At that moment, Li Cheng suddenly raised his hand and pressed his broad palm forcefully downward in the air.
The dull thud cut through the beastfolk’s chatter like a stone crashing into boiling water, and the noisy altar fell silent in an instant.
His gaze swept across the excited, flushed faces before finally landing on the lingering pink glow surrounding Li Zhu. His Adam’s apple bobbed twice.
“Quiet.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried the unmistakable authority of a leader.
“What happened today ends here.”
The beastfolk froze. Even the shaman stopped bowing and looked at him in confusion.
The shaman, the oldest in the tribe, was named Zhi Lan. The younger generation, including Li Zhu, usually called her Granny Lan.
Li Cheng took a deep breath and stepped into the center of the altar, positioning himself in front of Li Zhu.
His frame was not especially tall or imposing, but at that moment, he stood like a wall—shielding his daughter behind him.
“A’Zhu’s fertility… is a blessing for the tribe. But it is also a hidden danger.”
He spoke slowly, his eyes sweeping over the beastfolk gathered three layers deep around them.
“Have you forgotten how the wolf tribe stole our winter rations last year? Have you forgotten the way the Stone Bear Tribe looked at us—as if we were a piece of meat they could snatch away at any time?”
His words were like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone’s heads.
The rabbit tribe was already weak among the low-level tribes of the Northern Continent. Their peaceful life over the years had depended entirely on the word “low-profile.”
If other tribes learned that they had produced a female with extraordinary fertility… the consequences would be unimaginable.
“The Chief is right,” an older male rabbit beastman said in a trembling voice.
One corner of his ear was missing—torn off years ago by an eagle tribe attack.
“Two years ago, the neighboring White Rat Tribe had a female with superior fertility. The Black Tiger Tribe wiped them out and took her away. Now A’Zhu’s fertility exceeds even ‘superior.’ If word spreads…”
On this continent, where the strong devoured the weak, one careless step could mean the destruction of an entire tribe.
“Right! We can’t say anything!”
“We have to keep it secret!”
The murmurs rose again—but this time, the excitement had faded, replaced by lingering fear.
Li Cheng nodded in satisfaction, his tone softening slightly.
“Granny Lan said A’Zhu may be the tribe’s turning point. But we must survive first to seize that opportunity. From today onward, no one is to reveal A’Zhu’s fertility—not even to relatives in other tribes. Not a single word. Those who disobey will be punished according to tribal law.”
The tribe’s laws were not overly harsh. Offenders would be temporarily expelled and forced to survive alone outside the valley for half a month.
But for timid rabbit beastfolk, that was already a severe punishment.
“Yes, Chief!” the beastfolk responded in unison. When they looked at Li Zhu again, there was a new layer of cautious reverence in their eyes.
Only then did Li Cheng turn to Li Zhu, then to the other two females who had just completed their fertility tests—A Tang and A Ning.
Both had tested at medium fertility. For the rabbit tribe, that was already rare. Any female was vital to the tribe.
“According to tradition,” Li Cheng said gently, “at the coming-of-age ceremony, females choose their beast husbands.”
His gaze rested on A Tang and A Ning.
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
A Ning blushed and sneakily glanced at a young male standing in the crowd with a bow slung over his back—A Mu, the second-strongest warrior in the tribe.
A Tang pressed her lips together, her eyes drifting among several sturdy males. Her fingers twisted nervously in her beast-hide skirt.
But Li Cheng’s tone shifted as he addressed the males who were staring at Li Zhu.
“A’Zhu will not choose—for now.”
The announcement stirred another small commotion.
“Chief, that’s against tradition…” an elder muttered under his breath.
“Tradition is dead. The tribe is alive.”
Li Cheng cut him off firmly.
“You all know A’Zhu is different. She taught us to use stone pots and grow crops, allowing us to eat well and stay warm. Now she has superior fertility. Perhaps, as the shaman said, she will be our turning point. So her first beast husband cannot be chosen carelessly.”
He paused, scanning the tribe with a trace of apology hidden in his eyes.
“It’s not that I look down on our young men. But… A’Zhu’s abilities—we cannot protect her well enough. Even her brother is only sixth-tier. In the eyes of other tribes, that’s not enough. A’Zhu deserves someone stronger—someone who can protect her and protect the tribe.”
The words were blunt, yet no one refuted them. Most rabbit males were timid and physically weak. Many could barely protect themselves—how could they shield a female who might become the target of powerful tribes?
Standing behind her father, Li Zhu felt her heart stir slightly.
She understood his meaning. He wasn’t rejecting their own people—he was trying to find her, and the tribe, a safer path forward.
“A Tang, A Ning—make your choices,”
Granny Lan spoke at just the right moment, breaking the silence.
“Once you decide, I will bind your contracts.”
A Ning bit her lip and quickly walked up to A Mu.
“A Mu… would you be willing to be my first beast husband?”
A Mu stared at the petite female in front of him. She barely reached his shoulder. At that moment, she looked so small and adorable.
