Chapter 622 - 619: Heading to the Elephant Clan

Chapter 622: Chapter 619: Heading to the Elephant Clan

Bai Wanwan had finally convinced all her Beast Husbands. When the males saw they couldn’t change her mind, several of them insisted on going with her to protect her.

However, the Tiger Clan Tribe also needed powerful members to guard it, especially with Chou Rong about to depart.

On the eve of her departure, Bai Wanwan finally decided who would be accompanying her.

In the room, all the males’ eyes were fixed on her.

After quietly hearing them out, Bai Wanwan’s gaze fell first upon Zhu Xiu. He was powerful, with a calm and cool-headed demeanor, making him the most suitable person to stay behind and guard the tribe.

"Zhu Xiu, with Chou Rong gone, the Tiger Clan needs you to take charge. Everyone will feel safer with you here."

Zhu Xiu’s handsome brows furrowed. By nature, he didn’t care whether the other beastmen lived or died. To him, the tribe’s safety was far less important than his mate’s.

But when his frowning gaze met Wanwan’s clear eyes, any words of refusal caught in his throat.

Bai Wanwan quickly blinked at him, her eyes full of trust.

Besides, Wanwan had been deliberately trying to win him over for the past two days, so his stance had already softened.

After a moment of silence, he finally gave a barely perceptible nod, accepting the heavy responsibility.

He would stand guard here, for her peace of mind.

"Wanwan, can I go with you then?" Yan Lie immediately seized the opportunity to step forward, his eyes filled with eagerness and longing. Despite his tall stature, he currently resembled a large dog-like beast, hoping to be taken out for a walk.

Bai Wanwan looked at him and gently shook her head. Her tone was soothing yet firm. "This time, I plan on taking Yin Ze and Jin Yi."

She explained, "Yin Ze is a Flying Beastman. If we run into danger we can’t handle, he can get us to safety immediately. His presence is our greatest protection on this journey."

"Then what about Jin Yi? Why can he go and I can’t?" Yan Lie demanded, his tone laced with jealousy. He didn’t think his fighting ability was any weaker than Jin Yi’s.

Hua Han, standing off to the side, remained silent, but his charming, roguish eyes were fixed on Bai Wanwan. They were filled with a silent plea and a hint of disappointment, as if asking, ’Why not me?’

Bai Wanwan looked at them and sighed internally.

’With so many Beast Husbands, this kind of competition for my affection and the need to treat everyone equally is unavoidable.’

She softened her voice and explained patiently, trying to soothe their bruised feelings. "This decision was based on a number of factors. When we went to the Leopard Clan and the Fox Clan, Jin Yi had to stay behind at the Golden Lion Tribe, remember? He couldn’t come with us."

She paused, then made a promise, trying to make everyone feel the arrangement was fair. "Next time. Next time I have to travel, I’ll definitely take you. How does that sound? We’ll take turns, so everyone will get a chance."

With her gentle words of reassurance, she managed to soothe them one by one, finally convincing the reluctant Beast Husbands to temporarily give up the idea of tagging along.

She had just finished placating them when Jiao Yuan, having heard the news, rushed over to get involved.

He wore a look of complete disapproval, his tone a mix of fatherly worry and dominance. "Wanwan, have you forgotten what it’s like out there? Why are you going out? It’s too dangerous! If you absolutely have to go, then I must go with you!"

Bai Wanwan felt a headache coming on. She explained patiently, "Father Beast, I have to go out for something important. It concerns the relationship between two tribes and an elder’s life. Please don’t worry. With Jin Yi, Yin Ze, and Chou Rong—three Red Ranks—this team is among the strongest on the entire continent. They’re more than enough to keep me safe."

"What does it matter if there are three Red Ranks? I’m still worried! I have to go with you!" Jiao Yuan was adamant.

An idea struck Bai Wanwan, and she switched tactics, her tone becoming one of reliance and entrustment. "Father Beast, if you come with me, what will happen to the cubs at home? They need your protection even more."

She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please, can you protect them for me until I get back? Zhu Xiu has to manage the entire tribe, and Yan Lie and the others are responsible for its security. I’m entrusting our home and the cubs to you. I’ll only be able to leave without worrying if I know you’re watching over them."

She had used the same tactic twice now, but it seemed all males, regardless of age, fell for it every time.

With Wanwan entrusting him with the great responsibility of protecting the cubs, Jiao Yuan hesitated as expected.

He stopped in his tracks. Looking into the young female’s trusting eyes, a sense of responsibility washed over him, and he subconsciously straightened his back. "Of course I can watch the cubs for you! But... Wanwan, can’t you just stay?"

He was still making one last attempt.

"Father Beast, I really have to go," Bai Wanwan said, her voice soft but filled with unshakeable resolve.

In the end, Jiao Yuan looked at the young female’s determined expression and knew he couldn’t change her mind, no matter what he said.

He could only let out a heavy sigh, as if all his strength had been sapped away. He watched with a heavy heart as she began her preparations to leave, his eyes filled with worry and reluctance.

But his reluctance didn’t stop her. Wanwan still departed with Chou Rong.

He watched helplessly as his precious young female, along with her two Beast Husbands and the Orange Rank beastmen, slowly walked into the distance.

This pent-up frustration and worry instantly shifted toward the other males standing nearby—the ones who had "failed" to stop Bai Wanwan.

He growled, misplacing his anger. "You! How could you all just let Wanwan leave with Chou Rong?"

The males present exchanged glances, all thinking the same thing: ’Agree? As if! We couldn’t stop her even if we tried!’

They didn’t want her to face danger either, but everyone knew that while Bai Wanwan might seem gentle, once she made up her mind, a team of wild horses couldn’t drag her back.

Zhu Xiu ignored Jiao Yuan’s fury. "I’m going to arrange the tribal patrols," he said coolly, turning and leaving Jiao Yuan high and dry.

Yan Lie rubbed his nose and mumbled, "I... I have to take the Hunting Team out, or we’ll run out of food." With that said, he beat a hasty retreat.

Xin Feng and Hua Han exchanged a helpless glance and spoke in unison:

"I’ll go look after the cubs."

"I’ll go see if they need help at the Cub Garden."

Before the words were even fully out, the two of them had also quickly fled the scene.

In the blink of an eye, the once-lively area was empty, leaving Jiao Yuan standing there all alone. He glared at the empty air, his gut churning with unventable anger and worry. He could only fume in silence, looking for all the world like an abandoned patriarch.

Bai Wanwan and her party slowly traveled farther and farther from the Tiger Clan’s territory.

At first, the journey was smooth.

Within the territory controlled by the Tiger Clan, they would occasionally see the clan’s own Hunting Teams moving through the forests. Everything was orderly and felt safe.

Even after they moved beyond the borders of the Tiger Clan’s direct control, they passed near the settlements of several small and medium-sized tribes. Along the way, they saw beastmen going about their business, gathering food or repairing their dwellings. It truly seemed as if life had returned to its former peaceful vitality. The shadow that had once loomed over the continent felt as if it had finally lifted.

Bai Wanwan sat securely on Jin Yi’s broad, warm back, feeling the wind rush past her ears.

Meanwhile, Yin Ze used his advantage as a flyer to keep watch and run reconnaissance from high above, where he had a wide, clear view.

They traveled without incident for nearly ten days, and were now drawing close to the territory of the Elephant Clan.