Chapter 565 - 562: Critical Situation

Chapter 565: Chapter 562: Critical Situation

The moment the beast hide was spread out, Bai Wanwan lay down and immediately fell into a deep sleep. She was utterly exhausted.

However, it wasn’t Xin Feng who woke her.

Sometime in the latter half of the night, she felt an intense, focused gaze on her face. She woke with a start and shot upright!

Hua Han, who was sitting beside her and staring at her without blinking, was startled by her sudden movement. "What’s wrong, Wanwan?" he asked instinctively.

His eyes were clear and his tone was laced with concern. He was obviously lucid.

Bai Wanwan relaxed when she saw it was him and quickly explained, "You’re awake? We’re not at the small tribe anymore. Yan Lie’s tribe was attacked, and the attackers are likely the same people who controlled you. Their methods are brutal, and the Leopard Clan has suffered heavy losses. We’re rushing to the Leopard Clan’s territory now to save his family."

Upon hearing this, the relaxed expression on Hua Han’s face vanished, replaced by a grave one. "Has the situation really gotten that serious? Even large tribes are being attacked?"

Then, a thought struck him, and his face paled. "Then... what about our Fox Clan?" He began to worry about his own family.

Bai Wanwan squeezed his hand. "They might not have all been attacked. Don’t assume the worst. If you’re worried, I’ll go back with you to check on them after we’ve dealt with things in the Leopard Clan."

A look of gratitude filled Hua Han’s eyes, quickly followed by frustration. "Wanwan, you shouldn’t have brought me. The way I am now, in and out of control, I’m just a burden! I’ll only cause trouble for you all. What if I’m controlled again at a critical moment? I could end up hurting you!"

"Don’t be ridiculous!" Bai Wanwan cut him off, reaching out to grasp his clenched fist. "By that logic, I’m pregnant, my mobility is limited, and I need protection. Wouldn’t that make me a burden, too? But being together, looking out for each other, and staying united is what will keep us safe!"

And she didn’t dare take that risk again.

She had already lost him once. During the time she had spent searching for him, she couldn’t stop her mind from jumping to the worst possible conclusions.

So no matter what, she had to keep him where she could see him.

Even knowing he could turn into a ticking time bomb at any moment, she had to keep an eye on him and be ready to react.

Their movements alerted the males keeping watch outside.

Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng, and Yan Lie all strode inside.

Seeing them, Hua Han took a deep breath as if he had made a decision. He turned to Zhu Xiu, his tone exceptionally grave. "Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng, if... if I’m controlled again, if I lose my mind and do anything that might threaten Wanwan or anyone else... don’t hesitate. Knock me out immediately! If you have to... you can even leave me behind! I don’t want to be the one to drag you all down!"

Zhu Xiu stared at him with his dark gold snake-like eyes and, without a moment’s hesitation, agreed. "Alright."

Xin Feng also nodded, a complicated look in his eyes.

With the crisis upon them, now was not the time to question why Hua Han had suddenly become lucid.

Bai Wanwan knew they couldn’t delay any longer. She rose swiftly and stored the beast hide in her System Space.

"Let’s go. We can talk on the way."

The group set off once more, pushing their exhaustion deep down as they sprinted at full speed toward the Leopard Clan’s territory.

This time, they traveled almost day and night, stopping for only the briefest of rests when utterly exhausted.

After two more days of relentless travel, the faint smell of blood and smoke began to permeate the air.

They were finally nearing the Leopard Clan’s territory.

Yin Ze hadn’t returned the entire way, and Bai Wanwan couldn’t help but worry. But then, she spotted him.

The tribe’s former settlement was in ruins. Stone houses had collapsed and ash filled the air.

And amidst the ruins, the battle raged on.

A dozen or so agile Snow Leopards darted about, their opponents another group of Snow Leopards with clouded eyes but exceptionally vicious movements.

The controlled Snow Leopards were clearly very powerful. Even with Yin Ze’s help from the air, the Leopard Clan hadn’t gained much of an advantage.

Without any hesitation, Yan Lie charged toward the battlefield.

But just as he was about to join the fray, he suddenly veered off, sprinting in another direction.

"Father Beast!" Yan Lie’s eyes instantly turned red. With a roar, he was the first to shoot forward like an arrow released from a bow!

Seeing the chaotic battle raging everywhere, Bai Wanwan turned to Zhu Xiu. "Zhu Xiu, you go help them."

"No. I have to ensure your safety."

"Xin Feng is watching over me, and I have ways to protect myself. Go help them. We need to end this quickly."

Zhu Xiu still refused to move.

He would act if Wanwan’s safety could be guaranteed.

But nothing was more important than Wanwan’s safety.

Just as they reached an impasse, Hua Han’s voice rang out again. "I’ve suppressed that power. I can hold on for a while. You go help them first. Xin Feng and I will watch over Wanwan. We won’t let anything happen to her."

Seeing that Hua Han was lucid, Xin Feng’s gaze quickly locked onto a stone house. "Hua Han and I will take Wanwan over there to take cover. You go help them. If something happens, I’ll call you."

Zhu Xiu frowned, but Bai Wanwan spoke up again. "Zhu Xiu, I’ll be fine, really. We’ll only be truly safe once we resolve the situation here quickly."

Perhaps her last sentence worked. Zhu Xiu finally relented. "Alright. I’ll be quick."

In the next instant, Zhu Xiu became a black shadow. With a flick of his Snake Tail, he lunged ferociously toward another beastman who was attacking the old and weak of the Leopard Clan.

Xin Feng immediately pulled Bai Wanwan behind him and said to Hua Han, "Let’s go. Over there."

Hua Han was a little weak, but he remained vigilant, his eyes scanning their surroundings.

When he saw a Snow Leopard charge over and try to bite Bai Wanwan, he unleashed his Charm Talent, causing the attacker to freeze on the spot, forgetting what it was about to do.

Above the ruins, dust and smoke swirled, the pungent stench of blood and burning filling the air.

Yan Lie’s roar was like a clap of thunder. He transformed into a flash of snowy lightning, lunging straight for the beastmen besieging his family!

The enraged Red Rank Male unleashed his full power. His claws whistled through the air, about to tear out an enemy’s throat!

"Wait, Yan Lie! Don’t kill them!"

Yan Lie had to pull back, changing his attack to a powerful slap.

An Orange Rank male was powerless before a Red Rank Male. Repeating the same move, Yan Lie took only a few moments to knock away all the beastmen surrounding his Father Beast.

"Father Beast, how are you?"

Yan Lie’s Father Beast looked listless, his entire coat of fur soaked in blood.

Its original color was almost impossible to make out.

With the besieging enemies repelled, it was as if all his strength had been drained. He staggered and collapsed to the ground.

"Father Beast!"

Yan Shan shook his head, panting as he ordered, "Don’t worry. I’m fine, just need to rest. Go help the other clan members! Go, quickly!"

Yan Lie looked up and, just as his father had said, saw two clan members not far away about to be disemboweled by sharp claws.

He roared and launched himself into the air.