AWB Chapter 587 - 586: Your Intentions Are Exposed, Aren’t They?
Chapter 587 - 586: Your Intentions Are Exposed, Aren’t They?
It hadn’t been long since the males’ last breakthrough. Their cultivation was once again boosted by Crystal Stones. However, they trained hard and had plenty of combat experience, so with the now-abundant Spiritual Energy, it was normal for them to advance so quickly.
They had all, however, capped their cultivation at the Peak of their respective Levels. Wei Ce had also advanced from the Early Stage of Level 16 to the Middle Stage.
Returning to the cave, they were all faintly excited, still basking in the ecstatic afterglow of the young female having condensed a Level 18 attributeless crystal stone.
However, before following the crowds to the grand Late Autumn tournament grounds, they made a trip back to the Bamboo Forest Maze.
Wei Jin, who had gotten word, was also brought over by his clansmen.
After setting up an Array, Wei Ce smiled and handed Wei Jin a Bone Ring.
Wei Jin’s heart skipped a beat. He took it and peered inside with his spiritual power, astonished to see a large number of Level 16 and Level 17 attributeless crystal stones!
He couldn’t help but gasp, his lips trembling so much he was rendered speechless.
Si Shuo smiled and said, "Father Wei Jin, it doesn’t matter how the Iron-eating Beast Clan’s bamboo forest in Ten Thousand Beasts City was schemed against and destroyed. Now that we’re on the Yongchang Continent, our fates are intertwined. We all hope the Iron-eating Beast Clan can put down roots here and not be bullied by others. And strength and resources are the true basis of confidence.
"The help our small family can offer is limited. So, once your clansmen’s cultivation has been raised, the clan’s future development and management will be up to you."
Wei Jin gripped the Bone Ring tightly and nodded emphatically. "After everything we’ve been through, everyone’s hearts are more united than ever.
"Although we Beastmen are born with our clan’s inherited knowledge, that knowledge only records the keys to survival; it’s not meticulously detailed.
"Many things have to be passed down orally to guide future generations. Now that we have paper...
"We will compile all of this, so future generations can learn from our experiences, take them as a cautionary tale, and avoid taking the wrong path.
"In the future, the Iron-eating Beast Clan will surely grow stronger and stronger..."
’Once we are firmly rooted on the Yongchang Continent, we can also lend a hand if Si Shuo’s family ever needs it!’
With this batch of Crystal Stones, the cultivation of the Iron-eating Beast Clan Members could be raised even further.
After they finished with business, Wei Jin sighed softly. "That fox cub with the clipped wings you brought over a couple of days ago refuses to eat or drink. He just lies there listlessly, facing the wall.
"No matter how we try to coax him, he won’t make a sound. If we couldn’t see his chest rising and falling, we’d think he was..."
Yin Jiang smiled. "Let’s go see him."
They teleported to a cave within the East Wall of Beiping City. On a stone bed, the filthy White Fox Cub was curled into a tight ball, its eyes squeezed shut. The tender, pink nubs of flesh where its wings had been severed were visible on its back.
Little Hong, currently in the form of a white Hunting Falcon, was perched on her Father’s shoulder. She tilted her head, then fluttered over to Yanyi’s side and prodded his head with her talons.
The fox cub’s body went rigid, and he curled up even tighter.
Little Hong then tried to wedge her head into the ball he’d formed, and the two little ones began to struggle as if in a contest, neither giving an inch.
Little Hong struggled so much she lost a few feathers. Annoyed, she simply changed into her human form. By actual age, she should have been one year old, but since she always trained with her Father and Mother—often participating in trials, going into closed-door Cultivation, and frequently benefiting from the Time Law—she now looked just like a three-year-old toddler.
She scooped the fox cub directly into her arms and huffed, "If you won’t hug me, then I’ll just have to hug you!"
The fox cub’s body shuddered violently. ’Since his memories began, no one had ever held him like this. There had only ever been hunts, beatings, abuse, hunger, and cold. He couldn’t even feel the Empathy required to envy the warmth of other families.’
’Wherever there were people, even other young cubs, his fur would stand on end.’
’But he was too small. Too small to escape capture. His wings had been clipped, his body was covered in life-threatening wounds, and he had nearly drowned.’
’He remembered waking up and thinking he had met the Beast God. His wounds no longer hurt, the chains were gone from his feet, a bonfire warmed the room, and there was even the scent of food wafting through the air.’
’He didn’t dare relax, terrified that this was some kind of deadly trap. He had never experienced being held so warmly in someone’s arms before; he was dazed, bewildered, and on high alert.’
Seeing that he refused to communicate, Little Hong secretly used her Mind Reading Technique. She was surprised to find that while the White Fox Cub remained silent, his mind was filled with so many bitter and painful thoughts. He didn’t even know that so much good existed in the world.
Unable to stop herself, tears welled up in her eyes, and hot teardrops splashed onto his body.
It felt itchy and hot. The White Fox Cub couldn’t resist cracking his eyes open a tiny slit. ’Is this a new kind of punishment? Is this Hunting Falcon Pup trying to drown me with her tears?’
Hearing his thoughts, Little Hong couldn’t help but laugh through her tears, like a malfunctioning machine.
Si Shuo and the others simply sat down cross-legged on the ground and silently started cracking open sunflower seeds.
Gong You casually activated the Time Law, while Yin Jiang erected a Protective Shield around them to prevent the sound of their seed-cracking from disturbing the two cubs.
After a moment, Little Hong calmed down, cleared her throat, and said, "Yanyi, do you know who I am? I’m your savior! The Beast God saw that you had suffered too much and sent me to come and help you.
"Otherwise, how do you think I managed to find you in such a remote place, sunk at the bottom of a river, and rescue you in the nick of time?
"So, I’m giving you two choices. First, you can go back to your old life of hiding everywhere, being bullied, and getting captured. Or second, you can acknowledge me as your one and only female. After we grow up, we’ll form a pact and our fates will be intertwined."
The White Fox Cub still didn’t react, but internally he felt this was just another one of their ploys. He didn’t believe a word of it. ’They must not be able to kill me. So now they’re planning to pretend to kill me while "saving" me at the same time, all to make me submit willingly.’
Little Hong wasn’t anxious. "Well, you only have those two options. If I were you, I’d just throw in the towel and choose the latter. I mean, they’re after your life either way, so you might as well go for the comfortable option!"
At this, the White Fox Cub couldn’t stop himself from opening his eyes to glare at her. ’See! I knew it! This female is showing her true colors, not even trying to hide it anymore... Wait a minute. Aren’t females unable to transform? She even lied about her gender to trick me. Does she really think I’m an idiot?’
He blinked, thinking this male Hunting Falcon pup was just trying to deceive him. ’Even if I make a promise, the Beast God won’t recognize it.’ "Really?" he asked.
Little Hong kept a straight face and continued solemnly, "Of course! Everyone says you’re the Beast King, hand-picked by the Beast God himself, and that you can’t be killed. If I become your mate, doesn’t that mean I’ll get to live a life of luxury with you?
"When you’re well off, I’ll be even better off. I’m lending you a hand while you’re young and need it, so I can just sit back and enjoy the good life later.
"I’m pretty smart, you know!"
"Who are you? And how will you help?" the White Fox Cub asked, still on guard.
Little Hong lifted her chin slightly. "I’m... not telling you. Not unless you swear an oath first."
She sounded completely sure that he had no other choice. The White Fox Cub gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and stared at the Hunting Falcon pup’s beautiful, delicate face. "Fine! I swear an oath to the Beast God!"