Guo Yun: Plays Ye Shunguang, teammate Ye Shiyuan

[Transmission complete. Athletes from all countries have arrived at the national competition's restricted area. Live footage will be synchronized shortly...]

The moment the cold system notification faded from the depths of his consciousness, the intense spatial pulling sensation abruptly subsided. Ye Shunguang felt his feet suddenly sink into a rough, dry ground, almost staggering half a step due to inertia.

Before she could even get her footing, a strange smell, a mixture of dust, decaying vegetation, and a faint stench of blood, filled her nostrils.

She frowned slightly, her red eyes quickly scanning her surroundings. As far as her eyes could see, there was a desolate wasteland stretching as far as the eye could see.

The withered yellow grass grew wildly to waist height, rustling in the wind like countless invisible hands gently swaying; on the distant horizon, several bare black peaks stood, their summits shrouded in a hazy mist, and vague, eerie patterns could be seen etched into their walls; the sky was a depressing leaden gray, devoid of sun or clouds, only a thick layer of haze covering the earth, the light as dim as dusk.

"This is the forbidden area of ​​the nation's destiny..." Ye Shunguang murmured to herself, her fingertips gently stroking the wooden edge of the food box. She could clearly feel a faint but pervasive sense of danger permeating this land, as if something was lurking in the shadows, watching the intruder with predatory eyes.

Just then, a rustling sound came from the bushes not far away, followed by two steady footsteps.

Ye Shunguang suddenly looked up, a hint of wariness flashing in her red eyes. Her right hand subconsciously reached for her waist—which was empty. Only then did she remember that her longsword was still in the system space.

"Who is it?"

A deep, powerful shout rang out, carrying the unique authority and vigilance of a soldier.

Ye Shunguang looked in the direction of the sound and saw two men in camouflage clothing walking out of the bushes.

The man walking in front was tall and burly, with dark skin, a faint scar on his face, and sharp, eagle-like eyes. He had a Type 95 automatic rifle tucked into his waistband and a bulging military pack on his back.

The man following behind him was slightly thin, but his posture was as upright as a pine tree. He held a sniper rifle in his hand, the muzzle pointing upwards. His eyes were scanning the surroundings warily, and his finger was always near the trigger, ready to deal with any sudden situation.

Ye Shunguang recognized them at a glance—it must be Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun from the list of Chinese players announced on the screen.

Almost simultaneously, Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun also saw Ye Shunguang. When their eyes fell on Ye Shunguang, both of them were stunned and instinctively stopped in their tracks.

The woman in front of him was simply too eye-catching.

The brown hair color is like unadorned silk, with natural, slightly curled ends. In this dim world, it can even radiate a soft glow, as if the last rays of the setting sun on the horizon have been blended into the hair.

She didn't deliberately tie her hair up, letting it fall freely, with a few stray strands clinging to her neck, outlining the slender yet strong lines of her neck, which rose and fell gently with her breath.

What's most captivating are those crystal-clear red eyes.

The color was not a gaudy crimson, but rather like a pigeon's blood ruby ​​that had been tempered with light, so bright that it could reflect the surrounding weeds and gray sky, and in its depths it seemed to hide stars, making one lose oneself in thought at first glance.

Her gaze was calm, without the slightest fear. She looked at Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun openly and honestly, with a hint of initial scrutiny, but without any frivolity.

Looking down, one can't help but be drawn to the boldly designed modern Chinese-style outfit she was wearing. The top was a short, modified cheongsam style, with a collar adorned with subtle patterned buttons, but it had a neat slit at the waist, revealing a small patch of fair skin.

From the perspective of the live stream, Ye Shunguang's observation is an entrance animation from head to toe.

What captivated the audience's attention was the red markings above the waist and below Lei's waist. The placement was perfect, drawing the eye and making one want to look upwards.

The hem of her top just barely covered her waist, revealing her toned waistline perfectly. There wasn't an ounce of excess fat, and you could see the strength hidden beneath her skin, definitely not the pampered look of someone who was spoiled.

The bottom is a high-slit culotte in the same color scheme. The fabric of the skirt is as light as a cicada's wing, and it flutters in the wind, revealing her straight and slender legs.

