The Strongest Beast-Tamer (Transmigration)(GL) - Chapter 35

Yi Xian’s eyes darted about, trying to catch a clue from the crowd. Unfortunately, the beastmen were all towering and broad like pillars, blocking the entrance of the caravan outpost completely. She could not see a thing.

The little one not only scratched at her but kept flicking its fluffy tail against her calves, tickling her. Seeing that Yi Xian continued to ignore it, it clamped onto her pants leg with its mouth and pawed forcefully, attempting to climb her.

Back when they were on the run, Yi Xian would always cuddle the little one in her arms whenever she had a moment to spare. Sometimes, she even gave it the full spa treatment. Clearly, the cub had gotten used to it and still remembered.

But now, Yi Xian did not dare to move. Her heart was pounding and her body frozen stiff. She gently nudged the little one’s bottom with her toe, hoping it would leave. Instead, it flipped onto its back, all four legs in the air, reaching up with its paws as if playing a game.

“Ah, how come there’s a beastman cub here?”

“When did it slip in?”

“No one even noticed.”

“Look, it seems really attached to that human.”

…

The crowd instinctively split, leaving Yi Xian, Duanmu Ya, and the cub in the center.

The voices around Yi Xian thundered like strikes of lightning, each louder than the last. Duanmu Ya, upon seeing the little one rolling around and acting cute, jumped back in shock. A fireball appeared in her palm, which frightened the cub into tumbling behind Yi Xian, nuzzling her with its small head.

“Yi Xian, move! What kind of dumb furball is this?”

They had been one step away. Just one more step, and they would have returned to human territory.

Yi Xian felt as though fate was mocking her, especially when she saw the wary, distant looks from the humans. She looked down at the little one whose blue eyes blinked up at her with pure reliance.

In the cub’s world, it knew nothing of the enmity between humans and beastmen. It simply trusted the familiar scent.

She let out a helpless sigh and smiled bitterly, scooping up the dusty, grimy little creature and gently soothing it. The cub was completely unaware of the tension around them, nuzzling her and letting out affectionate howls. It licked her hand again and again.

“Not dumb furball. Her name is Xiao Nan.”

Duanmu Ya stared at her in disbelief. “Yi Xian, you—”

Yi Xian had thought of denying it. But the cub’s obvious closeness and reliance were too real to fake. What was more, its sudden appearance could only be Lan Tong’s doing. That brute had never forgiven her for what happened in Elfa Forest. There was no way she would let Yi Xian leave so easily. She nodded.

“Yes. It’s exactly as you’re thinking.”

Duanmu Ya froze, unable to believe it.

The snake beastmen outside the gate burst into laughter.

“Open your eyes and look carefully. This woman is a lowly runaway slave from Guata City. The cub in her arms is a beastman’s child. And you’re telling us she’s from your caravan outpost? Hand her over so we can take her back for proper punishment.”

Lady Xue was left speechless, caught in a dilemma.

Yi Xian knew this matter would not be resolved peacefully today. If she did not step up, the outpost might be dragged down with her. Just as she lifted her foot to step forward, Duanmu Ya grabbed her tightly.

“Yi Xian, I don’t care how terrible your past was. From the moment I met you, you’ve been the Yi Xian I know. Today, I’ll stand with you no matter what. I’m willing to risk my life.”

At a moment like this, to have someone willing to stand by her moved Yi Xian deeply.

Lady Xue twisted Duanmu Ya’s ear. She yelped in pain, and the touching mood vanished.

“You stand my foot! With me still here, you think it’s your place to take the fall? Stay out of it, brat.”

Yi Xian finally realized where Duanmu Ya had learned her rough vocabulary. “Auntie Xue, this—”

Lady Xue snorted. “Yesterday I gave you my word. If anything happens, just say my name. What, you want me to go back on my promise today and let everyone think I’m someone who breaks her word? Just a bunch of crawling snakes. Do they think I’m afraid?”

Scarface stepped up first. “I’ve had enough of them. Do they think the human race has no one left to fight?”

A suave young man smiled. “Since Young Master Duanmu wants to protect this person, I will see it through. Of course, the fee is separate.”

