The viewers in the livestream held their breath as they stared intently at Mu Qingyun's next move.
The laser gun pierced through the creature's neck. With a muffled groan, the virtual beast instantly dissolved into golden sand. But the claw of the other creature was still descending—it was already just a fist's distance from her head. There was no time left to block it.
Buzz—zzzt!
Suddenly, a mechanical electric noise sounded from her wrist's livestream device. In the next moment, the remaining two virtual creatures also disintegrated into golden sand.
"Mu-ge!" (Big Sis Mu!)
Xiong Ruoyou rushed over and threw her arms around Mu Qingyun's waist. "Waaah! Mu-ge, you scared me to death! I thought you were done for! Waaaah…"
With her head resting against Mu Qingyun's abdomen, Xiong Ruoyou paused, frowning in confusion. She looked up, tears still on her face. "Mu-ge, why is your waist so soft?"
"…Let go," Mu Qingyun said with a slight frown.
"Oh, okay."
"Congratulations. You have successfully earned 1,000 virtual points. Please wait at your current location. A rescue shuttle will arrive shortly," the mechanical female voice from the livestream device announced.
"Thank you," Mu Qingyun replied politely. Then she looked at Xiong Ruoyou and Fan Xuanye. "Will a shuttle also pick up Su?"
"Yes, but our timings are different, so we might not run into each other," Fan Xuanye answered, furrowing his brow. "Usually, the rescue shuttle will ask where you want to be dropped off. If Su wants to go straight back to his planet, they'll take him there."
Upon hearing that, Mu Qingyun lowered her gaze. It sounded like they would not be seeing him again.
Before long, their rescue shuttle arrived.
"Fan Xuanye, are you going back home?" Xiong Ruoyou turned and asked softly.
She remembered what he had told her about his family. It was clear he had no desire to return.
"No," Fan Xuanye shook his head without hesitation. "I want to find a job somewhere. I'm not going back to that place."
"Then why don't you and Mu-ge come home with me?" Xiong Ruoyou's eyes lit up as she raised her hand excitedly. "That way we can still be together!"
Fan Xuanye looked down at her bright expression and, after a moment of thought, nodded.
He had nowhere else to go anyway, and since her family ran a security company, he could easily work there.
"Yes!" Xiong Ruoyou jumped up with joy when he agreed, but her happiness quickly dimmed. She lowered her head, suddenly remembering, "Too bad Su can't come with us."
"It's fine," Mu Qingyun gently patted her head. "Su's family loves him very much, and it sounds like they are well-off—like you. For him, going home is the best outcome."
"Oh." Xiong Ruoyou nodded. She had never thought to ask about Su's family, and now realized Mu Qingyun already knew everything.
Not long after, the rescue shuttle descended from the sky and dropped a ladder down to them.
The three of them climbed up one after another and entered the cabin.
Just as Fan Xuanye predicted, the co-pilot turned and glanced at the three of them. "Alright, where do you all want to be dropped off?"
Xiong Ruoyou gave her home address, then asked, "Excuse me, one of our teammates—where is he now?"
"He's on the other shuttle. Since your locations were different, we dispatched two rescue units," the co-pilot replied politely, showing no irritation at her question.
"Alright, thank you." Xiong Ruoyou smiled and turned to the others with a look of regret. It seemed they would not be able to see Su again.
On the other side, Su was already aboard his shuttle.
"Please drop me off at the entrance of the military academy," he said calmly.
Both pilots turned to glance at him in mild surprise but said nothing, simply nodding before steering the craft toward its destination.
The military academy was not far from the deserted island. As soon as the shuttle landed, Su deftly removed the livestream device from his wrist and handed it to one of the pilots.
As he stepped out, he looked up and—just as expected—saw Yi Beixuan waiting for him at the gate.
Cough, cough.
Yi Beixuan cleared his throat to get Su's attention, then walked over quickly, pulling out a small glass vial and waving it in front of Su's face.
"What is that?"
"This is a restorative pill for your body and face." Yi Beixuan shoved the vial into his hand. "From the doctor. Come on, Su Qiluo needs to get back."
"Alright." Su accepted it and began walking toward the military academy.
No more livestream device. No more need to constantly monitor when it was on or off. Life without it was already feeling liberating.
Xiong Ruoyou pressed her face against the shuttle window, gazing down at the familiar security company owned by her family. She could vaguely see three tall figures waiting out front.
"Wow, we're here. Thank you!" she exclaimed with a beaming smile as she recognized her father and two uncles.
"Please return your livestream devices," the co-pilot said as part of standard procedure. Then he looked back at them, curiosity in his eyes. "You guys are impressive—how did you make it out of the first stage so quickly?"
"Cut the chatter," the pilot interrupted with a glare. "Follow procedure and drop them off. Stop asking unnecessary questions."
"Yes, sir," the co-pilot muttered, turning back around with a resigned expression.
After that little episode, Xiong Ruoyou turned and glanced at Fan Xuanye and Mu Qingyun, deciding it was better not to talk anymore.
Once the shuttle reached its destination, they removed their livestream devices and placed them on the table. Only when the shuttle was fully landed did they descend the ladder.
"Dad! Uncle! Second Uncle!"
Xiong Ruoyou shouted joyfully and ran ahead, throwing herself into Xiong Lingfeng's arms. "Daddy, I'm back!"
"Good girl," Xiong Lingfeng said with a warm smile, patting her head. "You worked hard. Your uncles and I prepared a whole table of your favorite dishes."
"Great!" She grinned, then pulled him toward her two companions. "Dad, this is Mu-ge and Xuanye. They're my good friends!"
Xiong Lingfeng looked up at them.
Mu Qingyun and Fan Xuanye, both well-mannered, nodded politely and greeted him in unison, "Hello, Uncle."
"Nice to meet you," Xiong Lingfeng replied kindly. "I saw you both in Xiong Ruoyou's livestream. Thank you for taking care of her. You are welcome to stay here."
"Hmph."
Just as he finished speaking, the second uncle suddenly scoffed and cast a disdainful glare at Mu Qingyun.
"What are you being so petty about?" the eldest uncle frowned, smacking him lightly. "Have some manners, will you?"