The slit was incredibly high, almost reaching her waist and hips, yet it wasn't vulgar at all. Instead, it accentuated the smooth lines of her legs, and with each step, the hem of her skirt swept past her legs with a perfectly graceful movement.

She wore a pair of stiletto ankle boots; the heels weren't overly exaggerated, but they perfectly accentuated her tall and straight figure.

The boot shaft fit snugly around the ankle, outlining the delicate lines of the ankle bone. Stepping on the withered yellow grass, it was incredibly stable, as if the ground beneath one's feet was not a rugged wasteland, but a flat red carpet.

As she walked, her skirt fluttered, and occasionally one could catch a glimpse of the taut curve of her calves—the well-proportioned lines that only come from years of training, with a healthy, muscular feel that was far more alluring than a pale, thin appearance.

What surprised Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun the most was the fluffy brown tail behind her.

Its tail is about half a meter long, with fluffy and soft fur, as if it were woven from the finest horsehair, and the tip of the tail is slightly upturned with a playful curve.

It didn't hang stiffly, but swayed gently with her breathing, sometimes brushing against the hem of her skirt, sometimes brushing against her boots, its movements so natural it was almost unbelievable.

At first glance, no one would think it was a fake decoration; rather, it seemed like a part of her body, something she was born with and naturally formed.

Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun are both seasoned soldiers with sharp and open eyes, but at this moment they couldn't help but be slightly lost in thought.

It wasn't that he harbored any filth, but the woman before him was simply too extraordinary.

Her beauty carries a contradictory sense of wildness and refinement. Despite her daring attire and alluringly exposed skin, her eyes are remarkably pure, and the swaying of her tail tip carries a touch of innocent liveliness, making one dare not harbor the slightest thought of desecration.

Chen Jianjun's fingers twitched slightly as he gripped the gun, but he quickly regained his composure. However, his gaze unconsciously avoided the totem on her waist and instead fell on her rock-solid high heels. He frowned slightly—not because he thought her attire was inappropriate, but because in this dangerous and forbidden place, was it really convenient to move around dressed like that?

Ye Jianguo quickly averted his gaze, his soldierly instincts suppressing any fleeting amazement. He had seen all sorts of people, but never a woman like this. She seemed to have stepped out of a painting, yet exuded an undeniable power. Especially the serenity in her red eyes—it was something no ordinary woman possessed.

The wind blew again, ruffling her long hair and skirt, her reddish-brown tail swaying gently behind her, brushing against a patch of withered grass. Sunlight pierced through the gray mist, landing precisely on the red totem on her waist, making her skin appear as white as jade, and the downy fur on her tail shimmering with a warm glow.

This scene, seen by the two tough soldiers, evoked no romantic fantasies whatsoever; they only felt that the person before them was very mysterious, and... very special.

"You are... Ye Shunguang?" Ye Jianguo was the first to react. He looked at Ye Shunguang, his brows furrowed slightly, and his tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

The first name announced on the screen was this one, but he never expected that the contestant would be such a young-looking girl, even somewhat "unconventional".

Ye Shunguang nodded, loosened his grip on the food box, and gave a slight nod to the two men: "Hello, I'm Ye Shunguang. You must be Comrades Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun?"

Her voice was clear and melodious, like a mountain stream flowing by, carrying a unique gentleness, yet without losing its composure.

Chen Jianjun didn't speak, but narrowed his eyes, looking Ye Shunguang up and down. His gaze was sharp as a knife, from her striking reddish-brown hair to the tail behind her, then to the high heels on her feet, and finally to the exquisite food box in her arms, his eyes filled with scrutiny and doubt.

After all, their own style was completely different from Ye Shunguang's, as they were from two completely different worlds. This situation naturally made them a little nervous, as it was their first time participating in the forbidden area of ​​the national destiny. They didn't know if the "Ye Shunguang" in front of them was really Ye Shunguang or a monster disguised as a beautiful woman to put them at ease.

Just as the two were pondering this, a slight rustling sound came from the bushes beside them. This time the sound was very soft, as if someone was carefully parting the bushes, and then a young man wearing black-rimmed glasses, a white shirt, and black trousers poked his head out.

The man looked to be in his early twenties, with delicate features and a scholarly air about him. His glasses, which had been perched on his nose, had slipped down to the tip. He pushed them up and glanced around somewhat blankly. When he saw the camouflage uniforms worn by Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun, his eyes lit up, and he quickly emerged from the bushes.

