[Bullet Screen Chat]
"What the hell? Who is this creep? So disgusting."
"I do what I want. None of your damn business."
"You—!"
"Feifei, why did you stop? Did I not tell you to hurry and find a place to rest?"
Behind her, Bai Feifei's companions, Mu Xueyao and Deng Yijie, were slowly approaching.
"Mu Qingyun?" Upon seeing her, Deng Yijie's face immediately twisted with fury. However, while he dared to be angry, he did not dare to make a move. He could only bite his lip and swallow the bitterness.
Mu Xueyao raised her head and caught sight of the glowing red numbers above Mu Qingyun's head. A cold glint flashed in her eyes.
Lately, the area where they had been resting had inexplicably come under wave after wave of virtual beast attacks. If it had not been for her father pulling strings behind the scenes at the military academy, she might have been killed in her sleep.
Even though their lives were not in direct danger, staying there was no longer an option.
Now they were being forced to search for a new shelter, while Mu Qingyun was actively hunting virtual creatures and growing stronger. The contrast between them was infuriating.
In the past, anyone who crossed Mu Xueyao would never live to see another sunrise. Yet Mu Qingyun had not only offended her, but done so completely and unrepentantly—and there was still nothing she could do to retaliate.
Suddenly, a loud roar shattered the tense air. A virtual creature lunged toward them.
Mu Qingyun's eyes gleamed with killing intent. Flames burst to life in her right hand as she sidestepped and closed in on the beast's flank. Within moments, the creature was reduced to golden sand, and the numbers above their heads incremented slightly.
"Your Highness, they…" Bai Feifei's eyes remained locked on Mu Qingyun's graceful, deadly movements. A faint smile curled her lips as she stared, unblinking.
"Forget them. Let us find a place to rest," Mu Xueyao said coldly, her face expressionless as she walked past them without a second glance.
"Hmph." Deng Yijie gave Mu Qingyun's team a cursory glance, his gaze finally settling on the one who looked the weakest—Su.
He deliberately walked over to Su, subtly sticking out his foot and sharply kicking toward Su's ankle.
The movement was far from subtle.
Su sensed it immediately. A flicker of coldness passed through his eyes as he shifted his leg away just in time, though his body still wobbled slightly.
To onlookers, however, it appeared that he had been kicked outright.
"Ah—!"
Su caught sight of Mu Qingyun hurrying over and immediately let himself fall—right into her direction.
A sudden gust of wind whipped past as Su felt himself caught by a pair of slim yet powerful arms.
"Are you alright?" Mu Qingyun asked, her brow creasing in concern as she looked down at him.
Seeing Su subtly signal that he was unharmed, she narrowed her eyes and turned to glare at Deng Yijie with icy intensity.
[Bullet Screen Chat]
"What the hell is wrong with Deng Yijie? What a trash character."
"I seriously hate this guy. He is the mastermind behind all the petty schemes and even dares covet the Princess."
"Ugh. I used to be indifferent to him, but now—he is just a coward who bullies the weak and starts trouble nonstop."
"Okay, I am mad—but I cannot deny this gave my Su-Mu ship some serious sugar."
"You are shipping bloodshed now? For real? You have no shame."
Mu Qingyun helped Su to his feet, then pulled a dagger from her waist. Her gaze turned ice-cold.
"I was going to let you be," she said flatly, "but if you are so eager to die—"
She moved in a flash. Grabbing Deng Yijie's arm before he could react, she twisted his body and slammed a powerful kick into his chest, launching him ten meters backward.
"What are you doing?" Mu Xueyao shouted. Shocked by the sudden violence, she summoned her water-based ability into her palm.
"Should not I be the one asking that?" Fan Xuanye snorted. His lower half instantly transformed into a serpent's tail as he slithered across the ground, placing himself protectively between Mu Xueyao and Mu Qingyun.
"You—!" Mu Xueyao glared at the snakekin blocking her path and attacked without hesitation.
"Such a damsel in distress moment—honestly, you act so pathetic," Yi Beixuan approached Su with a faint laugh and teasing tone. "So? Was her embrace comfortable?"
Su shot him a frigid glare. "Shut your mouth."
"Alright, alright—shutting up." Yi Beixuan smirked as his gaze drifted toward the ongoing fight, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I—I should help…?" Xiong Ruoyou hesitated as she looked at the chaotic battle unfolding before her.
She respected the Princess… but she also really liked Mu Qingyun. No matter who she chose to assist, it would be awkward.
"Don't bother," Yi Beixuan waved her over. "Just come here."
Just… watch?
Xiong Ruoyou frowned, but after seeing the four of them already deep in battle, she realized there was not much she could do and reluctantly moved to stand beside Yi Beixuan.
Meanwhile, Mu Qingyun's dagger plunged cleanly into Deng Yijie's side. With a twist of her wrist, she carved out a sizable chunk of flesh.
"Ah—!" The agonized scream tore from Deng Yijie's throat. He had not expected Mu Qingyun to go this far. Desperately, he summoned all his power into his right hand.
But his wind-based ability was like a joke in front of Mu Qingyun's overwhelming flame. With inner force surging, she shattered the wind shield and drove her dagger straight for his heart.
"Help! Someone help!"
The blinding light of the blade approached, and Deng Yijie squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for death.
"Wait!"
A brilliant, iridescent tail swept in front of Mu Qingyun just in time. The scales shimmered like jewels, completely impervious to her blade. The force of her own lunge pushed her back several steps.
Kaizer turned to glance at the now-unconscious Deng Yijie and breathed a sigh of relief. He had arrived just in time.
If these fools wanted to throw their lives away, that was their business—but he had no intention of being dragged down with them.
"Kaizer?" Mu Qingyun narrowed her eyes, glancing from him to Deng Yijie, then sighed in resignation.
They were in the same team. If Deng Yijie were eliminated, Kaizer would be eliminated as well.
"Come on, do me a favor and let this one go… b—beautiful lady." Kaizer almost slipped and called her something less flattering, but quickly corrected himself mid-sentence.
Mu Qingyun: "..."
[Bullet Screen Chat]
"Pffft—beautiful lady? Please, I am dying of laughter."
"Calling a man beautiful? Is that even legal?"
"Look, I love Mu Qingyun, but even I have to admit, her looks are… let's say 'unique.'"
"Kaizer is the king of adaptation. One moment she's 'ugly,' the next she's a 'beauty.' The man knows how to survive."
"This ship is too real—he insults her when there is no risk, but calls her beautiful when he needs something. Classic!"
Mu Qingyun's lips curled into a frosty smile.
"And who are you exactly?" she asked coldly. "Why should I give you any face at all?"