Chapter 480: Soundproofed

What kind of partner is this? It's clearly someone who only wants a free ride and is picky and troublesome!

Qin Wen's fingers hovered over the virtual keyboard, but he couldn't type a single character for ages.

The excitement he felt earlier at the brilliant idea has vanished, leaving only the awkwardness of being seen through and the regret for his lack of consideration.

Cheng Shuili waited a few seconds, got no reply, and then stopped paying attention.

She opened the regional channel to check the Instance status.

The error from Tai Bai seemed to threaten only the whole‑server Instance; the regional Instances continued normally, which is why Cheng Shuili waited so long without getting an Instance summary.

This brand‑new whole‑server announcement appears to have boosted her fame considerably.

Xinxue and Wan Yi were both venting in the group, noting that many more people were asking how to join Black Feather, and they asked Cheng Shuili whether she was planning to expand Black Feather's numbers again.

Expanding numbers……

Since the Hei Yu An Quan Qu was established, although the whole server hasn't merged yet, its barriers have weakened considerably, and Black Feather now includes many players from other regions.

However, with the whole‑server merger imminent, recruiting now inevitably risks attracting undercover agents sent by top forces from other regions.

Cheng Shuili knows this is unavoidable.

And Black Feather is such a large faction that it will only grow stronger; how can they cut off everything at the source just because of a few infiltrators and fear of internal leaks?

But regardless, now is not a good time to recruit.

Thinking that, she replied:

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Expansion isn't urgent for now; maintain the status quo. With the whole‑server merger imminent, we also need to prepare properly.

Xinxue's combat ability may be lacking, but her civil achievements certainly rival those of a feudal dynasty's prime minister.

After sending the message, Cheng Shuili closed the group chat, knowing Xinxue could handle it.

The few people she picked up on the road back then each specialize in their own fields, each with their own strengths.

No need to elaborate on Xinxue; Wan Yi is a top chef for Black Feather and even the whole server.

Cheng Shuili had heard that after the Long Guo Alliance's recent meeting, several unscrupulous factions had covertly tried to rope Wan Yi into something.

Even she, who rarely goes to the canteen, bumped into them twice, let alone when she wasn't around.

Cheng Shuili and Wan Yi have never discussed it, yet there is an unspoken trust between them.

The remaining two: Jiang Tang's luck is unbelievably good and has been proven countless times, needing no doubt. Ailin is also proficient with firearms and shooting, currently training people in the Hei Yu An Quan Qu, effectively serving as Black Feather members' shooting instructor.

The more she thought, the more sentiment arose; Cheng Shuili pulled her thoughts back, and the private chat window pinged again.

Cheng Shuili opened the private chat and, sure enough, it was Qin Wen.

【Qing Qing's one kiss】: Lao Da, I was wrong. I didn't consider enough and took things for granted.

【Qing Qing's one kiss】: I shouldn't only think about my own comfort. I want to join Black Feather and join according to the rules. I will go find Xinxue for assessment and will obey the faction's arrangements.

【Qing Qing's one kiss】: So… if there are high‑difficulty Instances or missions later, and Lao Da thinks I'm capable… could you consider taking me? Of course! Everything follows the faction's arrangement and your judgment!

This development Cheng Shuili truly hadn't expected; Qin Wen's reaction was faster than she anticipated and more adept than she imagined.

There was no entanglement nor sophistry, just a clean, swift admission of fault, followed by a proposal aligning with Cheng Shuili's stance.

This person… really is clever.

Cheng Shuili's anger had already vented, and her reply was much calmer.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Okay. Go find Xinxue, follow the process. If your strength meets the standard, Black Feather will naturally have a spot for you.

【Qing Qing's one kiss】: Then… I'll go find Xinxue right now!

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Go.

Qin Wen seemed to finally sigh in relief, sending a saluting gray‑wolf emoji, and then stopped bothering anyone.

Cheng Shuili didn't know where this guy got so many emojis; she relaxed, collapsed onto the sofa, and raised her hand to close the private chat window.

Finally with nothing else to do, Cheng Shuili was so exhausted she didn't even shift her body.

The vehicle glided smoothly along the endless road, with Su Rui still in the cockpit, driving attentively.

Outside the window, the scenery rushed backward in a slightly monotonous blur; after entering this world, each week brings a different disaster, and the view outside changes with each calamity.

This week the plague threatened humanity, so the outside scenery was the most ordinary.

She didn't know what next week's disaster would be, nor whether it would be another plague—a server‑wide calamity.

But thinking of the whole‑server merger on Friday, Cheng Shuili felt this week must also be a server‑wide disaster.

She pondered briefly and suddenly saw a business opportunity.

Although she didn't lack Game Coin now, who would despise having plenty of Game Coin?

Cheng Shuili thought, pulled out the prediction device, but when she tried to use it, she found its cooldown wasn't finished yet, so she had to wait longer.

She sighed and put the device back away.

Exhausted from the Instance, Cheng Shuili slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep leaning on the sofa.

Su Rui drove attentively and spotted a silver treasure chest placed on the road ahead.

Although she opened cars and treasure chests daily, her experiences were eventful, her current life was quite good, and with her positive mindset, she felt happy for Cheng Shuili upon seeing the chest.

Su Rui hummed a tune, and as she opened the cockpit door, she saw Cheng Shuili lying on the sofa.

She blinked, her mind a little glitchy.

What is going on? I've never seen Lao Da sleeping here before?

Su Rui's steps unconsciously lightened, almost tiptoeing to the edge of the sofa.

Cheng Shuili slept deeply, breathing evenly; her usually sharp gaze was hidden behind closed lids, and her typically cold face softened in sleep, though the faintly pursed lips still hinted at resilience.

Su Rui glanced at the nearby silver chest outside the window, then looked at the rarely relaxed Lao Da on the sofa.

She scratched her head, a bit troubled.

The chest is right in the middle of the road; not picking it up would be wasteful.

Pick it up; we need to open the gate and the chest, and the noise might wake Lao Da…

She thought for a moment, tiptoed back to the cockpit, went straight into Black Feather's safe area, and, familiar with the way, easily found Xinxue, to whom she explained the problem she had encountered.

Xinxue: "……"

Even this small matter is bothering her?

That's going too far, right? That's too excessive, right?

Xinxue wore a perfunctory smile on her face, pulled out a thin … from the storage compartment under her own desk, saw the description saying it was a soundproof small blanket, and handed it to Su Rui: "It's soundproof—cover Lao Da with it."