Ziqian checked Rei's condition once more. Miraculously, the open wounds on his right arm and leg had completely closed and stopped bleeding. Even his damaged internal organs were now fully healed.
He exhaled softly, unable to hide his amazement.
Ziqian and the guardians didn't understand how the root of the man-eating plant worked. They only knew one thing: they were lucky—no, Rei was lucky because its effect is like a medicine pulled straight out of a legend.
Ziqian wanted to study the remaining root, but the leftover had completely withered into a dry husk that crumbled at his touch.
According to the two fluff balls, many plants and animals within the Witch Sphere possessed strange, powerful effects. In a medium-level realm, such phenomena were common.
After all, the higher the realm, the higher the quality of the things it produced.
It was just a pity that his fifty points were only worth a fingernail-sized piece of root. Still, Ziqian couldn't bring himself to complain because in the end everything had gone well.
Tomorrow, they could finally return to the tribe—Huo and Rei would be going back with them, alive and safe.
Outside.
Many people had seen Ziqian return to the wounded tent with Xue, and everyone knew the beautiful sub-beast was doing everything he could to save Rei.
A crowd quietly formed outside the tent, anxiously waiting for any news. When Ras's overjoyed shout finally burst from within, the tension broke at once.
The crowd erupted with a wave of relieved murmurs and soft cheers. Some of the older beastmen placed hands over their chests in gratitude, silently thanking the beast god and Ziqian.
A few of Rei's friends felt relieved as they started stomping and creating joyful noise.
"He made it…"
"Rei's alive!"
"That sub-beast really healed him."
They didn't dare barge into the tent, but every gaze turned toward the entrance.
Ziqian had done what many thought impossible.
Last night many had already prepared themselves for the possibility that Rei and Huo might die at any moment—their injuries had been that severe.
But they survived. The moment the news spread, it felt like a reason for the whole camp to celebrate.
People hurried off to gather wood and clean any extra meat they could find. They planned to cook a large feast.
Earlier, they had tasted the new dishes—bone soup and fried meat. The bone soup was rich and savory, while the fried meat was crispy. For beasts who were used to eating only roasted or dried meat, it felt as though their taste buds had been awakened to an entirely new world of food.
Wanting to celebrate Huo and Rei's survival, the beastmen eagerly prepared to cook more of the new dishes.
They had learned that this new cooking method was taught by Ziqian.
They felt that the sub-beast was a divine being—he not only introduced them to delicious food, but he also brought the rescue team to save them, treated their wounded, and now he had even dragged Huo and Rei back from the brink of death.
The beastmen grew even more joyful, their admiration and reverence for Ziqian deepening with every passing moment. Ziqian wasn't just beautiful—he was strong, capable, and extraordinary.
Ziqian was a one-of-a-kind sub-beast, far from the sub-beasts they knew.
No wonder Huo fell so deeply for him. And it wasn't just Huo—even their cold and domineering young patriarch seemed to like Ziqian as well. He hadn't left the sub-beast's side since the moment they arrived.
Tss… how unfortunate. They couldn't even get close to Ziqian.
~
The arrival of Xue and the fifteen warrior beasts didn't just put the hunting group at ease—it also boosted their morale, and with more hands to help, they were able to tidy up the area and wash away the heavy stench of blood that clung to the surroundings before the sun fully set.
They even cleaned and properly preserved the five-horned monster's corpse to prevent it from attracting other predators.
The camp buzzed with a warm and peaceful atmosphere. Some beastmen sat quietly around the fire, its gentle warmth easing the tension from their tired bodies. Others gathered in small groups, chatting softly about the day's event with awe.
Ziqian sat near his own little burn fire while Xue quietly sat beside him. The flames flickered softly, wrapping the two of them in warmth against the cool night air.
Watching the beastmen laugh softly and share food, Ziqian felt a quiet sense of accomplishment. Every so often, someone would pass by and offer him a respectful nod or a grateful smile. A few, braver ones, even thanked him directly—each word of gratitude making his cheeks warm with embarrassment.
