The survival live-stream show announced its early end on the night of the twenty-fifth day due to unexpected circumstances, yet neither the audience nor netizens had any objections; staying any longer would have truly risked the participants’ lives.
The rescue operation was also broadcast live. Unfortunately, the awakened Zerg was an S-class, but fortunately, it was discovered just after awakening. Mechas were immediately dispatched for rescue, and due to the timely intervention, there were no casualties.
Except for Luo Xingzhou’s group of six and Ding Changhuan with Niel, the other contestants had been stationed far from the lake. So, when they saw mechas descending from the sky in the dead of night to evacuate them from Hong-ai Star, they were left bewildered, clueless about the situation. Only after they reconnected to the star network and saw the swarm of insects flying out did they feel a chill run down their spines, their fear lingering.
Back on the spaceship, Luo Xingzhou and the others felt immense relief at surviving. Unable to contain themselves, they shared hugs, with Huo Zhijun and Lina clinging to each other tightly, both with reddened eyes when they eventually parted.
After exiting Hong-ai Star, they were first sent for full-body disinfection, as no one knew what bacteria might lurk on this undeveloped planet. Once the disinfection was complete, the staff returned their personal communicators.
Having been out of contact with the outside world for nearly a month, the first thing everyone did upon receiving their communicators was to contact family and friends to assure them of their safety.
Luo Xingzhou had been worried about his mother’s condition day and night, so as soon as he got his communicator, he immediately reached out to his mother’s primary doctor.
During their time on Hong-ai Star, they had no way of knowing the outside situation, but he could imagine that, first, his sudden awakening as an ability user would have drawn a lot of attention, making it unlikely his identity could remain hidden. Secondly, the appearance of the Zerg race—especially an S-class Zerg—on Hong-ai Star would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the StarNet and the Empire. He hoped that the commotion might bury news of him, at least as long as his identity hadn’t been exposed.
Still, he felt uneasy. He worried that the Wu family might find out about his mother’s whereabouts and harass her. So, the first thing he did was to move aside and call the doctor responsible for her treatment.
The doctor initially had no idea Luo Xingzhou had participated in a survival live-stream show. Only after Luo Xingzhou’s video went viral on the StarNet did the doctor catch on and start watching the stream, but he didn’t reveal this to his patient. He also understood how the star coins Luo Xingzhou had brought when he admitted his mother to the hospital had been earned.
“Please don’t worry, Master Luo. Your mother, Madam Luo, is currently stable, with no further deterioration. Recently, a batch of donated medications arrived at our hospital, providing critical help for Madam Luo. Also, rest assured, Master Luo—no one has leaked her presence in our hospital, so no one has disturbed her.”
Luo Xingzhou sighed in relief and thanked the doctor.
After everyone checked in with loved ones, they were personally greeted by the program head. The appearance of an S-class Zerg on Hong-ai Star technically pointed to a failure in the program’s scouting efforts, and they bore some responsibility for this. He said, “The good news is that all the surviving contestants were successfully rescued. The bad news is that one contestant was seriously injured and will need an extended stay in the medical pod. His body sustained significant damage, including to his face, so he will require further treatment once he exits the pod. We’ll need to discuss his ongoing treatment with him once he wakes up.”
“Who? Could it be… that guy Ding Changhuan?” Milo muttered. It wasn’t that they had disregarded Niel and Ding Changhuan; it was just that, unable to protect themselves, they had no way to look after others.
Luo Xingzhou’s group guessed the same. After all, Ding Changhuan was the weakest, with minimal combat ability. Luo Xingzhou asked, “Is Niel okay?”
The head nodded. “Yes, the seriously injured contestant is indeed Ding Changhuan. Niel was also sent to the medical pod, but he’s fine now. Everyone, even if you seem unscathed, it would be best to let our medical team examine each of you.”
“Alright, no problem.”
The supervisor looked over at Luo Xingzhou again. Before the show started, he hadn’t thought much of Luo Xingzhou. Who would have guessed that on the first day, he’d awaken his ability, drawing a massive crowd to the live-stream, and later revealing his background—turning out to be the only grandson of the renowned Pharmacist Luo. This revelation had sent the platform’s popularity skyrocketing. Now, the supervisor treated Luo Xingzhou with utmost respect.
Rubbing his hands together, the supervisor asked, “Master Luo, would you like to have an ability level assessment? People outside are very curious about your abilities.”
Luo Xingzhou smiled. “Sure, I’d like to know too.”
The supervisor clapped his hands in delight. “Wonderful! Thank you, Master Luo, for cooperating. We’ll get that arranged for you right away.”
The spaceship became busy again, with the medical team checking everyone’s physical condition. Apart from some fatigue from overusing their abilities, they found no other injuries. Not even a bug had managed to bite them. Fang Yang, a B-level ability user, had done his part, but it was Luo Xingzhou’s wood-based power that had provided solid protection for everyone.
Meanwhile, Niel lay in the medical pod, enviously watching the unscathed six. He regretted his decision. If only he had joined their group from the beginning—look at them now, perfectly fine, while he, a supposedly powerful B-level beastman, lay here in the medical pod, thoroughly embarrassed.
And to make things worse, there was Ding Changhuan, the team’s weakest link. Most of Niel’s injuries were due to covering for him. At least Ding Changhuan was hurt even more seriously, which provided Niel with some consolation.
Reflecting on Fang Yang’s earlier words, Niel slowly realized Fang Yang had been warning him all along. It wasn’t for the reasons he assumed that Fang Yang had separated from Ding Changhuan; perhaps Ding Changhuan had done something to betray Fang Yang, causing him to abandon him mid-way.
After the medical checks, Milo and the others decided to accompany Luo Xingzhou to his ability level assessment, their curiosity piqued. They were convinced his level wouldn’t be low.
“What do you guys think it’ll be?” Milo, the most curious, asked, “I’d guess Luo Ge is at least a C-level ability user now.”
Lina nodded in agreement. “I’d say so too, maybe even more effective than some B-level users in certain situations.”
For instance, during group fights or when a star beast had a visible injury. If Jiutang could get inside, the beast was practically done for.
As a B-level ability user, Fang Yang had the most say. Remembering Luo Xingzhou’s battle against the insects, he said, “It’ll definitely be at least C-level, and even if he hasn’t reached B-level, it won’t be long.”
Despite having anticipated this, everyone still gasped, full of envy and jealousy. Raising ability and beastman levels wasn’t supposed to be this easy!
This spaceship had everything they needed, including equipment to assess ability levels. A staff member led Luo Xingzhou to the device, where he only had to lie down.
With his teammates watching eagerly, Luo Xingzhou climbed into the device, calmly lying down with his hands folded on his abdomen. He took this moment to consider the doctor’s previous words. There had been a sudden donation of medication for genetic collapse treatment? And his mother hadn’t been disturbed at all? Was it really a coincidence, or was someone secretly helping him and his mother?
Luo Xingzhou suspected the latter. But who could it be?