Chapter 10: Desert Sparks and Live Streaming

Time ticked by, minute after minute.

As the rankings on the voting app stabilized, many viewers shifted their attention back to the live stream.

They hoped that by choosing their supporters, those fans would see their champion make it to the end and succeed in the challenge.

“Wait, what is Xu Hao doing?”

Yet when the live feeds of the ten challengers were scanned one by one, many viewers couldn’t help but lock onto Xu Hao’s split-screen.

It was around 2 PM, and the desert heat had reached its peak.

Lord Bei, Lord De, and the other contestants had chosen to rest in the shelter to avoid heatstroke and save energy, but Xu Hao was busy starting a fire under the scorching sun.

Even more surprising, he had constructed a tripod out of sticks above the fire pile; from it hung two rabbits, their skins already peeled off, while another was skewered by a red willow stick, continuously rotated and roasted.

Beside the fire, three stretched rabbit skins lay ominously, and farther away, a large lump of rabbit innards was visible.

Snap back to reality.

Almost immediately, viewers flooded the chat.

In their eyes, top wilderness survival experts like Lord Bei had barely managed to secure a Hedgehog, yet Xu Hao had somehow landed three rabbits.

And these rabbits were huge!

Especially the one on the fire, charred to a deep golden crisp that made anyone salivate at first glance.

The scene resembled a desert barbecue—hard to believe. “Where on earth did this guy get his rabbits?”

“No idea! Everyone was busy voting and barely noticed what was happening here. Besides, hardly anyone paid attention to him anyway.”

“Maybe the production team supplied them secretly?”

“Who knows!”

“He’s definitely cheating!”

“I thought so too. A real wilderness challenge participant wouldn’t just toss aside rabbit innards—they’re crucial for future supplies.”

“Catching three fat rabbits in one morning is virtually impossible. If it were that easy, Lord Bei and Lord De wouldn’t ever let an opportunity slip by. And besides, Xu Hao was busy digging for shaoshu trees; he hadn’t even set any traps.”

“Agreed!”

“Looks like we need an explanation from the officials!”

“Exactly, everyone @ the production team!”

“I’ve been suspicious of Xu Hao ever since he picked out his tools—something’s not right!”

“Support!”

People are like that; once they have their own supporters, they can’t stand seeing another contestant’s fans outshine theirs.

Especially fans of Lord Bei, Lord De, and Matt—none would tolerate another contestant’s food surpassing that of their idols, particularly not the one with the least wilderness survival experience.

The constant chat spamming quickly caught the officials’ attention.

Eventually, they had to urgently pull up the surveillance footage and, ten minutes later, issue an official statement.

“After investigation, Xu Hao was found to have committed no cheating—it was merely luck. Please continue supporting this challenge!”

But once people get fixated on an idea, it’s hard to change their minds.

Even though the officials explained the situation and released video clips showing the sequence in which the rabbits were tossed into the pit, nothing could sway the stubborn viewers.

“Luck? Ha! How is it that other wilderness survival experts never seem as lucky as he is?”

“What do surveillance videos matter? The officials can edit them any way they like!”

“Exactly—sedate a few rabbits beforehand and it’s easy to create a convincing video effect.”

“Disappointing! Completely disappointing!”

A few minutes later, seeing that the uproar still hadn’t died down, an official stepped forward on the public chat to ask, “So, what exactly do you want us to do?”

“What exactly would satisfy you?”

“Honestly, it’s simple. Xu Hao just needs to start his own live stream so we can watch every moment closely!”

A viewer by the name of Gongdi Ren voiced his opinion.

“Hey? That’s not a bad idea!”

“Great idea! With his account live streaming every detail, nothing will slip by us.”

“That’s the demand!”

Sure enough, after Gongdi Ren proposed the idea, it quickly gained overwhelming support with the chat flooded with live stream requests.

“This does involve aspects of the challenge that take physical strength, so we’ll need to discuss it with Mr. Xu Hao first.”

Despite the demand, the staff were hesitant to agree immediately.

After all, most wilderness challenge contestants spend their time scavenging for food and conserving energy—who has time to live stream? Besides, streaming takes energy and drains you.

“Discuss? What’s there to discuss? If there’s no foul play, then live stream!”

“Seconded!”

“Alright, everyone, please wait a moment; we’ll get back to you shortly.”

In the Tengli Desert, in the Shadou area, Xu Hao looked at the crispy, golden rabbit and subconsciously swallowed a spit.

He had originally planned to store all three rabbits, but at the last minute, he decided to enjoy one today—after all, with a full stomach, he’d have the strength to build his shelter tomorrow.

He wasn’t aiming for a makeshift structure—a few chopped logs laid out as an A-frame with a layer of waterproof tarp simply wouldn’t do.

Since his goal was to last at least three months, the shelter couldn’t be too shabby.

A shabby setup would be an insult to any restoration expert.

Ding dong! Just as Xu Hao thought the rabbits were nearly perfect and a sprinkle of salt would do, his communicator suddenly rang.

“Hello, Mr. Xu Hao!”

“Huh? Hi there!”

Xu Hao furrowed his brows, clearly surprised.

“What’s the matter?”

“Here’s the thing: Since you secured three rabbits on the first morning, many viewers are questioning it. Some are asking you to start your own live stream. Could you consider it?”

Soon, the staff’s voice came through once again.

“Questioned by viewers? And now you want me to live stream immediately? Aren’t you going to explain it to them?”

Xu Hao narrowed his eyes.

To be honest, when he joined the show the officials mentioned that contestants could live stream on their own, even providing professional equipment and accounts on KuaiDou.

Whenever needed, the production team would promptly deliver super-long-life batteries and live streaming gimbals.

And he had even considered live streaming.

After all, with a cleaner face than his wallet—and less than 200 bucks in his account—a live stream could help him earn money and build a fanbase.

But now, because they questioned the origin of his three rabbits, he’s expected to live stream?

“Mr. Xu, we’ve already explained it to them, but they still want to see you live streaming! Otherwise…”

The young lady’s voice was soft.

She knew the request was unreasonable, but what could be done? The viewers are gods.

“No streaming? Doesn’t live streaming take energy? Who’s to blame if I eventually can’t keep going?”

Xu Hao replied decisively.

“The beast shall never be a slave unless I’m fed and housed! I’m not even talking about dignity here—if you offer some perks, I might consider it. But if there’s nothing, I won’t even open my mouth.”

What do the viewers’ doubts have to do with him?