If, as Hong Wan said, there were no less than four teams rushing to the central area, and it was not guaranteed that other popular and powerful teams were also present.
Today was already the second day of the competition. With so many teams gathered, one could imagine the great battles that would erupt among the assembled players when the fixed locations of the crystal tokens were announced on the third day.
The wild boar meat Hong Wan had made was ready.
He had made this plate of wild boar meat himself without any seasoning.
It was black on the outside and pinkish on the inside, looking like scorched steak.
"Taste my cooking!"
Hong Wan was as happy as a child.
The little cubs, having tasted the delicious food made by Lu Mingming twice, thought that every streamer's food was as good as Lu Mingming's.
The little ones with short legs ran over and grabbed the first bite.
It was tasteless, and the fishy smell was so strong!
It was like being served dry wild vegetables after eating a delicacy; the immense difference was something the little cubs couldn't accept.
Lu Mingming tore off a small piece of meat to try.
It wasn't particularly bad, just dry and tough. It required a lot of chewing and might even get stuck in one's teeth.
"How is it, not bad, right?"
To avoid crushing his confidence, Lu Mingming smiled.
"It's very tasty. It would be even better if it wasn't overcooked next time."
"Heh heh, thanks."
Hong Wan was quite smug.
Cheng Shiqin leaned over:
"You're really spoiling him like a child. This meat is clearly very average, even bad. If it were in the past, I'd consider it middle to upper class. After eating your cooking, nothing else is palatable. So, how about you cook tonight? Even just one dish!"
By the last sentence, he revealed his true intention.
Lu Mingming playfully scolded, "Alright, leave him some confidence. Everyone needs to improve. I wasn't a good cook from the start either."
She had saved face for Hong Wan, but she didn't expect others in the team to speak the truth directly.
"I think it's a bit unpalatable. Why don't you stay and try some of streamer Lu Mingming's cooking? She might be cooking dinner, and it's very delicious."
Hua Xia's eyes were filled with sincerity, as if genuinely imploring Hong Wan to try some delicious food.
Xu Jiajia's mouth dropped open, shocked by Hua Xia's sudden, direct, and blunt way of speaking.
It was truly strange.
"What?! You dare to say my cooking is not good?"
Hong Wan's eyes widened in disbelief, angered.
Lu Mingming quickly waved her hands, "No, no, yours is very good."
Hua Xia smiled and interrupted, "Really don't want to try it? Our team is large, we won't let you go in to take risks."
"Fine, I was planning to leave, but your words make me want to stay."
Hong Wan threw the banana leaf bowl in his hand.
"Let's have a competition tonight!"
Having gotten the answer he wanted, Hua Xia returned to his usual silent demeanor.
This time, not only Lu Mingming but also Cheng Shiqin noticed something amiss with Hua Xia.
Why did he insist on someone staying in the central area?
"Don't you think he's very strange?"
Cheng Shiqin leaned over and whispered into Lu Mingming's ear.
Lu Mingming put her index finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet.
Their eyes met, and they understood each other's thoughts without a word, saying nothing more.
After a passable meal of wild boar meat, everyone packed their belongings and set off again, heading towards the inner area.
The wild boar meat from lunch was not finished and was stored by Hong Wan in his package.
He had unilaterally issued a challenge and was looking for suitable ingredients along the way, preparing to make dinner that night.
There wasn't much to eat on the road, just some common wild vegetables. If they were lucky, they might encounter wild radishes.
Lu Mingming pulled up several radishes and asked Cheng Shiqin to put them in his bag.
"What is this? Is it edible?"
Cheng Shiqin held up the green tops of the radish, completely puzzled.
"This is a radish, it's wild, and it's very delicious."
Lu Mingming wiped the dirt off the radish.
"Are you planning to make radish tonight?"
Hong Wan's face was full of pride, "It seems I've already won today. I'll go catch some wild rabbits later."
Lu Mingming chuckled helplessly, "Alright, alright, anything is fine. As long as everyone can eat happily tonight."
Hong Wan snorted and walked away from her, looking somewhat cute.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, the sky began to darken. As they approached the central area, the trees on both sides of the road grew shorter.
The bright moon hung in the sky, casting a cold moonlight, but a touch of red on the moon made them feel vaguely uneasy.
Lu Mingming withdrew her gaze, and her heart suddenly pounded for no reason.
As they got closer, a few rustling wingbeats came from behind them, as if some large creatures were approaching.
The Dragon Tribe leader's ears twitched, "Get down quickly!"
Before her mind could react, Lu Mingming's body squatted down first.
She looked up—colossal creatures flew by from the sky, their backs covered in thick black armor and their transparent wings flapping. Some even had strange scythes, and their pair of scarlet eyes were particularly conspicuous in the night.
These monsters had reached the central area ahead of them.
"What was that just now?"
Hong Wan's voice trembled.
"I told you not to come to the central area. Those must be insects! They're very fierce."
Hong Wan stomped his feet, wanting to leave, but was stopped and persuaded by Hua Xia.
"What are you afraid of? Aren't we here?"
"Since we've come this far, why don't we go take a closer look? If it's too dangerous, flee quickly upon receiving my signal."
The Dragon Tribe leader's expression was solemn. He looked at a faint light in the distance and cautiously moved forward in their previously formed formation.
Contrary to their expectations, a large bonfire was burning in the center. Several teams had set up camp around the bonfire, making their own dinners.
Although there was no communication between them, they appeared exceptionally peaceful, showing no signs of fighting.
What was going on?
"Newcomers! Who are you?"
Lu Mingming looked to the side.
The strange group that had flown overhead earlier fully revealed their true forms in the firelight.
The insectoid person who spoke had two pairs of red compound eyes fixedly staring. A long green proboscis extended from his mouth, and his wings had been folded to avoid being burned by the fire.
"You were tricked into coming again, weren't you?"