CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 49 REUNION_1

As the weather grew hotter day by day, their food and water were soon exhausted.

Si Yan dared not tell the cubs this cruel reality.

But soon, Xi Qing also could not hold on any longer, and Dongchi carried Xi Qing on his back.

"Mother, I’m so thirsty..." the feverish Bei Ji mumbled in confusion.

"Don’t be afraid. Mother has some in her space; I’ll give you some in a bit," Si Yan gritted her teeth.

Bei Ji shook his head; he could guess the current situation of their water and food supplies.

He buried his head in Si Yan’s shoulder, as if what he had just said was all confused blabber.

"Wicked female..."

Dongchi’s body also started to heat up and weaken. As he carried Xi Qing, he looked at Si Yan. Si Yan knew Dongchi also couldn’t hold on much longer. They didn’t know the way to Dark Sun Lake and had no one to ask for directions. The scorching sun evaporated all moisture, life itself struggling to survive.

Si Yan’s lips had turned pale; she pursed them, unable to speak.

Dongchi lowered his head slightly, then the young boy forced a helpless smile.

He found a slightly shaded spot and set Xi Qing down.

Si Yan also came over and laid Bei Ji down.

Si Yan leaned against a rock, and Dongchi leaned against another nearby.

He raised his head without saying a word, appearing very tired and extremely tormented.

Si Yan knew that snakes feared the heat even more than humans.

She touched Dongchi’s head, and Dongchi closed his eyes, as if he had fallen asleep.

All three cubs had reached their limits and entered a state of estivation.

With a BANG, Dongchi transformed into a small crimson Sen Ran. Si Yan carefully collected his animal skin skirt and stored it in her space. Before long, Xi Qing and Bei Ji also transformed with BANGS of their own, turning into a small green Sen Ran and a small white Sen Ran respectively.

All three cubs had taken on their beast forms, and in these forms, they instinctively cuddled up to Si Yan, wrapping around her affectionately.

Si Yan was very thirsty. As she leaned against the rock, her heart grew increasingly desolate.

They say there’s a Beast God in this world... Please, Lord Beast God, give us a bowl of water. I’ll give it to the cubs, she prayed silently.

Si Yan closed her eyes, exhausted.

She began to imagine her final scene, like the little match girl.

There were fish and shrimp, chickens and cattle.

Everything delicious that flew in the sky or swam in the water was on the feast laid out before them.

There were many drinks, right next to a swimming pool. The air conditioner was on, and flowers were blooming.

Most importantly, all four cubs were by her side.

Dongchi was the eldest, wearing a little black suit, looking both cold and cool.

Nan Mo didn’t speak; she kept him company.

Xi Qing’s face had healed; he tied his hair behind his head, no longer needing to cover half of his face.

Bei Ji was like a little prince, with many cute little girls wanting to play with him.

Huh, what’s that? Si Yan thought she saw a purple stone. It looks so familiar... That’s right! It’s the stone that lets you cultivate and level up just by touching it! What a great stone!

She walked towards the stone, filled with anticipation as she touched it.

BANG!

Suddenly, Si Yan disappeared, and the three snake Beastman cubs tumbled to the ground.

「...」

In the heart of Dark Sun Lake, the snake Beastman Wang had a rare moment of being awake and was bathing in the center of the lake.

Ever since entering Dark Sun Lake, he had been harassed by countless females, an incessant annoyance that prevented him from getting a full night’s sleep.

Fortunately, the water of Dark Sun Lake was clean and cool, helping to wash away much of the irritation from the blistering sun.

A disturbance came from above, followed by a familiar sensation.

But this time, Wang was prepared. His drenched hand shot out and grabbed the ankle of Si Yan, who had appeared out of nowhere, and he flung her away with a flick of his wrist.

"AHHH!!"

Startled, Si Yan was flung far into the middle of the lake.

"Ah! Water!!!!" Si Yan didn’t realize what environment she was in; she opened her mouth and drank the water eagerly.

