A cold, mechanical voice echoed in her mind, yet Shen Qi couldn’t open her eyes. She seemed to be drifting in an empty world.
“Who are you?”
“Host, I am the System. You may call me Xiaoyu. Welcome to the Beastfolk world, Host.”
“Beast World? So you’re the one who brought me here?”
“Yes. Knowing that you possess exceptional talent, I chose you to enter this world.”
“I understand your current doubts, Host. You only need to complete the tasks I assign you. Upon completion, you will receive corresponding rewards, and naturally, you will gain abilities equal to—or even surpassing—those of the Beastfolk.”
“To live in this world…”
The cold, ethereal voice grew increasingly distant.
Shen Qi found she could open her eyes.
As soon as she opened them, she met amber eyes. His face was close to hers, almost touching.
His mouth was slightly puffed, as if he had something inside, and at that moment, he seemed to want to transfer whatever was in his mouth into hers.
Shen Qi’s gaze turned cold. She pushed him away and pressed her pale hand against his neck. “What are you trying to do?”
The contrast between her jade-like complexion and his wheat-colored skin was stark.
Seeing that she had misunderstood him, Bai Yuwei hurriedly explained, “Qiqi, I thought you had fainted from hunger. I tried to feed you some fruit earlier, but you couldn’t swallow it, so I had no choice but to feed you personally.”
Seeing that his expression didn’t seem deceitful, Shen Qi released her grip. Bai Yuwei warmly handed her the fruit in his hand. “Here, eat.”
Shen Qi took it and thanked him.
Bai Yuwei’s amber eyes brightened noticeably. The little Female had actually thanked him!
It was rare to see a Female express gratitude. His judgment was indeed correct!
“Qiqi, let me take you back to my tribe.”
Bai Yuwei persisted, unwilling to give up. After witnessing how the little Female had dealt with those wild beasts earlier, he knew she was formidable. But now, seeing her weakened state, staying here would only lead to her ending up in the stomachs of wild beasts.
He also noticed that the little Female had not formed a mating bond. With her appearance and figure, if discovered by an Evil Beast, the consequences would be unimaginable.
“Host, please follow this Beastfolk into the Tiger Tribe. Reward: a lighter and a pack of salt.”
The cold, mechanical voice sounded again.
Shen Qi thought for a moment. This Beastfolk didn’t seem malicious, and the current situation was indeed unfavorable for her.
“Alright, I’ll go back with you.”
Seemingly surprised by her quick agreement this time, Bai Yuwei was momentarily stunned before reacting excitedly. “Then let’s go back now!”
In the next moment, he transformed into a majestic tiger and crouched down. Words came from his mouth: “Qiqi, climb on quickly!”
Shen Qi mounted him. Feeling the soft touch on his back, Bai Yuwei swiftly raced through the jungle.
Halfway through the journey, he suddenly stopped and transformed back into human form. Shen Qi steadied herself and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”
“Your appearance will definitely attract many tribespeople in the tribe. Applying this will help.”
Bai Yuwei scooped up some damp mud from the ground and smeared it on Shen Qi’s face. Instantly, her face became unrecognizable except for her eyes and nostrils.
“Alright, the Tiger Tribe is almost here.”
Bai Yuwei carried Shen Qi and ran toward the Tiger Tribe. Before long, Shen Qi saw a stone gate ahead, covered with thatch, and walls also made of stone.
Upon entering the tribe, Bai Yuwei immediately headed to the Shaman’s house.”Grandpa Darui, please take a look at her injury.”
Only when he mentioned it did she remember the wound on her hand.
The Beastfolk who had been searching among a patch of medicinal herbs looked up at the familiar voice. “Yuwei, you’re back so early today? And this is…?”
Before him stood a Female whose face was completely smeared with mud.
“She’s a Female I found while hunting. Her name is Shen Qi. Grandpa Darui, she has a wound on her hand. Could you take a look at it for me?”
Hearing that the Female was injured, Darui hurried over anxiously. “Little Female, show me your hand. Let me have a look.”
“It’s just a small wound. I’ve already bandaged it. It’s nothing serious.”
Only when both of them looked at her with concern did she extend her hand.
Darui gently peeled away the cloth wrapped around the wound, but halfway through, he found the flesh stuck to the fabric.
Darui’s brows furrowed tightly into a deep frown. “And you say it’s nothing serious? The flesh and the beast hide are stuck together!”
Bai Yuwei also frowned deeply. Qiqi had endured such a wound until now.
For them, Male Beasts, such injuries were commonplace, but she was a Female…
Darui took out a medicinal herb, crushed it, and applied it to her wound. The stuck cloth gradually loosened.
He then cleaned her wound, reapplied the medicinal herb, and bandaged it again.
“You’ll need to come back for dressing changes over the next three days. Fortunately, the wound was treated in time. Yuwei, take your Female back to rest in your hut.”
“Understood. Thank you, Grandpa Darui!”
Shen Qi also expressed her gratitude.
Watching them leave, Darui nodded with satisfaction. The Female Yuwei brought back was very polite, and it was clear that Yuwei liked her a lot. Moreover, she had even bandaged her own wound—something he had never seen before.
As soon as Shen Qi stepped outside, she saw many handsome men around.
“Bai Yuwei, is this a new Female? Where did you find her?”
One of the Beastfolk noticed her first and asked curiously.
The other Beastfolk also turned to look upon hearing the commotion, only to see a small, frail Female whose features were indistinguishable.
One of the Male Beasts immediately approached, but Bai Yuwei blocked him with an outstretched hand.
The Male Beast was somewhat displeased. “I just wanted to see what’s on her face. Do you have to stop me? If you bring a Female back, everyone should know about it.”
“Besides, this Female doesn’t look like much. You didn’t fancy Xin Lei from our tribe, but you took a liking to this Female with disgusting stuff all over her face? And you brought her back to our tribe?”
“Shut up! What kind of Female I like is none of your business!”
Bai Yuwei’s eyes blazed with anger. He could tolerate insults directed at himself, but not at Qiqi.
Seeing his anger, the Beastfolk said nothing more, rubbed his nose, and walked away.
The other Beastfolk glanced at her face, all wearing expressions of disbelief, and then went back to their own tasks.
Bai Yuwei took her hand and led her away. “Don’t mind them. I’ll take you to my hut.”
“Alright.” Shen Qi touched the mud on her face; it had already dried.
“Qiqi, do you dislike me smearing this on your face?”
“It’s fine.”
“Huh?” He was surprised by her response.
Weren’t Females supposed to like showing their best side? Qiqi was so beautiful, yet she didn’t mind hiding her appearance at all.
“Qiqi, we’re here!”Shen Qi stepped inside to see an extremely simple interior, even emptier than the Shaman’s house earlier. Only a stack of beast hides was piled in the corner.
Bai Yuwei watched her nervously. “My place is a bit crude, nothing like Beast City. Since no Female has ever stayed here, I don’t have any of the things Females use for sleeping. Qiqi, wait for me a moment—I’ll go learn from them right now and make one.”
With that, he quickly left.
Just as Shen Qi picked up a beast hide from the corner, she heard footsteps at the cave entrance. Had he returned so soon?
She turned around, only to see an unfamiliar face.