“Is this the Dark Forest?” Shen Qi looked around, feeling enveloped by a faint, sinister aura that made her extremely uncomfortable. The air was thick with the heavy scent of decaying leaves and damp soil.
“Yes, ordinary Beastfolk would find it unpleasant here, but it’ll be better once we enter Evil Beast City.”
“There’s an Evil Beast City inside?”
Yan Di chuckled lightly. “Did you think the overgrown wilderness of the Dark Forest was our territory?”
She had indeed thought so. The Dark Forest sounded like a place no one would want to stay in. Evil Beasts were despised by Beastfolk, so they could only settle here.
Yan Di sped through the dense woods and continued, “This is just the outskirts. The Dark Forest is vast, and the central area is where we live.”
“We’re here.”
As Yan Di spoke, Shen Qi looked up and saw stone caves of various sizes ahead. In the distance, she could make out a towering stone castle as tall as the treetops, imposing and majestic. The rolling mountain range was dotted with many smaller stone caves.
As soon as Shen Qi dismounted, Yan Di transformed into his human form. Several Beastfolk nearby, who seemed to be scouts, nodded and clasped their fists in greeting upon seeing him.
Yan Di acknowledged them with a slight nod.
Along the way, every Evil Beast they encountered showed him great respect.
It seemed she wasn’t mistaken—this Evil Beast held an unusual status in Evil Beast City.
The Beast Forms of these Evil Beasts were also varied. Although the Tiger Tribe included Beastfolk of other races, the Beast Forms in Evil Beast City were even more diverse.
From a single glance, Shen Qi had already spotted many different Beast Forms: serpentine, boar-like, tiger-like…
The only thing they had in common was the hostile glint in their eyes when they looked at her.
Yan Di noticed their expressions and explained, “Most of the Beastfolk gathered in Evil Beast City are Rogue Beasts, many of whom were abandoned by their tribes. They’re wary of every newcomer, unsure of their intentions.”
“The King is also a Rogue Beast. Previously, a serpent Beast ruled this Evil Beast City, but that wretched snake had the misfortune of provoking the King. In the end, the King eliminated him and took over as the Evil Beast King.”
She had heard from Bai Yuwei about how the previous Evil Beast King was overthrown and replaced.
“This Evil Beast King…”
Before Shen Qi could finish her question, Yan Di continued, “If the King takes an interest in you, obey him without question. Don’t provoke him—his temper is unpredictable, and his power is formidable. Although your abilities are strong, they pale in comparison to the King’s.”
His words felt like a bucket of cold water poured over her, warning her of the Evil Beast King’s immense strength and how her own abilities were insignificant in comparison.
Strong… just how strong?
As Shen Qi pondered this, a leopard approached leisurely from ahead.
Upon reaching Yan Di, it transformed into human form—not a Male Beast, but a Female!
Shen Qi was inwardly astonished. This Female had a Beast Form. She remembered Bai Yuwei saying that Females rarely possessed the ability to transform into Beast Forms, which meant this leopard Female was powerful…
Ruo Lan looked at Yan Di, her brows slightly furrowed, and said bluntly, “Yan Di, why are you back so late? The King is looking for you.”
Yan Di flashed a teasing smile. “Tsk, I’m only a little late. I got delayed by an interesting Male Beast I found. I’ll go see him now.”
He took a step forward, then turned back to Shen Qi. “Follow Ruo Lan for now. I’ll find you later.””Who is he?” Ruo Lan looked the seemingly frail Male Beast up and down. How could he appear even thinner than a Female!
“I came across him on my way back. Don’t let his weak appearance fool you—he carries something quite interesting, and his abilities are decent enough to be of use to the King.”
Hearing this, Ruo Lan scrutinized him again but still couldn’t see anything special. However, those sharp eyes made her feel he shouldn’t be underestimated.
Ordinary Beastfolk who came here would either be scared out of their wits or beg for mercy. This was the first time she’d seen a Beastfolk remain so calm, even leisurely observing the surroundings.
“Get him settled. I’ll go report to the King first.”
“Alright.” Ruo Lan’s gaze fell on him. “Let’s go.”
“Wait, there’s also this Female.” Shen Qi glanced at the unconscious Ai Chu beside her.
Ruo Lan’s eyes landed on the unconscious Female. “Is this… your mate?”
Knowing they were sensitive to the scent of mated Beastfolk, she shook her head. “No, but she’s a Female I’m pursuing.”
Ruo Lan thought for a moment. “Then we’ll arrange them together.”
Sen Yan and Sen Zhu had already left. Ruo Lan casually assigned an Evil Beast to carry the unconscious Female. Shen Qi followed her, but halfway there, an Evil Beast suddenly blocked their path.
The Beastfolk’s face was covered in shocking scars, and his body bore no fewer marks. His narrow eyes and thick eyebrows were raised upward.
With a fawning look, he spoke to the leopard Female beside her.
“Ruo Lan, where are you going? Did you receive the flowers I sent you?”
His entire body slowly leaned toward her, as if trying to get closer.
Ruo Lan’s fingers transformed into sharp claws, cutting off his attempt to close the distance. The tips of her claws pressed against his neck—one more move and they would pierce through.
She Yan gave an awkward smile and pressed down on her claws.
“I threw all the flowers away. I’m warning you, don’t bother me again!” Ruo Lan shot him a cold glare.
She Yan paid no mind and continued asking, “So what are you doing now? I’ll go with you.”
“None of your business. Yan Di brought back a peculiar Beastfolk, and I’m getting him settled.”
Only then did She Yan shift his gaze to the petite figure beside her.
“This is a Male Beast? What’s so peculiar about him?”
She Yan’s sinister eyes scrutinized her from head to toe. Shen Qi felt extremely uncomfortable. Her obsidian-like eyes sharpened like spears, glaring coldly at him.
Seeing her piercing gaze, She Yan was nearly frightened, reminded of the current Evil Beast King. He averted his eyes.
But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the uniquely styled black object tied to her waist and muttered, “Is this her peculiarity?”
Ruo Lan followed his gaze. “Probably. Yan Di said he carries something interesting—maybe this is it.”
She Yan narrowed his small eyes, as if pondering something, his head lowered so his expression was unclear.
But Shen Qi clearly saw a flicker of greed in his eyes, gone in an instant.
This Evil Beast…
She Yan raised his head and looked at Ruo Lan, forcing a smile. “Ruo Lan, I have something to attend to. I’ll take my leave now. See you next time!”
Ruo Lan snorted coldly, ignoring him, and walked past him toward the other side.
Shen Qi followed closely behind.
They arrived at a spacious stone cave. The Evil Beast placed the unconscious Female down and left.Shen Qi helped her onto a stone bed nearby.
Ruo Lan watched her movements and asked, “What’s your name?”
Shen Qi replied softly, “Xiao Qi.”
“What tribe are you from?”
“Ape Tribe.”
“You’ll get used to it here after some time.” Ruo Lan observed her calm expression, noticing no trace of other emotions, and said nothing more.
This Male Beast was so composed that even if she wanted to offer words of comfort, she couldn’t find the words.
Sen Yan and Sen Zhu suddenly appeared, swaying their serpentine bodies.
Ruo Lan and Shen Qi both looked toward the doorway.
Sen Yan, his expression stern, looked at her and said, “The King is looking for you.”