Chapter Twenty-Two: The Azure Star Five

When Li Daoran opened his eyes again, he found himself back on Azure Water Planet.

The luxurious bedroom starkly contrasted with the cramped single room of Daoran World.

“Hey everyone, I’m back safe and sound. I’m ending the livestream now—I need to use the bathroom. I can barely hold it in. That’s it, goodbye.”

As soon as he returned, the urge to urinate hit him like a wave. His bladder felt fit to burst. He wondered if other humans felt the same after coming back, and hurried to the restroom to relieve himself.

Knock, knock, knock—the sound of someone at the door.

Li Daoran ignored it. The person outside was tactful, knowing exactly what Li Daoran was doing, and did not persist.

Once he’d finished, washed his face, and felt refreshed, he went to the door.

There were five people standing outside. Chen Ming was at the front, with the other four keeping a respectful two-meter distance behind him. Chen Ming entered first, followed by the others who nodded in greeting.

“The five of us are mainly responsible for your security and for coordinating with the outside world. No need for introductions—you and I go way back,” Chen Ming said, making himself comfortable on the sofa.

Li Daoran looked at the other four: three men and one woman. He was curious why there was a woman among them, who even gave him a flirtatious wink.

“I’m Natasha, from the Great Bear Nation. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Li Daoran.” Natasha was a tall, classic beauty from the Great Bear, her skin pale and doll-like. She extended her left hand, nails painted a vibrant red, and ran her tongue over her slightly rosy lips.

Li Daoran instinctively reached out to respond, but Chen Ming instantly batted Natasha’s hand away, frowning, “Any bodily contact with Mr. Li is strictly prohibited. What are you doing, Natasha?”

“Maybe Natasha forgot. Beautiful women deserve forgiveness, wouldn’t you agree, God?” David said with exaggerated expression.

“God? Are you talking about me?” Li Daoran looked around, then pointed at his own nose.

“Of course,” David nodded emphatically.

Li Daoran shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. “Just call me Li Daoran. I’m not fit to be God.”

“As you wish, Mr. Li Daoran,” David replied.

Natasha gave David a grateful smile, then said, “Thank you, Mr. David. Sorry, Mr. Li—I got a little excited seeing you and forgot the rules. My apologies.”

She finished with a bow; the deep valley caught David’s gaze, and he inhaled deeply, as if smelling milk, his expression utterly captivated.

Chen Ming glanced at Li Daoran, saw he was unmoved, and nodded quietly. He looked at David with disdain, “Natasha, stop pretending. David, if you want to die, go ahead. I’m sure the name ‘Black Widow’ is somewhere in your file.”

At those words, David’s expression changed and he quickly took three steps back, adopting a righteous demeanor, not even glancing at Natasha. The other two silently adjusted their positions.

Natasha gave Chen Ming a reproachful look, “So Mr. Chen knows my sister?”

Chen Ming didn’t answer—he simply curled up on the sofa again. He hadn’t said that just for David’s benefit; Li Daoran hadn’t reacted, but it was still necessary to let him know the danger of this woman. No need to say more: firstly, she truly was formidable; secondly, not everything needed to be told to Li Daoran. After all, now they were all on the same side.

Seeing Chen Ming ignore her, Natasha gave Li Daoran a sweet smile.

Li Daoran hastily gave her a perfunctory smile, then turned to the man built like a mountain, dark-skinned and muscular, whose black muscles seemed to gleam, intimidating in their sheer size.

Natasha puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance.

“Tam.” Noticing Li Daoran’s gaze, Tam stated his name and stood aside, stiff as a board.

“Tam graduated from Rabbit Nation, knows a bit of Chinese, doesn’t talk much, and has real battlefield experience. Don’t underestimate him,” Chen Ming called from behind.

Tam, hearing Chen Ming’s words, snapped to attention and saluted. Chen Ming waved him off, and Tam resumed his place, motionless.

Li Daoran nodded at him, understanding—one of their own.

Then he turned to the last member, holding a cane. If there were still nobles in this world, Li Daoran thought, this man was one. That sense was inexplicable.

“You may call me Charles.” Charles doffed his hat and placed it over his heart in salute.

Li Daoran was surprised—Charles had spoken this in fluent Daoranese.

“Sit, everyone, please.” Li Daoran assumed the role of host and took the seat next to Chen Ming.

Natasha didn’t sit; she leaned against the wall opposite, showing off her tall, graceful figure.

Tam stood at the door, unmoving.

David and Charles sat on separate armchairs, and Chen Ming sat upright now, no longer slouching.

Wherever they were, the five always kept their eyes on Li Daoran.

Chen Ming, seeing Li Daoran’s discomfort, clapped his hands, “Alright, introductions are done. Everyone knows the situation. We don’t have much time. Li Daoran, whatever you need or any questions, just let us know—we’ll handle it.”

“Anything at all?” Li Daoran asked, scanning the group.

Each responded with their own gesture of affirmation.

Li Daoran thought for a moment, then slumped into the sofa, silent.

The five exchanged glances. Charles spoke, “What’s the matter, Mr. Li? If you have any questions, please say so.”

Li Daoran glanced at him, “Can you find someone to go in my place to that world?”

Charles said nothing, sitting like a meditating monk, pretending he hadn’t heard.

David spoke, “Brother Daoran, it’s such a privilege to visit Daoran World. You’re the chosen one, son of God. Why not accept destiny’s gift?”

Li Daoran rolled his eyes. Honestly, he couldn’t understand why Dove Nation sent someone like David. Among the five, he felt David was the weakest—talkative and eager to chime in. He replied bluntly, “Then you go. If you can’t, shut up. Just now you were God, now you’ve downgraded to God’s son. If you’re so willing, you go.”

Natasha stifled a low, goose-like laugh behind her hand. David didn’t mind, grinning.

Chen Ming remained impassive. He felt Li Daoran was underestimating David—or perhaps not underestimating, but his attitude had changed.

“Cut the nonsense. If you have an idea, say it straight. Don’t be so sarcastic. If it weren’t for the higher-ups forbidding it, and for your actual performance, I’d have tried it long ago,” Chen Ming said bluntly.