Duanmu Ya quickly agreed. “Brother Lu, help me get Yi Xian safely back to human territory. Name your price.”

“Deal.”

…

With Lady Xue and Duanmu Ya leading the way, nearly a dozen people stood up for them. There were definitely personal gains involved, but at that moment, Yi Xian was moved.

Lady Xue pointed at Yi Xian. “Whether this girl is a runaway slave or not, that’s not for you to decide.”

Just as the snake beastman was about to speak, he looked down at his chest for some reason, then collapsed without warning. A cheap dagger had been lodged straight into a fatal spot in his back.

The sudden twist stunned everyone.

“You humans dare to kill in Yars City? Do you take us beastmen for fools? A bl00d debt must be paid in bl00d. Kill them!”

“Adding false charges as you please!”

“Don’t slander us. Come if you dare, you turtle bastards!”

“A bunch of crawling snakes acting like they own Yars City?”

“Fight!”

No one knew who struck first, but humans and snake beastmen were instantly locked in battle. When the snake tribe shifted to their beast forms, the area outside the outpost became cramped. But humans were no pushovers either. Yi Xian spotted several Beast Tamers, including Lady Xue, who summoned a snow fox phantom beast to clash with a snake beastman.

Duanmu Ya dragged Yi Xian around, dodging flying blades while tossing fireballs at snake beastmen. “What the heck is going on? How did this turn into a fight?”

Yi Xian was only a meter away from the fallen beastman. Her eyes were fixed on the dagger. If she was not mistaken, it was the one she had bought for self-defense in Guata City. It had been taken from her by Lan Tong, who even mocked her for it. Yi Xian had assumed it had been destroyed.

Why was it here?

The cub smelled the bl00d and howled with excitement, drawing both women’s attention.

Duanmu Ya glanced at the cub snuggled in Yi Xian’s arms and licked her lips. “Yi Xian, are you really planning to bring this cub back with you to human lands?”

Yi Xian looked at the wriggling little one in her arms, then at the dagger in the beastman’s back. A chill crept up her spine.

“Duanmu, I think she’s here.”

It took Duanmu Ya a moment to understand who she meant. Her eyes widened in horror. “You mean that big dummy who injured all those elves in Elfa Forest?”

Big dummy?

Yi Xian winced. At this point, the real fools seemed to be the humans and snake beastmen fighting now. She hesitated to expose this frame-up. But then she saw a flash of golden light in the crowd, so fast she thought she imagined it.

Could it be Lan Tong?

“Stop right now.”

“No fighting allowed in Yars City.”

“Stop at once.”

A group of ten golden lion beasts charged in from afar, forcibly separating the brawling sides.

With the lion beasts acting as city peacekeepers, both sides finally calmed. The snake beauty, once so imposing in Guata City, instantly switched gears and collapsed into a lion beast’s arms.

“My lord, you must give us justice. These humans don’t respect us beastmen. Look, they killed one of ours right in front of us.”

Lady Xue spoke evenly. “My lord, this beastman wasn’t killed by us. We were facing him in discussion. There was no way we could have stabbed him from behind. If anyone started this fight, it was the snake tribe. We merely defended ourselves.”

Duanmu Ya added, “Exactly. Our human bodies are fragile. If we didn’t fight back, we would’ve been slaughtered.”

The two sides shouted over one another. The lion beastmen were caught in the middle and growing frustrated.

“If your two tribes have such deep hatred, then settle it in the arena. Why break the rules and fight here? Do you want to be driven out of Yars City?”

A duel. Just what Lady Xue wanted. If power ruled, then they would settle this with power.

“Of course not, my lord. We wish to resolve our private matters in the arena. Please serve as our arbiter.”

“Good.”

“Then we shall meet in the arena.”

News of a duel between the snake tribe and humans spread quickly through Yars City. Other races, like dwarves and winged folk, paid silver coins to reserve seats for the upcoming spectacle.

Yi Xian was still worried. “What happens if you brawl in Yars City?”

Lady Xue replied, “Don’t worry. They started it. And our caravan provides many rare goods to the lion tribe each year. They will turn a blind eye.”

