Roger had changed into a more magnificent set of beast hides.
The hides were dark, patterned with silver markings. The colorful feathers in his hair were gone, replaced by a single bone hairpin.
Simple and understated, he looked slightly more presentable than his peacock-like display yesterday.
When Xin Feng and Bai Wanwan walked in, he was sitting as casually as if he were in his own home.
"You know how to use a Fire Stone?"
He raised his hand and pointed to the small, makeshift grill that had been set up the day before.
But no one answered him. Xin Feng set down the stone basin filled with fish and shrimp, then moved to shield Bai Wanwan behind him.
He stared at Roger. "What are you doing here?"
Xin Feng’s protective gesture didn’t escape Roger’s notice. The corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. He ignored Xin Feng and instead looked at Bai Wanwan, whose face was half-hidden behind him.
"Little female, I possess a Yellow Rank Talent and have not yet taken a partner. I heard you only have one Beast Husband, Xin Feng. I feel quite a connection with him, so why don’t I join him and become your Beast Husband as well? What do you think?"
In the Beast World, a female’s value lay in her fertility, while a male Beastman’s value lay in his combat strength.
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Purple... Purple Rank was the lowest Beastman Level, while Red Rank was a legendary existence spoken of only in Super Tribes.
Small tribes like the Cat Clan hardly ever produced anyone with Talent above Blue Rank.
In all these years, they had only produced one Green Rank, Xin Feng, and he had been injured, his Talent ruined.
The power of a Yellow Rank was indeed enough to make any female from a small or medium-sized tribe’s heart flutter, and they would even agree to a proposal without hesitation.
Xin Feng’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists.
"Roger, this is between us. Don’t drag Wanwan into it."
His nervousness and anger only made Roger find the situation more amusing.
"The little female is so beautiful and cute, and it just so happens I’m thinking of taking a partner. Little female, how about I become your Beast Husband?"
The scene fell silent. A tense, dangerous atmosphere, like swords drawn and bows bent, grew between the two males.
Bai Wanwan’s voice soon broke the silence. "Not good at all. My Beast Husband will only be someone I like. And as it happens, not only do I not like your type, I find you quite repulsive."
The provocative smile on Roger’s face instantly froze.
In truth, he was only trying to provoke Xin Feng. He had expected Xin Feng to get angry, but he had never imagined Bai Wanwan would refuse him.
For so many years, no matter which tribe he visited, he would be swarmed by females.
All the females adored him.
This was the first time he had ever heard a female say she found him repulsive.
He was so angry he laughed. His gaze shifted from Xin Feng’s face to Bai Wanwan’s.
Just as Bai Wanwan thought he was about to get angry, and she was preparing to mock him with a few more barbs...
...he did the unexpected. He turned around, picked up a small chest, and presented it to her.
"Perhaps you have a misunderstanding about me. No rush. I’ll be staying in the Cat Clan Tribe for another ten days. You can get to know me slowly."
As he spoke, he opened the chest, his attitude becoming very solicitous. "These are all interesting little things I traded for in the large tribes and Super Tribes. You’ll like them."
Bai Wanwan didn’t even glance at the items inside the chest, making it clear she had no interest whatsoever.
Roger didn’t get angry this time. He reached in for her and took out a small bird made of wood.
Bai Wanwan glanced at it unconsciously and saw that the bird was actually quite well-made. It wasn’t just the shape; it was painted, too.
Roger had been watching her reaction closely. Other females would have had shining eyes the moment they saw these amusing trinkets.
Bai Wanwan merely gave it a faint look, her gaze not lingering for long.
Roger flicked the bird’s beak with a finger. The bird suddenly opened its mouth and a beautiful melody streamed out.
A tiny hint of surprise appeared in Bai Wanwan’s eyes. She had originally thought it was just a wooden carving.
She hadn’t expected the Beastmen of this world to have such clever ideas, to be able to create something like a music box by hand.
But it was only surprise. ’She was a modern person—what hadn’t she seen before?’
When Roger saw that after a single surprised glance, she once again looked completely uninterested, he couldn’t help but frown.
He reached into the chest again and pulled out another item. "This is the flower balm most favored by the females of the Golden Lion Tribe... When females apply it to their faces, it makes their skin very smooth and fragrant..."
Bai Wanwan didn’t stop him from talking; she was using him to learn more about this world.
’So, outside the Cat Clan Tribe, it seems the larger tribes aren’t entirely primitive societies. A large tribe is probably like a large city. The Beastmen there have already begun to pursue mental and aesthetic pleasures.’
Because Bai Wanwan didn’t interrupt him, Roger became more and more animated as he spoke.
Meanwhile, Xin Feng stood to the side, his lips pressed together, not making a sound.
"Alright, I’m tired of listening. That’s enough for today. You can go."
Her words made Roger’s cheerful tone drop abruptly. "What did you say?"
"Your presentation was nice, but I’m not interested in these trinkets. Take them with you."
Xin Feng was actually very nervous. He knew very well that most females loved these kinds of things.
He wanted to drive Roger away, but he couldn’t make the decision for Wanwan.
It wasn’t until he heard Wanwan’s words that Xin Feng finally spoke up to send him away. "Roger, take your things and leave."
Roger felt he had shown more than enough sincerity. The trinkets he had brought today could be exchanged for enough supplies to get twenty Beastmen through the winter.
He never thought the little female would kick him out without a moment’s hesitation.
A shadow of gloom flickered in his eyes before being quickly concealed.
He let out a soft chuckle. "Fine. If you don’t like these, I’ll bring something else tomorrow. There’s bound to be something you like."
Bai Wanwan was about to say there was no need, but Roger had already strode out the door with his long legs.
Seeing him walk away, Bai Wanwan couldn’t help but mutter, "What kind of grudge is there between you two? For him to use such a vicious method just to piss you off."
’She didn’t believe in love at first sight.’
’This is the Beast World; a female’s most important trait is her fertility.’
The Clan Leader had ordered that no one was to reveal her status as a Holy Female to outsiders.
From Roger’s attitude, it was clear he didn’t know she was a Holy Female. His "interest" in her stemmed entirely from his grudge with Xin Feng.
’That guy is seriously messed up. Just because he has a grudge with Xin Feng, he wants to be tied to him for life, sharing a wife. I really can’t comprehend his train of thought.’
Xin Feng’s expression suddenly turned a little strange. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but then hesitated.
"Can’t you talk about it?"
Although that’s what Bai Wanwan asked, every gossip-loving fiber of her being was tingling with excitement.
She was the type of person who, out of boredom, would wander around every day and, upon catching sight of any Beastman, known or unknown, could chat for hours.
This juicy piece of gossip laid right in front of her was just too tempting.
She absolutely had to get the full scoop.
"Ahem... you really can’t say?"
Her tone seemed questioning, but her repeated inquiries and the look in her eyes were unmistakable. It was just short of a direct order for Xin Feng to hurry up and spill.
Xin Feng looked at her, blinking with insatiable curiosity, and couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. "It’s not that I can’t say. He’s the one who was embarrassed."
This only made Bai Wanwan more curious. "Then hurry up and tell me, tell me..."