The sea island. The salt fields.
"Brother, why don’t you take these Salt Crystals to the Black Panther Tribe? I’ll watch over things here. The Shark Beasts haven’t made a move for now, so I don’t think they’ll dare to attack us anyti soon."
Xijing frowned and shook his head. "Although we’ve made many preparations, I can’t let my guard down until we’ve driven off the Shark Beast Clan. Stick to the original plan. You take so n and make the delivery first."
Seeing that he had made up his mind, Ximing didn’t press the issue. "Alright. I’ll go gather the team and set off now."
Just as Ximing was about to leave, a rman ran over, his expression panicked.
"Your Majesty, the Shark Beast Clan is attacking our territory! The guards are holding them off, but their assault is so fierce we’re struggling to stop them."
Xijing’s expression hardened. He said to Ximing, "Ximing, you stay on the island and guard the salt fields. I will go fight the Shark Beasts."
"Alright. Be careful, Brother."
Xijing nodded, then turned and dove into the sea.
Just after Xijing left with his n, Ximing felt shadows pass over him from above. He looked up.
’It’s these Golden Eagle Beasts again. This ti, I’ll make you regret this.’
Ximing took out a palm-sized conch shell and blew into it. The sound instantly echoed across the entire salt field.
The rn guarding the salt fields quickly gathered around Ximing.
With a grim expression, Ximing announced, "The Wing Clan is attacking. Everyone, prepare for battle!"
At Ximing’s command, the rn quickly scattered.
The rn were at a great disadvantage fighting the Wing Clan on land, so this ti, they all took cover in the forest.
With the trees providing cover, it would be difficult for the Golden Eagle Beasts to land a precise attack.
anwhile, Xijing had also summoned a team of rn and was swimming toward their territory.
When they arrived, the Shark Beasts were already engaged in battle with the rn.
The ambushing Shark Beasts were nurous, and the defending rn were losing ground.
Sensing the tallic scent of blood drifting from ahead, Xijing roared, "Kill!"
A Shark Beast saw Xijing arrive and snorted coldly.
"Tear off that rman’s fins! I want him to die right here in the water!"
Night deepened, and most of the beastn in the Black Panther Tribe were already asleep.
Before bed, Qiao Xixi went to the cubs’ room. They were all fast asleep.
She tiptoed over and pulled the blanket back over Qiao Ang, who had kicked it aside. After planting a kiss on his little cheek, she was about to leave when she heard Xiya whimpering.
Qiao Xixi went to her bed. Xiya’s eyes were squeezed shut, her little brow furrowed as if she were having a nightmare.
Qiao Xixi gently patted her back. "Don’t be scared, my sweet cub. Mother’s here."
"SOB..."
Xiya suddenly burst into tears.
Worried, Qiao Xixi lay down on the bed, gathered the little cub into her arms, and patted her gently. "Xiya, it’s okay. Mother will stay right here with you."
Feeling Qiao Xixi’s presence, Xiya gradually quieted down, though she still let out an occasional sob. Qiao Xixi didn’t dare to leave and ended up falling asleep for the night while holding her.
In a drowsy haze, Qiao Xixi felt the cub in her arms stir. She opened her eyes to find that it was already morning.
"Mother~"
Qiao Xixi saw that Xiya’s eyes were red and her little face was streaked with tears. Her heart ached. She hugged her tightly and asked softly, "What’s wrong, Xiya? Are you feeling unwell?"
Xiya threw herself into her arms, hugging her tightly as she choked out, "Mother, I... I miss my father."
Hearing this, Qiao Xixi felt both helpless and heartbroken.
’All the other cubs had their fathers with them now; only Xiya was without hers. Although the little one never said anything, Xixi knew she must miss him.’
’They had an agreent. He was supposed to bring the Salt Crystals over within a certain ti fra. And counting the days, it should be about ti now.’
"Rember our agreent with your father? He should be bringing the Salt Crystals over any day now. We’ll be able to see him then."
Xiya lifted her head from her embrace. "Really, Mother?"
"Of course. Don’t you trust your father?"
Xiya nodded hurriedly. "I do! Father would never lie to !"
"Then let’s just wait a few more days, okay?"
"Okay."
After soothing Xiya, Qiao Xixi got up and helped her change into a clean dress. "Yesterday, I had your Father Jin Ling dissolve so Salt Crystals in the bathing tub. You should go for a soak in a little while."
’The little spirit had told her that since Xiya was a sea beast, staying on land for too long would make her uncomfortable. A bath could solve the problem.’
’So she had mixed the Salt Crystals with water from the Spiritual Spring for her to soak in and alleviate her discomfort.’
"Okay."
"Xixi, you’re awake."
Holding Xiya’s hand, Qiao Xixi ca out and saw Feiyan chopping firewood in the courtyard. Other than Qiao Qiao, who was playing with the tiger cub, no one else was there.
"Feiyan, where are the other cubs?"
Feiyan set down the firewood, washed his hands, and then brought breakfast out from the kitchen.
"Jin Ling took Qiao Ang with him on patrol. Sunxiao and Sangze took Qiao Lie and Sangqi hunting. And Mo Yan went to the plaza to train."
Mo Yan had just awakened a one-star beast soul and needed training to better control his new energy. The other beastn who had won the recent competition also needed ti to master their newfound powers.
"Feili Father Beast is certainly working hard."
Hearing this, Feiyan grinned and moved closer to Qiao Xixi.
"He’s not working hard at all. You have no idea how much fun that old man is having. Now that he’s stepped down as Clan Leader, he’s got the energy of a bull every day! If we’re talking about hard work, Xixi, I’m the one who’s suffering. How about a kiss to thank ?"
Seeing that Xiya had gone into the washroom for her bath and that Qiao Qiao was too busy cooing over the tiger cub to notice, Qiao Xixi wrapped her arms around the fox’s neck and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
The fox was delighted, and his big, fluffy, snow-white tail gave a flirtatious wag.
Qiao Xixi’s hand slid down and grabbed his tail, and she instantly felt his body react.
But she just kept hold of it, unhurriedly tracing circles with her fingers.
"Feiyan, did you all drink deer blood again this morning? Is there any left? I’d like to try so."
The fox was completely chard. How could he possibly refuse her anything?
"We’re out of fresh deer blood for today. If you want so, I’ll save a bit for you tomorrow. But it makes your body heat up, and with the weather already so warm, I’m afraid it might be too much for you."
Qiao Xixi snuggled her entire body into his embrace. Her light, elegant fragrance continuously drifted up to Feiyan’s nose, making the heat coiling inside him even more intense.
Still, he clung to a shred of rationality and didn’t just sweep her up and carry her off like he usually would.
"If it’s uncomfortable for , wouldn’t it be even more uncomfortable for you males? So why do you drink it?"
"To strengthen our bodies, of course! Otherwise, what if we fall asleep after just one round at night? That would be unacceptable!"
Qiao Xixi froze. ’I had my suspicions, but I never thought it would actually make my beastn start doubting themselves!’
’Am I going to drain them all dry one day???’
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