Chapter 224: Good News

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Good News

Outside the thick stone wall, every breath the Mutant Beast took rolled like muffled thunder. The putrid, foul stench seeped in through the cracks in the stone, making Bai Wanwan’s nostrils burn.

The stone wall trembled slightly in the shadows, and fine grains of sand rustled down.

Bai Wanwan looked at the flimsy barrier before her, knowing in her heart that it probably couldn’t withstand a single swipe from that monster’s claws.

The Mutant Beast’s footsteps grew distant, then near again. Every time it approached, the hairs on Bai Wanwan’s arms stood on end.

Time crawled by in agonizing slowness.

Jin Yi’s arm, like an iron hoop, tightened around her, their backs already soaked with cold sweat.

At this moment, they were like ants on a spider’s thread; even breathing had become a luxury.

When the nauseating, rotten stench reached its peak, the shadow outside the cave finally, slowly retreated.

But the two of them remained frozen like statues, not moving until they confirmed the heavy footsteps had vanished completely into the depths of the mountain forest.

"Is it gone?" Bai Wanwan found her voice.

"It should be." Jin Yi quickly pulled his arm back, his knuckles subconsciously clenching for a moment.

Bai Wanwan’s feet were nearly numb from standing. As the tension broke, she immediately supported herself against the wall and slid to the ground.

Because of the ordeal, both were in low spirits and had no desire to speak.

In the narrow cave, they sat on opposite sides.

She didn’t know how they’d endured for over ten hours. All Bai Wanwan knew was that when she looked outside again, the light filtering through the cracks in the rock was growing dimmer.

Bai Wanwan didn’t dare take out any fresh prey again; the smell of blood would attract the Mutant Beast that had just left. So, she only took out dried meat.

"Let’s make do with dried meat for the next couple of days, so we don’t lure the Mutant Beast back."

"Alright."

’In a situation like this, we’re lucky to have anything to eat at all. Who am I to be picky?’

He reached out, took it, and leaned back against the stone wall to eat.

Bai Wanwan chewed the jerky mechanically. The tough, dry fibers scraped her throat, but she couldn’t taste a thing.

They finished their dinner in silence. Bai Wanwan took out a piece of animal hide from her System Space and spread it underneath herself.

She took out another piece and handed it to Jin Yi. "Spread this out. It’ll be more comfortable to sleep on."

Jin Yi wasn’t so particular, but since the female had already handed it to him, he accepted it. "You should get some rest. I’ll keep watch tonight, don’t worry."

Bai Wanwan didn’t know she’d had a fever last night, but after such a terrifying day, she was indeed exhausted.

But in an environment like this, she couldn’t relax enough to fall asleep quickly.

She curled up on the hide, the chill from the stone ground seeping through the pelt and into her bones. She instinctively turned to face Jin Yi.

The male’s figure was like a solid bulwark, maintaining a perfect distance from her.

Perhaps because Bai Wanwan was awake tonight, the silence was filled with an awkwardness that couldn’t be ignored.

She decided to break the silence.

"Do beast tides like this happen often?"

"Not often. In my memory, this has only happened twice." Jin Yi drifted into thought. The last time was six years ago, and that beast tide had been short, passing in just three days.

Bai Wanwan continued to ask, "How long do they usually last?"

Jin Yi stared at the roof of the cave, his voice steady. "It depends. I heard my Father Beast say that when he was young, the longest one lasted a month."

A month...

’It’s only been a few days.’

’If we’re really trapped in this tiny space for another twenty-some days, I’ll go crazy before the beast tide even recedes.’

’Forget it, forget it... I’ll just take it one day at a time.’

Drowsiness washed over her like a tide, and her voice grew mumbled. "You Beastmen... It’s really not easy to survive..."

Hmm?

Jin Yi turned to look at her and heard the female mumble a few more words. Gradually, her unfinished ramblings turned into even breathing.

That night, Bai Wanwan finally fell asleep after having her fill of food and drink. When she woke up the next day, her spirits were clearly much better than the day before.

Her body no longer felt sore and weak.

She pushed aside the hide and sat up, letting out a small breath to chase away the sleepiness. When she looked up, she saw the male standing like a stone statue at the cave entrance.

"Is there something going on outside?"

"No, it’s very quiet."

"Has the beast tide receded?"

Bai Wanwan’s drowsiness vanished in an instant. She shot up from the hide and took a few quick steps to Jin Yi’s side. "Let me see..."

She pressed herself against the stone wall, peering out through the largest crack.

The mountain forest was unnervingly quiet. Not even the usual birdsong could be heard.

After she had been observing for a while, she heard Jin Yi say from beside her, "I’ve been watching ever since I got up this morning. Not a single beast has appeared outside."

"You mean the beast tide is over?"

"Not necessarily, but this part of the forest should be temporarily safe."

Having said that, Jin Yi made a decision. "In a bit, you stay in the cave. Don’t go out. I’m going to check on the situation."

Bai Wanwan knew she was just a burden right now. If she obediently stayed in the cave, it would be safer for Jin Yi to go out.

So she agreed without any objection, nodding at once. "Okay. Go and come back quickly. I’ll wait for you."

After speaking with her, Jin Yi didn’t even bother to eat. He directly pushed down the stone wall.

After he quickly slipped out, he painstakingly piled the stones back up again.

Watching Bai Wanwan’s figure gradually disappear behind the stone wall, he hesitated for a moment before adding, "Don’t be afraid. I’ll be nearby. I’ll be back soon."

If it had been any other female, she might have been crying in fear, or might not have even let him leave.

But Bai Wanwan had been completely cooperative from start to finish. She really was different from other females.

The thought flashed through his mind and was gone. Without dwelling on it, Jin Yi transformed into a Golden Lion and darted into the forest.

Bai Wanwan pressed herself against the crack in the stones. Only when Jin Yi’s agile figure had completely disappeared did she slowly let out a heavy breath.

’It’s a lie to say I’m not scared.’

’I’m no relation to Jin Yi, we’re not even friends.’

’If he doesn’t come back, leaving me alone in the middle of a raging beast tide...’

’Any beast with teeth could easily tear my bones apart and eat my flesh.’

Just imagining the scene made Bai Wanwan’s scalp tingle with fear.

"He wouldn’t..."

Bai Wanwan immediately shook her head, comforting herself. ’Since he was willing to brave such danger to find me, he would never abandon me.’

But logical deduction couldn’t suppress the unease churning within her, much like the distant, then near roars of beasts outside the crack, which frayed her nerves at unexpected moments.

Bai Wanwan began to pace back and forth inside the cave, her footsteps echoing in the narrow space.

One step, two steps... she counted her steps, as if by doing so she could measure the passage of time.

After she had paced back and forth dozens of times, a dazzling flash of gold suddenly caught her eye.

Jin Yi!

’He’s back!’

She practically threw herself at the crack in the wall, watching the Golden Lion’s powerful form break through the undergrowth.

In the blink of an eye, the golden figure arrived outside the cave.

"Bai Wanwan, step back."

The familiar deep voice came from behind the stone wall, and Bai Wanwan immediately took a few steps back.

With a few loud CRASHES, the stones blocking the cave entrance tumbled down.

Amidst the billowing dust, Jin Yi’s tall silhouette gradually came into focus.

He stood against the light, his outstretched palm still stained with fresh dirt.

"Come out, quickly." His voice held a rare urgency.

Bai Wanwan grabbed his outstretched hand almost instinctively.

After he pulled her out of the cave, Bai Wanwan noticed a smile playing on Jin Yi’s lips, his golden eyes shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

"I have good news." The fatigue on his brow couldn’t hide the vibrant light dancing in his eyes.