On the twenty-fifth day, Luo Xingzhou and his group arrived at the edge of a large lake, which was adorned with numerous aquatic plants, creating a picturesque view.
However, there was one drawback: to reach the other side of the lake, they either had to cross it directly or take a long detour around it.
The six of them didn’t rush; they set up camp by the lake to prepare for the night. In the morning, once it was light out, they would assess the situation regarding the lake. If there was no significant danger, they could chop down trees to make a raft and cross. If that didn’t work out, they could simply take the long way around; they had enough time to spare.
“Wow, I really caught a fish!” Milo cheered.
Fang Yang laughed, “Using the method taught by Xingzhou, it turns out we can fish without getting wet. It really shows that Xingzhou is best suited for this kind of wilderness survival livestream.”
Since it was still early, the group sat in a row on the shore and began fishing. Compared to other teams, they seemed quite relaxed. The fishing technique had been suggested by Luo Xingzhou, who had lived in another world for hundreds of years. He felt confident that few in this interstellar world could match his wilderness survival skills.
Luo Xingzhou smiled, “Others use this method to cultivate their character, but I’m just a plain person who thinks about fishing to eat.”
“Haha, then we’re all just plain folks here. What’s the point of catching fish if not to eat them?”
The viewers in the livestream laughed, jotting down the method so they could plan a fishing picnic with friends in the future, which would surely be a lot of fun.
“I’ve got a fish here too.” Luo Xingzhou pulled up his “fishing rod” and caught the fattest fish. However, the tool he used for fishing was quite special, having been transformed by Jiutang. Of course, Jiutang had completely concealed its aura; otherwise, not only would it be impossible to catch fish, but the fish would be scared off by its presence.
Jiutang even released a bit of scent to attract fish, so after the first fish was caught, Luo Xingzhou continued to catch more. In less than half an hour, he had reeled in ten plump fish, which seemed almost magical to the others.
Suddenly, Luo Xingzhou, Milo, and Fang Yang’s ears perked up simultaneously, and they all turned to look behind them.
Although Huo Zhijun and Lina hadn’t caught many fish, they were having a good time. Seeing the three react, they immediately realized, “Could someone be coming?”
Milo hushed them, and everyone resumed fishing, pretending not to hear the sounds from behind.
Before long, the sound of footsteps became clearer. Milo turned around again, and upon seeing who it was, he exclaimed in surprise, “Neil? So it’s you! But from the sound, it seems you’re not alone. Where are your companions?”
To their surprise, it was Neil, the beast mman. No one was unfamiliar with him, including Luo Xingzhou, as Neil had made quite an impression back on the spaceship as a B-level beastman. How could anyone forget him?
Neil called out to someone behind him, saying, “Oh, Fang Yang, you’re here! Huan Huan is your good brother, right? After getting separated from you, I found him, and I’ve been taking care of him these past couple of days.”
Ding Changhuan? Luo Xingzhou and Milo exchanged glances, surprised to find that Neil’s companion was actually that guy.
Milo let out a soft “tch.” “This guy has good luck. First, he has Fang Yang, a B-level ability user, protecting him, and now he has Neil, another B-level beastman.”
Ding Changhuan also didn’t expect to run into Fang Yang and his group. After all, those people had seen what he did on that rainy night, especially since Fang Yang was among them.
No, he can’t let them say anything. He is lucky to have met Neil, this big fool. Without him, he doesn’t know how to get through the next few days. He absolutely can’t let these people, especially Fang Yang, ruin his good fortune.
Thinking this, he stopped hiding from them and quickly stepped out from behind Neil, tears in his eyes. “Yang Ge, seeing you safe puts me at ease. I’ve been so worried about your safety since we got separated that night. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Neil, this big fool, actually started comforting Ding Changhuan. “Huan Huan, why are you worrying so much? No matter how you look at it, Fang Yang is a B-level ability user. While he may not be as strong as me, he’ll be fine. Look, he’s quite lucky, meeting all these people.”
Of course, in his eyes, those people were all weaklings and of no use.
He then turned to Fang Yang and said, “Fang Yang, it’s a shame that you’re a B-level ability user, yet Huan Huan worries about your safety all the time. After you two got separated, you didn’t rush to find him; instead, you’re here laughing and having fun with these people.”
Luo Xingzhou and the others were left speechless by these words, and Fang Yang’s face darkened. He had been quite happy before, but how could he possibly forget Ding Changhuan’s betrayal and his wish for him to die? Now, facing him again was utterly disgusting.
Ding Changhuan’s eyes brimmed with tears as he looked at Fang Yang with a pleading expression, hoping he wouldn’t expose him.
Milo wanted to reveal the true nature of this jerk but was stopped by Chen Kangning, who gestured toward Fang Yang. This was something that needed to be resolved by Fang Yang himself; they shouldn’t act on their own.
Lina and Huo Zhijun were also disgusted, but they knew this needed to be handled by Fang Yang. So, they simply pulled Luo Xingzhou toward the water to clean the fish they caught and prepare dinner.
Fang Yang lowered his gaze and smiled faintly, hiding the mocking look in his eyes. “Ding Changhuan, I won’t pursue the past anymore, but from now on, we are strangers. I can’t accept the title of ‘Yang Ge.’ Neil, know the face but not the heart; my warning ends here. You all should take care of yourselves.”
Given their long-standing relationship since childhood, he refrained from exposing Ding Changhuan’s true nature in front of Neil, but that was as far as it went.
Ding Changhuan’s tears fell freely, and though he felt relieved inside, his expression remained sorrowful. Just as he was about to say something more, Fang Yang looked up, his cold gaze fixed on Ding Changhuan, startling him into silence. He feared that further words might truly provoke Fang Yang, disregarding the years of friendship they had shared.
Neil, however, was displeased. “What do you mean by that, Fang Yang? Why are you being so petty and calculating, like a small-minded man?”
Fang Yang glanced at him indifferently. “Sorry, but we’re not close.”
Neil was infuriated by his attitude and cursed under his breath. Is this effeminate guy even a man? The more Fang Yang distanced himself from Ding Changhuan, the more Neil wanted to keep him close. When the day came for them to leave, he wanted to see how others would perceive him, especially with so many viewers in the live stream watching him demonstrate loyalty and bravery.
What he didn’t realize was that those left in his live stream were berating him mercilessly in the comments, and they were even harsher on Ding Changhuan. Fang Yang had kindly reminded him of the danger, yet Neil, the fool, not only ignored it but also retaliated, completely oblivious to the kindness shown to him.
[I’m so furious! How did I ever start supporting such an idiot? People warned you that you were close to a snake, yet you mistook their goodwill for something malicious!]
[Neil, you fool, I might as well have thrown the rewards I gave you into the water! Don’t even think about me giving you another star coin. I’d rather donate it than reward you again.]