“Hu Li, go die!”
“Ah—” The world spun around her. Hu Li cried out twice in pain, propped herself up on her arms, and sat up, staring blankly at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Just as Hu Li was feeling troubled, rustling sounds came from the grass nearby.
“Who’s there?” Hu Li prayed in her heart that it wouldn’t be a bad person.
The rustling sounds continued until a tiger with a golden body and a shimmering, colorful glow on its forehead appeared.
Holy crap! Hu Li wanted to run in fright, but her legs were weak. She could only watch helplessly as the other approached step by step, trembling under the imposing and majestic aura it exuded.
Hu Li was carried by the tiger to a cave. Then, the tiger transformed into a handsome man with an unnatural flush on his face. Without saying a word, he began tearing at his robes.
“Hey, big brother, isn’t this a bit too much for a first meeting?” Hu Li looked at the man with a near-perfect physique, almost drooling.
“Female, have you bonded before?”
Damn, is this man serious? The next second, Hu Li was pinned down.
Torn robes were tossed into the air. Before Hu Li could cover herself, she was restrained against the cave wall.
“You big! Jerk!”
No matter how much she shouted, it had no intimidating effect.
The man was injured and had been sprinkled with powdered herbs by someone. Though dizzy and disoriented, he still retained a sliver of clarity. After confirming that the female beside him had not yet bonded, he grew even bolder.
“Female, you belong to this prince. If you dare seek other Beast Husbands, you will face pain a hundred times worse than today.”
Hu Li didn’t understand what he meant. She had no strength left in her body and was subjected to his “torment” without any ability to resist, until her vision grew increasingly blurry.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when she seemed to hear someone calling her name.
A red fox transformed into human form, clenching its fists tightly at the sight before it. Just which damned male dared to bully his Hu Li?
“Chieftain, I told you we should have driven that ugly fox Hu Li out of the tribe earlier. Not only did she seduce my Beast Husband, but now she even sneaked out of the tribe to fool around with other Beastfolk. I say we should drive her out. Now she’s neither alive nor dead, messed up by a male—and probably not just one.”
“Hu Rong, say less! Hu Li is still a female. Compared to other tribes, our tribe still has an advantage.”
“Chieftain, I am also a female and have contributed over twenty fox cubs to the tribe. Hu Li has done nothing for the tribe and dares to secretly meet with wild males. There are so many males in the tribe who haven’t bonded yet. That ungrateful fox—why should she continue living in the tribe?”
The Beast Husband behind Hu Rong chimed in, “Drive Hu Li out of the tribe!”
“Drive Hu Li out of the tribe!”
[Congratulations, host, on arriving in the Beast World Continent. System 250 activating.]
[System 250 at your service. The world you are in is the Beastfolk world. From now on, I will assist you in completing your tasks.]
Hu Li’s soul drifted in the system space, full of confusion.
“What the hell? Did I really transmigrate?”
[Yes, and you are currently pregnant with a cub.]
“Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!!! System, don’t lie to me. Am I really pregnant?”
[Yes, host.]
“But I just did that not long ago. How could I be pregnant already?”
“I’m just a pure college girl who hasn’t even graduated yet—how could I be pregnant? No, I don’t want to play anymore, I want to go home, waaah~”
[That won’t do! Host can only leave this world after completing the mission.]
“If you don’t let me leave, I won’t do the mission.”
[Detected host has triggered forbidden words. Electric shock punishment will commence in three seconds.]
“Wait, I—”
Hu Li was struck by the electric shock, her body trembling uncontrollably.
“Chieftain, come quickly and see—what’s wrong with Hu Li?”
Hearing the shout, the fox tribe Chieftain immediately entered the cave, followed closely by Hu Rong, who had come to watch the commotion.
After examining her for a moment, the Chieftain finally shook his head.
“Hahaha, Hu Li is finally going to die! Chieftain, you still have many matters to attend to. Leave the rest to my Beast Husbands! I guarantee they’ll throw this wretch’s body far away.”
At this point, the Chieftain could only sigh and stand up. After all, Hu Rong had contributed so many fox cubs to the tribe and held a certain degree of influence.
Just as Hu Rong ordered a few of her Beast Husbands to come in and carry Hu Li away, the person who had been lying weakly on the ground suddenly sat upright.
“Don’t throw me away—I can still be saved!” Hu Li sat up in a flash.
“You, you, you… ah!” This time, it was Hu Rong’s turn to faint.
