Chapter 552: You Are More Important

The sound of hurried footsteps made Jin Ling and Xijing stop talking.

They both turned to see Qiao Xixi emerge from the room.

Jin Ling noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes and frowned in distress. “Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?”

Qiao Xixi shook her head. “Jin Ling, did you just say that my father and the others have already gone to the tribe?”

Jin Ling nodded. “Yes. I was worried about the cubs’ safety, so I told your father. What’s wrong?”

Qiao Xixi pursed her lips tightly. All last night, she had felt like she was overlooking something but couldn’t put her finger on it. Just now, when she heard Jin Ling mention the cubs, it suddenly came to her.

‘The cubs are the established villains of this world. If the other side wants to force the plot back on track, they’ll definitely need the cubs’ involvement.’

“Xiao Yao, do you think it’s possible that the cubs are the key to breaking this stalemate?”

“Hm? Host, why do you say that?”

Qiao Xixi’s brow furrowed. ‘It’s just a guess,’ she thought. ‘And it’s not just the cubs, but Mo Yan and Yaya too.’

“Xixi?”

When Qiao Xixi didn’t respond for a long time, Jin Ling called out to her softly.

Qiao Xixi looked up, her expression determined. “Jin Ling, I want to take the cubs with us to Elephant Beast City.”

At her words, both Jin Ling and Xijing were stunned.

“What are you planning, Xixi?”

Qiao Xixi thought for a moment, then did her best to explain her theory in a way they would understand.

When she finished, they both fell silent.

After a long moment, Jin Ling finally spoke.

“I’ll send someone to catch up with your father and the others. I’ll have them bring the cubs to Elephant Beast City.”

Qiao Xixi clenched her fists. She didn’t know if this decision was right or wrong, but she was willing to take the gamble.

‘Since the other side still wants to force the plot back on track, the cubs, as the story’s villains, shouldn’t be in mortal danger. If they were, our enemies would have just attacked them directly. Why create such an elaborate diversion?’

“We’ll go together. It won’t take long to get back to the tribe from Tiger Beast City, and I want to set out for Elephant Beast City as soon as possible.”

The cubs were key figures in the plot, so the enemy wouldn’t kill them. Sunxiao and the others, however, were not, and she was far more worried for their safety.

“Okay.”

The three of them entered the inner city, and Jin Ling went to explain the situation to Jin Yao.

While Qiao Xixi was waiting outside the hall, she saw Lan Yue hurrying over.

“Xixi.”

“Mother.”

Lan Yue rushed to Qiao Xixi’s side and gripped her hands tightly. “I heard from Jin Yao. Did something happen at the tribe? Are you leaving today?”

‘Jin Ling and the others would never reveal the system’s existence,’ she thought. ‘They must have given Jin Yao and the others a different reason.’

Qiao Xixi went along with it and nodded. “Yes, I’m a little worried. I want to go back and check as soon as possible.”

Lan Yue nodded in understanding, but she couldn’t hide the reluctance in her eyes. “Alright, alright. Don’t worry, go back and check on things. Once everything has completely stabilized here in Tiger Beast City, I’ll come and find you.”

“Okay.”

Lan Yue then had beastfolk soldiers bring them many supplies, a lot of which were gifts for the cubs.

Qiao Xixi didn’t refuse, accepting everything.

Before long, Jin Ling and Yun Ji both emerged from the inner hall.

Before Qiao Xixi could speak, Yun Ji announced, “I’m going to Elephant Beast City with you.”

Qiao Xixi was taken aback. “Weren’t you supposed to return to Beast King City today?”

Yun Ji shook his head. “You’re more important.”

Those three simple words made his stance clear: to him, nothing was more important than Qiao Xixi.

“Alright.”

Jin Yao spoke up. “I’ve already prepared a powerful escort to accompany you. I hope you all return safely.”

Jin Ling clapped Jin Yao on the shoulder. “Thank you.”

Jin Yao grasped Jin Ling’s hand. “If it weren’t for the situation in Tiger Beast City, I’d want to go with you, big brother.”

Jin Ling shook his head. “Just take care of yourself and Mother for now. We will return safely.”

There was no time to waste. Once the escort team Jin Yao had assembled was ready, Qiao Xixi and the others went to the gates of Beast City.

Yun Ji shifted into his beast form and came to stand before Qiao Xixi.

Qiao Xixi leaped onto his back, glancing back at Lan Yue and Jin Yao, who were standing on the city wall.

Jin Ling and the others also mounted members of the Green Bird Wing Clan.

“Let’s move out.” With Yun Ji’s command, he shot up into the sky.

No sooner had they left than a massive shadow fell from the sky.

Jin Yao, startled, looked up to see several masses of black mist landing on the city wall.

Yun Qiong cursed as he shifted into his human form, glaring angrily at Lei Lie and the others.

“Are there no other members of the Phoenix Wing Clan? Damn it, why does everyone have to ride on me? Don’t you have any idea how heavy you are?”

Lei Lie snorted. “Can any of them fly as fast as you? Don’t you know the Holy Priestess told us to hurry? If we’re delayed because of you, I’ll pluck every last feather off your body.”

Yun Qiong just grunted and said no more. The Holy Priestess’s orders were, of course, more important.

Chi Yan walked up to Jin Yao and asked, “Where is the Holy Priestess?”

Jin Yao pointed to the sky. “The Holy Priestess just left. The Suxuan Beast Guard went to the Black Panther Tribe last night.”

He briefly recounted the events of the past few days to the beast guards.

Chi Yan frowned. When Yun Ji had told them to rush over, he hadn’t explained why. ‘Should we pursue them now, or wait here for them to return?’

“Can Qiao Yi and Sunxuan protect that many cubs by themselves? How about I go give them a hand?”

Lei Lie shot him a look and sneered, “You old bird, you just want to go watch the show, don’t you?”

Yun Qiong didn’t deny it. “I’m fast. If I bring them along, I can catch up to you all more quickly. You go after the Holy Priestess now. Those mongrels in Elephant Beast City are vicious. Don’t let the Holy Priestess get hurt.”

Chi Yan quickly made a decision. “Alright. We’ll pursue the Holy Priestess. You go and retrieve Qiao Yi and the others immediately.”

“Got it.”

With a flap of his wings, Yun Qiong shot off. Jin Yao and the others saw only a streak of black mist flash before their eyes, and in an instant, he was gone.

‘So fast!’

Without Yun Qiong as their mount, Chi Yan and the others had no choice but to ask Jin Yao to arrange for other winged males to carry them.

Meanwhile, Qiao Yi and his group reached the Black Panther Tribe before nightfall.

The moment the Green Bird Wing Clan members’ feet touched the ground, they collapsed in a heap.

They swore that in all their long lives, they had never flown so fast!

To reach the tribe and protect the cubs as quickly as possible, Qiao Yi and Sunxuan had used their beast soul energy to minimize wind resistance during the flight. That was how they had managed to cut their travel time in half.

The pair had just landed on a roof in the inner city when a patrolling member of the Wing Clan spotted them.

“Who goes there?”

The winged males quickly surrounded them.

“I am Qiao Yi, your Clan Leader’s father.”

The words were barely out of Qiao Yi’s mouth when Feiyan’s surprised cry rang out. “Father, you’re back!”

Hearing Feiyan’s words, the winged patrolmen lowered their guard.

Qiao Yi nodded. “And the cubs? Are they all alright?”