A top-tier gigolo, teased by a cool and aloof general, turns warm.

Shi Yu pursed his lips, trying hard to suppress the nausea that kept rising inside him.

His hands trembled like withered leaves in the wind as he slowly raised the raw meat to his mouth.

The stench of blood assaulted his nostrils, and his stomach convulsed violently, as if an invisible hand were churning it.

Immediately afterwards, a gush of acidic water, mixed with bitter jaundice fluid, gushed out from deep in his throat and was vomited all over the ground.

Shi Yu was so weak that he could barely stand, his body swaying as if he would collapse at any moment.

He weakly raised his head and said in an almost pleading tone, "Excuse me, could you please start a fire?"

Cullen stared at him intently for a long while, his gaze sharp.

He slowly began to speak, "Actually, in this desolate wilderness, there's no need to be so particular. We need to replenish our strength as soon as possible."

However, Shi Yu still firmly shook his head, indicating that he could not accept eating raw meat.

Seeing his persistent look, Cullen sighed helplessly and turned to give commands to the other two male insects.

"Tataro, go to the aircraft and get the lighter."

"Henry, go and collect some dried manure from around here."

Upon hearing this, Henry, who had green hair, widened his eyes and screamed in disbelief.

"Team leader...did I hear that right? Are we really going to start a fire?"

Cullen's face instantly darkened, and he roared, "Just go when I tell you to! Stop with the nonsense!"

After being reprimanded, Henry dared not say another word and could only walk away reluctantly into the distance.

The other male insect, named Tataro, said nothing and quickly ran towards the aircraft parked not far away.

At this point, only Shi Yu and Kurion remained.

All around was silent, broken only by the occasional sound of the wind.

Neither insect spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

After a long while, Shi Yu finally felt a little better.

He composed himself and asked, "Team leader, is Chris alright?"

His voice revealed deep concern.

So much has happened during this period.

Shi Yu misses Chris all the time.

She worried that he hadn't eaten on time and that he would toss and turn at night, unable to sleep because he missed her.

Cullen shook his head. "I don't know. The day you were kidnapped, I took Henry and Tataro out of the camp and searched for news about you."

He thought for a moment and then said, "The military has many things to handle. General Chris is dedicated and responsible and will not abandon his post."

"That's good, thank you so much. If you ever need my help in the future, please feel free to ask, as long as it's not immoral."

Shi Yu made this promise solemnly with a serious expression.

Having been here for five years, this is my first time traveling far from home, and I've actually caused so much trouble for the insects around me.

I'm afraid I can never repay this life-saving kindness in my lifetime.

Through this experience, he felt even more strongly that he was better suited to staying at home and living a simple life.

The thought of seeing Chris soon made his previously calm heart instantly restless.

Based on the aircraft's speed, it should be able to reach the camp smoothly in less than half a day.

Shi Yu was about to ask why they had stopped to rest.

Cullen, who was standing next to him, seemed to be able to read minds and offered an explanation.

"Next, we will no longer be able to travel by aircraft and will have to rely on walking to cross Death Valley."

Because Gaia issued an order to completely seal off the entire western continent, strictly prohibiting the passage of aircraft.

If any insect dares to disobey orders and forcibly attempt to pass through, shoot it down immediately.

Shi Yu gazed into the distance; the gray valley stretched endlessly, with no end in sight.

"Approximately how long will it take to get out?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, we should be able to get out in about twenty days."

Alas, Death Valley is fraught with danger, guarded by an eighth-tier king-level beast that can speak in insect language, summon wind and rain, and whose combat power is at its peak.

Kurion's expression was solemn as he continued, "Historically, the number of insects that have walked out of Death Valley is extremely small, and they were all SS-level Venerables."

"How about we wait until this lockdown is lifted before we set off?"

Shi Yu's gaze was solemn as he slowly offered his suggestion.

He secretly rejoiced, thankfully he possessed SS-level powerful mental strength.

If we encounter any dangerous situation, we must protect them at all costs.

Cullen shook his head with a serious expression.

"No, the aircraft has a satellite positioning card. It won't be long before those pursuers track us here."

"We are male insects; if we fall into the hands of that demon Gaia, we will truly be doomed, unable to live or die."

He made thorough preparations for this rescue operation.

The aircraft carries a large quantity of potent sedatives, which should last for about twenty days.

During the conversation, Henry and Tataro came running back, panting, each carrying a tall stack of dried excrement.

Upon seeing Cullen, Henry asked with a mournful face, "Leader, are we really going to use this dried dung to start a fire?"

As he spoke, he disgustedly tossed the dried excrement aside, while glaring fiercely at Shi Yu.

Cullen nodded vigorously, as if he had made a very difficult decision.

"That's right, burn it!"

Upon hearing this, Henry and Tataro's expressions became even more pained.

Seeing their bitter and resentful expressions, Shi Yu couldn't help but find it amusing.

So he stepped forward and took the initiative to offer work.

"You've worked hard, I'll start the fire and grill the meat."

It's a pity there were no barbecue seasonings, otherwise, with his superb cooking skills, he would have surely made them all drool with envy.

Shi Yu took the lighter from Tataro and, upon closer inspection, discovered that he bore a striking resemblance to Paparo.

Especially their round faces, flaxen curly hair, and brown eyes—they're practically identical.

He couldn't help but feel curious and asked casually.

"Do you know Lieutenant Paparo? He really enjoys my cooking."

Tataro's eyes darted around, as if he were hiding some secret.

After a long while, he answered in a low voice.

"Yes, he's my older brother."

Hearing this answer, Shi Yu was not surprised.

He laughed and said, "So that's how it is! No wonder you two look so alike, you really are brothers."

He walked to the dry manure pile, squatted down, and set it on fire.

The next instant, an unbearable stench rose into the sky and quickly filled the air.

The pungent smell was like countless rotten eggs being broken at the same time, both fishy and foul.

Shi Yu turned around, but there wasn't a single insect behind him.

The gerbils and lizards around them also scattered in panic.

The stench made his eyes water and he almost suffocated. He pinched his nose and ran forward as fast as he could.

"It stinks! Why didn't you say so sooner?"