, I don't really care. I don't even know who he was teamed up with.][Same. I'm only watching for Mu-ge. If he's out, he's out—whatever.]
By the time Mu Qingyun arrived, she could only see Yi Beixuan being lifted into the air by the rescue aircraft. He appeared to be speaking to someone, his expression completely relaxed and untroubled.
He hadn't even noticed her presence. The aircraft quickly faded into the sky until it became a small dot.
Too late.
She lowered her eyes and sighed softly, turning back toward the house.
How was she supposed to tell Su that his best friend had been eliminated?
Thankfully, Yi Beixuan wasn't gone for good. He'd merely lost his chance to enter the military academy through this round—not the worst outcome.
[Mu-ge looks so sad...][Makes sense—she tried to save him and couldn't. Anyone would feel upset.][Honestly, it's not that tragic. Yi Beixuan didn't die or anything. Once this phase ends, they'll meet again. It's not the worst ending.]
…
Mu Qingyun slowly walked back to the house. In the distance, a familiar dark figure stood at the doorway.
Hurrying her steps, she saw that it was Su.
He smiled at her, as if already knowing what had happened. There was no blame or sorrow in his eyes—only concern for her.
"Just missed him," she said quietly, looking into Su's eyes. "The rescue ship had already taken him when I arrived. It seems he had already pressed the elimination button."
Su shook his head with a soft smile and walked forward, taking her arm gently. "It's alright. We'll see him again outside. It's not the worst-case scenario."
He pressed lightly on her shoulder, trying to ease her mood. "We still have a mission to complete. I want to carry on for Yi Beixuan—to enter the military academy for both of us and achieve our goal."
"You will," Mu Qingyun said, gripping the hand on her arm tightly as they walked back inside.
Once in her section of the room, she sat down on the straw mat and returned to her cultivation.
[Wow, Mu-ge composed herself so quickly.][Honestly, I don't think Mu-ge was that close with Yi Beixuan. Probably just upset because she thought Su would be.][Awww, more sweet moments between Su and Mu-ge. Their CP is thriving.][Shame about Yi Beixuan. I thought he was pretty capable, but now he's gone...]