Chapter 520 - 517: Concealment

Chapter 520: Chapter 517: Concealment

The warmth of his arms and the sincerity in his voice enveloped her like a gentle current, leaving her in a momentary daze.

But she quickly brought herself back to reality.

She shifted slightly. Though reluctant, Jiao Yin slowly loosened his arms. His ice-blue eyes, however, remained fixed on her, brimming with a profound passion that could melt one’s very soul.

For a moment, the only sounds in the grotto were the gentle surge of the ocean current and their own ragged breaths.

Bai Wan lowered her gaze, avoiding his searing stare.

She could feel her heart hammering from his confession while also being keenly aware of the new life quietly growing within her womb—an unbreakable bond between them.

’Should I tell him?’

She could almost picture the ecstatic joy that would light up his ice-blue eyes upon hearing the news.

’He would be overjoyed... and that would only make him more reluctant to part.’

’But...’

Her gaze drifted to Jiao Yin’s strong, broad shoulders, which seemed to carry an invisible, heavy burden.

He was the King of Merfolk; an entire race looked to him for protection.

The threat of the Crocodylus porosus Clan was imminent, and the situation was still uncertain. He needed to remain completely clear-headed and focused.

Telling him about the pregnancy now would only add a sweet, yet distracting, burden to his already heavy responsibilities.

’No, not now.’

Bai Wanwan shook her head to herself.

’This surprise should be saved for a more fitting, peaceful time.’

’I’ll tell him once the seas are at peace again, when he has enough time and energy to look after our cubs.’

She took a deep breath. When she looked up again, the complex emotions in her eyes had been suppressed, replaced by a serene gentleness.

She looked at Jiao Yin. Instead of responding directly to his confession, she said softly, "It’s getting late. You... you should get back to your duties. The matter with the Crocodylus porosus Clan requires your full attention."

Her tone was full of concern, but the subtle distance in it made the fiery light in Jiao Yin’s eyes dim slightly.

’Even knowing this would happen, I can’t help the pain in my heart. But more than that, I feel understanding and respect.’

’It’s enough that I love her. I won’t ask for anything more.’

"Alright." Suppressing the immense reluctance in his heart, Jiao Yin nodded, his voice still gentle. "I’ll head back now. You... get some rest."

He gave her one last, deep look, as if to etch her image into his very soul, before turning resolutely and disappearing into the deep blue water outside the palace.

As she watched him go, Bai Wanwan’s hand unconsciously drifted back to her lower abdomen, a tenderness she herself hadn’t even realized filling her eyes.

「Two more days passed in a flash.」

There was still no word from Hua Han, and even the Tracking Bird that had been sent out had not returned.

Bai Wanwan’s anxiety grew with each passing day. She couldn’t help but ask the system again, "Hua Sheng, could something have happened to the Tracking Bird? Like... what if it found Hua Han, but then got attacked and eaten by another bird of prey?"

The system responded at once, its tone mechanical yet firm: "Rest assured, Host. The Tracking Bird is a unique tool produced by the system; it is no ordinary bird. It is impervious to common fire and water and can even release a special aura that causes most birds of prey and Fierce Beasts to keep their distance. It will not be eaten so easily. It will complete the mission you have given it and return to your side."

Hearing the system’s assurance, Bai Wanwan felt a little more at ease.

But she quickly thought of another problem. "Since it’s been gone for so long, does that mean... Hua Han is probably not in the nearby waters anymore?"

"Based on the Tracking Bird’s characteristics, that is highly probable," the system analyzed. "It has likely followed the target a considerable distance, which means it will take longer to return."

’If that’s the case, there’s no point in staying in the Merfolk Territory and waiting around. It might just cause more trouble.’

Bai Wanwan decided to wait for Zhu Xiu and the others to return so they could discuss their departure.

Just then, Shuang Hua came in with the cubs.

"Aunt Shuang, let the cubs play. Come and sit down."

Bai Wanwan bent over and pulled out a Coral Stool for her.

Shuang Hua slowly walked over and sat down beside her.

"Wanwan," Shuang Hua said, gazing out the window at the deep blue water, her eyes betraying the weariness of a long journey and a sense of unease about the unknown. "Is the Tiger Clan Tribe... still far from here?"

This was the first time she had been so far from the Flood Dragon Tribe. She never imagined that after crossing the vast ocean and drifting at sea for so many days, they still would not have reached their destination.

Bai Wanwan could see her anxiety. She reached out, gently took her hand, and said in a soothing voice, "Aunt Shuang, it is still quite a ways. But don’t worry, we won’t have to cross the ocean on the way back. Once we reach the mainland, Yin Ze can fly us. We’ll be much faster then, so it shouldn’t take long to get home."

Her voice seemed to carry a reassuring power, soothing Shuang Hua’s worries about the unknown journey ahead.

She patted Wanwan’s hand. "That’s good to hear. After hearing you talk so much about those cute, mischievous little cubs, I’m just bursting with anticipation. I wish I could see them and hug them this very instant!"

She had an irresistible fondness for young cubs, especially those born to Bai Wanwan.

As she spoke, the nearby tiger cubs and Little Phoenixes started chasing each other again, knocking over a small coral ornament.

Shuang Hua’s attention was immediately captured. "Oh, my!" she exclaimed, rising with a laugh. "These little rascals! If you take your eyes off them for one second, they’ll turn the whole place upside down!"

With that, she walked over briskly and lovingly gathered the playful cubs to her side.

At that exact moment, the three males—Zhu Xiu, Jin Yi, and Xin Feng—entered from outside.

"Still no sign of Hua Han?"

She asked, though she already knew the answer.

"No. We’ve searched everywhere nearby. He’s probably left the area."

"And the Crocodylus porosus Clan? Are they a major threat to the Merfolk?"

Xin Feng turned to Jin Yi and Zhu Xiu. "These two already took care of the Crocodylus porosus Clan’s Red Rank Male. With Jiao Yin watching over things, the rest of them shouldn’t be a major problem."

"Another Red Rank Powerhouse?" Bai Wanwan frowned. "I remember you guys saying that Red Rank Males were supposed to be rare on the Beast World Continent. Why are there so many all of a sudden?"

’Her Beast Husbands had advanced to the next rank early thanks to her system’s intervention, but it seemed there was no shortage of other Red Ranks.’

The males exchanged a look. They all sensed something was off, but they didn’t have a clear picture of the situation yet.

They didn’t want to pass that unease on to their female.

"The information we had was from a long time ago. Perhaps a few more males have advanced in rank over the last decade."

Bai Wanwan didn’t press the issue. She just nodded. "Alright then, let’s get packed. We’re leaving."

Zhu Xiu’s dark eyes lowered, his gaze landing on her slightly pale face. He asked, "Now?"