My sister is Luna

Siheyuan.

"I never thought there would be times when I feel tired even without fighting. It's mainly mental exhaustion. Sigh... Zhuji is really not suitable for me at all. If it weren't for Xi Shi, we might have really stopped here."

Zhong Wuyan slumped wearily onto the table.

"I've always been a person who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment, Sister Xi Shi. Thank you so much for helping me find the jade pendant. If you ever encounter any problems in the future, feel free to come to me. I will do my best to help you solve them!"

Zhong Wuyan gripped the jade pendant tightly in her hand and spoke earnestly to Xi Shi.

"No need to thank me, Senior Sister Zhong Wuyan. We're teammates, it's only right that we help each other," Xi Shi waved her hand, somewhat embarrassed.

"Helping each other is the right thing to do, but you risked your life to help us. You deserve Zhong Wuyan's gratitude. Please accept it. We also want to express our gratitude to you. Thanks to you, our Moon Team was able to advance. But if you do anything outrageous next time, please discuss it with us first."

Cain took a sip of tea and said quietly, his tone seemingly tinged with reproach for Xi Shi's reckless leap into the lake.

"Yes, life is the most important thing, never joke about it." Lian Po nodded in agreement.

"Losing the game is okay, but losing your life is the most worthless thing," Ji Xiaoman patted Xi Shi on the shoulder.

"You should cherish your life more," Yang Yuhuan said softly.

"Yes, thank you for your advice, and I will accept your thanks!" Xi Shi nodded emphatically and said.

"But gratitude alone isn't enough! Repay me with the first-place championship!" Xi Shi said with a mischievous smile.

“Of course, the championship will definitely go to our Moon Team. Just watch.” Cain was taken aback for a moment, then said with a smile.

"Hmph, I didn't expect you, little girl, to be the key to advancing in this stage. You did a good job. What I said did have some effect," Milady said calmly.

"Sister Milady, I want to thank you. If it weren't for your words, I probably wouldn't have done it this way," Xi Shi said sincerely, grasping Milady's hand.

"Okay, good to know. From now on, when faced with my suggestions, all you need to do is nod." Milady nodded, feigning aloofness, but the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her.

"Yes, yes, Lady Milady~" Xi Shi naturally noticed this "flaw" and, while amused, cooperated with her performance.

"Chirp—"

Just then, a long, drawn-out cry rang out, and a small mechanical bird flew into the yard, its claws tightly gripping a scroll.

"Ah, it's Que Xiaoqi!" Xi Shi looked up and called out.

"Let me see, it's a letter from the organizers..." Cain took the scroll from Magpie's paw and looked at the cover.

"The third round of trials will begin tomorrow night..." Cain slowly read the contents of the scroll as he opened it.

The third trial, which is also the final stage of the Return to the Void Dream Performance—Dream in the Ring—is described by previous participants as "perilous yet wonderful." However, the exact nature of the perilousness and wonder varies from person to person, making it impossible to verify. We can only summarize it with this phrase.

The champion is often elevated to the highest idol position, and the prize money for the competition is also very considerable, with a total of 50,000 gold coins awarded as a scholarship. It is a double reward of wealth and fame, which is why it continues to attract everyone.

“Each team can only select one person to participate in the Tour of China,” Cain said after reading the letter.

“I’ll go. The Dream Ring should be something like an illusion. I have experience with this kind of trick and I’m the least afraid of it. I’m the most suitable person to go. Does anyone else have any objections?” Cain said, looking around at everyone.

The members of Team Moon all shook their heads to indicate no. They had the most confidence in Cain, whose strength was definitely the strongest among all the contestants. They were not afraid of any dangers in the Dream Ring, so sending him was the most appropriate option. Therefore, they quickly decided on the candidate.

……

The laboratory of Master Lu Ban.

"Everyone's performance as members of Team Star over the past two days has been quite satisfactory," Yao said with a wide grin after receiving Que Xiaoqi's message.

"Now, let's see how this genius creates a legend in the competition!"

The four members of Team Star fell silent, looking at Yao with a strange expression.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Yao said, feeling very uncomfortable.

“Child…myth has sunk you to the bottom, but science has pulled you up.” As he spoke, the mechanical arm behind Master Lu Ban moved.

He didn't study mythology in depth; his interest lay in mechanisms. After all, mythology was long gone, a thing of the past. Moreover, because it was passed down from generation to generation, there were bound to be some discrepancies, with some major or minor differences between versions of mythology. There were very few clues to investigate, and only ancient ruins still told people about the greatness of that era.

“The chosen one…” Meng Ya suddenly remembered what Yao had said when he invited him to join the team.

"Is it a plan, or a word?" Meng Ya asked.

Looking at Yao now, he is too ordinary, just an ordinary hot-blooded teenager with no outstanding qualities. In the first two stages, he played no role at all and was dispensable. He only knew how to say and do cringey things. Why does he suddenly feel more like a mascot than Sun Bin?

At least Sun Bin has talent in mechanics, but what else does he have that benefits the team besides a few flashy but not very damaging sword moves?

"As expected... you're not the chosen one at all! You're just a braggart!" Meng Ya realized this and said to Yao with a displeased expression.

"That chosen one? Aren't I..."

"Someone who has absolutely no skills! How can someone like that make it into the third round of the competition?!" Meng Ya interrupted Yao and questioned.

He sounded very annoyed, after all, he had been deceived. Given his violent temper, it was already a good thing he didn't go up and beat Yao up on the spot.

The atmosphere within the Star Team became tense. Disagreements seemed to arise regarding the selection of the Dream Ring members, and Yao's deception caused a rift in the relationships between the teammates, leading to a crisis of trust.

“A liar…” Sun Bin said weakly.

He put on new mechanical wings, and his whole being seemed to be renewed. After falling into a coma, he realized his feelings and began a new path.

"He always tries to take what others have achieved for himself." Even Zhang Taixian didn't think highly of Yao and echoed Sun Bin's words.

"There are so many people like this, as many as the stars," said Master Lu Ban.

"So for a long time, the sky was overcast..."

"Kid, should I open the door for you, or will you walk out yourself?" Master Lu Ban pointed to the door and said.

The others looked at Yao in the same way, their meaning obvious.

Yao stared wide-eyed in disbelief. It was ironic that he, the team captain, had been kicked out by his teammates.

Even my teammates don't acknowledge me anymore...?

“Uh…” Yao’s usually radiant face lost its luster. He gave a bitter smile, a forced, self-deprecating smile, and walked out the door dejectedly.

"Is this really a good idea?" Sun Bin asked. He looked towards the door with some concern.

"It's good to experience some hardship; after all, one can't stay in a dream forever," Master Lu Ban sighed.

Yao is too weak now, not only in terms of strength, but also in terms of mentality. He needs to be tempered, and this is the trial they have set for Yao.

……