“Of course I’m willing!”
The two smiled at each other.
Li Zhu watched the scene unfold and quietly exchanged a knowing glance with A Tang beside her.
Just as she thought. When the three of them used to go gathering together, A Ning had constantly mentioned A Mu. When asked about it, she had stubbornly denied everything!
“Hehe… good children, come here. Granny will bind your contract.”
Granny Lan beamed at the pair. Nothing made her happier than witnessing females form their bonds and welcoming newborn cubs into the tribe. In those moments, she always saw hope.
A Tang hesitated for a moment, then chose two males—one skilled at digging traps named Ming Zhu, and another strong enough to carry heavy loads named Sui Yan.
Li Zhu felt genuinely happy for her two friends.
A Ning was gentle and attentive. Though A Mu spoke little, he always saved the best prey for her. A Tang was lively and capable, and the two males she chose were steady types who valued a stable life.
Granny Lan bound their contracts.
Half a quarter-hour later—
“It’s done. The contracts are sealed. The coming-of-age ceremony is complete.”
She smiled as she put away the pregnancy-testing herb.
“Everyone disperse. Let the newly bonded children rest well.”
The beastfolk gradually left, deliberately softening their footsteps. No one spoke of Li Zhu’s fertility anymore.
A Tang and A Ning walked over and held Li Zhu’s hands.
“A Zhu, don’t worry. You’ll definitely find the best beast husband,” A Ning said softly, sincerity shining in her eyes.
A Tang nodded vigorously. “Yes! Maybe a powerhouse from the Southern Continent! The kind from stories who can knock down a Stone Bear with one punch!”
Li Zhu laughed, her earlier unease easing.
“I’ll take your blessing. By the way, isn’t the hunting team heading to the southern forest tomorrow? We agreed to go gathering together.”
It was spring—prime season for gathering. The southern forest was a bit far from the tribe. Though prey was still small this time of year, wild vegetables were abundant, and occasionally small mutated beasts appeared. That was why the hunting team always accompanied them.
The three of them had long planned to look for a wild fruit called “Sweet Pulp Berry.” It was said to be juicy and sweet—perfect for making jam.
“Of course we’re going!” A Tang clapped her hands. “I’ll have my new beast husband weave me a big basket!”
A Ning smiled shyly. “I’ll tell A Mu to watch over us a little more.”
After chatting a while longer, the three reluctantly parted.
Li Zhu walked home with her family. The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.
Li Heng lingered at the back, still clutching a few Moonlight Fruits that hadn’t fallen. From time to time, he glanced at his sister, worry written all over his face.
Back at their “rabbit burrow”—a cave Li Zhu had renovated—the entrance was covered with thick animal-hide curtains to block the wind. Three layers of dry grass lined the floor. In one corner were strips of cured meat and bundles of dried herbs she had prepared. Her brother had even used his fire-type ability to heat the cave walls, making it warmer and tidier than most rabbit homes.
Their mother went to prepare dinner.
Li Heng washed the Moonlight Fruits and placed them on the stone table before quietly leaving, thoughtfully pulling the curtain shut behind him.
Only Li Cheng and Li Zhu remained inside.
After a long silence, Li Cheng picked up a Moonlight Fruit and handed it to his daughter.
“Try it. Your brother ran far to get these. Said they’re the sweetest.”
Li Zhu took a bite. Sweet juice burst across her tongue.
“A Zhu,” Li Cheng said, his gaze complicated. “About beast husbands… what are your thoughts?”
She swallowed and thought for a moment.
“I don’t know.”
In her previous life, she had been an orphan. Romance had never been something she considered. In this life, she had spent sixteen years comfortably lying flat in the tribe, surrounded only by her own kind. She had never seriously thought about choosing a beast husband—until suddenly the coming-of-age ceremony arrived.
She understood what her father meant about finding someone strong enough to protect her and the tribe. But still…
“I don’t want to be treated like a treasure to be fought over just because of my fertility.”
Her voice was soft. Her fingers unconsciously picked at the fruit’s skin.
“I want someone who chooses me… not just for offspring.”
She knew such a thing was rare on the Beast Continent.
Li Cheng froze. Then he sighed and gently rubbed her head.
“It’s my fault for thinking too narrowly.”
He paused, voice softening.
“No rush. Take your time. Until you find the right one, your father, your brother, and the entire tribe will protect you.”
For his daughter, he was willing to give his life.
Li Zhu looked at the vicious scar on his ear and felt warmth bloom in her chest. She nodded firmly.
“Mm!”
That evening, her mother cooked her favorite mushroom stew with meat, even adding a little chili. The aroma filled the cave.
Li Heng didn’t speak much, but he kept placing the most tender pieces of meat into her bowl.
Looking at her family’s smiling faces, Li Zhu suddenly felt that even if she could no longer simply lie flat and drift through life, it didn’t seem so frightening.
At least she wasn’t alone.
For her family, she was willing to try.