The next morning, Yi Meng woke up early.
As she stretched and walked out of the master bedroom, Yun He, dressed in green robes, happened to pass by carrying breakfast.
"Oh, the Little Highness is up early today." The elegant and handsome gentleman looked at Yi Meng with surprise, then offered a gentle smile. "That is well; I won't have to worry about keeping the breakfast warm."
"Good morning, Crane Mother~"
Yun He had been summoned from the legends of the crane and was a relatively rare Soul-spirit. He inherited the elegance and nobility associated with cranes in the public consciousness. Because of his association with celestial and longevity cranes, although he appeared to be a young man, his temperament was as peaceful and gentle as an elder’s.
Combined with his inexplicably superb culinary skills, Yun He was affectionately dubbed "Crane Mother" by countless Star Lords on the forums.
Even after hearing it many times, Yun He still found the title somewhat difficult to accept. His fair face flushed slightly as he pleaded in a low voice, "That title is truly inappropriate..."
"Don't worry, I only call you that to your face! After all, Yun He really is so gentle and capable." Seeing that Yun He’s reddening ears meant he had been coaxed into submission, Yi Meng added, "I’ll have to trouble Crane Mother to help the new child get familiar with Little Penglai today!"
"A new child?" Yun He understood, yet he was puzzled. "I have not heard news of a new companion being awakened... Who is this child?"
Yi Meng placed a finger to her lips with a mysterious "Shhh."
"I only got the news through the exclusive 'Whale' channel."
The subtext: She was getting a head start.
"Hehe, once I bring the darling back, I’ll take plenty of photos and post them on the forum to make them all die of envy!" While eating the warm, soft, and sweet fresh pastries, Yi Meng indulged in beautiful fantasies.
After all, the forums were never short of "Whales" with full collections or "Grinders" who spent every waking hour playing. The opportunity to satisfy herself by flexing her "early access" luck was far too rare to pass up.
*Alright, one last look at the forum, then I’m heading out.*
Yi Meng tapped a button on her mask to open the forum interface. The homepage was immediately flooded with a screen full of question marks.
【? When I type a question mark...】
【? Central Island, is something wrong with you?】
【??】
【? Is this little broken island trying to drive players away?】
【? What’s going on? Why is everyone fighting?】
Utterly confused, Yi Meng quickly swiped right to open the hottest thread. The red title of the pinned post was extremely eye-catching.
**【(Official) "Encounter in the Woods" Special Event Begins~】**
She felt a bad premonition. Skimming through the post, the information she found left her completely shocked.
*Holy crap... why can this new cutie only be invited?? Do you people just not want to make money??*
*Explain to me what "extremely devoted, will only accept the invitation of one Star Lord" is supposed to mean!*
*And didn't they say it would be announced "in a few days"? Since when did this broken island become so efficient?!*
Scrolling all the way to the end of the main post, a few high-definition pictures slightly soothed Yi Meng’s agitated heart.
In the photos, the youth’s eyelashes were lowered, his features far more exquisite and beautiful than the blurry photo Bai Shan had provided. Those emerald-like eyes looked down at the camera with a hint of cold arrogance.
Although most people were protesting the event, there were still those in the comments secretly derailing the thread to discuss the youth.
【So beautiful (drools)】
【The baby has such a strong non-human vibe, I love it~】
【The "devoted" setting is a first. Could it be a loyal dog attribute? I feel like being chosen by him would be pure bliss! (Disclaimer: I still oppose this event!)】
【I mean... what if I’m the one who can spirit him away! Since it’s an invitation, it’s all down to luck...】
【The person above is still posting? Someone has already sneaked out to find him.】
Yi Meng read a few more comments before suddenly realizing she was falling behind. She hurriedly put down her chopsticks and urged Yun He, "Quick, quick, quick! we’re leaving now!"
Yun He was startled. "Bai Shan and the others haven't arrived yet..."
Before he could finish, Yi Meng, erupting with sudden strength, grabbed his sleeve and dragged him several steps.
"There’s no time!"
Yi Meng hurriedly drew a teleportation array and stepped inside with Yun He.
"I’ve researched it; that space-time isn't very dangerous, so having you is enough!"
"If we don't hurry, the darling is going to be taken by someone else!"
***
The System, which had been feigning death after being "shot," suddenly sensed something. Its yellow-and-black striped ears twitched slightly.
【System: ...?】
"Monster...!"
