Done Breeding: Now I Rule the Beastworld

They were busy alleviating the Holy Tree’s wilting, unaware that they were being followed.

"How long has it been? Can you even smell them or not?"

"Don’t worry. I left my scent on her. Just a little longer and I’ll be able to find them."

The man scoffed impatiently, crossing his arms as he watched the other bustle about.

His attitude made it clear he didn’t expect this to succeed at all.

----

A vibrant green leaf drifted down, landing right on the Crystal Cores Chu Liangyu had taken out.

Wisps of energy seeped into the soil, and the Crystal Cores were vanishing before their very eyes.

With such a large supply of energy, Xiong Jiaojiao immediately felt the burden lighten considerably.

The Holy Tree’s withered yellow leaves slowly regained their green color until only a faint, inconspicuous yellow remained.

"How are you feeling?"

Chu Liangyu supported the unsteady Xiong Jiaojiao and asked with concern.

Xiong Jiaojiao shook her head. Her face was a bit weary, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. "Sister Liangyu, the Holy Tree has recovered so much!"

Glancing at the Crystal Cores, which were now nothing but ash, Chu Liangyu nodded. "It was well worth it."

Xiong Jiaojiao hadn’t noticed what she had done, and Chu Liangyu just smiled without a word, having no intention of telling her.

With the matter easily resolved, Chu Liangyu and the others prepared to leave.

Cheng Miao didn’t see them off, but instead pointed them in a different direction from the way they had come.

"Go through that valley, and you’ll be able to get out."

Yu He shot him a cold glance, clearly displeased. "We came all this way to help, and you won’t even see us off?"

The relatively harmonious atmosphere among the group froze at his words.

Chu Liangyu frowned, her gaze carrying a hint of warning.

Just as she was about to say something, Cheng Miao spoke up first. "My apologies. It’s just that the Elders are too weak. I’m afraid the other two won’t be able to manage if I leave."

"It’s fine. You don’t have to mind him."

Yu He: ...

He was always asking for Mermaid Tears by the bagful, yet he clearly didn’t understand the principle that one who receives gifts should be gracious, showing Cheng Miao no courtesy whatsoever.

’Whatever,’ he thought. ’I’ll just keep my mouth shut from now on so I don’t tick people off.’

The group walked out of the valley in silence. Outside was the foot of a green mountain.

They returned to the dilapidated hut. The people who had been sheltering from the rain there were long gone.

Considering Xiong Jiaojiao’s weakened state, Chu Liangyu said, "Let’s rest for a day before we travel."

"Xiang Qiancheng, Cang Yu, the two of you can go hunt now."

The sunlight wasn’t as brilliant as it had been in the valley, now appearing faint and intermittent.

"Okay."

"Okay."

The two agreed at the same time. Xiang Qiancheng was the first to head outside, while Cang Yu glanced at Cang Qiong again and again before reluctantly stepping out the door.

’The little cub’s dislike of me is definitely temporary. If I find lots of tasty food to feed him, he’ll warm up to me soon enough.’

With this in mind, he ended up catching far more prey than he’d intended.

Looking at the small mountain of game, Cang Yu started to worry.

’I only have two hands. How am I supposed to carry all this back?’

"Need a hand?" A calm, gentle voice spoke up. Xiang Qiancheng was looking at him with a smile.

Cang Yu looked at the few measly creatures in Xiang Qiancheng’s hands with a disdainful expression. "Is that all you got?"

"Yep. Which means I’m perfectly free to help you, right?"

He was clearly trying to take credit. Cang Yu wasn’t an idiot; he could see right through it.

"Looks like you can handle it. I’ll be heading back then."

Seeing Cang Yu remain silent for a long moment, Xiang Qiancheng narrowed his eyes and turned to leave without hesitation.

"Wait. Come help me."

"Not worried I’ll take the credit?"

"Just this once."

’If it weren’t for the sheer amount of stuff, I wouldn’t bother letting this guy touch my prey.’

When the two returned, Chu Liangyu fell silent for a moment, staring at the mountain of food.

She posed the soul-searching question: "Can you two finish all this?"

"More is better than less. Besides, the cub is still growing. We need to let him eat more."

Chu Liangyu tilted her head and glanced at Cang Qiong. He was only the size of her palm; he’d be doing well to finish half a wild pheasant.

She had to admit, Cang Yu’s fatherly love seemed a bit... overwhelming.

They talked a big game at the start, but in the end, there was still a lot left over.

Just like last time, Chu Liangyu exchanged it with the system for five Intermediate Crystal Cores.

The atmosphere on their side was friendly, but back at the Holy Tree, the exact opposite was happening.

----

"What do you think you’re doing?!" Cheng Miao stood protectively in front of his clansmen, his body radiating a bone-chilling killing intent.

"We know who you are. Just catalyze fifteen Desperate Fruits for us, and we won’t make things difficult for you."

Cheng Miao’s heart sank as he looked at the two men’s greedy faces.

’Why did these two show up right after that group left? Could they be working together?’

’But there was one of our own kin with them. That can’t be right.’

’Or... is there a problem with the female beside her?’

"Kid, what are you spacing out for? Did you hear what I just said?"

’This isn’t the time to be thinking about that. The most important thing is to escape with my clansmen.’

’Besides, the three Elders are extremely weak right now. I’m afraid forcing them to catalyze even two Desperate Fruits would be life-threatening.’

"You want them? In your dreams! I’m not giving you anything."

As soon as the words fell, several vines shot out, attacking the two men.

The other two Wood Spirits tightly guarded the three Elders, ready to intervene only if Cheng Miao was truly overwhelmed.

The two men were clearly prepared. They showed no fear at all in the face of the countless attacking vines.

One of them slowly raised a small wisp of cotton fluff from behind his back, then blew on it gently. Specks of red light immediately began to glow.

The other man produced a torch from somewhere. He just needed to toss the cotton onto it, and the torch would light.

The Wood Spirit Clan’s methods of attack rely almost entirely on plants and trees—things that are extremely vulnerable to fire.

Once they caught fire, not only would they fail to harm the enemy, but the Wood Spirits themselves would be in danger.

Seeing the vines about to reach the two men, Cheng Miao grimaced and quickly retracted them.

’Fighting is out of the question. Our only option now is to run.’

The other side obviously knew his intentions, but they made no move to stop him. Instead, one said, "If you still want your Holy Tree, you’ll stay put."

As he spoke, he moved the torch a little closer to the Holy Tree.

"Don’t you dare touch the Holy Tree!"

Elder White Beard’s finger trembled with anger as he pointed at the two men, his voice a sharp rebuke.

"Fine. Then you will obediently hand over the Desperate Fruits."

"Alright, alright, I’ll give them to you. As long as you don’t harm the Holy Tree, I’ll give you as many as you want."

Cheng Miao’s heart seized with panic, and he rushed to stop him. "Grandfather, don’t give them anything."

"You’ll die! If you die, what will I do?"

The perpetually cold and taciturn youth finally revealed his vulnerable side.

His eyes had reddened at some point. He shook his head desperately. "Grandfather, I’m begging you. Please, just do it for my sake, okay?"

Elder White Beard let out a deep sigh, tears welling in his eyes. "Child, we cannot let the Holy Tree be destroyed."

"I know, but Grandfather, I just want you to live!"

"How about this? I’ll catalyze your share for you. Please, don’t use your power, okay?"

But if they went along with Cheng Miao’s words, how much would be left of him in the end?

Such a young Elf King, even two years younger than Xiong Jiaojiao.

His future was limitless. How could Elder White Beard bear to let him make such a great sacrifice?

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