Bai Feifei watched the three people leave, her heart overwhelmed with fury as if a thousand wild horses were galloping through her chest.
Are they serious? All she did was make a move against Su, and Deng Yijie stepped in, blocked her, and even pushed her to the ground!
Then he and Mu Xueyao simply exchanged a few words, lent Su a hand, and left—just like that. If she weren't still sprawled in the dirt, she might have thought she'd hallucinated the whole thing.
Has Deng Yijie lost his mind? Why would he help Su? Is there something wrong with his brain? And now Mu Xueyao is going to teach Su water-based abilities?
Can someone please explain what on earth is going on? Why is he suddenly acting so weird?
Bai Feifei rubbed her bruised knee and stood up, dazed, turning to glance in the direction Mu Xueyao had gone.
Just now, the princess had given her a certain look. Maybe there's another plan coming.
But—she still hasn't succeeded in drugging anyone yet!
[Comment Section][Pfft, it's officially a world where only Bai Feifei suffers.][LMAO, Deng Yijie's brain must be fried. What's with his sudden attitude toward Su?][Hmm... let me guess. Either Mu did something to him or it was Kazel. They've both been off-stream for a while.][I think Kazel and Mu teamed up and wrecked him. That would explain the sudden shift.]
Su glanced at the stream chat. After confirming that none of his fears had come true, he finally let out a subtle breath of relief.
You become like those you surround yourself with. The ancients spoke no lies.
Fools really do flock together. Deng Yijie's idiotic behavior places him squarely in the same league as Bai Feifei and Mu Xueyao.
Taking a deep breath, Su shut off his livestream device.
These people clearly don't belong in a military academy. He would have to figure out a way to get at least one of them disqualified.
"We're back!"A cheerful voice echoed from outside. Xiong Ruoyou entered the house, followed by Mu Qingyun. Whether it was the strengthening pill or the intense morning training, she felt a faint surge of energy within her.
Hearing them, Su stood up and walked toward the door.
"Back from morning practice?" he asked.
"Yes," Mu Qingyun nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Caught some fish on the way back. Is Kazel around?"
"He went back underwater. Said he'll return tonight," Su replied with a soft smile. "Fan Xuanye went out hunting too."
"What about Bai Feifei?"
"No idea. She was here just a while ago."
Mu Qingyun glanced at the scattered traces outside. The uneven sand patterns suggested movement by someone with earth-based powers.
"Did Bai Feifei use her abilities?"
"Mm." Su nodded, not elaborating further. He silently hoped Mu Qingyun wouldn't pursue the topic.
The audience had already formed theories about Deng Yijie's abrupt change in behavior. Unsurprisingly, they all revolved around Mu Qingyun.
Letting them run wild with those ideas wasn't such a bad tactic.
"Hurry up and grill the fish before Kazel comes back," Mu Qingyun said indifferently, uninterested in Bai Feifei's drama.
As long as Su was safe and sound, Bai Feifei could throw all the tantrums she wanted.
"I'll go fetch more water." Xiong Ruoyou grabbed the rest of the fish and a bucket, jogging quickly toward the river.
Meanwhile, deep beneath the sea, Kazel swam leisurely. Tiny fish circled him, bubbling as if whispering secrets.
"I see, thank you. Please continue investigating. But be careful—especially around humans and carnivorous beastkin," Kazel said gently, stroking the shimmering scales of one fish.
"I hope you all get the chance to become beastkin someday. When that happens, I'll take you above the surface to see the world there."
With a flick of his tail, he dove deeper into the ocean.
In the ocean depths lay a massive shell. It swayed weakly, its surface dull and lifeless.
Kazel looked at it, eyes filled with sorrow.
"Do not worry. I've found Su Qiluo. Amusingly, he's pretending to be weak, blending in among the contestants. Thank the stars for our intel—otherwise, I'd never have suspected him here."
He let out a quiet laugh. "Looks like my plan can move forward sooner than expected."
The shell trembled faintly, as if in response.
"You disagree?" Kazel asked softly, reaching out to gently trace the faded patterns on its surface. "But this is his debt. If he hadn't stolen your pearl, you wouldn't be like this."
"And regardless of whether it's for your sake, I cannot let him off. He, too, holds a piece of our future."
But the shell gave no reply. That faint movement had already drained all its remaining strength.
After collecting the water, Xiong Ruoyou was just about to return when she noticed droplets clinging to her wrist device.
She tried to wipe them off, but her finger slipped—accidentally tapping the button that closed her livestream room.
"Xiong Ruoyou?"
A soft voice called from behind, catching her off guard. She quickly turned around.
"Your Highness?"
Seeing Mu Xueyao, Xiong Ruoyou immediately smiled. "Why are you here, Your Highness?"
"Just came to purify some water," Mu Xueyao replied with a smile, walking briskly over. "Shall I help purify yours?"
Xiong Ruoyou was initially thrilled but hesitated. She remembered the tension between Mu Qingyun and the princess, so she quickly changed her mind.
"No need, Your Highness. I appreciate your kindness."
"Are you heading back now?"
"Yes, they're waiting on this water," she replied, nearly saying "Mu" before catching herself. She offered an apologetic smile.
"Well, could you do me a favor first?" Mu Xueyao asked, looking slightly embarrassed.
"I can walk you back if that's what you mean—"
Mu Xueyao shook her head. "No, I'd just like to borrow your storage pouch." She pointed to the one at Xiong Ruoyou's waist. "I want to place something inside. In two days, you can come back here and return it to me."
"Would that be alright?"
Place something in her pouch?
Xiong Ruoyou blinked but then nodded without hesitation. The princess's presence was like a divine glow—how could she possibly refuse?
"Thank you." Mu Xueyao gently placed a small pouch inside, then smiled warmly. "Please don't look inside until I come for it, alright?"