Everyone present except the Chieftain was badly frightened, though not to the point of fainting like Hu Rong—after all, she had a guilty conscience.
Hu Li sneered inwardly. I’ve watched dozens of palace intrigue dramas and read hundreds of palace intrigue novels—how could I let myself be bullied by a bunch of foxes?
Since the system had briefed her in advance, Hu Li wasn’t so afraid of the foxes now. She politely looked at the Chieftain.
“Chieftain, I only have a few scrapes and bruises—nothing serious.”
The Chieftain steadied himself. “Hu Li, you didn’t hear anything just now, did you?”
Hu Li’s eyes were clear and innocent. “No? Did you… say something just now?”
“No, nothing.” The Chieftain quickly shook his head. Thank goodness she didn’t hear. Losing a Female means losing an advantage—we absolutely cannot fall behind neighboring tribes in terms of members, or we’ll be ridiculed.
“Hu Li, why did you go to the Forbidden Land? I’ve long since forbidden it.”
Forbidden Land? Does she mean the cliff?
At this, Hu Li’s eyes welled with tears. She tried to move and get out of bed but couldn’t manage it for a long while. The Chieftain immediately stopped her.
“Chieftain, someone tried to harm me.”
“What? Who did it? Harming a Female is a serious crime—I won’t let them off lightly.”
Hu Rong, who had just woken up, heard this and trembled. She quickly spoke up to draw attention.
“Hu Li, you ungrateful ugly fox! Instead of bearing cubs for your own tribe, you go and get pregnant by some stray Beastfolk! The tribe has always provided you with food and protection. If you don’t want to bear cubs for the tribe, then get out!”
Hu Li was furious too. I just got here, and now she wants me to leave? Who does she think she is?
“And you have the nerve to shout here? If you hadn’t lured me to the Forbidden Land and pushed me off, would I be covered in injuries like this?”
Hu Rong clenched her fists anxiously. No, harming a Female is no small charge—I absolutely cannot admit to it.
“Hu Li, you’re slandering me. Since our big argument last time, we haven’t seen each other at all. How could I have led you to the Forbidden Land? You must have gone there secretly to meet that wild Beastfolk.” Then she looked at her Beast Husbands with a pitiful expression, “I’ve been spending these past few days with you, working hard to contribute more offspring to the tribe. You know that.”
Hu Rong’s Beast Husbands couldn’t bear to see their wife wronged and glared at Hu Li, “You’re lying.”
“That’s right, Chieftain, she’s lying. Our wife has been at home with us these past few days, making offspring.”
Hu Li felt embarrassed just hearing this. How could they say such shameful things out loud? How awkward! Though later, when she saw Beastfolk openly mating outside, she would realize today’s words were nothing in comparison.
“Hey, you’re the ones lying! It was clearly Hu Rong who pushed me.” Hu Li was utterly speechless. Of course their family would stick together!
Hu Rong placed her hands on her hips with a smug look, “I have Beastfolk witnesses. If you have the ability, find someone to prove I pushed you! Unless… you can call that wild Beastfolk of yours to testify for you.”
Before Hu Li fell, she clearly saw it was Hu Rong, and there was no one at the scene… wait, who saved her and brought her back? That man?
“Chieftain, I can prove Hu Rong pushed Hu Li.”
A pair of slender, pale hands lifted the animal hide at the cave entrance, and a tall, thin figure bent down to enter.
“Hu Zhuo? You, a weak rogue fox, dare to stand up and speak for Hu Li? Everyone knows you like Hu Li. Truly, the two weakest foxes in the tribe coming together.”
After Hu Rong’s mockery, laughter immediately erupted from her Beast Husbands behind her.
From the moment Hu Zhuo entered, Hu Li was stunned. How could there be such a handsome man in the world… oh no, male fox spirit. So handsome.
To Hu Li’s aesthetic sense, he was absolutely stunning, the epitome of a youthful, gentle male. But in the eyes of the Beastfolk, only strong Beastfolk were considered healthy, powerful, and attractive.
“Chieftain, I saw it clearly. Hu Rong deliberately provoked Hu Li, lured her to the Forbidden Land, and pushed her down. I was the one who carried Hu Li back up.”
“It wasn’t me. I have my Beast Husbands as witnesses.”
“This…” The Chieftain was momentarily at a loss.
Hu Li felt this was unfair. Leaning against the cave wall, she slowly got out of bed. “Chieftain, Hu Zhuo said he saw Hu Rong harm me with his own eyes, and he personally carried me back. The facts are right before you. Are you still going to shield Hu Rong?”
