81: Chapter 81 The Distant Continent, Feng Yuan Injured

Sang Qing looked down at him with a cold expression and a faint sense of pressure. "Remember, as long as you don't offend me, I won't summon you as my Slave. Also, you are not allowed to harm Sa Yu again. If you disobey my words, I will make your life worse than death."

"Get lost."

Jing Nuo looked up at her with a sinister gaze, various emotions flashing through his eyes. Suppressing his hatred, he chose to leave.

This foolish female—as long as she let him go and he returned to the Tribe, the Witch would surely have a way to help him break the curse.

He would come back and kill her, absolutely!

Putting the cowhide scroll into her storage slot, Sang Qing also left the area and went back to bathe and sleep.

Early morning passed.

The morning passed.

As noon approached, Sang Qing woke up.

Looking at the sun hanging high outside, Sang Qing was startled.

How long had she slept? It was already noon.

Ugh... Rubbing her neck, Sang Qing stretched. Her whole body felt comfortable, with no abnormalities.

There was nothing wrong. Was it because she hadn't been home in so long that she was experiencing 'bed-strangeness'?

Oh no, she had said she would go to the Market.

No, this wouldn't do. She had to hurry up, pack, and head to the Market.

After washing up and grabbing a quick bite, Sang Qing dashed out of the Tribe carrying her small leather bag.

Meng Qi's injuries had mostly healed, and he could move around freely.

Watching his cub's hurried departure, he was somewhat bewildered.

Why go to the Market now? It was a bit too late.

Just as Sang Qing left, another uninvited guest arrived.

Learning that Sang Qing had just left the Tribe for the Market, he immediately turned around to chase after her.

Why did he always miss her?

beast god above, he just wanted a mate. Why was it so difficult?

Sang Qing ran extremely fast. Her strength had recently increased, likely due to the power boost from her mates after Pair Bonding.

But this was miserable for Feng Yuan. His race was considered the fastest in the forest, on par with Leopard Beastmen, yet he actually couldn't outrun a female like Sang Qing?

Ridiculous!!!

Seeing that she was indeed heading to the Market, Feng Yuan’s mind raced. He decided to take a shortcut, planning to wait for her at the Market.

Sang Qing sprinted all the way and reached the outskirts of the Market in less than an hour, though she didn't plan on trading pills today.

Walking through the Market, Sang Qing's outstanding looks drew many covetous or stunned gazes. Since Pair Bonding, she was nourished by her mates daily, and her appearance had changed significantly, shifting from pure and beautiful to charming and curvaceous. A single glance from her could make a male restless.

Sang Qing disliked these looks. Frowning slightly, she quickened her pace and headed toward the stall where the Merfolk were located.

Half of the regular stall owners in the Market knew Sang Qing. Those who didn't quickly began asking around for information about her.

What a beautiful female, like the most dazzling and brilliant flower in the forest, making males unable to resist approaching.

The Merfolk Clan all knew that Fu Ning had bonded with a Civet Cat female and had nearly lost his life for it.

But when Sang Qing actually stood before them, they felt that losing one's life would be worth it.

"Do... do you need something? Beautiful female." She was so beautiful. Unlike the delicate, androgynous beauty of the Merfolk Clan, her looks were bright and striking, and her temperament was elegant and grand. She was like a walking little sun, enough to make a male lose himself at a glance.

The Merfolk male Sang Qing approached for questioning blushed, his words stumbling. After a shy glance at her, he lowered his head.

Just as Sang Qing was about to speak, another slightly taller female walked over, pulled away the companion who was about to go into heat, and stood before Sang Qing herself. "Sang Qing? I am Fu Ning's brother, Fu Yu. Do you need something from us?"

He couldn't let this group of single males get near Fu Ning's mate; it was better for a bonded male like him to handle it. Otherwise, if Sang Qing ended up with another Merfolk mate, Fu Ning might bash his own head in.

"Hello, Fu Yu." Sang Qing looked a bit anxious. She knew of Fu Yu's existence as Fu Ning's eldest brother. "A... friend of mine fell into the sea. Can you help me search for him?"

She didn't know how Sa Yu was doing. What if they couldn't find him?

"We can, but the sea is very vast. It would be best if you could tell us where he fell in?" Fu Yu agreed after a moment's thought. After all, Sang Qing was his brother's mate; he should help her.

Sang Qing gave a grateful smile and nodded, quickly telling Fu Yu about Sa Yu's Beast Form and the location where he fell into the sea.

It was said that Dragon Island was a full day's flight from here. She had no boat and no wings; the chance of her finding Sa Yu on her own was too small. Moreover, several days had passed; where would she even begin in the vast ocean?

It was best to rely on the Merfolk Clan.

After Fu Yu noted down her words, he spoke to his companions and headed toward the seaside.

