" Shuning, it really seems to be true!"
Xiao Bai'er whispered again from the side.
This time, she clearly believed it more, after all, the long string of things the Southern Martial Arts Student Council had just said didn't sound like a lie!
Shen Shuning nodded slightly, but her mind was racing through all the information she had received that day.
A soldier discharged due to injury; Sixth Tier Calamity Beast watching from outside the base; the Plateau Erosion Zone...
Shen Shuning slowly raised her eyes.
The Erosion Zone seemed to be much more dangerous than she had originally anticipated!
The crowd was still asking questions.
"Then, Guild Master, if there are Sixth Tier Calamity Beast blocking the way outside, how are we supposed to get out?"
"Based on my guess, that Calamity Beast is most likely not interested in us ordinary members, so as long as we don't actively approach it, there shouldn't be any problem! Of course, the specific situation will depend on the base's subsequent arrangements. The base was supposed to inform us of everything I just mentioned later..."
The questioning continued for quite some time, until finally, when they seemed to have run out of questions, they were forced to stop.
The banquet then continued, and laughter returned.
People were walking around from time to time.
Shen Shuning didn't move; she just sat in her seat, occasionally exchanging quiet conversations with her friend.
Suddenly, a voice came from over there.
"Yes, yes, yes... Chairman!"
The two people who were talking in hushed tones paused and looked up.
What came into view was a boy who was nearly 1.9 meters tall, with short hair and a somewhat muscular build.
However, his behavior at this moment did not match his outward appearance; instead, he appeared somewhat timid and hesitant.
Upon seeing the visitor, Xiao Bai'er smiled silently and sat to the side, looking like he was watching a good show.
Shen Shuning lowered her gaze, then looked up again and asked:
" Cao Bingli, is there something you need?"
"Yes, President, didn't the student council president from Southern Martial Arts just say that we might be given priority for hunting missions later?" Cao Bingli said nervously.
"Hmm, what's wrong?" Shen Shuning asked.
Upon receiving the reply, Cao Bingli's face immediately flushed red, and he stammered,
"In that case, are you planning to form a team? If so, then I, then I..."
Xiao Bai'er's smile widened as he looked at his friend.
My friend had his eyes downcast, his expression indifferent, seemingly lost in thought.
After a moment, she raised her eyes and said:
"I have indeed been considering forming a team, but considering that this information may not be accurate yet, and the situation in the Erosion Zone may not be the same as the Light Gate we experienced, I want to see if I can find any experienced seniors to ask for advice first."
"Is that so? As expected of the president!" Cao Bingli stood there, looking at Shen Shuning with admiration in his eyes. "What if it's confirmed then?"
Shen Shuning replied:
"Once it's confirmed, I'll look for team members based on the situation!"
She paused, then looked at the boy in front of her and said:
"If we need a front-line tank by then, and you happen to be unteamed, I hope you can join my team!"
"No, no, no, what are you saying? If that's really the case, then I will definitely join!" Cao Bingli said firmly.
As he spoke, he bowed sharply and said:
"In that case, I'll go back and wait for news!"
"Mmm," Shen Shuning responded softly, then watched as the other person walked back.
"Hehe, Cao Bingli is really interesting!" Xiao Bai'er laughed as she watched Cao Bingli walk back into the group of boys.
Over there, several boys started teasing him when they saw him return.
There was no response, Shen Shuning sighed wearily.
Compared to other things, she felt these matters would be even more troublesome!
Seeing this, Xiao Bai'er suppressed his smile and whispered:
" Shuning, if you don't like him, why don't you just tell him directly?"
Shen Shuning turned to look at her friend.
"I've already spoken to him."
"Huh? You already told him?!" Xiao Bai'er's eyes widened slightly.
Shen Shuning nodded. "Yes, back when we were still in school, he came over once under the pretext of submitting some materials. I thought about it then and told him before he left that I didn't have any plans in that regard for the time being, and then..."
Then, the rest of the sentence was left unsaid, but the meaning was already quite clear.
That situation, even after it was clearly stated, still exists, and it's unknown how long it's been going on.
Xiao Bai'er looked up and thought for a moment, then said:
"Could it be that you rejected me in the wrong way?"
"Was the way you refused wrong?" Shen Shuning looked at Xiao Bai'er with some doubt.
"Yes, you said you don't have any thoughts about him right now, which gives him the impression that you don't dislike him, you just don't have those thoughts right now. If you did, then he might have a chance, which is why you're acting this way!" Xiao Bai'er analyzed earnestly.
Shen Shuning frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and asked:
"What should I do then?"
"It's simple, just tell him you don't like him!" Xiao Bai'er said.
Upon hearing this, Shen Shuning glanced in Cao Bingli's direction, hesitated for a moment, and then remained silent.
"Huh? Shuning, you don't actually like Cao Bingli's type, do you?!" Xiao Bai'er asked, her eyes wide.
Turning her gaze away, Shen Shuning shook her head.
"No, I just don't dislike it, but I definitely wouldn't say I like it!"
"Uh, so you mean you react calmly, like you would with an ordinary person?" Xiao Bai'er asked.
"Mm." Shen Shuning nodded slightly.
"I see!" Xiao Bai'er turned around, raising her hand to stroke her chin. "So Shuning, what type do you like?"
Shen Shuning was taken aback.
It seems she really hadn't thought about this question.
After pondering for a moment with her eyes slightly lowered, Shen Shuning slowly shook her head.
"I don't know either!"
"Well, it's alright, you'll know when you encounter it again!" Xiao Bai'er.
"And what about you Bai'er?" Shen Shuning turned to look at her friend.
"Huh? Me?!" Xiao Bai'er stared, seemingly surprised to be asked this question.
"Yes," Shen Shuning nodded slightly, "And what type do you like?"
"My words..."
Xiao Bai'er turned back, thought for a moment, and then started counting on her fingers.
"He'd probably be rich, handsome, and taller than me—not too much taller, maybe a head taller at most—and... um, ideally, stronger than me too, that would be perfect!"
Shen Shuning chuckled softly, probably understanding that her friend didn't know what kind of person she liked either, and was just instinctively imagining the best possible outcome.
"Hey, by the way, Shuning, your brother is the one holding your family together now, right?"
The sudden change of topic startled Shen Shuning slightly.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said:
"Yes, you could say that, but he seems to be very busy with work. I haven't seen him when I've gone back in the past two years!"