"You are neither human nor snake, you monster! Are you looking to die?" Deng Yijie snorted coldly, stepping decisively in front of Mu Xueyao. He could not beat Mu Qingyun, but surely he could handle this snake creature.
[Seriously, does this guy never brush his teeth?]
[Is he insulting the beastman? Right? Right?]
[I am a beastman too; does that mean he thinks I am a monster as well?]
[Ha! Most people on this planet are humans, but there are quite a few beastmen too. This guy must be deliberately provoking trouble.]
[Beastmen are originally low-tier evolved species. Why would you even compare yourselves to humans? It is only right to insult you. Deng Yijie's words are justified!]
Deng Yijie's harsh remark ignited a full-blown verbal war between humans and beastmen.
Humans, as the original dominant species on the planet, looked down on beastmen with extreme disdain. In turn, beastmen deeply resented the arrogance of the humans.
"You are the one looking to die," Fan Xuanye retorted sharply. His hand shifted, and suddenly his snake tail enlarged, striking fiercely at Deng Yijie.
"Help or not?" Su glanced at the tense scene before them in the cave. They stood at the very edge, where casual observers might miss the conflict.
"I will watch first," Mu Qingyun said coolly. She pressed her hand against the cave wall and casually picked up a small stone, holding it between her fingers.
In her livestream comments, many viewers were cursing Deng Yijie and urging her to jump in and help.
But in moments like these, it was best to rely on Fan Xuanye's own strength. If he won, glory would be his. If he lost, well, it was only insults and nothing more.
Inside the cave, Deng Yijie and Fan Xuanye clashed fiercely, while Bai Feifei and Mu Xueyao stood by watching.
The reality was clear: the weaker a person's ability, the more likely they were to wander around complaining—just like a half-full bottle shaken around.
Deng Yijie was on the defensive, retreating step by step, unable to mount any real counterattack.
Seeing this, Mu Xueyao grew anxious.
Deng Yijie had already been defeated by Mu Qingyun once before. If he lost again to one of her teammates, it would be a disgrace that would spread across the stars.
She quietly manipulated the tiny amount of water inside the cave, channeling it through her fingertips and quickly directing it at Fan Xuanye's body.
No one noticed her subtle move — everyone's attention was fixed on the battle — except Mu Qingyun, who saw it all clearly.
The small stone slipped from her hand, skillfully weaving through the cave's obstacles, and struck Mu Xueyao's hand.
"Ah—" Mu Xueyao cried out softly in pain, clutching her injured hand. She spun sharply to glare in the direction the stone came from.
Their eyes met.
A faint, almost mocking smile curled on Mu Qingyun's lips. She raised one eyebrow with clear challenge.
"You!" Mu Xueyao frowned, anger flashing in her gaze. Yet her hand rose and fell again, unwilling to retaliate.
Seeing this, Mu Qingyun shrugged innocently, but her eyes shone with sarcastic amusement.
People with status and titles were often like this—unable to freely express their true emotions, always playing a role to gain support.
Having lived through such games herself, Mu Qingyun understood these dynamics very well.
But she enjoyed it—that feeling of being disliked yet untouchable.
Meanwhile, Fan Xuanye landed a powerful punch to Deng Yijie's face, knocking him unconscious. The fight was decisively over.
[What is wrong with this idiot? Can he not even beat a beastman?]
[Exactly! What a disgrace to humanity, losing so fast. It looked like the snake man only threw a few punches, and Deng Yijie was already down.]
[I am honestly speechless.]
[Are all of Mu Qingyun's teammates this strong? Except for Su, of course.]
[Fan Xuanye is amazing!]
Mu Qingyun chuckled lightly, her eyes cold and dismissive. "Whether it is finding caves or stealing, you fail at both, little sister. Better take your people and leave quickly."
"You—how dare you!" Mu Xueyao snapped, unable to tolerate such mockery any longer. She was far from a kind person. "You should speak with more respect to the Imperial Princess!"
Respect?
Mu Qingyun sneered, curling her lips. The original body was the true Imperial Princess. Mu Xueyao was nothing but a pretender—a changeling switched at birth.
"Imperial Princess? What kind of thing is that?" she asked coolly, raising her head and staring at Mu Xueyao with icy eyes. "There are no princesses in military school. A princess cannot endure this hardship. Better to quit now. There will be plenty of places later where princesses suffer for real."
[Wow.]
[Mu Qingyun's tone is so bold!]
[Help! I like Mu Qingyun, but this is too much. If he disrespects the Empire like this, the Empire will not let him off easily.]
[It's over. I think Mu Qingyun does not have much time left.]
"Do you want to defy the Empire?" Mu Xueyao was furious inside, but kept her composure and royal demeanor.
"I never said such a thing," Mu Qingyun said, casually twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Princess, you speak for yourself, then come to your own conclusions. What does that have to do with me?"
"You—"
"Enough with your 'you's'! Are you only capable of saying that one word when angry?" She grabbed Su and turned toward the cave's interior. Flames burned in her right hand. She suddenly threw the fire forward.
The flames roared to life at the cave entrance, blocking Mu Xueyao and the others.
"Your Highness, this..." Bai Feifei looked at Mu Qingyun, who stood bathed in red light behind the flames, eyes wide with surprise.
She was truly impressed.
Though Mu Qingyun was plain-looking, her power was incredible. Her personality was exactly the kind Bai Feifei admired.
Imagine a powerful man, cold and distant to everyone except her—his unique and tender love would be something to cherish forever.
Thinking of this, Bai Feifei smiled softly at Mu Qingyun. Although she was not as beautiful as Mu Xueyao, Bai Feifei was still a stunning woman and more than a worthy match for Mu Qingyun.
"Hey, that girl is smiling at you."
Mu Qingyun, facing away, did not notice Bai Feifei's subtle flirtation. But Su, always observing quietly, saw everything clearly.
"Hm?" Mu Qingyun turned, glancing at Bai Feifei. Sure enough, the smile on Bai Feifei's face grew warmer after she turned away.
Mu Qingyun: …
What is wrong with her? Did she not curse Bai Feifei out earlier?
"Ignore her," Mu Qingyun said lazily, giving Bai Feifei a quick glance before striding forward.
"Oh." Su nodded, a hint of confusion in his eyes. Judging by Bai Feifei's expression, she seemed to like Mu Qingyun.
Do girls these days really like people who act against them? Su did not understand and was greatly shocked.
Mu Xueyao clenched her fists, staring coldly at the three inside the cave. Except for Xiong Ruoyou, the others completely ignored her, treating her as if she were invisible.
"Carry Deng Yijie. We leave now."