Duanmu Ya whispered, “Truth is, beastmen don’t like the snake tribe much. Those creeps rarely show their faces in the main cities. They probably came just to hunt you down.”

Yi Xian secretly sighed in relief. “Auntie Xue, Duanmu, thank you for today.”

Duanmu Ya pouted. “Don’t thank me. If we’re keeping track, I’d have to kneel and thank you for all the times you saved me.”

Yi Xian shook her head. That was different. Back then, she had her own reasons for taking Duanmu Ya along. But today, in a crisis, both Duanmu Ya and Lady Xue stood up for her. Without them, she would not have been able to handle the snake tribe.

“There’s something I need to tell you, just to be safe.”

“What is it?”

Yi Xian shared her suspicion. Both listeners were shocked.

“You’re sure that dagger was the one you lost before?”

“There are many like it in Guata City. But I trust my instincts.”

Her intuition had saved her from death many times. Even during her final mission in her past life, she had sensed something was wrong. Sometimes, a woman’s instinct needed no reason.

Duanmu Ya scratched her head. “Didn’t they say beastmen are all idiots? But that one actually set up a trap to get the snake tribe and us to fight? What is she planning?”

Lady Xue answered, “Most beastmen are fools. But some are frighteningly smart. They’re the worst kind. Hard to deal with. Looks like Yi Xian’s beastman isn’t one to be underestimated.”

Duanmu Ya gasped. “Then should we be on guard in case she shows up in the arena?”

Lady Xue nodded.

Seeing Lady Xue take this seriously reassured Yi Xian. She played with the little one for a while but did not let it wander off. She feared a human who hated beastmen might come looking for trouble.

Duanmu Ya amused the cub with toys. The little one, completely guileless, warmed up to her quickly and began following her around. “This little thing is way too easy to fool.”

Watching the carefree cub, Yi Xian felt worried. Leaving aside whether they could return to human territory safely, Lan Tong’s habit of leaving the cub unattended, along with its trusting nature, were both troubling.

“Yi Xian, if you do go back to human lands, what will you do with this little one?”

“I don’t know.”

Taking it along was risky. Leaving it behind made her anxious.

Inside the Arena

Lady Xue and the snake beauty faced each other, locked in confrontation. Though both bore beautiful faces, their expressions were contorted with anger. The soft grace women often possessed had vanished in this tense standoff.

Suddenly, Yi Xian felt a gaze that made her uneasy. She turned her head and noticed a stranger standing beside the snake woman, whispering to her. Yi Xian racked her extraordinary memory but could not recall ever encountering this person.

Yet somehow, he felt familiar.

“Auntie Xue, how did it go?” Duanmu Ya asked anxiously.

Lady Xue was furious. “These despicable snake tribe members demand that Yi Xian must participate in at least one of the duels. If not, they’ll keep pestering us.”

This was nothing short of harassing them to the bitter end.

Duanmu Ya immediately protested. “No way. Yi Xian only recently awakened her spiritual root. And her Light-type root is more suited for support. She would be at a serious disadvantage against beastmen known for their offensive strength. Do they intend to kill her in the arena?”

Lady Xue nodded. “Very likely.”

Yi Xian was thoughtful. “Auntie Xue, let me enter the match. Only then can we resolve this matter quickly.”

“Yi Xian, it’s too dangerous,” Duanmu Ya objected.

Yi Xian gave a small smile. “Don’t worry. If I could kill the first, I can kill the second.”

Seeing Yi Xian’s firm resolve, Lady Xue rearranged the duels. It would be a best-of-three format. Yi Xian was scheduled for the second match. These three duels would determine more than just Yi Xian’s fate. The future of the human caravan’s foothold among the beast tribes hinged on their victory. Losing was not an option.

With Yi Xian slated for the second round, Duanmu Ya was as anxious as an ant on a hot griddle, pacing back and forth until Yi Xian’s head began to spin.

“Sit down for a bit. You’re making me nervous.”

Duanmu Ya sat obediently. “Yi Xian, I can’t shake the feeling that the snake tribe is up to something. Why not let Auntie Xue pick someone else?”

