Chapter 571 - 568: The Furious Zhu Xiu

Chapter 571: Chapter 568: The Furious Zhu Xiu

The rebuilding of the tribe proceeded, difficult yet orderly.

The ruins were cleared away and simple shelters were built. Thanks to Bai Wanwan’s magical Potions, the injured tribe members recovered with each passing day.

The Leopard Clan Beastmen were grateful for her kindness. Every time they hunted fresh, tender meat or sweet fruits—especially the kind females might like—they would respectfully bring them to her first thing.

For seven or eight days straight, everything was peaceful around the tribe. There were no more attacks from controlled Beastmen, which allowed everyone to breathe a small sigh of relief, their frayed nerves finally getting a moment’s rest.

Bai Wanwan didn’t stay in the tribe the whole time, either. She needed to wait there until after she gave birth to exchange for the Potion that would free the others from their control.

She had already checked with the System. This type of control was different from the Dark Curse; a diluted version of the Potion would be enough to break it.

She wouldn’t need to spend a huge number of Points to buy large quantities of it.

That was a great relief to her.

Every day or two, she would go out hunting with several of her Beast Husbands. This both replenished the tribe’s dwindling food supply and allowed them to patrol the surrounding area for potential threats.

Sunlight dappled through the dense forest canopy. Yin Ze had transformed into his Phoenix form, letting Bai Wanwan sit sidesaddle on his comfortable, broad back as they conducted a low-altitude reconnaissance flight.

Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng, and Hua Han—whose condition was relatively stable—were spread out in the forest below, hunting while also scouting a wider area for any signs of activity.

Yin Ze carried Bai Wanwan through the air, the wind whistling past her ears.

After flying for a while, Bai Wanwan’s sharp gaze suddenly caught sight of intense energy fluctuations and the sounds of a fight coming from a clearing below.

She took a closer look—it was Zhu Xiu!

He was in his beast form, his Snake Tail striking wildly as he attacked a male of the Leopard Clan!

The male Leopard was already covered in wounds, a wretched sight, and looked like he was about to collapse.

’Has another controlled tribesman appeared?’ This was Bai Wanwan’s first thought.

She immediately patted Yin Ze’s neck and said urgently, "Yin Ze, get down there, quick! It looks like Zhu Xiu is in trouble! That Leopard Beastman might be under control again!"

Yin Ze did as she said, rapidly descending.

Upon landing, he shifted back into his human form.

Bai Wanwan strode toward Zhu Xiu. "Zhu Xiu, did you find another..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Yin Ze sensed something was wrong. The King Cobra’s aura, though very similar to Zhu Xiu’s, carried a much more savage and sinister feeling!

"Wanwan, wait! The aura is wrong..." Yin Ze hurriedly called out, trying to stop Bai Wanwan from approaching recklessly.

At the same time, Bai Wanwan also realized something was amiss. Her voice died in her throat as she saw the King Cobra turn its head.

The attacking King Cobra heard her voice and whipped its menacing head around.

A pair of vertical pupils, blood-red and filled with cruelty and mockery, instantly locked onto her!

Although both were intimidating King Cobra forms, Bai Wanwan knew Zhu Xiu too well.

Whether it was the evil aura emanating from its eyes or the brighter, yet ominous, ringed patterns on its scales, everything about this snake screamed one thing to her: this was not her Zhu Xiu!

A chill shot up her spine in an instant!

"Wanwan, get back!" Yin Ze’s warning rang out as he flashed in front of Bai Wanwan to shield her.

But it was too late.

The strange King Cobra seemed to have lost interest in the heavily injured Leopard Beastman. Its forked, crimson tongue flickered in and out with a "HISS HISS," its eyes fixed on Bai Wanwan as if it had discovered an amusing and alluring new prey.

Its massive body suddenly spun around. Abandoning its original target, it shot toward Bai Wanwan like a bolt of lightning, trailing a foul stench.

Bai Wanwan’s heart hammered in her chest, but her reflexes were sharp. She immediately used the cover of the trees to retreat quickly.

With a low snarl, Yin Ze transformed into a golden-red blur as Bai Wanwan retreated. His talons, gleaming with a cold light, shot toward the vital spot of the lunging King Cobra.

The strike was precise and vicious, intended to force the opponent back and buy Bai Wanwan time to escape.

However, this King Cobra was clearly no ordinary opponent.

A flash of contempt crossed its crimson vertical pupils. Its massive body twisted with incredible flexibility, narrowly dodging Yin Ze’s fatal blow. The screech of its hard scales scraping against his Phoenix Claws sent a shower of sparks into the air.

At the same time, its thick Snake Tail whipped around like a steel lash, whistling through the air as it struck viciously at Yin Ze’s waist and abdomen.

"Yin Ze, look out!" Bai Wanwan cried out in alarm, her heart leaping into her throat.

"Wanwan, don’t be afraid. It can’t hurt me."

If he were still an Orange Rank male, he might not be a match for this King Cobra. But he was already a Red Rank male.

Yin Ze remained calm in the face of danger, easily dodging the heavy blow.

The Snake Tail slammed into a tree trunk, snapping a massive tree clean in half and sending splinters flying everywhere!

Missing its strike, the King Cobra seemed enraged. It ignored Yin Ze, its crimson pupils locking onto Bai Wanwan. Its massive body shot out again like a phantom, moving so fast it left afterimages in its wake.

It opened its giant maw. A cold, green light glinted on its fangs, and a foul, chilling gust of wind washed over her.

Yin Ze immediately moved to help, but the King Cobra deliberately blocked him with its body.

Bai Wanwan gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay calm.

She knew she was nowhere near as fast as it; she couldn’t just run away.

’Yin Ze might be able to fight it to a standstill, but with a burden like me slowing him down, the outcome is uncertain.’

She was just about to redeem a Potion from her System Space to force it back.

"HISS!"

A colder, more murderous hiss, as if from the Nine Netherworld Hell, suddenly rang out!

A huge black shadow shot out from the dense woods to the side, moving even faster than the strange King Cobra. Like a bolt of black lightning, it slammed with perfect precision into the other snake’s body.

It was Zhu Xiu!

He had obviously sensed the abnormal energy fluctuations and the sounds of fighting and rushed back just in time!

The two giant King Cobras slammed into each other with a heavy, sickening thud!

Scales shattered and blood splattered!

They coiled around each other, tearing and biting in the most primitive, bloody form of combat.

The surrounding trees were devastated, easily snapped by their massive, thrashing bodies. The ground itself was torn into deep furrows.

Zhu Xiu’s eyes burned with a towering rage and a cold, almost annihilating killing intent.

’He hadn’t gone looking for them, yet they dared to come here and threaten the one person he treasured above all else!’

Yin Ze quickly returned to Bai Wanwan’s side, shielding her protectively. "Wanwan, don’t worry. It’s no match for Zhu Xiu."

Bai Wanwan watched the brutal and terrifying battle before her, her palms slick with cold sweat.