"Hello! You must be contestants from the Dragon Kingdom? I'm Zhou Liming!" The young man strode forward, a smile both excited and slightly embarrassed on his face, and extended his hand. "I heard your voices and rushed over. I didn't expect to actually run into some fellow countrymen!"

Ye Jianguo reached out and shook hands with him, saying in a deep voice, "Hello, I am Ye Jianguo, this is Chen Jianjun, and this is Ye Shunguang."

"Ye Shunguang?" Zhou Liming followed Ye Jianguo's gaze to Ye Shunguang. When he saw Ye Shunguang's appearance, his eyes widened instantly, his mouth slightly agape, almost dropping his jaw in shock. "You... is your tail real or fake? And your hair and eyes, the colors are so unique!"

His tone was full of curiosity, completely lacking the wariness of Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun. Instead, it was as if he had seen some novel exhibit, his eyes sparkling with the inquisitive light unique to researchers.

Looking at his expression, Ye Shunguang couldn't help but chuckle and wag her tail behind her: "What do you think?"

The tail swayed in a natural, smooth arc, its fluffy texture looking remarkably realistic. Zhou Liming subconsciously reached out to touch it, but then, as if remembering something, quickly withdrew his hand, smiling sheepishly, "Sorry, sorry, I was just a little curious. I'm a materials science student, and the material of your tail looks very special, like some kind of... bio-fiber?"

Ye Shunguang raised an eyebrow but did not answer.

Just as the four were sizing each other up and exchanging initial information, the live stream of the Dragon Kingdom's Forbidden Zone finally stabilized.

The live stream was divided into four small windows, each corresponding to the perspective of one of the four contestants, but the main screen was firmly fixed on Ye Shunguang.

After all, among the four contestants, her image was the most unique and eye-catching.

Almost the instant the screen appeared, the live stream chat exploded like a volcanic eruption, with dense text instantly covering the entire screen at a dizzying refresh rate.

"Holy crap!!! Is this really Miss Ye Shunguang??? She's so beautiful!!! That brown hair, red eyes, that tail, that figure, she's practically a fairy who stepped out of an anime!!!"

"My mom asked me why I was kneeling while watching the live stream! Her looks are absolutely stunning! I declare that from today onwards, I'm a huge fan of Miss Ye Shunguang's beauty!!!"

"Calm down, everyone! This is a forbidden area for national affairs! It's not a beauty pageant! But... to be honest, the girl is really beautiful! (drooling.jpg)"

"Did you guys notice? This girl is carrying a food box! Even at a time like this, she still remembers to bring food? What kind of foodie is this! So cute!"

"Foodie +1! I get it, I get it! Even in dangerous places, you can't neglect your stomach! The food box in that young lady's arms looks so exquisite, what delicious food is inside?"

"Have you all had enough? Couldn't it be that the person was teleporting and didn't have time to react before accidentally bringing the food along?"

"Look at the expressions on Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun's faces! They're clearly stunned by the young lady's looks and her tail! Hahaha, I knew it, anyone would be stunned for a moment!"

"A soldier is a soldier; even if he was surprised inside, he only frowned slightly!"

"Zhou Liming is so cute! He wears glasses and looks so refined, he's definitely a top student! He even tried to touch the girl's tail! So brave!"

"Academic geniuses really do have different focuses! While others are looking at appearances, he's researching the material of the tail! No wonder he's a top student from Harbin Institute of Technology! And a top intern at the Chinese Academy of Sciences!"

"Wait! Don't you guys find the environment of this forbidden area a bit scary? The sky is hazy, the mountains are bare, and the weeds are so tall. I have a feeling that some kind of monster is hiding in there!"

"Don't scare me! I'm terrified of creepy places like this! I hope all four contestants are safe and sound! Especially the young lady, please take good care of yourself!"

"With two soldiers here, there shouldn't be any problem! And they're even carrying guns! They're definitely the force to rely on!"

"The two military officers are the combat experts! Zhou Liming is the brains expert! And the young lady... the young lady is in charge of the looks!"

