Chapter 531 - 528: Any Discoveries?

Chapter 531: Chapter 528: Any Discoveries?

This was the cruel, yet unavoidable, law of survival in the Beast World.

Bai Wanwan looked at the lingering fear and disappointment on the faces of the surrounding females, and the bewildered eyes of the cubs who could nonetheless sense the tense atmosphere. An idea began to form in her mind.

’Passive defense and evasion are never the fundamental solution to a problem.’

Though she wouldn’t be living in the Golden Lion Tribe long-term, she could face similar problems upon returning to the Tiger Clan.

The Tiger Clan was a Super Tribe with taller walls and stronger guards, but if females and cubs were to be forever trapped within the city because of danger, how dull and uninteresting would life become?

’Why not try to change things? Turn passive defense into active control? Make the environment outside the tribe safe as well!’

This bold idea flashed through her mind like a spark.

However, before she could think through the specifics of how to execute this, she was interrupted by Jin Yi’s voice.

"Wanwan," Jin Yi said, walking to her side with a solemn expression. "Once Zhu Xiu and the others get back from their scouting, have them escort you back to the Tiger Clan first. I... I might need to stay here a while longer."

He already had a faint feeling that something wasn’t right.

The unusual activity of the Eagle Beasts, the foreign refugees his father mentioned, and the Crocodylus porosus Clan’s recent battles with the Merfolk, fought with no regard for the risk of their own clan’s extinction...

None of these seemed to be isolated incidents.

A sense of unease, of a gathering storm, lingered in his heart.

In comparison, the Tiger Clan, as a Super Tribe, had more High Rank Males, stronger defenses, and Chou Rong was stationed there.

Sending Wanwan back first was far safer than having her remain in the Golden Lion Tribe, which could be facing unknown risks.

"You’re not coming back with us?" Bai Wanwan asked, tilting her head to look at him, a little surprised.

"Right," Jin Yi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the tribe’s walls and the circling black dots still faintly visible in the distance. "This time, let Zhu Xiu and the others escort you back first. I’ll stay and observe for a while. If nothing major happens, I’ll be back to find you soon."

His tone was firm. This was his responsibility and duty as the Young Clan Leader.

Bai Wanwan understood his decision. After a moment of thought, she nodded in agreement. "Alright. Then let’s discuss it together when Zhu Xiu and the others get back."

After the commotion caused by the Eagle Beasts, the good mood they had from going out to catch fish and play was completely ruined.

Shi Hua tried to liven things up. She took Bai Wanwan’s hand and suggested, "Sister Wanwan, we can’t go outside, so why don’t you come to my house? I had Mu Feng pick a lot of fresh sweet berries a few days ago, and I used the sweetest ones to make jam. Just like you taught me, I’ll brush the jam on the meat and roast it. It’ll be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, fragrant and sweet—it’s delicious! Can I make some for you all to try?"

"Deal!" Bai Wanwan immediately replied with a smile. "We can’t go out today anyway. It’s the perfect chance to go to your place and try your cooking. I want to see how much you’ve improved."

She had come to the Golden Lion Tribe this time for two reasons: one, to accompany Jin Yi on his visit to see Jin Cang Clan Leader, and two, to see for herself how Shi Hua was doing.

Now, seeing her living a happy and fulfilling life with her Beast Husbands, she felt relieved.

The group arrived at Shi Hua’s house.

As if presenting a treasure, Shi Hua brought out several pottery jars she had stored away. The moment she opened them, a rich, sweet, fruity aroma wafted out.

The little cubs were all drawn by the scent. They squeezed over curiously, standing on their tiptoes to see what was inside the jars. Their little noses twitched, and every now and then, a small paw would reach out, trying to sneak a little taste, keeping Shi Hua spinning in circles.

Amused, Bai Wanwan took out some tender beast meat she had already prepared and cut into small pieces. She handed them out to the wide-eyed little gluttons to placate them.

Shuang Hua also curiously took the small jar Shi Hua offered. She leaned in for a sniff, a look of pleasant surprise on her face. "My, this fruit jam smells wonderful! It’s sweet but not cloying, and it still has the fresh fragrance of the fruit!"

Shi Hua beamed at the praise, her eyes curving into crescents. "Aunt Shuang, you’re right! It tastes amazing! It’s all because Sister Wanwan taught me so much before. I make it often now. Whenever the males and cubs at home have a craving, they have to have a bite. They all say it’s more fragrant than eating the fruit raw!"

The males were outside, some sitting and some standing, talking in low voices, but their gazes would frequently drift with concern toward the busy females inside.

Shi Hua’s Beast Husbands returned from their hunt and were delighted to see their yard so lively. Seeing the females busy, they wanted to go over and help.

But Shi Hua shooed them away, waving her hands. "Go, go, go! Go busy yourselves with your own things! Sister Wanwan, Aunt Shuang, and I have finally gotten a chance to do something together. Don’t come and make a mess!"

The rejected males exchanged helpless smiles. They could only rub their noses and turn to process the prey they had just brought back, preparing more ingredients.

Just as the roasting meat was sizzling over the fire, its surface a crispy golden-brown, the brushed-on jam melting and seeping into it, releasing an alluring, unique aroma—a mix of caramel and fruit pulp—that filled the entire yard, the scouting party of Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng, and Yin Ze happened to return.

Bai Wanwan spotted them at once and waved with a smile. "You’re back just in time! Come help us move this big wooden table to the middle of the yard! It’s too cramped inside. We’ll eat out here where it’s spacious and cool!"

With their large group, including the cubs, there were over a dozen of them. It was indeed too crowded to move around in Shi Hua’s house.

The males immediately sprang into action. Some moved the table, others brought stools, and soon they had set up an open-air dining area in the yard.

They carefully seated Bai Wanwan, Shuang Hua, and Shi Hua in the most comfortable spots, then each attended to their own cubs, portioning out their food and watching them sit down obediently to eat, before finally taking their own seats.

Bai Wanwan picked up a skewer of roasted meat slathered in jam, blew on it, and took a careful bite.

Instantly, her eyes lit up!

The savory, smoky flavor of the beast meat blended perfectly with the light sweetness and subtle tartness of the jam. The texture was complex, and it was truly delicious!

"Mm! This is really good!" she couldn’t help but exclaim. She took another large bite and asked Shi Hua through a mouthful, "What kind of fruit is this made from? The flavor is so unique!"

Seeing that she liked it, Shi Hua was happier than if she had eaten it herself. "It’s a type of black berry from the back mountain. They’re especially sweet when they’re fully ripe! If you like it, Sister Wanwan, I made a lot of jars. You can take them all back with you! I’ll have my males go pick more, and I’ll make more to send to you!"

Bai Wanwan didn’t stand on ceremony with her and readily agreed. "Alright! I won’t be polite then! But when the time comes, don’t make your males run so far. Just tell me where the spot is, and I’ll have my Beast Husbands go pick them."

"Why would you be polite with me!" Shi Hua shot her a playful, reproachful look. "It’s not like I haven’t taken plenty of good things from you!"

The atmosphere once again became relaxed and joyful as everyone gathered around the table, enjoying the food and the time together.

As she ate, Bai Wanwan turned to Xin Feng beside her and lowered her voice. "Did you find anything when you were scouting the area today?"