And every time someone approached, Xue's arm would tighten slightly around his waist, almost possessively.
Ziqian was certain that these men would have completely surrounded him if Xue hadn't been sitting beside him. That was exactly why Xue refused to leave Ziqian alone.
When Ziqian glanced up, Xue was already looking at him, eyes soft in a way he never showed to anyone else.
"You did well today," he murmured quietly.
Ziqian's heart fluttered. "I just did what I could," he whispered back.
Xue's thumb brushed lightly on his waist, but enough to send a shiver down Ziqian's spine.
Is he seducing me? Ziqian asked inwardly, but no one gave him an answer because Phi and Ero, the usually noisy, meddling little fluff balls, were both staying by Nia's side.
"You saved them," Xue replied, his eyes never leaving Ziqian. "That's more than doing what you can."
He leaned in closer—so close that Ziqian could feel the warmth of his breath against his ears. "You can lean on me whenever you're tired," he added softly.
Ziqian didn't shy away. He let instinct guide him as he leaned in until his head rested gently against Xue's chest.
Xue went perfectly still.
The camp felt distant.
Everything around them blurred into the background.
Ziqian wasn't sure why but he found himself wishing the moment wouldn't end.
~
During the night watch, only a few monsters dared to approach the camp, and with the strength and alertness of the warrior beasts, each threat was easily dealt with.
Because of that, when the sun finally rose, everyone woke feeling refreshed and full of energy. The fires were still warm, the air clean, and the night's tension had long faded.
Everyone had already prepared the things needed for the journey the night before. Tasks were assigned efficiently: some carried prey, others supported the injured who still couldn't transform, and a few were placed at the sides and rear to guard the group.
After a final sweep to make sure nothing had been left behind, Xue gave a sharp nod. "Let's move."
In the next moment, a majestic white tiger leapt into the air, spreading its powerful wings as it soared ahead to lead the group. Behind him sat a beautiful sub-beast, accompanying an unconscious handsome young man.
At last, they were ready to begin the journey back to the tribe.
~
Lia paced back and forth, unable to stay still.
"Calm down," Bei said gently to his weary wife.
"How can I calm down? It's already been three days, and I still don't know what happened to my sons." Her voice trembled with frustration and worry.
"Believe in their strength," Bei reassured her. "They'll return soon."
"I know… but I'm a mother. I can't help worrying about them."
Bei walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, offering comfort when a loud shout from outside the tent sounded.
"Patriarch! High Priest!" a female shouted in panic.
"What's wrong?" Bei stepped out of the tent and asked in a deep voice, his brows furrowed in dissatisfaction. Lia followed behind him.
"Patriarch! High Priest!" Qiu panted, still breathless from running. "Gio and Kea are persuading all the families of the hunting group to condemn Ziqian and demand punishment! They're saying that he caused panic in the tribe for spreading fake oracles and endangered the young patriarch and the warriors' lives!"
"Tss, those two still haven't learned their lesson!" Lia snapped, anger flaring in his eyes. "Where are they?" he asked.
Qiu pointed toward the northeast side of the tribe. It was the common area for females and sub-beasts at this time of day, since that was where they laid out meat to dry under the sun.
Lia had expected some dissatisfaction from the tribe since three days had already passed and they still couldn't give a clear explanation, but he never imagined Gio and Kea, who were both still recuperating from their punishment, would go so far as to gather others and publicly condemn Ziqian.
"Let's go. Those two need to be put in their proper place."
Without waiting, Lia grabbed Bei's arm and marched toward where the troublemakers were stirring chaos.
Qiu followed right behind them. The moment she overheard the scheme of those two arrogant sub-beasts, she had immediately sprinted to the patriarch's tent to report it. She still hadn't forgotten what they did to Pen.
Hmm… She couldn't wait to see them get punished again.
The high priest was right—those two needed to be put in their place.