"This girl wins just by standing there without doing anything! (fangirling.jpg)"

"Did you guys notice that this young lady is wearing high heels? Is it really convenient to move around in high heels in this remote area? Won't she sprain her ankle?"

"You were worrying for nothing! Look how steady she is! She didn't stumble at all when she landed; she regained her balance very quickly! She might even run faster in heels than in flats!"

"I think this young lady is definitely not simple! Being chosen by Tianmu means she's no mere pretty face! Look at her eyes—they're gentle, but very determined! She might be a hidden powerhouse!"

"I believe in this young lady! After all, she's a contestant from our Dragon Country! She must have some exceptional skills!"

"Do people watch streams from other countries? I wonder what the contestants from other countries are like! Could there be any prettier ones than the girls? (Impossible!)"

"Forget about the other countries! Let's focus on our Dragon Kingdom! The four contestants have gathered! What will happen next? I can't wait!"

……

The viewers in the live stream were buzzing with discussion. Most of their attention was drawn to Ye Shunguang, who was talking about her looks, her tail, and the food box in her arms. Some people were also paying attention to Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun's equipment, as well as Zhou Liming's academic prowess. The atmosphere in the live stream was both lively and tense.

Inside the forbidden area, the four contestants from the Dragon Kingdom had already completed their initial self-introductions.

As the most senior soldier, Ye Jianguo naturally took on the responsibility of leading the team. He looked around and said in a deep voice, "We have now arrived at the forbidden area of ​​national destiny. The environment here is unfamiliar and dangerous. From now on, the four of us must remain vigilant, look after each other, and absolutely not act alone."

Chen Jianjun nodded and added, "The wild grass in this wasteland is very tall, making it easy for enemies or monsters to hide. I suggest we find a relatively safe place first, observe the surrounding environment, and figure out the rules here."

Zhou Liming adjusted his glasses and agreed, "I agree with Comrade Chen Jianjun's opinion. We know nothing about this forbidden area right now, and acting blindly could easily lead to danger. Moreover, Tianmu only said that we need to complete the mission and earn points, but it didn't explain what the specific mission is or how to earn the points."

The three of them turned their gazes to Ye Shunguang simultaneously, clearly waiting for her opinion.

Ye Shunguang nodded slightly, carefully placed the food box in his arms on the ground, patted off the dust, and then raised his head, a calm light flashing in his red eyes: "I have no objection. However, before we take action, we'd better find out the specific rules of this forbidden area of ​​national destiny."

As soon as she finished speaking, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly resounded deep within the consciousness of the four people, and at the same time echoed in the live broadcast rooms of national destiny forbidden zones in all countries around the world—

Welcome, contestants, to the Forbidden Zone of National Fortune. The following are the rules of the Forbidden Zone. Please read them carefully and strictly abide by them:

[I. The Forbidden Zone of National Fortune is an alternate-dimensional space independent of the contestants' original world. It contains the ruins of an unknown civilization and monsters of various levels. The contestants' mission is to explore the ruins, eliminate the monsters, and obtain points.]

II. Monster levels are divided into G-, G, G+, F-, F, F+, E-, E, E+, D-, D, D+, C-, C, C+, B-, B, B+, A-, A, A+, S-, S, S+, SS-, SS, SS+, SSS-, SSS, SSS+. The higher the level, the stronger the monster and the greater the danger.

[III. Defeating monsters will earn you corresponding points; the higher the monster's level, the more points you earn. These points can be exchanged for various items in the National Fortune System Shop, including weapons, ammunition, medicine, food, survival tools, and skill books. The exchange price depends on the item's value.]

[IV. When defeating monsters of rank C or higher, if there is a treasure chest nearby, players can open the chest to receive random rewards, including but not limited to points, rare items, skills, and equipment.]

[V. Players from different countries may form teams freely or act individually. Points earned in a team will be distributed among team members through negotiation. Players may attack each other. Killing a player from another country will grant 50% of that player's current points; killing a player from one's own country will deduct 10% of that country's total points and permanently disqualify that player from the competition.]

[VI. All actions of the players within the forbidden area will be broadcast live to the original world, accessible to viewers worldwide. Viewers can provide suggestions to the players via chat; the system will filter valid suggestions and forward them to the appropriate players.]