Yi Xian gently declined, sharing her thoughts. “The longer the duel drags out, the worse it is for us. For one, we’ve already offended the wolf tribe. If they notice us, we’ll be facing a bl00d feud. Though the matter has escalated, it’s best we settle it quickly. Also…”

Duanmu Ya blinked. “Also what?”

Yi Xian continued, “Think about it. On our return journey, we’ll need enough combat strength. If most of it is depleted here, any mishap on the road could spell disaster. We wouldn’t survive, even if we screamed for help.”

Duanmu Ya hadn’t considered that, but it made sense.

“This duel needs to end swiftly and ruthlessly,” Yi Xian added. “It will serve as a deterrent and ensure a quick resolution. Don’t forget, we’re still in beastman territory. It pays to be cautious.”

Yi Xian’s words sent a chill down Duanmu Ya’s spine. She remembered how dark Auntie Xue’s expression turned when the snake tribe tried to drag things out.

“Then please, be extra careful. If things get bad, just surrender. Auntie Xue can win the other two matches.”

For the first match, the human side sent in Lu Xu, the dashing young man who had previously negotiated terms with Duanmu Ya. He led the Rising Sun Mercenary Group and had always protected her. Lady Xue appointed him as the vanguard. Surprisingly, the snake tribe fielded the snake beauty.

“Be very careful of her enchantment technique,” Yi Xian warned.

Duanmu Ya sneered. “No wonder she looks so seductive. She’s just a temptress. Don’t worry, Brother Lu is already a high-level Fire Spiritualist.”

As the two chatted, Lu Xu had already drawn the snake woman into chasing him around the arena. He looked completely at ease and even teased her.

“Slow down, beauty. Men like it when you’re gentle.”

It was rare for the snake beauty to be on the receiving end of flirting. Usually, she was the one teasing others. Her tail lashed out to block Lu Xu’s escape, releasing a pungent, foul scent that began to spread.

“What is that?”

“That’s cheating! Is that poison?”

The Madwoman spoke. That’s the snake tribe woman’s enchantment fragrance. Last time, she didn’t consider you worth her time, which is why you recovered from her spell so quickly.

Yi Xian realized then that her quick decision to flee back then had been the right call.

Lu Xu reacted swiftly. Flames erupted around him, igniting something in the air that crackled and sparked, releasing a nasty burnt odor throughout the arena.

“Wait… that smell—”

The snake beauty laughed. “Didn’t you know? The more you burn it, the faster the fragrance spreads. Enjoy, boy.”

Everyone except a few remained entranced by the snake beauty, gazing at her as if she were their dream goddess. Even Lu Xu was affected. His eyes turned red, and his expression grew… unsavory.

Duanmu Ya was affected too. She grabbed Yi Xian’s hand and kept stroking it. “Wow… so beautiful.”

Yi Xian was tempted to knock her out. Remembering Duanmu Ya’s pig-headed look last time, she instead flashed a ball of light at her. Duanmu Ya snapped out of it.

In the arena, the snake beauty had the upper hand. Lu Xu, now bewitched, was hugging a pillar with a foolish grin.

“Damn it! Brother Lu, use fire! Burn her!”

“If he’s under the enchantment, how can we break it?” Yi Xian asked.

The Madwoman replied, Most people just think they had a romantic dream and never realize they were charmed.

Yi Xian pointed. “He knows. He’s resisting. Look at his left hand.”

Following her gaze, Duanmu Ya saw Lu Xu’s left fist clenched tightly, bl00d dripping to the ground but cleverly concealed. Normally, beastman senses would pick up on the scent of bl00d, but the overpowering fragrance masked it completely.

“No! Brother Lu, stand up! That damned temptress!”

The snake beauty had had enough of the farce. Her tail shot out like a whip, aiming to slash Lu Xu in half. The tearing sound it made was like it would split the entire arena.

Yi Xian knew too well how lethal beastman attacks could be.

But just as the tail was about to strike, Lu Xu leaped into the air. Six fire lotus blooms surged toward the snake beauty’s tail.

“Ah—!”

“My leg!”

“Don’t make me laugh, sweetheart. You’re just a glorified reptile. Where would you even have legs?” Lu Xu’s voice sounded strange. Bl00d dripped from his lips. To stay conscious, he had bitten his tongue.

