17: Chapter 17 Under the Public Eye

Noon, the sun was scorching.

Qi Yun was rudely dragged out of deep sleep by the stinging pain in his left shoulder.

He frowned and opened his eyes. A face, exquisite and flawless yet devoid of expression, was almost pressed against the tip of his nose.

Bai Yu was kneeling beside him, leaning in extremely close.

So close that Qi Yun could count her long, dense eyelashes.

"Sample awakened. Vital signs: stable. Trauma status: stable recovery in progress."

She announced flatly, her voice devoid of inflection.

Qi Yun's heart skipped a beat.

It was over; the experiment he promised her last night.

A strong sense of guilt gripped him.

Qi Yun wanted to sit up, but was gently pressed down by Bai Yu's hand on his uninjured right shoulder.

"Deep sleep duration is less than 7 hours, muscle lactic acid metabolism is incomplete, and there is a 37.5% probability that the left shoulder wound will reopen under strenuous activity."

"It is recommended to maintain a supine position and continue observation for 15 minutes."

Qi Yun looked at Bai Yu; he wanted to explain.

"Bai Yu, last night I..."

"Yes, you unilaterally delayed the experiment."

Bai Yu interrupted directly, simultaneously taking out a crude cup folded from a giant leaf.

Inside was clear spring water. Bai Yu didn't hand it to him, but brought it directly to his lips and fed it to him.

The cold water flowed down his throat, making him feel a bit more awake.

"No need to apologize. Your actions last night were assessed to have a very high overall benefit. The delay of the experiment is reasonable."

She withdrew the leaf cup, her tone remaining objective.

But the more she displayed this rationality of "complete understanding and utter indifference,"

the heavier the guilt in Qi Yun's heart became.

If it were Shu Qianxue, everything would be written on her face, and she might even take the opportunity to blackmail him.

But Bai Yu was different; the outer garment of extreme rationality wrapped around everything, and this indifference made him feel even more indebted.

"Is there anything I can help you with now?"

Qi Yun gave up beating around the bush and asked directly.

He wanted to do something to make up for it, even if it was just a trivial matter.

Bai Yu tilted her head slightly, appearing to be genuinely considering this "compensation plan."

A few seconds later, her clear eyes looked at Qi Yun:

"Yes. I would like to complete the unfinished experiment from last night now."

"Considering your limited mobility in your left torso, you can maintain your current supine position."

"The experimental procedure can be led by me from above."

Qi Yun widened his eyes, looking at Bai Yu's serious face, his brain completely shutting down for a few seconds.

Experiment? Now?

It's broad daylight right now!

Although most of the girls were busy outside, the wooden house door was only slightly ajar; someone could come in at any time!

If they were to walk in, he, the Tribe leader who had just recovered from a serious injury...

was doing "group exercise" as the first thing upon waking up.

The reliable image he had worked so hard to build in their hearts would likely collapse instantly.

Shattered to the point where not even fragments remained.

Just as alarm bells were ringing in Qi Yun's mind and cold sweat was about to soak his back...

Bai Yu's hand had already calmly reached toward his shoulder.

At the very moment it seemed she was really about to begin leading the experimental procedure.

"Qi Yun! You're awake?!"

The door of the thatched hut was pushed open violently; Lin Le's face was overflowing with undisguised joy.

Seeing Qi Yun's eyes open, she immediately cheered: "Great! I'm going to tell everyone right now!"

Before she finished speaking, she turned around and ran out in a flurry.

Leaving the room to fall into a subtle silence once again.

Qi Yun's heart had just surged with a sliver of relief at being saved.

However, before he could finish exhaling that breath, he discovered with horror...

that Bai Yu beside him had only paused for less than half a second because of this sudden interruption.

Immediately, she leaned down calmly once more.

Soft, slightly cool lips precisely covered his own.

Qi Yun's brain went "buzz" and instantly went blank.

Did she not hear Lin Le say she was going to call the others immediately?

Does she not care about being watched by dozens of girls?!?

The experiment, right.

For the experiment, being observed is a very normal thing.

But understanding is one thing, accepting it is another!

Under the watchful eyes of many, this psychological pressure is enough to make any normal male fail the "experiment"!

The kiss ended, and Bai Yu pulled back slightly, her tone stable and emotionless:

"The kissing step is complete; proceeding to..."

