Zachary gave a sharp look. "We don't have much time. Let's move quickly."
Zachary and Fei Yang led the way. Whenever a lower-class person charged at them, they just forcefully pushed them aside.
At first, Danielle thought this seemed a bit harsh. But then she saw a gifted team helping the lower-class people by killing beasts for them—only to get shoved aside by those very people.
Not only that, the lower-class people even tried to steal their weapons. Their fierce and frightening faces made Danielle's heart pound with fear.
Zachary noticed her stiff movements, looked back, and understood everything.
He said seriously, "Don't trust strangers so easily."
Leng added, "That's the only rule for surviving in the Pure Land."
Danielle licked her dry lips. "I understand."
She couldn't afford to be soft-hearted. Otherwise, she wouldn't just be putting herself in danger—she could drag her teammates down too.
Soon, they started running into more and more beasts. They were already close to the tear in the protective barrier.
Everywhere, gifted powers were flying around wildly. Besides killing beasts, they had to watch out not to get accidentally hurt by others.
Luckily, these were all low-level beasts, so they weren't too difficult for the group to handle.
The chaos lasted from day into night before the barrier was finally closed again.
Now it was time to trap and kill the beasts that were still inside. That part was much easier.
While watching others madly attack the remaining beasts, Danielle and her team quietly backed off and found a corner to rest in.
Fei Yang wiped the blood from his forehead and breathed heavily.
Leng looked even paler. While the others had time to recover some energy, she had been constantly healing everyone and was now completely drained.
Danielle pulled out a tomato and tossed it over. Breathing hard, she said, "Eat something. You need to get your strength back."
Fei Yang, seeing the tomato, dragged himself over and raised his hand shakily.
"Me too. I want some."
Danielle laughed. "There's enough for everyone."
They didn't care how dirty the ground was. They just sat and started eating.
After finishing her food, Leng softly gasped, "I feel like my energy came back a little."
It was a strange feeling, but she was sure it happened.
Fei Yang grinned like a fool. "Leng, if you've recovered, can you heal me again? I still hurt all over."
Leng rolled her eyes at him, but she wasn't at ease letting him stay hurt—so she healed him again.
Danielle and Zachary exchanged glances. They'd both noticed it.
The fruits and vegetables Danielle grew seemed to carry some unknown energy.
It wasn't exactly like spirit stones, but the effect was similar—just not as obvious.
Zachary reached out a hand to help Danielle up. "Let's go back."
Fei Yang looked at the battlefield, clearly tempted. "Zachary, why aren't we going after the crystal stones?"
Everyone else, whether upper or lower class, was going for them.
Zachary looked at the chaotic scene and firmly shook his head. "We're not going. We're going back."
"Alright then, let's go."
Fei Yang followed the others into the teleportation array, looking back with every step.
As soon as they came out, they heard people laughing mockingly.
"Look, the idiots are back."
"Some people actually believed that crap about being wiped out if you didn't go?"
"Our captain's the smart one. Look how messed up they are—probably lots of people died out there."
The teleportation area was clearly split into two groups: one like Danielle and her team, covered in blood and dirt; the other clean, neat, and full of mocking smiles.
Danielle frowned. Some people really didn't go?
"Weren't we told we'd be wiped out? Was that just a lie?"
Danielle muttered quietly, and even Zachary looked a bit confused.
But in the next second, everyone's bodies tensed, and their pupils widened in shock.
The group that had just mocked Danielle suddenly began to swell up like balloons.
No matter how they struggled, it was useless. One by one, they burst with a loud pop, leaving nothing behind.
The ground was covered in bloody remains. Danielle couldn't hold back—she turned and vomited in pain.
And she wasn't the only one. Vomiting sounds echoed all around.
Zachary took a deep breath, forced himself to stay calm, and quickly pulled Danielle and the others away through the teleportation gate.
Once they were far from the bloody scene, they finally stopped vomiting.
But their faces still showed pure horror.
Leng looked like she had been traumatized. "That was terrifying… too terrifying."
She was trembling all over, her face pale as snow.
Danielle wanted to comfort her but couldn't get a single word out.
Like that, the three of them let Zachary lead them back to the Duo Family estate.
Just as Zachary was about to speak, a pretentious voice rang out from the living room.
"You're back? How did it go? Everything okay? Here, have some water."
Chu Xiong appeared at the doorway like he owned the place, carrying a tray.
Leng's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why are you here again? Didn't I kick you out?"
Zachary shot a cold glare. "Get out."
Chu Xiong instantly protested, staring at Danielle in disbelief.
"Danielle, look at them! You already said you were going to marry me. I'm part of this family. Why should I leave?"
He even winked at her on purpose, his voice going soft.
"Right, Dani?"
Zachary's whole body tensed. He looked down at Danielle in disbelief.
Danielle wasn't in the mood to explain. She waved impatiently.
"Chu Xiong, go home. We'll talk about this later."
"Aiya, Dani, look how tired you are. I should stay and take care of you."
Chu Xiong said while setting down the tray. He walked over, forcefully pushing Zachary aside, and tried to wrap his arm around Danielle.
Zachary's eyes darkened. Danielle took a deep breath and slapped Chu Xiong hard across the face.
"I told you to get out. Are you deaf?"
Chu Xiong fell to the floor, staring at Danielle in disbelief.
"But… but…"
"I said get out."
"Waaah! I'm going to tell my mom! You yelled at me!"
Chu Xiong ran off crying, but Zachary's face still looked grim.
Leng grabbed the still-dazed Fei Yang and started walking away. "Danielle, we're heading out. You two rest well."
Fei Yang struggled. "But I—"
Danielle rubbed her forehead and reached out to grab Zachary's hand, but he turned away coldly and walked off.
Danielle…
Wait, she hadn't even explained yet.
"Zachary, listen to me—"
She took one step forward when Fei Yang's careful voice called from behind her.
"Danielle, I didn't mean to interrupt you, but… could you let my sister out first? I want to take her home."
Oh no.
Danielle felt a little embarrassed.
She really had forgotten about that.
With an awkward laugh, she quickly let the two little ones out. After Fei Qingqing left, Danielle leaned in and started whispering nonstop into Rain's ear…