Mu Qingyun closed her eyes and focused on the energy pulsing in her left hand.
This was... a plant-type ability?
Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly withdrew her power.
She hadn't expected to be this lucky—to awaken one of the rarest powers in the galaxy: plant manipulation.
Due to rapid technological advancement, plant life had been severely polluted across the stars. The soil had become barren; all one could see now was concrete. Even this deserted island was a desolate place where not even weeds could grow.
A plant ability allowed one to sense seeds buried deep underground, stimulate their germination, and restore life to dead earth.
But she narrowed her eyes. It wasn't yet time to reveal all her cards. Her greatest strength had always been playing the fool while hiding her claws. Back on the imperial court, this was how she secured her final victory.
Soon, the rain stopped.
Like most storms here, it came and went quickly. But now, Mu Qingyun was so hungry her stomach was practically stuck to her back. If she didn't find food soon, she might be the first reborn protagonist to starve to death.
She stood and glanced around outside, then started walking out of the cave.
"Hey, where are you going?" Bear-girl Xiong Ruoyou called from behind her. Mu Qingyun ignored her and quickened her pace.
The island was barren, but she made her way to the shoreline and looked down at the water, which—surprisingly—was still fairly clear.
The reflection showed her current appearance: a slim, short figure, cropped hair, and a face that was average at best—not ugly, but far from charming. Overall, she looked so ordinary she could disappear into a crowd.
She sighed helplessly. In her previous life, her cross-dressing disguise had made her the number one "eligible bachelor" in the capital. Countless young ladies swooned over her. Some even threw themselves into rivers just to catch her attention.
Who would have thought she'd end up looking so... plain in this life?
But then she flexed her limbs and felt her strength. Well, at least she was alive. That was enough for now.
Pushing her thoughts aside, she turned her attention to the sea.
This coastline was remote and looked relatively unpolluted. There were probably edible fish in there. Plus, since it had just rained, she could set some simple traps along the shore and maybe catch something.
With that, she rolled up her sleeves and walked to the edge of the water, using stones to build small circular traps.
In the livestream room, the spectators watching through her wristband immediately burst into sarcastic chatter.
[What's he doing now—playing in the water?][Maybe he's trying to catch seafood. He's from a garbage planet, probably didn't bring enough protein powder.][Yeah, otherwise why not just stay in the cave? Running to the beach like a lunatic.][Hahaha, I was just thinking the same thing.][A circle of stones? You think you're catching fish with that? Unless the fish are idiots like you.][Hey, hold on. Our professor once said that ancient people used stone traps to catch fish before laser guns were invented.][Don't kid yourself. If that works, I'll wash my hair while doing a handstand!][I'll eat shit on stream if that circle catches even one fish!][Screenshotting this.][Screenshot +1]
Meanwhile, Mu Qingyun finished setting her traps and leisurely wandered off to explore the island and get a feel for the terrain.
But she hadn't gone far when the ground ahead began to tremble.
A massive insect-like creature, the size of a tiger, wriggled up from the soggy dirt. Its slick black body pulsed as it sprayed a foul, sticky black fluid from its jaws, the stench so strong it made her gag.
A quick scan of her inherited memories told her this was a Zerg.
Zerg were a scourge to every star system, akin to locusts—but far more terrifying.
The creature locked its pitch-black eyes on her, and without warning, lunged to attack, its gaping maw aimed right at her.
Attack her? Ha. Foolish thing.
Her eyes narrowed as she picked up a nearby piece of wire, twisted it into a hook, and dashed straight toward the charging beast.
[Is he insane?! Is he seriously fighting a Zerg bare-handed?!][This idiot's got no brain. You need powers or spirit force to kill a Zerg!][Well, that's one team out of the game already. Poor Bear-girl.][Didn't you all want him dead a minute ago?][Let's see. If he survives, I'll call you Daddy.]
Ignoring the stream's taunts, Mu Qingyun's gaze remained sharp. She flipped and twisted her body with agile grace, dodging the corrosive spit. Then she flung the hooked wire directly into the Zerg's eye.
"Screeeech—!"
The creature let out a shrill cry. Mu Qingyun pulled a dagger from her waist—one of the few things she'd carried over from her past self—and smiled faintly.
In one smooth motion, she leapt onto the Zerg's back and drove the blade straight into its vital point.
The thing didn't even have time to make a final sound before it dropped dead.
People here were too reliant on abilities and tech. They'd forgotten how to fight up close.
But all Zerg had a weak spot—much like a human's heart. It didn't matter what you used; a precise strike there was instant death.
[Holy crap. Someone slap me—I'm not dreaming, right?][I'm literally speechless.][How the hell did he kill a Zerg with just a basic dagger?!][Where are the gamblers now?!][Wait, what's he doing now?]
The stream fell silent. All eyes were on Mu Qingyun.
She calmly pulled the dagger from the Zerg's core, then sliced off a few slabs of meat like she was carving a roast.
Then she returned to the shoreline and checked her traps—sure enough, a few small fish had been caught.
She scooped them out, and though the water was murky, she gave them a quick rinse.
Igniting a flame in her right hand, she roasted both the fish and the Zerg meat.
Some parts of the Zerg were non-toxic and highly nutritious. She remembered seeing certain traditional medicines made from insects. Even foreign diplomats had once told her that even toxic bugs were safe if cooked right—and packed with protein.
When the food was done, she blew gently on it and took a bite.