The Beast's Beloved: Sickly Beauty with Many Children and blessings

Yi Mei's face changed. She grabbed Si Shuo's hand, her lips trembling as she said in panic, "Si Shuo, the stray beasts are coming! Let's go hide in the cave behind the mountain!"

Outside, the orcs were rushing back to the mountain in a panic, carrying bundles of animal skins and crystals. Little orcs who were knocked down quickly got up, wiped their tears, and kept running.

Si Shuo pressed her lips together and pulled Yi Mei downstairs swiftly. The males from both their families were nowhere to be found.

But once they left the cave, Si Shuo stopped. Instead of heading to the back mountain with Yi Mei, she turned and sprinted toward the ravine through another path.

As soon as she entered, a familiar, excited voice rang out, "I saw Si Shuo! She went that way!"

Si Shuo narrowed her eyes and quickly pushed Yi Mei toward the spot where she often practiced her plant powers.

Covering Yi Mei's eyes with one hand, she used her other hand to summon her powers, forcing them to the limit. Thorny vines with blooming flowers surged to life, brimming with vitality.

She whispered urgently, "Yi Mei, don't make a sound. I'll draw them away. Don't worry about me—I'll be fine!"

Tears streamed down Yi Mei's face as she reached out to grab her.

Si Shuo gently pushed her away and smiled. "As long as more of us can escape… live well for me, okay?"

Taking a deep breath, she clenched her teeth and rushed out of the ravine.

Her heart pounded with fear. She had nine lives—but did that mean those lives didn't hurt? Didn't they count as real?

"System, if I lose a life, what will happen to Zhile?"

System: "Zhile's beast mark will disappear. But don't worry, host. As long as you don't forcibly remove his mark, he won't lose half his life or his cultivation. However… if he wants to become your partner again, he must sacrifice another 10% of his life. Orcs with special powers live long, though. A few sacrifices won't stop you two from growing old together."

Si Shuo froze for a moment. So if she died… her bond with Zhile would end!

She sprinted toward the Shenmu River, where the current was said to be swift and teeming with carnivorous fish that devoured orcs and beasts alike.

It wasn't that she didn't want to go to the back mountain—it was that something felt off about this stray beast attack on the Rooney Tribe.

And Ma Hui's loud shout, revealing her location, confirmed her suspicions.

She never expected Ma Hui and her cronies to go so far as to collude with stray beasts—endangering the entire tribe—just to capture her!

Or perhaps… the stray beasts had always been ready, and some cowards within the tribe chose to sell her out to save their own lives.

If she ran to the back mountain, she'd only become an easy target. In the face of death, the tribe would surely push her out—offering her as a sacrifice to the stray beasts' cruelty.

The tribe's guards fought desperately to fend off the intruders. But these stray orcs—hardened by life-or-death struggles—were cunning and skilled. Several had already infiltrated the tribe.

"Catch her! Si Shuo's over there!" Ma Hui screamed, pointing straight at her. "She's the reason the Rooney Tribe is being targeted! That cursed mutated cat—she's a bringer of disaster!"

Si Shuo's lips curled into a cold smile. Without hesitation, she sprinted straight for Ma Hui.

A single male orc stood beside Ma Hui, his expression mocking and smug, clearly underestimating her.

Si Shuo's eyes burned with fury. "You scum! The Beast God will curse you!"

Ma Hui sneered, arrogance dripping from every word. "You think I care? Every year, stray beasts demand sacrifices. Females who can't bear cubs—like you—are perfect offerings. Why should we die when we can use you to appease them?"

Si Shuo's voice was low, sharp, and cold. "Do you know you'll die for this?"

Ma Hui laughed, "What's that got to do with me? Sacrificing you to save the rest is the obvious choice. Don't blame me—blame your bad luck. Born a mutated cat… and worse, too beautiful for your own good."

Si Shuo's eyes flashed with a dangerous light. "Since you know the price… I won't hold back!"

Ma Hui froze, suddenly taken aback. "You're not… stuttering?"

Before she could react further, Si Shuo struck—plunging a syringe of venom straight into Ma Hui's mouth.

The male beside her lunged to grab Si Shuo's wrist, but with a swift twist, Si Shuo drove the needle into his arm and pushed the plunger.

Screams erupted. The venom burned through their veins, twisting their bodies in agony. Pain overtook them, unstoppable and savage.

Si Shuo's voice was cold and resolute. "Even if I die… I'll drag you both to hell with me."

Her eyes then met Yu Jiao's, who stood frozen, watching.

Yu Jiao's body trembled, but she suddenly shouted up at an eagle beast hovering above, "Quick—take my sister! Get her far, far away from here!"

Si Shuo's heart boiled with rage. Still acting? Even now?

Before the eagle beastman could respond, another crowned eagle orc—wild and unfamiliar—swooped down with a shriek. His claws clamped tightly around Si Shuo's wrists, rendering her helpless.

And just like that—

Si Shuo was lifted into the sky!

Yu Jiao's voice rang out, falsely drenched in worry, "Si Shuo! Hold on! Zhile will come for you—just hang in there!"

Through the biting wind, Si Shuo's voice cut back, fierce and venomous: "Yu Jiao, wait for me. I swear—I'll drag you to meet the Beast God myself!"

The wind tore her words away as her body soared higher. Cold air sliced at her skin. Her hair whipped wildly around her face. She couldn't open her eyes. Her wrists throbbed—crushed painfully in the eagle orc's talons.

The Rooney Tribe, the vast Dongye Forest, and even the towering Tairu Mountains shrank into the distance. A sharp panic clawed at her chest.

"Put me down!" she screamed into the freezing wind, her voice scattering into nothing.

But the crowned eagle orc only flew faster.

Si Shuo squeezed her eyes shut. She forced herself to think. Eagle orcs—despite their form—couldn't escape the instincts of their bird heritage. Flying consumed enormous energy. Without stored fat, they couldn't sustain long flights. They weren't migratory—meaning they lacked stamina and strategy.

She went still. She needed to save her strength—wait for his exhaustion, his landing—for the moment he'd hunt or rest. Then, she'd strike.

Meanwhile—

The hunting party in the Dongye Forest began returning. Blood stained Zhile's body from the fierce battle with a long-haired golden tiger. His breath was heavy, his aura deadly, and his eyes shone with triumph.

A perfect hunt. The tiger's hide was mostly intact—perfect to craft warm bedding and clothes for his precious little female. With this, they'd survive the harsh winter ahead.

He snapped off a few sharp canines, wiped them clean, and tucked them into his storage space.

But—

Suddenly, his body stiffened. His expression changed drastically. His gaze whipped toward the direction of the Rooney Tribe. Without a word—

—He transformed.

The mighty form of a snow leopard burst forward, a flash of white tearing through the forest. His paws struck the earth—blurring into an afterimage as he sped back.

At the same time, far away—

Ji Liang, having just reached another tribe, froze. His head snapped toward the same direction—as if he sensed something.

His voice was cold, urgent. "Hire a white-fronted goose orc—long-distance fliers. We ride back. Now."