CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 41 LANG FENG OFFERS HIS SERVICES_1

In the gathering of Beastmen, not far off, four young bear cubs cowered and hid.

Si Yan instantly recognized them as the surviving cubs of Xiong Rou’s family.

Xiong Rou’s family had suffered a heavy blow. Xiong Rou’s males were also powerless to care for these few cubs, and the once-plump cubs had slimmed down considerably overnight.

Since Xiong Rou had perished yesterday, these cubs had lost their protection starting today and could only rely on themselves to survive.

Without the shelter of adult males, they lived cautiously.

Facing the cubs, Si Yan felt little sympathy.

The chieftain of the Yanxiang Tribe, his expression solemn, addressed his people with a long message.

The gist was that the Grand Priest had prophesied the advent of Flame Day. This Flame Day might be particularly severe, and now the only place of salvation in the eastern region was Dark Sun Lake.

One male cried out in panic, "Chieftain, why is there a Flame Day? Has the Beast God abandoned us?"

Another male replied from a distance, "Wake up! There’s no Beast God in this world anymore."

Following that, the entire tribe burst into noisy discussion.

"Quiet! Quiet!" The chieftain regained control of the situation. "The Beast God has not abandoned us; otherwise, He wouldn’t have left us Dark Sun Lake!"

Dark Sun Lake was a massive underground forest, boasting a lake that wouldn’t dry up even when Flame Day came.

It was the refuge for everyone in the Beast World during every Flame Day!

"But I’ve heard that many tribes will be heading to Dark Sun Lake! Dark Sun Lake can’t accommodate so many tribes!"

The chieftain said, "That’s why we must set out early. We aren’t the furthest from Dark Sun Lake; we have to be the first to occupy a piece of land there."

"’Let’s go,’ one male said, clenching his jaw."

"’Let’s go,’ another male said with resignation."

"’Let’s go!!’ another male declared, protecting his Mistress and their cubs."

The chieftain announced, "This migration, though not incredibly far, is also not short. Our primary goal is to protect the sixteen females and the young cubs of the tribe! After Flame Day, we must return."

The males roared, "For the females! For procreation! For survival! For the tribe!!"

Si Yan hadn’t expected the tribe’s migration to be so swift.

Almost as soon as the chieftain confirmed the plan, the tribe began its migration.

Lang Feng brought a beast mount, a White Wolf raised by the tribe, gesturing for Si Yan to ride it.

Facing the immense White Wolf, Si Yan felt a little intimidated, but she still mounted it. Her three cubs—Dongchi, Xi Qing, and Bei Ji—also climbed up.

There were sixteen beast mounts in total, one for each of the sixteen females in the tribe. The other beasts were laden with supplies.

With Flame Day approaching, the entire continent would become extremely hot. Consequently, they decided against bringing many animal skins, and their supplies weren’t plentiful.

Most cubs could sit with their mothers on the tall beasts’ backs. However, Xiong Rou’s cubs, having lost this privilege and with no female to take them in, had to struggle along at the rear of the column.

The entire group numbered in the hundreds. They formed a protective ring around the sixteen females and cubs in the center, while the males on the perimeter took turns hunting for food along the route.

The land steamed with heat after the rain, making everyone feel uncomfortably stifled.

Si Yan worried about Dongchi’s injury; such weather was detrimental to wound healing. If it persisted, the wound might become inflamed or infected.

「And so, the group traveled for several days.」

During these days, Lang Feng showed a very enthusiastic side. He would always be the first to bring Si Yan fresh meat or clean water. This led the other males in the tribe to tease him incessantly. Even though Si Yan hadn’t accepted anything from Lang Feng, they were convinced he would be her next mate.

Night fell, and the group rested by a lake.

Si Yan and her cubs stayed quietly in a corner.

Xi Qing passed water to Si Yan and said cautiously, "Mother, you need to be careful of Tai Seng’s mother."

Tai Seng’s mother.

Si Yan put down the water, glanced at the nearby female, and asked softly, "Is it because she’s upset that Tai Seng became my Guardian Beast?"

Xi Qing’s cyan hair cascaded down, her eyes revealing a maturity and wisdom uncommon in children.

"The deaths of Tai Seng’s father and brothers are linked to her indulgence. I’ve heard that Tai Seng and his dam don’t get along well."

Si Yan hadn’t been aware of Tai Seng’s family matters before. After hearing Xi Qing, she was a bit puzzled and asked, "With such entanglements and hatred, why hasn’t Tai Seng left this clan?"

Xi Qing explained with a touch of helplessness, "In the Beast World, families are formed around females. Before Tai Seng takes a mate, his Mistress is his dam, Lang Rong. Since Lang Rong hasn’t allowed him to leave, he cannot. But now that he has become your Guardian Beast, he has chosen to join our family. You are now his Mistress."

Hearing this, Si Yan couldn’t help but snort internally. You say the dam is the Mistress before a mate is taken, but in the original story, you four brothers overthrew your Mistress and then each went your separate ways.

Xi Qing, as if seeing through Si Yan, said, "Mother, wolf Beastmen are gregarious. We snake Beastmen don’t have to live in groups."

Si Yan’s mouth twitched. "If they don’t get along, wouldn’t it be good for her if Tai Seng left?"

Xiong Nai, gnawing on a beast bone, came over to Si Yan, sat beside her, and snuggled close. "Although Lang Rong doesn’t like Tai Seng, he’s very capable."

"Si Yan, my males all stink to high heaven! It’s much more fun over here with you."

"..." Si Yan silently pushed her away.

Xiong Nai moved closer again. "Do you know how Xiong Rou died?"

"I don’t. Do you?"

"How would I know? With her personality, who knows how many Beastmen she offended." Xiong Nai suddenly whispered, "Be careful of that Lang Rong."

After speaking, Xiong Nai sprawled out again. "Ah, how much longer until we reach Dark Sun Lake? I’m so thirsty and hungry; how am I supposed to endure these days!"

Si Yan glanced at the beast bone in Xiong Nai’s hand and quietly began preparing food and water for her own cubs.

Aware of the dangers in the Beast World, Si Yan kept a very low profile, avoiding lighting a fire whenever possible.

However, as the sun grew larger with each passing day, she found she could cook food until it was about seventy percent done just by placing it on the hot stones. It seemed there was no need to start a fire anymore.

Because of this, however, the atmosphere among the entire group grew increasingly tense.

It was clear to everyone that if they didn’t reach Dark Sun Lake quickly, they would die from the heat and thirst.

Night brought a little coolness, but only a little.

In the oppressive, windless heat, Dongchi, Xi Qing, and Bei Ji, being snake Beastmen, were the most affected and too lethargic to move.

Feeling suffocated, Si Yan wanted to get some fresh air. She left the temporary resting spot to find a less crowded area to relieve herself.

But just as she finished and was preparing to return, she saw Lang Feng a short distance away, walking towards her.