7. If a player dies in the forbidden area, they cannot be revived, and their country will have points deducted accordingly. If the points are deducted to a certain level, a national penalty will be triggered, which may include, but is not limited to, natural disasters, resource depletion, and economic recession.

[8. The exploration period for the forbidden areas is three months. After three months, the top fifty countries in terms of points will receive national fortune rewards, including but not limited to resource replenishment, technology upgrades, and territorial expansion; the bottom fifty countries in terms of points will be subject to national fortune penalties, the severity of which will depend on their ranking.]

[IX. If a player successfully deciphers a relic of a civilization discovered within the forbidden area, they will receive a huge amount of points and a special reward, which will belong to the country that discovered the relic.]

[10. The final interpretation of these rules rests with the National Destiny System, which reserves the right to adjust the rules based on actual circumstances.]

The cold rules echoed in my consciousness, each one crystal clear and carrying an undeniable force.

The four people in the forbidden area fell silent, their expressions becoming solemn.

Ye Jianguo frowned deeply, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Points are directly related to the fate of the country, and death will trigger national punishment... It seems that our mission this time is far more difficult than we imagined."

Chen Jianjun's face also darkened. He gripped his sniper rifle tightly and said in a deep voice, "The highest monster level is SSS+. Monsters of this level are probably not something that conventional weapons can handle. Moreover, players can attack each other, so players from other countries will also be our enemies."

Zhou Liming pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light, and analyzed:

"We need to accumulate as many points as possible within three months, while also avoiding death. In addition, the ruins of civilizations are a priority; deciphering the ruins will yield a huge number of points, so we must find clues to the ruins as soon as possible."

The three men's gazes fell on Ye Shunguang again. They noticed that this strikingly beautiful girl did not show any panic or fear on her face after hearing the rules. Instead, she remained calm, with a thoughtful light flashing in her red eyes.

Ye Shunguang was indeed thinking.

Before her transmigration, she had read many novels about the fate of nations and was familiar with these rules. However, novels are novels after all, and it was only when these rules actually appeared before her that she truly felt the pressure they placed upon her.

Points are crucial to the nation's fate, death means punishment for the country, players from other countries are eyeing the battlefield covetously, and there are even monsters with levels as high as SSS+... This journey to the forbidden land is practically a matter of life and death.

However, Ye Shunguang did not feel much fear; on the contrary, he felt a little excited.

In the hundred days since she transmigrated to this world, although she has gained a healthy body and learned all the sword techniques, she has never had the opportunity to truly use them.

Every day, she could only slowly accumulate acting points by imitating the words and actions of the characters. For her, who had once been confined to a hospital bed and even had difficulty breathing, this kind of life, although peaceful, was also somewhat boring.

Now, the appearance of the forbidden area of ​​national destiny has given her an opportunity to show her skills.

Those powerful monsters, those unknown ruins, those competitors from other countries... all of this made her blood start to boil slightly.

She raised her head, met the gazes of the three, and a confident smile appeared on her lips: "The rules are clear: danger and opportunity coexist."

What we need to do now is find a safe place to settle down, and then start exploring, as I believe you all know.

She paused, her gaze falling on a hill not far away, and continued, "I think it's high up there, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area and making it easier to defend against monster attacks. We can go there first and observe if there are any traces of monsters or treasure chests nearby."

Ye Jianguo followed her gaze and nodded: "Good idea, I have no objection. Let's do as Comrade Ye Shunguang says, let's go to that hill first."

After saying that, he turned to Chen Jianjun and said, "Chen Jianjun, you are in charge of covering the rear. Keep an eye on the surroundings and report immediately if you find anything unusual."

"Yes!" Chen Jianjun replied in a deep voice, gripping his sniper rifle tightly, slowly retreating, his eyes scanning the bushes behind him warily.

Ye Jianguo then looked at Zhou Liming: "Zhou Liming, you studied materials science and are quite sensitive to the environment. You are responsible for observing the surrounding soil and vegetation to see if you can find any clues."

Zhou Liming nodded and adjusted his glasses: "Don't worry, Comrade Ye Jianguo. I will observe carefully."

Finally, Ye Jianguo looked at Ye Shunguang, a hint of hesitation in his eyes: "Comrade Ye Shunguang, you..."

