When finally, Xiong Ruoyou lifted her head, the collar around Mu Qingyun's neck was already dampened, not completely soaked but close enough to be uncomfortable.
"Are you ready to go back now?" Mu Qingyun reached out and gently supported Xiong Ruoyou's arm, helping her to stand up. After all that struggling, Mu Qingyun realized how truly hungry she had become.
Inside the cave, Fan Xuanye was so famished that he had transformed into a snake, coiling himself tightly and pressing close to the cold ground.
At the slightest noise from outside, he immediately sprang up, slithering toward the cave's entrance.
Therefore, as the "gatekeeper" Xiong Ruoyou stepped inside the cave, she was immediately confronted by a massive bamboo pit viper. Its body was as thick as a bowl's diameter, and its amber vertical pupils glared coldly at her, as if sizing her up with icy disdain.
"Wah—!" Xiong Ruoyou screamed sharply, her instincts instantly switching to high alert.
"What are you screaming about? Stop making a fuss!" Fan Xuanye, startled by her cry, reverted to his human form and stared at her with exasperation.
"Your true form is so ugly!" Xiong Ruoyou sneered with disdain, taking a few cautious steps backward. "Not only ugly, but terrifying."
"Hmph," Fan Xuanye snapped, visibly annoyed, "And you, Black Bear, who are you to talk? With your form, you should never walk alone at night or you will scare half the people to death."
Listening to their back-and-forth bickering, Su could not help but chuckle softly. He leaned closer to Mu Qingyun and whispered, "They are quite the match, always teasing each other like this. It is actually quite entertaining."
Mu Qingyun looked at the pair, their petty quarrels resuming, and lowered her gaze thoughtfully. "They are really suited to each other."
"Suited…?" Su frowned in confusion. "Even frenemies do not quarrel like this constantly. Do you want to intervene?"
"Intervene?" Mu Qingyun glanced sideways at Xiong Ruoyou and shook her head softly. "No. Xiong Ruoyou just calmed down, and a little quarrel with Fan Xuanye might be good for her."
After all, their teasing did not cause harm—just some noise.
[Comments from viewers on the livestream:]
"Hey, Mu Qingyun's livestream just reopened automatically?"
"It has been over an hour. The admin finally reopened the livestream."
"Mu Ge, I love your fiery temper. I support you!"
"Please do not close the livestream so often in the future, Mu Ge. This place is more dramatic and entertaining—I love watching this kind of drama!"
"Military school is all about fighting spirit. I came from a military school myself, and most people after three trials were afraid to kill at first, needing officers to push them. Many of us were just paper tigers."
"Whoa, is there a military school alum here? Can I ask you some questions? If my powers were stronger, I would join the military school too."
"I have always wondered why Su was allowed into the military trials. When I tried, the school was not recruiting. My powers were similar to Su's."
"I think Su's power level is average for the residents, but maybe because he is a rare water type, they made an exception."
"Keep an eye on them. I am going to cook," Mu Qingyun said briefly to Su and returned to the cave, pulling all the black fish and lobsters from the storage pouch.
She sighed softly, looking over the array of aquatic creatures scattered on the ground.
There had been many rabbits too, but in the rush to save Su, they had been thrown aside carelessly. It was a shame that so much time was wasted by her and Xiong Ruoyou.
Mu Qingyun efficiently cleaned the catch. As the aroma began to fill the cave from the cooking pot, Fan Xuanye and Xiong Ruoyou almost simultaneously stopped arguing.
They exchanged a glance and silently agreed that filling their stomachs was more important than continuing their quarrel.
Mu Qingyun portioned the food and turned to see the two watching the bowls in her hands intently, as if ready to leap at the first opportunity.
"Not arguing anymore?" She handed Su his bowl with a gentle smile. "You are quite clever. When it comes to eating, all quarrels disappear."
"His portion is not as big as mine," Xiong Ruoyou grumbled, stepping quickly over and wrapping her arm around Mu Qingyun. "Can you give me a little more? I am really hungry."
"Sure." Mu Qingyun chuckled softly and scooped a generous ladle of meat broth and black fish into Xiong Ruoyou's bowl.
[Viewer reactions:]
"Wow, he really spoils her."
"So sweet, it is killing me."
"Oh my god, the Qingyou CP (couple) is trending! Go check the hot searches—they are already on the charts!"
"Wow, this CP is really breaking out!"
"No more talking, I am going to buy a house now. This ship is sailing fast!"
"Our mortgage finally got approved! Looks like my decision was right!"
"Wow, it smells so good. I have not smelled anything this delicious in a long time. I am so hungry," Bai Feifei said, clutching her stomach. Their protein supplements had run out, and to survive, they had no choice but to hunt.
"Look, there is a cave over there!" Mu Xueyao exclaimed, staring in surprise at the cave not far away. The enticing aroma coming from it made her swallow hard.
"Someone already found the cave? Tsk, maybe we should kick them out so we can live there," Deng Yijie said excitedly, squinting with enthusiasm.
Since arriving, they had been living in the treetops, sleepless and constantly wary of potential insect tribe attacks.
"No, we cannot just chase people away. That would be rude. After all, they found it first. We should negotiate properly with them. If that fails, we could offer them pure water in exchange," Mu Xueyao said gently, correcting Deng Yijie with a warm smile.
[More viewer comments:]
"Wow, our princess is so gentle."
"Still so cute, gentle, and beautiful!"
"Wait, do you guys notice the cave looks familiar?"
"What is familiar about it? There are several caves on the island; they all look alike."
"I have a theory, but I am not sure if I should say it."
"Same here, I feel something dramatic is about to happen."
"Hmph, princess, no need to be so polite. This is survival in the wild—whoever takes the resources keeps them. You do not need to act. I will go myself," Deng Yijie said arrogantly, trying to display his masculinity by activating his powers.
The wind fluttered his clothes, revealing the bandaged arm that Mu Qingyun had injured earlier. The sight was somewhat comical.
Despite his words, Mu Xueyao said nothing in protest. A flash of pride passed through her eyes.
She wanted the cave desperately, unwilling to settle for living in the treetops any longer. Yet she could not openly say so; she planned to gently persuade Deng Yijie later.
Nearby, Bai Feifei turned her head and caught the lingering pride in Mu Xueyao's gaze.
Biting her lip, Bai Feifei hesitated briefly, then said firmly, "You are right. We will go take the cave. Princess, do not worry about others—think about yourself first."