Chapter 5: Sian’s Hand in the Poison’s Grip

The helicopter landed, and the participants disembarked one by one, followed by the director and the crew, as they needed to prepare things and attend to any emergencies.

The participants lined up, and the host was saying something, but Sian wasn't paying attention to him. Since his feet touched the ground, he had been scanning his surroundings, trying to spot any signs of potential danger.

The helicopter landed in a spacious area, the same place where the crew's camp was set up. And by camp, I don't mean a simple collection of tents or firewood...

It was a collection of Portable Cabins and Mobile Homes arranged like a small residential complex, fully equipped with all the necessary technology for survival—solar panels, defensive gear, provisions, and food...

Sian observed the people moving things and preparing everything at an astonishing speed.

"It seems the program's team cares about safety. There are medical teams and rescue teams here too. Maybe the director was worried about delays in getting help, so he brought them to the nearest possible spot for quick intervention if needed." Sian truly appreciated the director's foresight and wise thinking.

"Alright, heroes, it's time for the adventure. I hope to see all of you again in 30 days."

"Go ahead."

As the host said this, a group of small drones flew out, spreading around each contestant, two drones per person.

Then, the survival expert, Kim Hyun, approached and said: "Alright, now line up and follow me in a single file, please."

Suddenly, someone from among the participants spoke up: "Mr. Kim, did the director give you a map of the path to the wooden house we're going to?"

"No, the program can't assist you, and neither can I. That would be cheating. But don't worry, as some of you may have noticed, each of you was given a survival kit with a compass. All we have to do is head north, and we'll reach the cabin within a day and a half at the latest."

Aaron Wang, a man in his thirties with ordinary Chinese features but a physique stronger than average, sighed and said in a relaxed tone: "Seems like there's no point in expecting any mercy from these people."

A person next to him laughed and threw his arm around his shoulder: "Why all the pessimism, my friend? We haven't even started yet, and you're already complaining. How will you survive a whole month here like this?"

Michael Cheng, a former Navy soldier with mixed Chinese-American roots, inherited his mother's green eyes and wavy chestnut hair. He was effortlessly attractive, with fierce features, including a scar running from his left eye to his eyebrow.

After his military service, he had been depressed, and it was his friend who dragged him into this program for a change of pace, to take his mind off things.

"Come on, let's catch up with the others, stop daydreaming."

Sian was walking leisurely, following the group. The conversation between the two friends reached his ears, reminding him of his comrades in arms. Although in his previous life, there hadn't been many relationships—no one dared to form any bonds in a time when millions died daily, not to mention the betrayal and treachery that spread after the apocalypse. Even blood relations no longer mattered...

But those who fought side by side often shared a kind of kinship, perhaps because they trusted their comrades to watch their backs. Maybe because they had survived so many life-and-death battles, they had at least come to value each other's lives a little. Sian hoped the others in his team had survived, even wishing they could travel to a peaceful world like this one, but he knew very well that such miracles didn't happen every time.

"Finally, they've started. I've been waiting for the helicopter to land for an hour."

"Yeah, me too. I was getting bored, but I knew things would get more exciting soon once we entered the forest. Otherwise, I would have left the live broadcast."

"Look, everyone's walking in pairs or threes behind expert Kim Hyun, but that little beauty is walking alone, hands in his pockets. Does he think he's strolling in his backyard?"

"Hey, that's our little angel. He's got sharp nerves; it's better not to provoke him."

"Upper floor, when did I provoke him? I'm just saying, everyone's walking carefully, but he doesn't seem to care. Didn't the host warn them before entering the forest to watch out for insects and reptiles? What if a snake bites him? I bet he didn't even listen to the host's warnings."

"I bet he won't last more than half a day with that body of his... He looks more suited for a pop idol than an adventurer."

"Agree."

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Well... in truth, Sian didn't listen. He was observing the environment around him and admiring the director... he hadn't paid attention to a word the host or the director said.

But that didn't mean he wasn't being cautious. Perhaps the audience couldn't see it, but someone did notice.

The man with the smell of blood from before had been walking behind Xian, observing how he avoided several things and creatures along the way. Even the faintly toxic plants couldn't escape his eyes. While the toxicity of these plants was so weak that they usually only caused mild itching, they had a scent that attracted venomous insects.

"This kid... he's not ordinary. Who is he, I wonder? The headquarters didn't provide any information on a kid like this." Lan Qisheng's eyebrows furrowed deeply, thinking hard. He didn't like any sudden changes in his plans; he had always liked to control everything around him, especially in his operations. And now... "This kid, there's something about him that I can't put my finger on." Since the moment his eyes landed on that face, especially those deep amber eyes, no matter how they changed color in the light, the sharpness and power remained constant. Those weren't eyes a child, barely past puberty, should have. There was something about him.

After the group had walked for half an hour, someone staggered and almost fell.

"What's going on, hey... Tong Xiao, what happened to you?"

"I... I don't know, I... just..."

"Step back a bit, let me take a look at him." Kim Hyun came forward and started inspecting the participant, Tong, looking for any signs of a bite or something. Tong's mustache was as white as milk, a sign of poisoning.

But he didn't find anything, even after almost stripping him of all his clothes, still, no signs...

"I think you should give up. I can't figure out what happened to you; you need medical attention fast."

"No... I don't want to, please, I need to stay. I can't lose this chance... I'll lose everything if I give up now."

"Tong Xiao..." The person holding Tong Xiao in his lap, sitting on the ground, started crying.

This was his friend, his dear brother. Of course, he knew that this program was his last chance, and if he lost it, he would die. Ben Wang was crying, and the tears of a grown man with a well-groomed beard didn't look pretty at all.

But this scene caught Sian's attention. Or rather, he had been paying attention from the start, but he wasn't as affected as the others. After all, he had seen millions suffer and die before him, and even at his own hands. Now...

Sighing, Sian murmured: "What a hassle. I just wanted to avoid drawing unnecessary attention." His words were so soft, barely audible, like the buzz of a mosquito, but Lan Qisheng, who was very close, had been paying attention to Sian from the beginning and didn't divert his attention even after all this commotion. That's why his ears caught every word Sian said.

"Doesn't want attention?"

Sian pushed past the people in front of him, but couldn't move any further due to the large crowd.

"These idiots, why are they gathering around a sick person like bees?"

"Damn it!" Sian cursed under his breath and then spoke loudly, "Get out of my way, now."

His voice was so loud that everyone turned to look at him, even the audience couldn't help but stare at that angelic face in silence.

"I won't say it for the second time!" Sian said, his expression showing that he had lost all patience. "Move!"

His voice carried an unspoken weight and mysterious power that sent shivers down the spines of the men in front of him. Marco was one of them, and they couldn't help but clear the way for him, stepping aside.

The pressure in the air suddenly disappeared, and Xian moved forward, looking like a king slowly walking between two rows of his soldiers. Though the scene was dramatic, it was also somewhat humorous, which made the fans share and spread it with the song "That's My King." The video garnered millions of views and likes. Fans were really scary sometimes...

Sian reached Tong Siao and Ben Wang, completely ignoring Kim Hyun, and focused intently on Tong Xiao, saying: "Do you want to continue in this reality show?"

"What are you saying? Can you—can you help him? Please help him, I'm begging you."

Ben Wang said quickly, almost pleading. But he was met with a deathly glare from Sian.

"Did I talk to you."

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