Without a second thought, she stealthily opened her space and filled a wooden bucket with water.

Even in her dazed state, she made sure nobody saw her space.

This series of actions left Wang wide-eyed and completely dumbstruck.

"Little female? Is it you?"

Si Yan emerged from the water, spitting out a mouthful of cool water in Wang’s direction.

Wang: "..."

Every time I see her, it seems I run into some bad luck, doesn’t it? he thought.

Without another word, Wang grabbed her by the back of her neck, his face cold and gloomy. "Where did you come from?"

Si Yan turned her head, her consciousness slowly returning, as if it took her a good while to finally recognize him.

After her daze cleared a little, she replied with a hint of forced familiarity, "It’s you, Great Demon King!!"

Wang: "..."

Si Yan: "Let go of me! Let go!"

Wang’s face darkened considerably. "You come to my lake, drink my water. You think I’ll just let you go because you say so?"

"Your lake?" Si Yan turned around, took a look, and immediately swore, "Damn it, what a waste."

Who could have guessed? I just thought about that purple stone, and I ended up with this Great Demon King again! Heck, it must be because I didn’t brush my teeth this morning that I’m having such rotten luck!

Wang picked up Si Yan like a little chick, and the snake Beastman swiftly swam to the shore. Then he threw Si Yan onto the ground.

Si Yan felt like her bones were breaking apart, but she thought with relief, It’s okay, it’s okay! The water I collected is already in my space. As long as I hurry back, the cubs can drink!!

Wang stared at this strange female. She looked as fragile as a little rabbit, yet she had cursed at him the moment she opened her mouth. Moreover, she had mysteriously appeared above his head twice for no apparent reason!

This female... she’s a bit odd, Wang mused.

"Who are you, and where did you come from?"

"Why should I tell you?" Si Yan, not yet fully recovered, retorted.

"Don’t want to live?"

Good heavens! That was a direct threat to my life! And honestly, I’m quite susceptible to threats, Si Yan thought.

"I come from the Yanxiang Tribe." The Yanxiang Tribe abandoned our family of four. It wouldn’t matter if I sold them out, would it?

Wang’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Good."

This Yanxiang Tribe, this unknown little tribe, will no longer be allowed into Dark Sun Lake, he decided.

"Why can you appear and disappear suddenly?"

"How would I know?" Si Yan said. "I don’t have time to talk to you right now. I’m in a hurry."

"In a hurry to leave?"

"How do you know?"

Wang’s serpentine eyes, lazy as though he had just woken up, turned vertical. "Female, do you think this place is fun?"

Si Yan looked around, then turned to Wang and said seriously, "This is a very nice place."

Wang: "..."

Si Yan: "I really have to go. I’m in a hurry!"

Si Yan took a step forward but was swiftly grabbed by Wang again.

However, this time Si Yan deftly evaded him.

I might not win a fight, but I can at least try to run!

Taking advantage of the moment Wang let his guard down, she not only dodged him but also quickly ran forward several steps, thinking of her three cubs as she did.

Go back, go back, go back! she chanted inwardly.

BANG!

Just as Wang reached out to grab Si Yan again, the very real person in front of him vanished with another BANG.

His eyes widened slightly, a look of confusion on his face.

He looked at the palm of his hand.

I’m sure I grabbed her a few times. The touch was soft; it wasn’t an illusion or a dream. I’m sure she’s a real, tangible Beastman female. But why can she appear and disappear so suddenly?

Wang sniffed the air, but her scent wasn’t nearby. He frowned slightly.

Could she have applied some kind of scent-masking potion?

"Lord," Hu Hui appeared behind Wang.

Wang turned and said, "Find someone!"

Hu Hui was visibly confused. "Find who?"

Wang’s eyes were gloomy and extremely impatient, a simmering rage barely contained. "An unruly female."

Has another clueless female come to disturb Lord Wang? Hu Hui wondered.