He waved his hand, sending the six lotus-shaped flames to encircle and attack the snake woman.

She rolled on the ground, trying to extinguish the fire. When she looked up, her hair was aflame. She screamed, and her tribe quickly helped her admit defeat.

Next came the second match, which was between Yi Xian and the stranger who had stood beside the snake beauty.
Only after stepping into the arena did she realize he wasn’t a beastman, but looked entirely human.

There was something unnerving about the way he looked at her, as if she were already dead. It was the same dread she had felt when being watched in Guata City.

“You were the one spying on me there.”

“You’re too clever. I can’t let you live.”

As he spoke, a phantom flickered, and Yi Xian instinctively dodged. Still, a long gash opened on her collarbone. From the distance, she heard Duanmu Ya’s horrified scream.

So fast.

If she hadn’t reacted quickly, that blade would’ve slit her throat.

The Madwoman warned. He’s an assassin. Kill him, or he’ll be a threat forever.

Yi Xian understood. But killing a swift assassin was no easy task. She summoned her phantom pony. A flash of white light blinded the crowd.

Using the distraction, she lunged with her dagger. But it struck nothing. She froze, then quickly twisted around. A deep gash bloomed on her right shoulder.

The pony retaliated with a blast of light.

Duanmu Ya had been dizzy for days from that same light. She was sure the assassin was half-blinded. But eyesight wasn’t everything. A top assassin could fight just by listening to the wind.

“So you’re a Beast Tamer too. That makes it even more necessary to kill you.”

“Lord Yin Bao, please.”

“Leave it to me.”

At Lord Yin Bao’s call, a swarm of little mice poked their heads out from the ground, squeaking and spreading out to surround the arena.

Yi Xian used the pony’s light again. As she passed the assassin’s side, she switched her dagger to her left hand. When he spun to dodge, she struck, stabbing him.

The Madwoman said, You have to kill him before he surrenders.

Yi Xian ignored her. She knew he wouldn’t surrender. He was trying to kill her too. So she settled into a steady rhythm, exchanging blows. Soon, both were drenched in bl00d.

Duanmu Ya clutched the cub’s tiny paw. “Cheer for your mama.”

“Awoooo!”

That call stirred Yi Xian’s heart. She launched a series of light orbs. The third one, with a dagger hidden inside, flew straight at the enemy.

“Hey, watch out.”

The arena was filled with flashing lights, phantom shadows, mice squeaking, and the rushing wind. Yi Xian’s voice, coming closer, was the last thing the assassin heard before the dagger pierced his throat.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he fell. Bl00d gushed from his mouth. He never figured out where the wind had gone.

Silence fell.

Yi Xian gently closed his lifeless eyes and withdrew her dagger, cleaning it. That final strike had come from the inspiration given by the cub’s howl.

Assassins moved by the sound of wind. Even without sight, their ears guided them. Yi Xian had known this from training. But the cub’s howl had made her want to muffle the sound.

How?

She looked at the glowing spirits in her hand and thought, It’s good that I awakened the Light spiritual root.

“Awoooo!”

Yi Xian took the purple fruit from Lord Yin Bao and shoved it into the cub’s mouth to silence her. “Keep howling, and I’ll send you back.”

The little one tilted her head, blinking in confusion while munching happily on the fruit.

Duanmu Ya handed the cub back to Yi Xian and gave her some pills. “Take these. I was so scared. I nearly declared surrender. Thank goodness Auntie Xue stopped me.”

Yi Xian shook her head, sprinkled medicine on her own wounds, and let Duanmu Ya handle the rest. The cub finished the fruit and began licking her injuries.

That behavior was just like Lan Tong.

“Don’t mimic your mother in everything. What if the wound’s poisoned?”

“Awoo.”

The cub kept licking diligently. Then it rolled over, asking for belly rubs.

Two wins out of three.

Logically, they had already won two matches, so the third was unnecessary. Yet, the snake beauty insisted on resting for a day before continuing.

Stalling for time?

Lady Xue had no reason to refuse. In private, she called for Duanmu Ya and Yi Xian. “Tomorrow, don’t go to the arena. You’re still injured. Stay at the inn and rest. Leave the rest to me.”