Seeing the white-haired youth shoulder his bow and look toward him, the young man retreated a few steps, trembling. His voice was harsh but laced with fear. "Get away!"
The sharp stone in his hand, which he hadn't dared to throw at the tiger, was hurled violently at the youth in the next second.
Mu Ran did not dodge. He let the rough stone strike his arm, leaving a red mark smeared with dirt. It seemed this was his way of demonstrating his harmlessness.
"You are..." *Safe now.*
He didn't finish the sentence.
In his panic, the man grabbed another object and threw it. This time, it hit Mu Ran square in the forehead.
Fortunately, it was a phone encased in a rubber shell, not something sharp. Realizing what he had thrown, the man’s expression changed again as he cursed, "Bad luck! Truly rotten luck!"
【Mu Ran: *Sigh*, my heart is tired.】
He silently walked a few steps away from the man to show his peaceful intentions. The man wanted his phone back but was too afraid to approach. He could only glare hatefully at the youth before backing away warily. After retreating about ten meters, he finally turned and bolted.
Mu Ran waited silently for a moment, but he didn't feel the experiment ending.
【Mu Ran: I have a bad feeling about this...】
The System, which had remained silent to avoid interfering with Mu Ran’s reactions, finally spoke. Its voice was calm, hiding a trace of helplessness.
【System: There are four others present.】
Mu Ran: ...?
*Please, no!! We’re not even halfway through the experiment! Don't drag this out for another seven or eight days, ahhh!*
Since people were still watching, he couldn't stand there in a daze for too long. While silently picking up the phone, Mu Ran communicated with the System.
【Mu Ran: When did they get here?】
The white-haired youth stared at the phone, his gaze appearing somewhat dejected.
【System: Right when that man began his confrontation with you.】
Mu Ran glanced at the tiger lying nearby and suddenly realized a more serious problem. Specifically, the problem of whether the System could "come back to life" right now.
Previously, the System would wait for the experiment to end before getting up. But since people were watching...
When he raised the question, the System fell silent for a moment before answering.
【System: I don't know their identities. I'm not sure if my suppressed breathing and pulse can fool them.】
In other words, if it had already been discovered, staying "dead" would be even weirder.
【Mu Ran: Well... then just get up. Miss Yun said this world is very accepting of new things; they should be able to understand...】
【Mu Ran: ...Besides, the tiger is a frequent actor in our experiments. We can't leave it behind!】
Mu Ran tucked the phone away and walked toward the tiger lying on the ground.
The tiger, which had seemed lifeless, suddenly swiped its right front paw through the air, startling the observers in the shadows.
"Eh? Yun He! Is that tiger not dead?"
"Shhh..."
"Oh? It seems a certain bird is about to be proven wrong."
"...Shut up, you stupid dog."
They watched as the youth gently pulled out a silver-white arrow. There was no blood on the arrowhead, only a few short yellow and black hairs.
As he moved, the tiger, eyes tightly shut, twitched its nose briefly before opening its eyes. It let out a few low growls, seemingly confused about what had happened. But when it saw the arrow in the youth’s hand, its eyes turned fierce, and it tried to bite it.
"Stop."
The youth’s left hand pressed down on the restless tiger’s head. The glass bracelet on his wrist swayed gently.
He knelt before the tiger, which had yet to stand. Holding the silver-white arrow shaft in his right hand, he waited until the tiger’s vertical pupils were focused on it, then gently poked the long, narrow belly beneath the yellow and black stripes.
Feeling threatened, the large feline instinctively bared its long, well-developed canines. Its belly heaved, and its pupils constricted.
Mu Ran paused.
【System: ...It’s just instinct.】
Mu Ran understood.
"It’s soft. It doesn't hurt," he said coldly, though his actions were gentle as he demonstrated the movement again on his own left knee.
The seemingly sharp, whetted arrowhead retracted the moment it touched warm skin, possessing no lethality whatsoever.
The black feline pupils in the amber eyes gradually rounded. The long, striped tail began to sway slowly and rhythmically.
After patiently soothing the large fluff-ball under his hand, Mu Ran lifted its face and whispered a gentle warning: "Don't scare people next time."
The striped tail thrashed against the ground in displeasure.
"I’m leaving."
After one last scratch under the big cat’s chin, Mu Ran bid a cold farewell, staying true to his persona.
*There wasn't anything 'villainous' about that, right? They won't overthink it, will they?* he thought nervously.