He wanted to say, "You're wearing high heels, it might be difficult for you to move around. Why don't you walk in the middle and we'll protect you?" But he swallowed the words back.

He looked into Ye Shunguang's bright red eyes, which were filled with confidence and determination, without the slightest trace of timidity. His intuition told him that this person was definitely not as simple as he appeared.

Ye Shunguang seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled slightly: "I'm fine. Don't worry, I won't hold you back. Oh, by the way, what I have in my hand is osmanthus cake. If you want to keep it, you can put it in your backpack first..."

"Put it in my bag. My bag is full of books, so it won't take up too much space." Zhou Liming quickly responded upon hearing this, then opened his backpack, took the food box, and put it inside.

The four-person team then headed towards the hill not far away.

Her steps were light and steady, making a soft rustling sound as she stepped on the withered grass.

The high heels on her feet did not seem to affect her movements at all; on the contrary, they made her posture appear even more upright, like a cheetah poised to pounce.

Ye Jianguo turned to look at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, then shook his head and continued to keep a watchful eye on his surroundings.

Zhou Liming quickly followed, walking while looking down at the soil beneath his feet, occasionally squatting down to pick up a stone or a blade of grass and examine it carefully.

Chen Jianjun followed at the back of the group, his sniper rifle always on high alert, his eyes sharp as a hawk, scanning the surroundings.

The four figures quickly disappeared into the vast wilderness.

……

Meanwhile, in the live broadcast room of the forbidden area of ​​the Dragon Kingdom's destiny.

The studio lights were dazzling, and Bingbing's voice, with just the right amount of excitement and composure, firmly captured the attention of all the viewers: "Ladies and gentlemen! We can clearly see that the four Dragon Kingdom contestants have formed a team and are steadily advancing towards the hill ahead!"

Ye Shunguang's strategy of observing from a high vantage point is undoubtedly the safest option at present!

As soon as she finished speaking, Major General Zhao Weiguo beside her nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "That's right. In an unknown environment, occupying high ground and gaining the initiative in terms of visibility is a basic principle of wilderness survival."

Ye Shunguang's appearance seems to lean towards... well... unique, but his suggestions hit the nail on the head, showing that he wasn't completely unprepared.

These words immediately sparked a small frenzy in the live stream chat.

"General Zhao, I love hearing that! Who said this young lady was just a pretty face? Step forward and take your punishment!"

"Dalinjiang is my hometown: You might not believe it, but at the last anime convention, I personally saw Miss Ye Shunguang chasing a thief who stole her badge down the steps for three blocks, wearing high heels, and finally pinning him to the ground!"

"Hey bro upstairs, you're speechless for a moment, but what you're about to say is shocking, a lot of information... Let me sort this out... You mean chasing a thief in high heels and actually killing him?"

"I'm number one at insults: Oh my god, this is outrageous! From now on, if anyone says Ye Shunguang is no good, I'll be the first to jump out and show them this evidence!"

Professor Li Jianming, sitting next to Zhao Weiguo, adjusted his glasses and smiled as he spoke, "General Zhao is right. Moreover, I noticed that Ye Shunguang's stride is very steady, and her ankle strength far surpasses that of ordinary people. To be able to maintain balance while walking on such rugged terrain in high heels is a physical ability that is beyond the reach of most people."

The consecutive affirmations from the two heavyweight guests instantly drowned out the doubts in the live broadcast room, allowing the voices supporting Ye Shunguang to drown out the skepticism.

But just then, a slightly shrill voice suddenly came from the corner of the studio, breaking the harmony.

That was a minor celebrity in the entertainment industry, named Zhang Miao, who was temporarily invited by the program team. He usually maintained his popularity by riding on trending topics and saying things to grab attention.

He picked at his ear, curled his lip in disdain, and said, "Oh, aren't you two teachers being too polite? Anyone would think of something like climbing up to observe. Besides, wearing high heels into restricted areas is clearly just asking to be a hindrance. I think this Ye Shunguang can't even guarantee his own safety, let alone help his teammates."

These words were like a spark thrown into a powder keg, and the live stream chat exploded instantly.

"Zhang Miao, who do you think you are?! Get out of the studio!"

"I knew it! These flashy contestants won't cut it. We really need to rely on our two military comrades, Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun!"