"Wait, wait!"

Qi Yun hurriedly interrupted her, feeling his own voice had gone a bit off-key.

His brain was racing at an unprecedented speed.

He tried hard to make his expression look serious, scientific, and full of responsibility toward the experiment.

"Any rigorous data collection requires the experimental subject to be in the best state to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results, right?"

Bai Yu looked at him, nodded, and signaled him to continue.

"My body has not yet recovered to a normal level."

"Cooperating with the experiment in this situation would make the experimental data unreliable!"

After saying this, Qi Yun held his breath, watching Bai Yu nervously.

A few seconds later, Bai Yu nodded in approval.

"I agree with your proposal; the experiment is postponed until your body functions recover."

Qi Yun's hanging heart finally dropped, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back.

This girl's thought process is truly challenging.

Just then, a large group of girls led by Shu Qianxue and Lin Le swarmed in, chattering noisily.

"Qi Bao! You scared us to death!"

Shu Qianxue was the first to rush to the bedside, her eyes a little red; she wanted to punch him but couldn't bring herself to, and in the end, she just lightly touched his arm.

"Clan leader, how do you feel?"

"Is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable?"

Amidst the cacophony of concern, Qi Yun dealt with them while subconsciously trying to prop himself up.

However, his palms didn't touch the rough grass mat, but rather an exceptionally soft, elastic texture.

He suddenly realized he was on a soft, huge bed!

"Th-this, where did this come from?"

Qi Yun asked in surprise.

Lin Le's eyes drifted; she had drawn a blue-quality item today, and she felt a bit guilty.

"Luck wasn't great today; although it's only blue quality, it's quite practical, isn't it?"

Luck wasn't great? The luck was excellent; this bed is amazing.

From now on, whether for resting or "important group activities," comfort and space are greatly guaranteed.

Chen Xiaolin seemed to see through Qi Yun's thoughts and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Their faces pressed together, she said with a mischievous smile:

"Yo, Clan Leader, your eyes are lighting up? Do you think this bed came at just the right time?"

"From now on, for certain activities, you won't have to worry about the space being cramped, right?"

The other girls also realized, looking at Qi Yun with mischievous smiles.

"Oh my, you guys are so lewd! But... it seems to make some sense?"

"Don't wear Shu Qianxue out until she falls apart."

Shu Qianxue's face turned bright red instantly.

Amidst the teasing, Qi Yun looked at the uninhibited girls around him, feeling the rare comfort beneath him, and smiled helplessly yet warmly.

"Alright, everyone go out; Qi Yun needs quiet rest to recover his strength."

A cold, clear voice broke the noise; Xia Jin stood at the door with her arms crossed.

The girls stuck out their tongues, gave Qi Yun a few more reminders, and left the room.

The room became quiet again.

Xia Jin told Qi Yun everything that had happened after he fell into a deep sleep.

"Including the supplies collected from Tribe 14, the resources we have now have reached the requirements to upgrade the primary housing."

She concluded, her tone calm, but a sharp glint in her eyes.

Qi Yun looked at her and nodded sincerely:

"Thank you for your hard work, Xia Jin. With you here, the Tribe can stay stable. You are very important to us."

Xia Jin's red eyes flickered slightly, seemingly unaccustomed to such direct affirmation:

"Spare me the pleasantries. What... level are you now?"

She stared at him intently.

Qi Yun slightly felt the surging power within his body.

Last night's experience allowed him to break through to Level 6 in one go.

"Level 6."

He said calmly, his tone conveying powerful confidence.

"What?!"

Xia Jin's normally calm expression fluctuated significantly; her red eyes widened, full of disbelief.

She herself was also a rare class, having only just touched the edge of Level 3.

Qi Yun was actually Level 6? This gap...

Although she felt she was much stronger than when she first arrived, compared to Qi Yun's rocket-like improvement, the gap was suffocatingly large!

The competitive Xia Jin would never allow herself to be so "weak"!

The thirst for power burned in her heart like a wildfire.

At the same time, Qi Yun was also thinking: "clan leaders blessing" can transform classes.

Then, what would happen to someone like Xia Jin, who is already a rare class "Berserker," after experiencing a "deep connection"?

Class transformation? Or awakening stronger abilities?

This might be another path to quickly improve top-tier combat power.