Yi Xian understood Lady Xue’s concern. “We’ll be troubling you again.”

Lady Xue waved her hand and sent the two off to rest.

Yi Xian lay on the bed, a fluffy little lion cub nestled beside her. The cub rested its head on the pillow, its face sullen and its blue eyes filled with grievance, as if it was still sulking about being forcibly bathed.

The little one hated baths. When dunked into the tub, it howled so loudly that both Duanmu Ya and Lord Yin Bao rushed over, thinking Yi Xian was beating the cub in the middle of the night.

Yi Xian rubbed its tiny head, then pulled it into her arms to stretch its limbs. “You little rascal, still can’t speak yet.”

From its howls, she ruled out the possibility of muteness.

Pampered by Yi Xian’s care, the cub let out satisfied hums, clearly having forgotten the ordeal in the bath. It slept soundly until dawn.

At sunrise, the cub blinked its blue eyes open and saw a beam of light fly from Yi Xian’s forehead, transforming into the phantom pony. The pony opened the door and trotted outside to sunbathe. The cub leapt off the bed and scurried after it on its short legs.

The pony lay basking in the sunlight. The cub laid its head on the ground, curiously observing its surroundings. After a while, it padded over to nudge the pony with its paw. After several failed attempts, the pony gave it a beam of light in response.

The cub reacted swiftly, dodging again and again.

When Yi Xian got up, she saw the cub constantly evading the pony’s light orbs, darting left and right, even leaping into the air occasionally. It successfully dodged each attack.

Yi Xian started to believe that, although Lan Tong raised the cub with a hands-off approach, she must have seriously trained it in hunting or defense. Otherwise, it would’ve been hit by now.

“Little Lan, time to eat.”

“Awoo!”

After dodging another light orb, the cub happily ran to Yi Xian’s side, its tail wagging as it waited obediently to be fed.
In addition to the meat, Lord Yin Bao had also gifted it a purple fruit.

The cub ate contentedly while Yi Xian absorbed light spirits, healing not only yesterday’s injuries but even old scars. That was a fortunate gain.

“Yi Xian, something’s wrong.”

“Hm?”

Duanmu Ya rushed in. “It’s the wolf tribe. The snake tribe found the Wolf King, and he came to the arena demanding Auntie Xue hand over those responsible for the attack.”

Yi Xian frowned. “Wasn’t it just me? What ‘people’?”

“I don’t know either. Auntie Xue sent someone to inform me.”

She grabbed Yi Xian and dashed out. After licking the plate clean, the cub followed, howling.

Outside the caravan’s inn, the stench of bl00d hung in the air. Several corpses lay on the ground, along with wounded people sprawled everywhere.

Duanmu Ya pleaded, “Please help Brother Ming Feng. He’s badly injured.”

Yi Xian almost reminded her that she was an alchemist, not a miracle worker. But seeing Duanmu Ya so panicked, she let it go. “Did you give him anything?”

“A Life-saving Pill.”

Ming Feng’s breathing was faint, barely noticeable. A gaping wound marred his chest. Such an injury would’ve already killed an ordinary person. Yi Xian was intrigued. She immediately summoned light spirits and focused on his wound.

“What happened to you all? How did it come to this?”

“We barely escaped Kara Plains. Everyone was wounded. Then we were ambushed by wolfmen halfway. They attacked us like madmen. That’s how the captain got hurt.”

“Awooo—”

Yi Xian turned to see someone viciously strangling the cub. Without thinking, she hurled a light orb at him. He only flinched, then Yi Xian had her dagger at his throat. “Let go, or I’ll kill you.”

“Let go right now! What are you doing?!” Duanmu Ya cried.

The man released the cub but glared at it with hatred. “So many of our brothers died at the hands of beastmen. What’s wrong with killing one of their cubs?”

Yi Xian scooped the cub into her arms. “If you have a grudge, take revenge where it belongs. There’s nothing wrong with that. But what kind of man targets a three-year-old cub? If you have the guts, fight them in the arena!”

“Please, Yi Xian, don’t be angry. He acted rashly. Don’t hold it against him. Please help them.”

