novelbest Chapter 271: They’re Here
Chapter 271: They’re Here
In the darkness, a pair of light brown eyes gazed at the tribe, faintly illuminated by the moonlight.
The dilapidated walls and the cold, lonely gate gave off an air of desolation.
"Clan Leader, this is the place."
The beastman in the lead nodded. "You few, go in first and see what the situation is."
"Yes."
A squad of strong, sturdy beastmen strode forward from behind them. Just as they were about to enter, two male Deer Beasts emerged warily from within the tribe.
"Who are you people? What are you doing here?"
The beastman in the lead was somewhat surprised. ’Weren’t we told the Black Panther Tribe had no adult males left?’
Soon, they smelled the scent of the Exile Flower on the two male Deer Beasts.
"Two Wandering Beasts? This tribe isn’t your territory. What business is it of yours why we’re here?"
"The Clan Leader told us to guard the main gate. If you don’t state your intentions, we won’t let you in."
Despite their words, the two male Deer Beasts felt uneasy. They were severely outnumbered.
"Hurry and inform the Clan Leader about the situation. I’ll figure out a way to hold them off," one of the male Deer Beasts whispered to his companion.
"Okay."
Qiao Xixi was in the middle of telling her mates about her future plans for the tribe when Sunxiao abruptly stood up. Jin Ling and the others fell silent, their eyes turning to the doorway.
The anxious Deer Beast came running, but the moment he reached the doorway, he was met with several pairs of oppressive eyes and froze in shock.
Qiao Xixi cleared her throat, shattering the powerful aura coming from her mates. "What’s wrong? Did something happen in the tribe?"
The male Deer Beast snapped back to his senses and nodded. "Yes, Clan Leader. A large group of beastmen just arrived outside the tribe. We don’t know why they’re here."
At his words, Jin Ling and the others all shot up from their chairs.
The beastmen of the Black Panther Tribe had left, but that didn’t mean others wouldn’t covet this place. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many Wandering Beasts in the tribe.
Sangze crossed his arms, leaned casually against the doorframe, and sneered, "Perfect. I can blow off some steam tonight."
Sunxiao’s expression remained cold and indifferent. He looked at Jin Ling. "You and Feiyan stay here to protect Xixi and the cubs."
Jin Ling nodded. "Okay."
But the male Deer Beast said, "There are a lot of them. It’s a massive, dark horde that stretches as far as the eye can see."
Sunxiao sneered and flicked his forked tongue. "The more, the better."
Qiao Xixi said worriedly, "Be careful. See what they’re here for."
Sunxiao nodded. "Yeah. Don’t wander off."
Sunxiao and Sangze left with the male Deer Beast.
Jin Ling sensed Qiao Xixi’s anxiety and comforted her softly, "Don’t worry. They can take care of themselves."
"Mm-hmm."
In the blink of an eye, Sangze transformed into a black mist and shot forward. As soon as he was outside the main gate, he saw the male Deer Beast on guard surrounded by several male fox beasts.
"Since when do a bunch of fox beasts have the nerve to cause trouble in the Black Panther Tribe?"
The male foxes only saw a black mist flash before their eyes. Before they could react, it struck again. When they finally came to their senses, a sharp claw was poised right in front of them.
The claw glinted coldly in the moonlight, radiating a boundless, deadly aura.
"Stop!"
A snow-white figure pounced, knocking Sangze aside.
Sangze glanced at the newcomer’s beast form, and his eyebrows twitched. "A snow fox?"
"You dare touch someone from the Silver Tribe? Die!"
"Clan Leader."
A cold, indifferent voice rang out in the darkness. Feili’s body stiffened, and he stared in astonishment at the slender figure emerging from the shadows.
"Sunxiao!?"
Sangze dropped his fighting stance, his gaze sweeping over the two of them in confusion.
Sunxiao walked up to Feili. "Clan Leader, what are you all doing here?"
Feili shifted back to his human form, his face a mask of delighted surprise. "Sunxiao, it’s really you!"
Sunxiao was just as shocked. He hadn’t expected it to be Feili and his people.
Based on the timeline Loren had given him, it should have been impossible for Feili and his tribe to arrive this soon.
"Yes. Why did you come here, Clan Leader?" Sunxiao’s gaze swept over the beastmen behind Feili—every single one was from the Silver Tribe.
Feili sighed. "It’s a long story. The hour is late... Could we have a place to stay for the night?"
Sunxiao nodded. "Is everyone from the Silver Tribe here?"
Feili nodded. "Yes, they are."
"A place has already been prepared for you. Follow me."
The two male Deer Beasts were surprised. They hadn’t expected these newcomers to know Sunxiao, so they stopped trying to block them and let them pass.
"Xixi suspected you might be coming, so she set aside an area today to house you all."
Sunxiao led Feili and his people to a denser cluster of stone houses. This had been the main residential area for the Black Panther Tribe’s beastmen, but it had been left vacant since they moved out.
As Feili walked, he tried to keep his emotions in check, but his eyes couldn’t hide his astonishment.
The Black Panther Tribe’s location and environment were both far superior to the Silver Tribe’s. He couldn’t understand why its beastmen would insist on leaving.
"It’s getting late. Clan Leader, settle your people first. We can talk tomorrow."
After traveling for so many days, everyone was completely exhausted.
"Right, right. I’ll get my people settled first. I’ll find you tomorrow."
Sunxiao nodded. He didn’t linger, but headed back toward the main gate with Sangze.
Sangze shrugged. "And here I thought I was going to get to stretch my legs tonight."
Sunxiao shot him a cold glance. "Come morning, there will be hundreds of mouths waiting for you to feed them. The beasts in the forest tonight should be enough activity for you."
The prey they’d caught last night was enough to feed themselves for a few days, but not with all the old, weak, sick, and injured in the tribe to care for.
After washing up, Qiao Xixi stood outside, wondering how things were going with Sunxiao and the others.
"Xixi, why aren’t you asleep yet?"
Feiyan emerged from the bathing room and looked up to see Qiao Xixi standing on the veranda. In the blink of an eye, he was at her side.
"I’m worried about Sunxiao and the others."
The words had barely left her lips when the same male Deer Beast from before came running over.
"Clan Leader, your mate Sunxiao sent me with a message. He said the newcomers are beastmen from the Silver Tribe, and he’s already settled them in the area you designated earlier today."
Qiao Xixi was stunned to hear this.
Before Qiao Xixi could speak, Feiyan eagerly rushed downstairs, grabbed the male Deer Beast’s hand, and asked, "What did you say? The newcomers are from the Silver Tribe?"
"Y-yes. There are so many of them, they could probably fill more than half the Black Panther Tribe’s old territory."
His light brown eyes were filled with unconcealable excitement. He looked up at Qiao Xixi. "Xixi, I’m going to see my father and the others. I’ll be right back."
Qiao Xixi was happy for him. She wanted to go along, but considering how late it was, she decided against it and simply nodded.
"Okay."