Chapter 457 - 454: Dragon’s Pool, Tiger’s Den

Chapter 457: Chapter 454: Dragon’s Pool, Tiger’s Den

All they could think about was bringing back a savior to rescue the Life Tree and their clan. They never stopped to consider: ’What if she goes, and it turns out she’s not the one?’

’Or what if she *is* the one—the heir of the Clan Leader’s bloodline acknowledged by the Life Tree? What dangers would she face then?’

The Flood Dragon Clan was far from united, and they couldn’t guarantee that word wouldn’t get out.

Seeing them rendered speechless, their eyes darting about, Bai Wanwan knew.

’Whoever wants to walk into that lion’s den is welcome to it!’

None of her Beast Husbands were around. With only Hua Han and Jiao Yin for protection, for her—pregnant and with a newborn cub—to rush into a place like that would be like a lamb to the slaughter.

"You should go," Bai Wanwan said, her voice once again cold and laced with unmistakable finality. "Given my situation, I have no intention of going."

"Female! Please, reconsider..." the two males tried to protest.

"Enough!" Hua Han cut in sharply. He and Jiao Yin took a step forward in unison, their powerful auras pressing down like a tangible wall, forcing the two males to stumble backward.

"Our female doesn’t want to go. Don’t you understand? Leave. Now! Or don’t blame us for what happens next!"

Jiao Yin’s body began to faintly emit an oppressive aura like the ocean tide, making the two Flood Dragon males feel as if they were suffocating.

Although they were Beastmen of the Flood Dragon Clan, they only possessed Yellow Rank Talent and were no match for an Orange Rank.

Faced with overwhelming power and their mistress’s clear refusal, the two males had no choice but to retreat from the cave, their hearts filled with despair and helplessness. They kept looking back, until their figures were swallowed by the swirling blizzard.

Silence returned to the cave dwelling, leaving only the howl of the blizzard against the door flap and the crackle of firewood in the hearth.

Bai Wanwan pulled the beast hides tighter around herself, feeling a chill that seeped deep into her bones, somehow colder than before.

She hated the cold, and after learning of a secret with such enormous implications, the snow season felt suffocatingly long.

She lost all desire to even go near the entrance.

Hua Han and Jiao Yin shared a silent understanding and didn’t press her for details, instead devoting themselves to caring for her with the utmost attention.

They kept the fire in the hearth blazing, ensured warm food and water were always ready, and looked after the cub flawlessly, doing everything they could to help her get through the difficult snow season in warmth and comfort.

「More than twenty days and nights passed in a blur of wind and snow.」

Then one morning, mixed in with the howl of the wind outside, came an unusual sound: the steady, powerful crunch of footsteps in the snow.

Bai Wanwan, who had been lying listless and weary beneath a thick pile of beast hides, instantly perked up, a hopeful glimmer flashing in her eyes.

The heavy door flap was pushed aside, and a tall figure appeared at the entrance, bringing a gust of frigid air with him.

It was Yin Ze!

His shoulders and the tips of his hair were caked with thick snow, and his handsome face was etched with the weariness of a long journey. But the moment his deep eyes landed on Bai Wanwan, they lit up with a warm glow.

"Yin Ze!"

A joyous smile bloomed across Bai Wanwan’s face, as radiant as the sun breaking through winter ice. She struggled to sit up. "You’re back! Was the journey dangerous? Did you get the message to them?"

Yin Ze strode in, brushing the snow from his clothes, a gentle, relieved smile on his face. "Yes, I’m back. The journey was fine. Traveling between storms was hard, but I made it safely. And I delivered the message!"

He walked to Bai Wanwan’s side and casually took her cool hand, warming it in his own. "They were so relieved to hear you were safe. Yan Lie wanted to come back with me immediately, but Xin Feng held him back."

His eyes twinkled as he continued, "They managed to get a few high-quality Water-Repelling Pearls from the Merfolk! With these, their chances of crossing the ocean are much higher. If I’m calculating correctly, they should be here soon."

"That’s wonderful!" Bai Wanwan’s eyes filled with joy, and the weight on her heart was finally lifted.

However, Hua Han, who had been standing to the side, felt his expression falter the moment he heard that "all her Beast Husbands were coming."

’It’s over...’ he thought. ’Wanwan’s Beast Husbands are all coming... Do I even have a chance anymore?’

Just then, the ever-silent Jiao Yin took a step forward. His tall frame looked somewhat solitary in the flickering light of the hearth.

He looked at Bai Wanwan, complex emotions churning in the depths of his sea-blue eyes before they finally settled into the calm of the abyssal ocean.

"Wanwan," he said, his voice low and steady. "Since your Beast Husbands are arriving, I am no longer needed here. My people are waiting for me. It’s time for me to go back."

The smile on Bai Wanwan’s face slowly faded. "Can’t you wait a little longer? When spring comes and the ice melts, my Beast Husbands and I can go with you and help."

She could never forget the debt she owed him for saving her from Roger, nor could she forget his silent yet steadfast protection during this time.

Jiao Yin’s gaze slowly drifted down to her gently rounded stomach, hidden beneath the thick beast hides. His expression softened immensely, but it was tinged with an unshakeable resolve.

He gently shook his head, the gesture full of a tender reverence. "You need to rest. You can’t afford to be rushing about and overexerting yourself. The fate of the Merfolk is my responsibility."

He paused, his tone filled with the confidence of a king of the deep sea. "Don’t worry. I have allies in other waters, and some of my loyal followers are scattered but waiting. Once I return, I will rally my forces. I will take back what is mine."

At this, Yin Ze’s eyes flashed, and he suddenly asked, "Jiao Yin, do you know a Merfolk named Jiao Ming?"

The air around Jiao Yin instantly grew frigid, like the deep sea flash-freezing. A bone-chilling, murderous intent flashed in his eyes. "He is the one who betrayed us and colluded with the Crocodylus porosus Clan."

"Perfect, then. Your timing for going back couldn’t be better."

He looked at Jiao Yin and slowly revealed the crucial information. "While searching for Wanwan a while back, Zhu Xiu and Xin Feng ran into Jiao Ming and his core Merfolk troops. In the fierce battle that followed, Jiao Ming was seriously wounded by Zhu Xiu. Several of his top commanders had their tails torn to shreds by Xin Feng. Their forces are crippled and scattered. They’re holed up in their lair licking their wounds right now. If you go back and rally your old followers, the timing will be perfect!"

Jiao Yin’s pupils constricted. The news was like a lighthouse in the darkness, instantly illuminating the path for his return!

He looked at Yin Ze, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude. "Thank you! This information is vital to me."

He turned back to Bai Wanwan, his gaze now holding a myriad of unspoken emotions: gratitude, reluctance, blessings, and an affection buried so deep it was fated to remain unspoken.

A thousand words welled up in his throat, but in the end, they all condensed into a single, heartfelt plea: "Wanwan... take care."

Bai Wanwan saw the complex emotions swirling in his eyes and could only offer an equally sincere response. "You too, Jiao Yin. You have to stay safe! Remember, you saved me, and you took care of me. It’s a debt my Beast Husbands and I will never forget! If... if you run into any trouble you can’t handle, you must come and find us! My Beast Husbands will do everything in their power to help!"