Li Zhu was awakened by a faint smell of roasted meat.
Opening her eyes, she found herself still lying on the familiar haystack, covered with the rabbit-fur blanket her mother had woven. The scent of rendered fat and the faint aroma of charred wood and herbs lingered in her nose.
The light outside the cave was no longer harsh and glaring; instead, it was a warm orange-red, like a spilled blush palette, tinting the stone walls with a soft glow.
Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, still a little dazed. It took her a moment to recall the events of the previous day.
The attack by the Earth-Rending Bear, Ze Yu’s sudden appearance, and… tonight, she was going to bond with him.
At the thought of being with that impossibly handsome and divine man… Li Zhu’s cheeks blazed red again. She patted her face, trying to suppress the strange fluttering in her chest.
Pulling back the blanket and getting out of bed, she reached the cave entrance and saw her mother carrying a stone bowl. Inside was golden-brown roasted beast meat, sprinkled with some chili powder she had ground herself.
“Awake? Eat it while it’s hot. Your father just roasted this for you, especially saving some.”
Ming Yuan smiled, handing her the bowl.
“The cave next door is already set up. Your father said you two should… move over there early.”
Li Zhu took the bowl, her fingertips warming from the stone.
“Mother…” she murmured quietly.
“You’re following Father in making a fuss too?”
“Silly girl, this isn’t fussing at all.”
Ming Yuan pinched her cheeks gently, her eyes full of love.
“Bonding is such a big deal. And he’s your first mate—of course your father and I care about it.”
“You’re the best, Father and Mother~”
Li Zhu bit into the roasted meat, feeling a warm glow in her heart.
At that moment, Li Cheng and Ze Yu walked in from outside.
“Good, you’re awake. Eat quickly. Once you’re done… you can move over there.”
Li Cheng looked at his child, his tone slightly awkward—half reluctant, half relieved.
“I had Ah Mu and the others fumigate the other cave, drove away all the insects, and made some new pots and utensils for you. If anything’s missing, just tell us at home.”
Ze Yu nodded and glanced at Li Zhu with a gentle expression. “Soft grass and fur have been laid inside. You should like it.”
Li Zhu’s heart skipped a beat.
Who said I like it? I don’t like it one bit! ૮₍˶⦁֊⦁˶₎ა
She lowered her head, quickly finishing the roasted meat in the bowl, then took a few sips of the berry juice her mother had handed her before standing up.
“Then… let’s go over.”
“Go ahead, go ahead.”
Ming Yuan nudged her toward the exit.
“Don’t be nervous. The first time might hurt a little, but you’ll get used to it.”
Li Cheng added a warning, “If anything happens, just call. We’ll be right next door.”
Ze Yu gave a slight nod to the couple, a quiet greeting, then fell in step behind Li Zhu.
The sky outside the cave was breathtaking.
The sunset painted the clouds in layers of crimson and orange-red, fading to scarlet and deep purple, like a vast silk tapestry draped across the horizon. Even the air carried a faint warmth and sweetness.
Following her father’s instructions, the tribe’s beastmen had already returned to their own caves to rest.
Li Zhu walked ahead, unconsciously twisting the corner of her dress, her ears drooping slightly like two soft willow leaves swaying in the breeze.
Ze Yu followed just half a step behind, his gaze falling on her swaying braided hair, soft and gentle.
The cave next door was very close—just a few steps away.
A strip of freshly tanned white beast-hide hung across the cave entrance.
Li Zhu took a deep breath and lifted the hide curtain.
The cave was far more spacious than she had imagined, with smooth, even floors. At the deepest part stood a massive wooden bed—though “bed” was a generous term; it was essentially a huge wooden block.
In the Beast World, towering trees were never in short supply.
The bed was covered with a thick layer of hay, topped with several soft animal hides. Even just looking at it made it seem incredibly soft and comfortable.
In one corner, a collection of brand-new pots, bowls, and pans was neatly stacked.
What surprised her most was the phosphorescent grass inserted into the walls, casting a gentle blue-green glow that illuminated the cave brightly while dispersing the dampness in the air.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
Ze Yu’s voice sounded behind her.
Li Zhu turned and met his deep, penetrating gaze.
The red light of the setting sun slanted through the entrance, giving his silver hair a golden edge. The golden “Zhi” character on his forehead shimmered faintly in the light, somehow outshining even the sunset outside.
“Mm… it’s perfect. I really like it.”
She nodded softly, her voice quiet.
From now on, this place… would be their home.
Ze Yu stepped inside and gently lowered the hide curtain.
The cave dimmed slightly, leaving only the soft glow of the phosphorescent grass, stretching their shadows long across the stone walls, intertwining.
The air seemed to thicken, leaving only the sound of their breathing and the rustling of leaves outside the cave.
“We…” Li Zhu hesitated, feeling unsure.
It was her first time; she had no experience.
She had never eaten pork, nor had she ever seen a pig run.
What should she do? Could she learn it on the spot?
Ze Yu walked over, took her hand, and led her to sit on the prepared animal hides. From his chest, he pulled out a small jade vial and poured out two pearly white pills, handing one to her.
“This is our Bai Ze Tribe’s ‘Soul-Bond Pill.’ It helps… us… merge better and makes it less painful.”
Li Zhu looked at the pill—it was round and smooth like a pearl, giving off a faint herbal aroma.
Without hesitation, she put it in her mouth. The pill dissolved instantly, releasing a warm, flowing heat that slid down her throat and spread through her limbs, easing the tension in her body.
Ze Yu swallowed the other pill, then gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
His touch was so gentle, as if handling a priceless treasure. His eyes were full of care and reverence.
“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered, his warm breath brushing her ear, carrying a hint of herbal fragrance.
Li Zhu nodded and instinctively closed her eyes.
She could feel his hands lightly brushing through her hair, fingertips cool yet warm, slowly sliding to her cheeks with an unthinkable gentleness.
The glow from the phosphorescent grass grew brighter in the dark, tracing soft contours around their intertwined figures.
Ze Yu’s lips pressed softly against her forehead, with a reverent tenderness, then the tip of her nose, her cheeks, and finally her lips.
His kisses were light, slightly hesitant, but deeply sincere.
At first, Li Zhu was a little stiff, but gradually relaxed, lifting her hands to gently wrap around his neck.
As their breaths intertwined, she could feel the warm energy coursing through her body grow stronger, merging with the aura emanating from Ze Yu, like two vines growing together—forever inseparable.
His silver hair fell around her face, brushing against her skin with a ticklish touch. The golden “Zhi” on his forehead shone brighter, casting a soft golden light enveloping them both.
As night deepened, the cave held only their mingled breaths and the intensifying golden glow. The female’s soft moans and the male’s low breaths became a strangely harmonious symphony.
Outside, the sunset had long faded, leaving the stars to blanket the sky—a blessing from the Beast Gods, witnessing this sacred and extraordinary ritual.