"Jiang XX, have you forgotten how your family's background was exposed last time? You still dare to show your face? Where's your shame?"

"I'm number one at swearing: I've already booked my ticket."

"Go for it, bro upstairs! I love him!"

"Is Zhang Miao being paid by foreigners? He's specifically targeting his own country's athletes; his intentions are despicable!"

Zhang Miao's face turned pale and then red as he was bombarded with insults from the live stream. He wanted to retort, but Bingbing stopped him with a look.

Bingbing wore a professional fake smile, but her tone carried an undeniable firmness: "We'll take Professor Zhang Miao's opinion into consideration for now. But on the national stage, where the fate of the nation rests on the line, skill is the only criterion for judgment. Let's focus our attention back on the athletes."

This gave Zhang Miao a way out and also put an end to the pointless argument. The atmosphere in the studio returned to normal, and the comments in the live stream gradually shifted from arguing to focusing on the contestants' movements.

"Look! They're almost halfway up the mountain! The grass on this hillside is so tall, it's almost knee-high!"

"Brother Zhou Liming has crouched down again. Did he discover something?"

"Miss Ye Shunguang's tail is so flexible! It keeps swishing left and right. I seriously doubt that it's real!"

"I feel like it should be mechanically controlled, right? After all, cosplay these days is incredibly diverse and constantly evolving. Having that technology makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"

"Vision's comprehensive survey of the general public..."

"Stop arguing! Now is the time to see how the players perform. With external enemies at hand, unity is the most important thing!"

Just as the comments were still scrolling, the scene on the live stream suddenly changed.

Ye Jianguo, who was walking at the front, suddenly stopped and raised his right hand sharply, making a shushing gesture.

His eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle's, staring intently at the bushes ahead. His left hand was already gripping the Type 95 automatic rifle at his waist, his finger on the trigger, his muscles taut like a bowstring ready to be released.

Chen Jianjun reacted almost simultaneously. He quickly took half a step back, crouched down, and steadily raised his sniper rifle, aiming the muzzle at the direction Ye Jianguo could see. His eyes were sharp as he scanned the patch of withered yellow grass that was moving without wind.

Zhou Liming's face paled, and he subconsciously shrank back, but he didn't panic. Instead, he quickly took out a brick from his backpack, gripped it tightly in his hand, and stared nervously ahead, trying to see what was in the grass.

A hint of wariness flashed in Ye Shunguang's red eyes. Instead of retreating, she took a small step forward. Her reddish-brown tail stopped wagging and stood straight up, like a sensitive detector, trembling slightly as it tried to detect the faint, fishy smell in the air.

The live stream chat disappeared instantly.

In the studio, everyone held their breath. Major General Zhao Weiguo leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the screen, his lips pressed into a straight line. Professor Li Jianming's movement of pushing up his glasses froze in mid-air, his smile completely gone, replaced by solemnity. Even Zhang Miao, who had been chattering away, subconsciously shut his mouth, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.

The entire Dragon Kingdom livestream room fell into a deathly silence.

The next second, a dense group of dark shadows suddenly sprang out from the swaying grass!

It was a creature unlike any they had ever seen before, no bigger than a palm, entirely black, with eight slender legs, a triangular head, and dark green liquid dripping from its mouthparts, shimmering with a nauseating luster in the dim light. They were numerous, a dark, swarming mass, rushing towards the four like a tide, emitting a piercing hissing sound.

[G-Rank Monster Detected: Corrosive Poison Jumping Spider]

[Level: G-]

【Characteristics: Social, fast, mouthparts contain a weak corrosive venom, no resistance to thermal weapons】

[Kill Points: 1 per kill]

The cold system notification sounded in the minds of the four people, and also echoed in the live broadcast room.

"Fire!" Ye Jianguo's roar rang out almost simultaneously with the notification sound.

The Type 95 automatic rifle in his hand instantly spat fire, the "rat-a-tat-tat" of gunfire echoing across the wasteland. The bullets accurately struck the swarm of jumping spiders, each bullet piercing the bodies of three or four spiders. The hit spiders instantly exploded into a puddle of black liquid, falling to the ground with a "sizzling" corrosive sound.