Sang Qing sat on the beach, looking at the boundless, hazy sea with a heavy heart.

Sa Yu... An agile figure darted over and stood before Sang Qing, giggling. "female? female?"

Sang Qing looked up, meeting Ers's smiling face, and asked in confusion, "Do you need something?"

"Don't you remember me? I'm the Market's Witch. Why haven't you been trading pills at the Market lately? Many females are looking for you." The whitening pill Sang Qing gave her last time worked really well; she loved it. She wondered if Sang Qing had other pills and planned to trade for more.

Ers was usually cold toward beastmen, but she treated Sang Qing like her own cub.

"I bonded recently and moved to live in my mate's Tribe. I'll come to the Market to trade pills in a few days." Sang Qing remembered her and explained in a gentle voice.

However, with Sa Yu's whereabouts unknown, she didn't have the heart to trade pills.

"Oh, I see." Ers smiled and squatted before her, asking in a friendly manner, "Then do you have any other pills that can make females more beautiful? I want to trade with you again."

Of course, she was already beautiful enough. She was trading for Sang Qing's pills so her mates could take them to other forests to trade. The females and males there were both ugly and dark; they needed these magical pills the most.

She could get a pill from Sang Qing for one shell crystal, but trading it there could get her three or four shell crystals. She'd make a huge profit.

She needed many shell crystals so she could live a wealthy and satisfying life.

Sang Qing noticed the fleeting glint in her eyes, which felt strangely familiar. She looked at Ers's current appearance and asked tentatively, "Witch, you are already beautiful enough. What do you need more pills for?"

Ers giggled, touched her cheek, and feigned dissatisfaction. "I don't think I'm pretty enough. My mates want me to be even more beautiful."

"...Is that so?" Sang Qing didn't believe her. Ers was a great beauty herself; aside from her skin being slightly dark and a bit rough, there were no other issues.

Moreover, given her age, wanting to be younger was impossible. Sang Qing wouldn't give her those heaven-defying pills.

Ers felt as if her inner thoughts were being seen through, so she sighed and told the truth. "Alright, I just want to take your pills to another continent to trade. They are very wealthy there, just a bit ugly. I want to try and earn more shell crystals. My mermaid gauze is getting old."

So that was it.

But Sang Qing glanced at the brand-new mermaid gauze she was wearing and her lips twitched.

She was lying through her teeth.

A glint flashed in Sang Qing's eyes as the corners of her mouth curled up. "Witch, it's not impossible, but I also need many shell crystals."

So... if there's money to be made, they should earn it together.

Besides... another continent. Sang Qing felt like there was a massive gold mountain waiting for her.

Ers understood her meaning and felt a bit of heartache. She looked at her hesitantly. "Then... how about I give you a portion of the shell crystals I earn?"

She was afraid that if she didn't give in, Sang Qing wouldn't trade the pills to her, but if she gave too much, she couldn't bear it.

"Half!" A 'portion' wouldn't do.

Sang Qing opened her mouth wide like a lion.

Ers clutched her chest with a look of reluctance, looking at her imploringly. "That's too much, female. My mates have to fly for a long time to reach the other continent."

A round trip took several days.

Although she didn't particularly like her mates, for the sake of their willingness to earn shell crystals for her, she wanted them to live for many more years.

"Then there's nothing I can do." Sang Qing shrugged slightly and gave a nonchalant smile.

She didn't mind either way. Perhaps after she found Sa Yu, she could go to other continents to trade herself.

She also wanted to earn more shell crystals for her retirement.

Ers's heart tightened, and she quickly gritted her teeth and agreed. "No, no, no, I'm willing, I'm willing. Half it is."

At worst, when her mates went to the other continent to trade, she would just add two more shell crystals to the price. By earning more, even if she gave half to Sang Qing, she wouldn't lose anything.

Yes, she was truly clever.

Since she was willing, Sang Qing agreed.

"However, I don't have any pills on me today. Can I bring them to you in a few... days?"

It wasn't convenient for her to take out so many pills now. Since Ers said they were for another continent, she might as well give her a large batch at once.

Ers nodded repeatedly, her face full of smiles. "Sure, sure."

A few days didn't matter.

After making the agreement with Ers, Sang Qing prepared to leave.

She likely wouldn't get any news of Sa Yu here today, so she planned to search the cave where Sa Yu lived and the surrounding area.

She patted her bottom and stood up, preparing to head back.

Another figure appeared not far away, staring at her with a look of grievance and sadness.

Sang Qing lowered her eyes, pressed her tongue against her cheek, and quickly turned to head in another direction.

That figure resolutely followed.

Sang Qing immediately shifted into her Beast Form and charged straight into the forest.

Argh, don't follow me, don't follow me.

Stop looking for her.

She was still feeling lucky yesterday that he hadn't come; why did he find her again today?

