Chapter 470 - 467: Successfully Entering the Flood Dragon Tribe

Chapter 470: Chapter 467: Successfully Entering the Flood Dragon Tribe

Shuang Hua shook her head with a gentle smile. "No, not at all! At my home... it’s just me."

She paused, her voice dropping slightly. "I don’t have a Beast Husband."

"No Beast Husband?" Bai Wanwan was genuinely surprised this time and couldn’t stop herself from blurting it out.

’Shuang Hua must be quite a bit older than me, but she’s mature and beautiful, with an exceptional air about her. Her status in the Flood Dragon Clan is clearly not low, so how could she possibly not have a Beast Husband?’

’It just doesn’t make any sense!’

A torrent of questions flooded her mind, but Bai Wanwan knew this wasn’t the right time to ask.

An understanding and appropriately apologetic expression appeared on her face. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have pried. In that case... I’m afraid we’ll be troubling you."

"It’s no trouble at all! Follow me!" Shuang Hua seemed to force herself into good spirits, as if shaking off the earlier gloom, and enthusiastically led the way.

Bai Wanwan exchanged a knowing glance with her Beast Husbands.

Zhu Xiu’s massive body glided silently behind the group, his cold, vertical pupils vigilantly scanning their surroundings.

Following Shuang Hua, they finally stepped into the territory of the mysterious and powerful Flood Dragon Tribe in their human forms.

At the entrance to the tribe stood a massive archway that seemed to be crafted from the bones of some prehistoric behemoth. It cast a long shadow in the setting sun. The salty tang of the sea mixed with the unique aura of some powerful creature, a silent testament to the ancient race’s profound history and power.

The tribe wasn’t built on a plain or at the foot of a mountain, but was cleverly integrated into an ancient and lush forest of giant trees.

The enormous trees had been carefully modified, their thick branches supporting treehouses of a peculiar style.

These were not simple wooden structures. Many of the exterior walls were covered with natural moss or vines that emitted a faint fluorescent glow. The roofs were cleverly layered with wide leaves, providing shelter from the elements while giving off an ethereal, elven-like sense of harmony with nature.

Bai Wanwan gazed at the architecture of the Flood Dragon Tribe. ’It’s surprisingly in line with my tastes. I’ll just treat this as a vacation!’

She had been worrying about how to discreetly enter the Flood Dragon Tribe to investigate. Shuang Hua’s invitation was a godsend.

Staying with her under the pretext of repaying a favor allowed them to avoid the attention they would attract by searching for lodging, and it also gave them a chance to interact with tribe members up close.

They hadn’t been walking long on a path paved with glowing pebbles when they ran into a group of brightly dressed Beastmen.

The female leading them was particularly eye-catching.

She looked young, perhaps just having reached adulthood. She wore a magnificent Jue Sha Long Skirt that shimmered as if adorned with deep-sea pearls and colorful scales, and her features were lovely.

Behind her followed several males with powerful auras.

When the young female’s clear eyes swept over Shuang Hua, they revealed undisguised disgust and contempt. "What are you doing blocking my way? Get out of the way!"

Shuang Hua seemed accustomed to this treatment. She pressed her lips together without responding, merely stepping aside to let them pass.

But Bai Wanwan reached out to stop her. Before she could speak, Shuang Hua shook her head, silently warning her not to start a conflict.

The young female was relentless, however. Her gaze landed on Bai Wanwan and the powerful, distinctive-looking Beast Husbands behind her. "Are these the Beastmen you brought back?"

Shuang Hua affirmed, "Yes. They are my honored guests."

The young female scoffed. Her eyes went past Shuang Hua, who was standing in front of Bai Wanwan, and fixed on her. "Just a friendly piece of advice: stay away from her! She’s not a good female. All she does is act pitiful to trick people. Be careful, or she’ll swindle you out of everything you own!"

Bai Wanwan’s gentle smile never wavered, but her eyes were as calm as still water. She gave a slight nod, her voice clear and steady. "Thank you for your ’kind’ advice. However, I have a mind of my own and am not easily fooled."

Her tone carried an undeniable confidence.

Rebuffed by this firm but polite reply, the young female grew annoyed. "Hmph! Don’t listen to me then. You’ll deserve it when you get cheated!"

Her eyes swept fleetingly over the powerful and handsome Beast Husbands behind Bai Wanwan before she finally turned and left with her male companions.

Once the group of Beastmen was gone, Shuang Hua let out a soft sigh, a persistent gloom and weariness clouding her features.

Bai Wanwan keenly sensed her dispirited mood. ’This is the perfect chance to get some information out of her.’

"Aunt Shuang," Bai Wanwan said, her tone a perfect blend of confusion and concern, "That female just now... she seems to be of high status? The way she treats you seems..." She appeared to be choosing her words carefully.

Shuang Hua gave a bitter smile and lowered her voice. "Yes, she’s the Clan Leader’s only female cub, Coral. She’s been spoiled since she was little, so she’s a bit arrogant. She’s not usually so bad to the other Beastmen in the tribe. It’s just because of my status..."

She trailed off, clearly unwilling to elaborate on the specific reasons for Coral’s hostility. "Don’t take it to heart, and don’t be afraid of her."

Bai Wanwan wanted to press the issue, but Shuang Hua was clearly resistant. She quickly changed the subject, forcing some cheer into her voice as she pointed to a rather plain-looking treehouse in a slightly more remote spot. "Look, we’re home. It’s not a big place, but once we get it tidied up, you all can get some proper rest."

Shuang Hua’s home was indeed small. One could even call it spartan.

The rooms were clean and tidy but not spacious, and sparsely furnished.

Without hesitation, Shuang Hua offered the largest and best room to Bai Wanwan and the cubs. "You all can stay here. It’s more spacious, so it’ll be easier for the cubs to move around."

As she spoke, she began to gather her things to move into the smaller adjacent room.

Bai Wanwan snapped out of her daze and quickly stopped her. "We can’t do that! Aunt Shuang, you taking us in is already a tremendous kindness. How could we let you give up your own room? We’ll be fine in another room."

The other rooms weren’t particularly spacious, but they could manage if they squeezed in a little.

"No, absolutely not," Shuang Hua said firmly, her gaze softening as she looked at the tiger cubs peering curiously from Xin Feng’s arms. "You just gave birth not long ago, and the cubs are so little. It may seem warm outside, but at night, the sea breeze makes these treehouses quite chilly. This room is warmer and more sheltered from the wind, so you won’t develop any lasting health problems. I’m an old bag of bones; it doesn’t matter where I sleep."

"Really, there’s no need. I don’t mind the cold..."

But no matter what Bai Wanwan said, Shuang Hua wouldn’t change her mind. In a few swift movements, she packed her belongings and moved them out.

Shuang Hua then turned to rummage through her things, pulling out several folded animal pelts. "Here... you can use these for bedding. They’ll also keep you warmer at night."

However, the pelts were clearly old. The fur was dull, and the edges of a few were even worn and frayed. They weren’t in good condition at all.

Shuang Hua looked at the pelts she’d brought out, and a flicker of embarrassment crossed her face. She seemed to feel they were too shabby and immediately turned to Xin Feng. "You’re Xin Feng, right? Come with me. I have two more that are bigger and thicker..."

’Those two are probably the best she has, saved at the bottom of her chest.’

Xin Feng didn’t move, merely looking to Bai Wanwan for direction.

Bai Wanwan understood then. The living situation of this Holy Female was even more difficult than she had imagined.