The viewers expressed some brief regret for Yi Beixuan's elimination, but their attention quickly returned to Mu Qingyun.
"Look at that. You're already out, and no one's mourning you," a man in black clothing beside Yi Beixuan remarked with amusement.
Yi Beixuan said nothing in response. He silently stared at the livestream, his eyes locked onto the screen, a cold glint flickering within them.
"Why so quiet? Who are you looking at?" the man turned his head and only then realized Yi Beixuan had not heard a single word he said.
Following Yi Beixuan's gaze to the screen, he discovered that the man was staring at Fan Xuanye.
"Why him?"
"Did you not hear? He said he was looking for his mother," Yi Beixuan replied with a frosty tone. The smile on his lips carried nothing but mockery, completely devoid of his usual gentle elegance.
"So what? Say what you will, but he's not going to find her." The man in black chuckled and casually reached over to close the livestream. "Come on, enough watching. You're already out—let go of what's happening in there."
…
"We're back!" Bai Feifei shouted loudly as she returned with Fan Xuanye, both carrying water buckets.
Hearing the commotion outside, Mu Qingyun opened her eyes. She hesitated briefly before stopping her cultivation and walking toward the door.
As soon as she opened it, she was met with a face far too close to her own.
Kazel was standing there. He hesitated before softly asking, "Yi Beixuan was eliminated, wasn't he?"
"You already knew?" Mu Qingyun raised an eyebrow, not the least bit surprised by his words.
The viewers loved spoilers—this much she had long anticipated.
"Don't be upset. It wasn't your fault," Kazel replied, his deep purple eyes locked onto her. "He simply lacked the strength. There are many more trials to reach the military academy—you can't be expected to save him every time."
[Well said, Kazel! I've had enough of Su. He's useless and only made it this far because he's riding Mu-ge's coattails.]
[True. Sister Bear and Fan Xuanye at least have some real ability. They might not be top-tier, but they're not dead weight like Su.]
[Guys, don't be too harsh. Didn't you watch the past seasons? The first and second trials can be passed with help, but the third trial depends solely on individual ability.]
[Exactly. The third is a mental strength test. Honestly, I do not think Su or Sister Bear can make it to the military academy.]
[Hey, what about Fan Xuanye?]
[I don't think Fan Xuanye will quit. He might not be the most talented, but he works hard. Talent is crucial, but hard work is indispensable too.]
[True. Many who eventually made it into the academy were not the most gifted—they succeeded through sheer perseverance.]
…
"I am not upset," Mu Qingyun replied calmly as she stepped past Kazel and entered the house.
"Beixuan was eliminated," Su said softly to the gathered team, "He encountered a virtual creature and was forced to press the elimination button."
At those words, only Bai Feifei showed a reaction—her eyes widened in feigned surprise, but the mockery hidden in them could not be missed.
Yi Beixuan had been part of their team. Naturally, his elimination would hurt them. And as long as they were upset, Bai Feifei would be satisfied.
The room fell silent following Su's statement.
Xiong Ruoyou only felt regret, while Fan Xuanye let out a subtle breath of relief.
"Hey, we brought the water. But how are you all planning to drink it?" Bai Feifei asked the question that had been bothering her for quite some time.
She knew that Su had a water-type ability, but it was weak. So she had always been curious—where exactly were these people getting their clean water?
Her interruption broke the heavy atmosphere. Mu Qingyun cast her a cold glare but said nothing. She walked straight toward the bucket of water.
"Su, purify it."
"Okay."
Su responded, placing his hand on the bucket. His ability activated, drawing the water upward and purifying it as it passed through his palm.
Once purified, the water was poured into a pot. As before, Mu Qingyun distilled it three times to ensure cleanliness.
"Wow, you're really doing it this way? This must be some ancient, obsolete method." Bai Feifei sneered, her voice laced with sarcasm as she watched Mu Qingyun working with the water.
So much effort for so little result—what a useless method. In an era ruled by high technology, this kind of outdated technique had long since been discarded. Yet here was Mu Qingyun, still using it.
Her disdain was so obvious that Mu Qingyun could no longer ignore it. She turned toward her, eyes sharp. "You look down on this method?"
Bai Feifei let out a haughty snort. "Of course. Any water-type ability stronger than Su's could easily purify water. This method was abandoned because it is inefficient and useless."
A trace of coldness flickered in Mu Qingyun's eyes. "Not everyone has high-level purification abilities. Not everyone carries top-grade purifiers. You may scoff at this method, but in our current situation—with no strong water-type user around—this is the only viable option."
She paused, then chuckled lightly. "If you really dislike distilled water so much, then go find your own source."
At that, Bai Feifei's expression changed dramatically.
Truthfully, she did not despise the distillation method. She simply looked down on Mu Qingyun and wanted to mock her to satisfy her own pride.
She had always relied on Mu Xueyao's high-level water ability to drink clean water. But now? She dared not even approach Mu Xueyao for help.
She knew Mu Xueyao must think of her as worthless by now.
Realizing this, Bai Feifei hurriedly shook her head, backtracking fast, "No, no, it's not that. I was just surprised. I helped carry the water too—can I have a little to drink?"
Mu Qingyun continued working without looking at her. Cold impatience filled her eyes as she glanced sideways and said, "Do not speak unless it is necessary. Understood?"
"…Got it."
Bai Feifei clenched her hand so tightly her fingernails bit into her palm. Her face flushed red and then paled. Only after a long pause did she grit her teeth and whisper back.
With Bai Feifei finally silenced, Mu Qingyun ignored her entirely and quickened her pace, distilling a full pot of clean water for everyone.
[I don't get it. Bai Feifei is clearly miserable here. It's not even that much better than being with Deng Yijie. So why is she still clinging to this group?]
[Right? I can't figure out what her deal is. At least Deng Yijie's side still has the princess treating her decently. Here, nobody gives her the time of day, and yet she refuses to leave.]
[Absurd—completely and utterly absurd.]