【System: Don't worry, no one is paying attention to me. They’ll likely appear by you in a moment.】
Indeed, they had already appeared.
Mu Ran looked at the man and woman who had suddenly blocked his path. He stopped, feeling a bit weary. "Who are you?"
Yi Meng nervously adjusted the mask on her face and gave Yun He a light cough, signaling him to speak first.
He understood. The elegant, handsome young man spoke gently, "There is no need for tension, Excellency. Both Her Highness and I hail from Penglai Island."
*Penglai Island... where is that?*
Looking at the other’s expression, which seemed certain that Mu Ran would stop doubting them upon hearing the name, Mu Ran fell silent.
*It must be a famous place in this world... If I say I don't know it, will they get suspicious?*
He decided to play along for now. "What do you want?" The youth relaxed his guard slightly, though his tone remained cold.
The formal invitation required Yi Meng to speak.
She spoke with a mix of nervousness and anticipation. "We saw what just happened. I greatly admire your kindness and integrity, so I would like to invite you to return to Little Penglai with me."
"Will you say yes?"
As the keywords were spoken, the patterns on her mask began to glow with a multi-colored radiance, possessing a power that could bewitch the heart. Yi Meng looked expectantly at the cold youth, having immense confidence in the "buff mask" she had spent a fortune on.
Mu Ran: ...
*Why is your mask glowing?*
"I’m sorry, but I have no such intention." He rejected her immediately.
Seeing the masked girl freeze in place and the green-robed man beside her wearing a look of shock, Mu Ran sensed something was wrong.
*Surely they won't drag me into a plot just because I rejected them...*
But at that moment, the familiar freeze in time occurred.
Mu Ran: !?
*I don't know why, but I’m taking this chance to bolt!*
By the time Yi Meng blinked again, the youth before her had vanished.
"Waaaaah!! I was rejected!" Her pupils shook with shock.
Beside her, Yun He was at a loss, trying to comfort her with gentle words.
After finally managing to pull her emotions together, Yi Meng took a deep breath. "Very well! Man!"
"I admit, your 'playing hard to get' has successfully seduced me!"
Yun He was horrified. *Has the Little Highness been so traumatized that she’s started talking nonsense?*
"I don't believe those angry words you said!"
"Little Highness...!"
"Just wait until I bring you back to Penglai, I’ll— mmmph!"
Yun He pleaded in a low voice, "Watch your words, Highness... Let us return for now."
...
After the two left in a whirlwind, two figures draped in black robes slowly emerged from the depths of the forest.
"Yo, how does it feel to 'see' your former self?"
The youth who spoke first had pitch-black short hair and deep red eyes. His face was identical to the Bai Shan who had appeared here before. However, his eyes were filled with chaos and gloom, lacking even a hint of Bai Shan’s straightforward sunniness.
"..."
The other black-robed figure remained silent, eyes closed. His face was identical to the Yun He who had just departed, and even the green robes beneath his black cloak were exactly the same.
That was, until he slowly lifted his eyelids.
There were no normal human structures within his eye sockets—only a void of pure darkness.
"...Never mind." Seeing his cold expression, the other youth lost interest. "Are you really not going to do something about those eyes?" The Bai Shan look-alike stretched. "Looking at you like that gives even me the creeps."
"I’m keeping them as a lesson."
It was that familiar reason again.
The youth shrugged noncommittally and changed the subject. "So? What’s your impression of this child now?"
"...Passable."
Thinking about how the other had been coldly nitpicking while observing, only to be proven wrong by the soft arrows and the tiger jumping back to life—and how he had been sulking in silence ever since—the youth could hardly hold back his laughter.
"Hehe, that Star Lord didn't seem like a bad person. I wasn't even planning on stopping her..."
"Who knew he’d reject her himself~"
"Even though we have to spend time watching over him, it’s inexplicably satisfying to see a Star Lord collapse after being rejected!"
"Childish." The other didn't understand his sudden high spirits and merely offered a cold, downcast barb.
The youth arched an eyebrow, wisely choosing not to explain the reason.
"It’s about time; we should head home too~"
"I hope this child can hold out for a few more rounds... and not be spirited away so easily."
Of course, he felt relatively at ease in his heart.
After all, having been abandoned twice himself, he had never been able to withstand the power of those strange masks... yet that unfamiliar youth had rejected her with such clinical decisiveness.
*That willpower is excellent. Keep it up!*
***
**Glossary**