Chen Jianjun's sniper rifle also fired, the sound muffled and powerful. He didn't choose to spray and strafe, but instead precisely targeted the jumping spiders trying to flank from the side, each shot hitting the head with pinpoint accuracy, every bullet finding its mark.

His eyes were frighteningly calm, showing not a trace of panic, as if he were not facing a group of deadly monsters, but conducting a routine shooting exercise.

Although those venomous jumping spiders were extremely fast, they were utterly helpless against firearms. Wherever the bullets passed, they left trails of black sap, and the stench in the air grew increasingly intense.

But there are just too many of them!

As one wave fell, another surged out of the bushes, relentlessly attacking as if they could never be killed. They bypassed Ye Jianguo and Chen Jianjun's barrage of fire, attempting to pounce on Zhou Liming and Ye Shunguang in the rear.

Zhou Liming's face was deathly pale, his hand holding the magnifying glass trembled incessantly as he watched the jumping spiders getting closer and closer, his lips quivering, but he didn't know what to do.

Just then, Ye Shunguang moved.

Instead of retreating, she charged forward!

"What...?" Zhou Liming was about to stop him.

But before she could finish speaking, she had already darted away like an arrow released from a bow.

Her movements were astonishingly fast; her brown and white figure weaved through the swarm of jumping spiders, her high heels clicking crisply on the ground, yet doing nothing to hinder her speed. With a flick of her right hand, a flash of cold light appeared, and the ordinary longsword from her system space was already in her grasp.

The sword light was sharp and cold, accompanied by a piercing sound as it cut through the air.

Ye Shunguang flicked his wrist, and the longsword, like the scythe of death, drew a graceful arc through the swarm of jumping spiders.

The jumping spiders that tried to pounce on her were cut in two by the sword light before they could even get close to her body. The black liquid did not spill out and did not touch anyone.

Her movements were fluid and graceful, each move precise and ruthless, unlike a novice facing a monster for the first time; rather, she resembled a seasoned swordsman.

Those jumping spiders that could barely withstand firearms were as fragile as paper in front of her longsword.

The silence in the live stream was completely shattered, and the barrage of comments exploded like a volcanic eruption, refreshing so fast that the words were illegible.

"Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! What kind of amazing move is that, girl?!"

"What?! Where did she get that sword from?"

"Wow, that's awesome!"

"Weird: I'm going to open it on the other side!"

"Dalinjiang is my hometown: I knew it! I knew she wasn't just a pretty face! That swordsmanship is amazing!"

"Who just said her high heels were a hindrance? Step forward! I promise I won't kill you!"

"That speed! That power! That swordsmanship?! Miss, who exactly are you?! Could you be... a legendary swordsman who descended from the mountains? Is it because you've only recently come to live among mortals that there aren't many records about you?!"

"Where's Zhang Miao? Where's Jiang XX? Come out and show yourself! Aren't you ashamed? Doesn't it hurt?!"

"That was awesome! This is the true strength of our Dragon Country's athletes! Ye Shunguang is amazing! Dragon Country is awesome!"

In the studio, Major General Zhao Weiguo suddenly stood up, his eyes wide, staring intently at Ye Shunguang's figure on the screen, his tone filled with shock: "Such speed! Such precise swordsmanship! This is definitely the work of a professional!"

Professor Li Jianming excitedly pushed up his glasses and exclaimed repeatedly, "Incredible! Absolutely incredible! Her coordination and reaction speed far surpass those of ordinary people! This is simply a body born for combat!"

Everyone present gasped in amazement, and several even stood up and applauded, unable to contain their excitement!

Zhang Miao, sitting in the corner, was deathly pale. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word. The words of doubt from before felt like slaps to his face.

In the live stream, the battle was nearing its end.

Ye Shunguang single-handedly blocked the endless stream of venomous jumping spiders halfway up the mountain.

The three of them looked at the scene before them, their initial bewilderment gradually turning into shock, and finally into admiration.

At this moment, Zhou Liming took a deep breath, quickly took out a small notebook and a pen from his backpack, and began to record the shape, characteristics and weaknesses of these venomous jumping spiders. The pen tip flew across the paper, making a rustling sound.

Although I don't know if this will be helpful in the future, recording it can help me analyze and form some impressions of the monsters that appear later.

At least that's what he thinks.

……