Chapter 480 - 477: Strange Behavior

Chapter 480: Chapter 477: Strange Behavior

She impassively averted her gaze, pretending to be captivated by the seashells hanging on a nearby treehouse.

After Lan Yi and her mother were a safe distance away, she lowered her voice and said to Zhu Xiu at her side, "Zhu Xiu, I think Lan Yi is the root of the problem. She’s definitely hiding something! You don’t need to guard me for a while. Help me tail her. Especially... when she’s alone or goes somewhere secluded. See what she’s up to and who she’s meeting."

’If we want to solve this mystery quickly, Lan Yi has to be our only lead.’

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiu’s vertical pupils. "Alright, I’ll watch her. Wherever you go, make sure Jin Yi and Yin Ze are with you."

Even after telling her this, Zhu Xiu was still worried.

Seeing Lan Yi about to disappear in the distance, he turned to give Jin Yi and Yan Lie another round of careful instructions.

"Don’t worry, we’ll watch over Wanwan."

Haunted by what had happened before, Zhu Xiu still wasn’t completely at ease, even with two Red Rank Males by Wanwan’s side.

But if they wanted to leave as soon as possible, they really did have to start with Lan Yi.

"I’ll be back as soon as I can. Until then, don’t wander off. If anything happens, have them come find me."

"Okay, don’t worry. If there’s real danger, I can reveal my identity. As long as we’re with the Flood Dragon Clan, I won’t be in any great danger."

Based on the current situation, she was perhaps the only one who could save this Life Tree.

Once her identity was revealed, the Beastmen of the Flood Dragon Clan would have every reason to ensure no harm came to her.

Only then did Zhu Xiu leave, relieved.

Bai Wanwan continued to stroll through the tribe with Yan Lie and Jin Yi, admiring the unique treehouse architecture and the sunset over the sea.

However, as they walked, Bai Wanwan’s keen intuition kicked in again.

She felt a gaze, like a tangible line of ice, faintly locking onto her.

She nonchalantly glanced behind her out of the corner of her eye.

Sure enough, beside a massive, glowing ancient tree not far away, Jinying’s tall and slender figure stood quietly.

His long hair fluttered gently in the evening breeze, his eyes fixed on her, cutting through the crowd and the twilight.

’His gaze is still deep and cold, but compared to that brief glimpse outside the forbidden area today, it now holds an extra, indescribable trace of... focus and inquiry?’

Bai Wanwan’s heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained calm.

’I know this powerful Red Rank Male has most likely recognized me by my scent.’

She didn’t panic. Pretending not to have noticed, she continued to chat and laugh with Yan Lie and the others, walking toward the Shuang Hua Tree House.

Strangely, Jinying didn’t approach to talk, nor did he leave. He simply maintained a certain distance, following them—not too close, not too far.

His handsome, almost demonic face was expressionless, as if he were just taking a walk, but Bai Wanwan could clearly feel his gaze following her like a shadow.

It wasn’t until they were about to reach the Shuang Hua Tree House that the presence that had been following them finally vanished.

She looked back but didn’t see the figure, shaking her head in confusion. "Strange..."

Jinying stood in the shadow of a giant tree, a rare trace of bewilderment flashing through his eyes.

’What... was I just doing?’

’I actually have no idea why I was following that female named Bai Wanwan.’

’It was as if some invisible force was pulling me, making me move my feet without thinking and follow her all the way back to her residence.’

Only when the chilly night wind blew across his cheeks did he suddenly snap out of it!

A strong sense of absurdity and alarm welled up in his heart.

He quickly composed himself, forcibly suppressing the strange impulse. Without hesitation, he turned, his figure melting into the night as he swiftly disappeared in the opposite direction.

Back at his temporary lodging, he tried to sort out these abnormal emotions, but he only felt restless. It was as if a scorching hot stone had been tossed into the frozen lake of his heart, sending ripples that refused to subside.

’But I know these feelings are too abnormal, as if they appeared out of nowhere.’

「The next morning」

As the first ray of sunlight filtered through the leaves and into the Shuang Hua Tree House, a low cry of shocked disbelief came from within.

"Huh? This stuff... where did it come from?"

On the slightly worn wooden table in the treehouse’s living room, a pile of things had appeared out of thin air!

They glowed with a pearlescent light, making the simple room seem a bit brighter:

A few Deep Sea Pearls, the size of longans, perfectly round, and emitting a soft, moon-white halo—clearly priceless treasures that were a once-in-a-millennium find.

A palm-sized, fiery-red Crystal Stone that looked like solidified flame, containing surging and pure Fire Element Energy, warm to the touch.

A mysterious Beast Bone, entirely pitch-black but with faint golden runes flowing across its surface, exuding an ancient, weathered aura.

And a few strange herbs sealed in transparent Ice Crystals, their leaves like jade, giving off a refreshing fragrance.

There was even a silver ring of simple, ancient design, engraved with strange star patterns.

The Beast Husbands gathered around the table, their brows furrowed.

They had never seen or even heard of the items on the table.

But it wasn’t hard to see that each and every item was priceless.

’How could they have appeared here out of thin air?’

Even the two Red Rank Males in the house hadn’t noticed anything.

Bai Wanwan, who had just woken up, didn’t know what had happened yet. She came closer, only then seeing the pile of items radiating a treasure-like glow.

"What’s going on?"

"Last night, a Beastman was here, but none of us noticed. These... they must have been left by him intentionally."

’Who would silently deliver such precious things here in the middle of the night?’

Bai Wanwan’s gaze swept over the pile of items on the table. She frowned and said, "Pack them up for now."

Against someone who could do this right under their noses, they had no choice but to deal with problems as they arose.

Bai Wanwan had thought they would have to spend the next few days treading carefully, but while everyone was still feeling shocked and uncertain, a cold figure appeared at the door like a phantom.

It was Jinying.

He was still in his dark gray leather armor, his hair tied back, his handsome face as expressionless as a perfect block of ice.

But upon closer inspection, a hint of extremely rare... embarrassment churned deep within his eyes.

The base of his pale ears was now tinged with a faint, clearly visible red that was completely at odds with his temperament.

Jinying’s gaze swept over the pile of familiar "treasures" on the table, and his Adam’s apple bobbed almost imperceptibly.

He did his best to maintain a calm tone, but his voice was a few degrees deeper and hoarser than usual. "These things... are mine."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, the faint red at the base of his ears deepening. "Last night... I misplaced them. Sorry to bother you."

"Misplaced them here?" Hua Han raised an eyebrow, his beautiful, fox-like eyes filled with unconcealed suspicion and a mischievous smile. "That’s a rather creative excuse, Jinying."

’That excuse is full of holes!’

’Who "misplaces" such valuable items on someone else’s living room table?’