Before completely succumbing to darkness, this former chief physician of the apocalypse used her last shred of clear rationality to swiftly analyze her current situation and set her first short-term goal.
First, she was now the “private property” of this White Tiger. Judging by his earlier action of instantly killing the two hyena beastmen without hesitation, he possessed an extremely strong protective instinct toward his possessions. This meant that, for the time being, she was safe.
Second, her 【Life Purification】 ability was effective against the curse on this White Tiger, making her his “antidote.” This was her greatest bargaining chip for survival and the very foundation upon which she could rely on his protection.
Third, this body was too weak. Long-term malnutrition, frailty, and illness, coupled with the earlier Purification that had drained all her energy. The top priority was to recuperate and restore her physical strength as soon as possible.
Therefore, the conclusion was—
Utilize this tiger’s protection, find a way to obtain food and water, and first heal this sickly, weak body.
Then, survive.
She must, without fail, live well.
With this exceptionally clear and resolute thought, Lin Shengsheng finally could no longer resist the overwhelming tide of drowsiness and fell into a deep sleep, lulled by the steady, powerful heartbeat of the giant beast.
After she fell asleep, the massive tiger head that had been held high slowly lowered.
Brilliant golden vertical pupils stared unblinkingly at the small, curled-up figure nestled in his embrace.
She looked very peaceful in her sleep.
Long, snow-white hair cascaded around her, making her face—no larger than his paw—appear even paler. Her long, delicate eyelashes resembled two small brushes, casting faint shadows beneath her eyes. Due to the cold and weakness, her body still trembled slightly, like a young cub on the verge of freezing.
Yuan’s gaze softened for a moment.
Carefully, he adjusted his posture, curling his body even tighter, using his own scorching body heat to more thoroughly envelop the small, cold form.
The wind ceased.
The chill that had made her shiver was now blocked outside this absolute, safe white fortress constructed of fur and muscle.
The little creature in his embrace seemed to sense the warmth, unconsciously nuzzling deeper into him and emitting a faint, barely audible murmur of contentment.
Yuan’s body stiffened slightly.
A strange, tingling sensation, as if a feather had lightly brushed against his heart, spread through his entire being along their closely pressed skin.
This feeling…
Was even stranger than during the Purification earlier.
And even more… pleasant.
A flicker of an emotion he himself hadn’t noticed—something akin to “bewilderment”—passed through the giant tiger’s golden pupils.
Then, he extended his massive, barbed tongue and, with utmost restraint, gently licked the snow-white, soft hair of the female in his embrace.
Hmm.
She was his now.
Lin Shengsheng was awakened by a violent jolting.
No, perhaps “awakened” wasn’t the right word. Her consciousness felt as if it were submerged in thick syrup, floating and sinking, unable to break free completely.
She only felt herself being carried along by an immense force, racing forward at an unbelievable speed.
The howling wind roared past her ears, scraping her cheeks raw. Mixed with grit, it lashed against her body like countless fine needles.
She struggled to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as heavy as if filled with lead.
The only clear sensation came from the presence that held her firmly “in its jaws.”
She was not cradled in an embrace, nor was she slung over a shoulder.
Instead, her entire nape was gently gripped by something warm, dry, and slightly rough.
Like… like a mother cat carrying her most beloved kitten.
The grip was impossibly precise—firm enough to prevent escape, yet gentle enough not to harm her in the slightest.
Through the thin layer of skin, she could even feel the scorching heat of his mouth and the faint, cold, sharp pressure of his canine teeth resting against the artery in her neck.
Her life hung by a thread.
Yet, the aura enveloping her carried a damnably comforting scent of sunlight.
Lin Shengsheng gave up struggling, allowing herself to be carried like a ragged doll toward an unknown den by the giant tiger named Yuan.
After what felt like an eternity, the breakneck speed finally slowed.
A thick, pungent odor—a mix of damp earth and aged blood—violently flooded her nostrils.
Thud.
She was gently placed on the ground.
The ground was cold, damp, and littered with uneven stones that dug painfully into her back.
Mustering the last of her strength, Lin Shengsheng trembled as she slowly opened her eyes.
Darkness.
The first thing to greet her was an almost impenetrable darkness.
Only a faint, grayish light seeping through the cave entrance faintly outlined the contours of a massive cavern.
This was a typical den of an apex predator.
Vast, empty, and rugged.
The air was thick with an indescribable smell—the musty scent of moss untouched by sunlight, mingled with the pungent odor of animal fur, and… most overpowering of all, the interwoven stench of fresh and decaying flesh and blood.
In a dim corner deep within the cave, a dark, indistinct pile seemed to consist of animal bones and leftover hides.
Lin Shengsheng’s stomach churned violently.
Back in the A-7 laboratory of the post-apocalyptic shelter, though cold, everything was sterile. She was accustomed to the smell of disinfectant, to order and cleanliness.
This primitive, savage environment, reeking of decay and death, amplified the slight germaphobia she had carried from the apocalypse to its extreme.
Instinctively, she curled up, trying to distance herself from the sources of contamination.
Grr…
A low growl rumbled above her.
Lin Shengsheng froze and looked up.
The giant tiger Yuan was coiled beside her, his enormous head nearly brushing the cave ceiling. In the dim light, his brilliant golden vertical pupils burned like two ghostly flames, fixed unwaveringly on her.
His gaze held a hint of curiosity, scrutiny, and something else she couldn’t decipher—a sense of urgency.
What was he urging her to do?
The next moment, Yuan answered with action.
He slowly rose to his feet, his massive body blocking almost all light from the entrance and plunging the entire cave into darkness.
Lin Shengsheng’s heart leaped into her throat.
What was he going to do?
In the darkness, a rustling sound could be heard, along with… the noise of something fleshy being dragged.
Thud.
A massive, warm, sticky object reeking of thick blood was unceremoniously tossed before Lin Shengsheng.
Less than half a meter from her face.
Warm blood splattered onto her cheek.
Thick and scalding.