Yi Xian didn’t dare leave the cub unattended anymore. One hand healed the wounded while the other soothed the little one. With light spirits, healing went smoothly. But just healing Ming Feng nearly exhausted her.

“Yi Xian, are you okay?”

“I need rest.”

She remembered the lesson from her last fainting spell. She forced herself to stop just before her limit. Holding the cub, she leaned against a pillar and basked in the sun. Then a shadow fell over her.

“King, that’s her.”

“And that brat, too.”

Duanmu Ya gasped. She’d been so focused on healing the mercenaries that she forgot Auntie Xue’s warning. Before she could speak, a wolf beast lunged at Yi Xian.

Yi Xian hadn’t expected an attack, especially inside Yars City, where fighting was forbidden. But she underestimated a Wolf King’s devotion to his exceptional offspring. In the blink of an eye, she barely managed to toss the cub aside. The wolf’s steel claws pierced her chest.

“Yi Xian!”

“Roar!”

Bl00d sprayed, hot and sticky.

In that moment, she felt death arrive. Never before had she been so certain she was dying.

She felt something shatter inside her. As she collapsed, she saw a golden lion charging from the distance. It was just like the one she’d seen that morning in Komo Forest, glowing faintly with divine light. Its majestic wings were far more beautiful than those of the bird tribes.

I knew it. That beast has been lurking, secretly scheming.

But it’s too late now. That little plan ends today.

She saw a beam of light shoot from her chest. In the sunlight, the long-lost ethereal white fox let out a piercing cry, then clashed with the Wolf King who tried to strike again.

Duanmu Ya screamed in despair, stuffing pill after pill into Yi Xian’s mouth. She pressed on the bleeding wound.

“Yi Xian, don’t die! Please, hang on!”

Yi Xian heard her sobs. Somewhere far off, she also heard Lan Tong’s furious roar…

And then, she heard nothing.

She saw the cub rushing toward her, its eyes shining with panic. She tried to reach out but realized she couldn’t even lift a finger.

She was dying.

To die before ever returning to the human realm… what a pity. She hadn’t yet walked through its bustling streets or seen the adventurous lands Duanmu Ya spoke of.

“Yi Xian, I’m leaving.”

It was the Madwoman’s voice. For once, it didn’t sound annoying. It was gentle.

“I know you always hated me.”

True. No one likes someone trying to take over their body.

But the Madwoman had been an outsider too. Another soul occupying someone else’s body. She probably feared being pushed out by Yi Xian. She never expected… to die with the one she disliked.

Yi Xian had always assumed that if she died, the Madwoman would still have a chance to claim the body.

The Madwoman smiled softly. “But I admired you. You’re as stubborn as I was in my youth. When I first came to the beastman lands, my master warned me of the danger. She foresaw my death. I was too arrogant to listen. When my sect crippled me and locked me in the dungeon, I didn’t give up. I used my phantom beast to escape and hid in your sea of consciousness. I tempted you to flee. I watched you struggle as you escaped from Kus City all the way to Yars City. I thought you’d make it back. I even dared to hope that my master’s prediction was wrong. But now… I know I was terribly mistaken.”

Yi Xian didn’t know how to comfort her. Perhaps those nearing death always spoke kindly. She wanted to hear more of the Madwoman’s story.

“Roar!”

“How dare you kill someone at our human inn’s gates? Pay with your life!”

“Auntie Xue, save Yi Xian!”

Yi Xian barely saw the ethereal white fox’s eyes filled with unprecedented tenderness. Then, like shattered glass, it was torn apart by the Wolf King’s claws, vanishing piece by piece.

In the distance, a golden figure was fiercely tearing into the Wolf King’s neck, its claws ripping out a wolf beast’s core.

The Madwoman spoke again. “Yi Xian, that white fox was once my life-bonded phantom beast. Through it, I attached myself to you, hoping to seize your body and be reborn. But even the most meticulous plans can’t rival fate. I can no longer protect you. If you survive and return to the human realm, please… visit my master’s sect and see if she’s doing well. And…”

Yi Xian tried to hear the last words. But her mind slipped into darkness, and the voice was lost.

Would she make it back alive?