“Hu Li, Hu Rong has contributed over twenty offspring to the tribe, while you still have no Beast Husband and are pregnant with some unknown Beastfolk’s child. You only have Hu Zhuo as a witness. Clearly, Hu Rong’s side is more convincing.”
What? Hu Li’s worldview was about to shatter. So, whoever has more offspring has more power?
“I…” Hu Li wanted to argue further but was pulled back by Hu Zhuo beside her. He shook his head at her.
“Hu Rong has many offspring and many Beast Husbands. We can’t do anything against her.”
In the end, Hu Li could only watch as Hu Rong and her group left triumphantly. Before leaving, Hu Rong didn’t forget to mock them.
“Haha, an ugly, weak female fox pregnant with a stray Beastfolk’s child and a useless male fox. The Beastfolk would die laughing if they heard.”
The mocking voices gradually faded away. Hu Zhuo wore a face full of guilt, “I’m sorry, Hu Li. I couldn’t help you.”
Hu Li quickly waved her hands, “It’s fine, it’s fine. They outnumber us and bully us because we’re fewer.”
“Human?” Hu Zhuo looked puzzled. “What’s a human?”
I almost forgot this was the Beast World Continent. “No… I meant beastfolk. You must have misheard.”
“Oh!” Hu Zhuo scratched his ear. “Hu Li, I… I…”
Seeing him stammer like this could annoy me all day. “Just say whatever you want to say quickly.”
“I want to be your beast husband. Males shouldn’t bully females. That way, with me around, no female would dare bully you anymore. Even if you’re already carrying someone else’s cub, it doesn’t matter. I’m willing to raise it.”
Hu Li found this amusing and reached out to grab the animal hide he was wearing. Hu Zhuo bent down following her pull, bringing them extremely close. “Little fox brother, do you want to mate with me?”
Hu Zhuo’s face flushed instantly, his clear eyes suddenly welling up with tears. He didn’t know why Hu Li had suddenly become so alluring. He nodded sheepishly. “Also, I’m not your little brother. I’m older than you. After we mate, I’ll be your beast husband, and you can’t call me little brother anymore.”
A serious fox was the most fun to tease. Hu Li jumped up and ruffled his ears. Hu Zhuo’s face turned even redder. “Hu… Hu Li, I’ll come see you later.” With that, he ran out.
Hu Li truly hadn’t expected him to be so… innocent.
The matter of being pushed off the cliff was temporarily put aside. Hu Li looked around. What they called a home was actually a cave. The bed was a stone slab covered with straw, and there was nothing else.
“Looks like the original owner wasn’t well-off!”
[Original owner: Hu Li, White Fox Clan beastfolk. Followed her father to the Red Fox Tribe. Father disappeared two years ago while out hunting. Hu Li’s status in the Red Fox Tribe is higher than males but lower than females.]
White fox? Hu Li noticed her hair was white. So she really was a white fox, no wonder Hu Rong bullied the original owner. Probably some racial discrimination! So in the Red Fox Tribe, she had the lowest status among all females. No wonder the chieftain favored Hu Rong.
[Host, from now on you are Hu Li, not Hu Li, White Fox Clan beastfolk.]
[Mission: Help the chosen son and chosen daughter get together on the path to having children and become the strongest in the Beast World, commonly known as the male lead and female lead.]
“But I don’t know who the male and female leads are.”
[The system will cooperate with the host to complete the mission.]
“Can I go home after completing it?”
[Yes.]
“Then besides you, what other cheats do I have? Something powerful.”
Only air responded to Hu Li.
“System? System?”
Still no response.
“Hu Li it is then. I’ll complete the mission and go home soon.”
Hu Li looked at her “home” – it was truly too messy. Even someone without OCD would develop it. By the time she finished cleaning, it was already dark. Hu Li lit the firewood pile and looked at the tidy cave. Now it finally looked like a home.
“Hu Li, are… are you there?”
Hu Li recognized Hu Zhuo’s voice and directly told him to come in.
“Hu Zhuo, what do you need?”
Hu Zhuo looked shy. “I… I came to mate with you.”
“What?”
Against the backdrop of fiery red hair, his skin appeared even fairer. Hu Zhuo’s gaze clung tightly to Hu Li.
Watching Hu Zhuo approach closer and closer, Hu Li kept retreating until her back hit the cave wall with nowhere left to go.