She ran, and he chased!

Sang Qing darted left and right, trying to shake off the male following her, but he was like a shadow, clinging tightly behind her.

Tsk!

How annoying.

Why were all the males she knew so stubborn? Did they have to stake everything on her?

Terrifying. It seemed she would have to stay away from those males in the future.

Wait, what if he was here for revenge?

Sang Qing thought.

Suddenly, several vines inexplicably appeared on the path she was running. Caught off guard, her front limbs were tripped, her body went airborne, and she was sent flying.

"Ah!" What was that?

"Sang Qing!" Feng Yuan caught up, his pupils shrinking. He gave a low cry and leaped forward, catching her from the air by biting the soft scruff of her neck.

Thud! Sang Qing fell onto Feng Yuan. His soft belly became her cushion, but at the same time, she seemed to hear the sound of a bone snapping.

After a few seconds of dizziness, Sang Qing sat up. Many unfamiliar beastmen emerged from the surrounding bushes, staring at them with sinister expressions.

Ha Ya smiled triumphantly, dropped the vine in his hand, raised his spear, and walked toward Sang Qing.

Feng Yuan's massive Beast Form shielded Sang Qing. His flowing silver fur shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, and a fierce glint flashed in his deep wolf eyes. "What are you doing?"

Ha Ya looked at him and stopped. "A beastman from the Heavenly Wolf Tribe?"

He began to hesitate.

Sang Qing shifted back into human form. Looking at the scene before her, a solemn expression crossed her brow. "Ha Ya?"

It was him?

"male, hand over the female behind you and leave. I can spare your life." Ha Ya lowered his brows, exuding a sinister aura. His slanted triangular eyes were fixed on Sang Qing, coldness constantly swirling in their depths.

It was all because of this damned female that he could no longer appear at the Market. Without shell crystals, his mate and cubs had begun to despise him.

He had been lying in wait here for several days, just waiting for her to show up.

Sang Qing stood up with a cold face. "Feng Yuan, you leave first."

She understood; he was here to settle the score with her.

Feng Yuan looked back, his bright eyes reflecting her indignant expression. He shook his head, his massive wolf head carrying a faint sense of pressure. "I won't leave. As long as I'm here, they won't lay a finger on you."

No, if he didn't leave, how was she supposed to take action?

Sang Qing glanced sideways at him and let out a soft huff, her words cold and ruthless.

"Get lost. Do you think I'll be grateful and enter a Pair Bonding with you just because you saved me? Feng Yuan, stop dreaming. males like you are exactly what I dislike most."

"We are already even. Stop being so hypocritical here; it's annoying to even look at you."

A flash of pain crossed Feng Yuan's eyes, and his body trembled slightly as his sharp claws extended a bit. "Sang Qing, shut up. I'm trying to save you."

Did she think he would use this to threaten her into a Pair Bonding?

He simply couldn't leave her here alone. This group of beasts clearly weren't good people, and if something happened to her... "I don't need your fake kindness." Sang Qing gave him a dismissive glance and turned to Ha Ya. "Let him go, and I'll stay behind for you to deal with as you wish."

And then I'll immediately shoot you dead, you stinking crocodile. Just you wait.

Seeing this, Ha Ya sneered and looked at Feng Yuan with pity. "See that? She's just a wicked female. male, get out of here quickly."

"Oh, wait, wait. I have a cub who is also very beautiful. Maybe you can enter a Pair Bonding with my cub."

A Fifth-Rank male and so young; if he could Pair Bond with his cub Wei Wei, he would wake up laughing from his dreams at night.

Feng Yuan's face darkened further. He puffed out his chest, ignoring Ha Ya's self-promotion. "Why are you trying to capture her?"

"None of your business. Since you won't Pair Bond with my cub, then hurry up and leave." Ha Ya waved his hand, shooting him an annoyed glance.

Stop wasting time.

He still needed to take this female back to the Tribe so his cub could whip her severely to vent her anger.

Then he would throw her to the Tribesmen to vent their lust. Anyway, she couldn't bear cubs; such a useless female had no purpose in living.

Feng Yuan still refused to leave. He simply stopped wasting words, lowered his head, and lunged fiercely at Ha Ya.

Ha Ya panicked for a moment and immediately shifted into his Beast Form. A large crocodile appeared, swinging its thick tail toward the pouncing Feng Yuan.

If he didn't want to leave, then they would be captured together.

Feng Yuan leaped to dodge the tail and struck out at his head with a paw.

Ha Ya was Fourth-Rank and no match for Feng Yuan, but his Beast Form's skin was tough, so Feng Yuan couldn't do much to him for the moment.

Ha Ya roared, commanding the other Tribesmen to attack Sang Qing.

"Go! Capture both of them!"

It was a good thing he brought the Tribesmen along; now neither of them would be able to leave.

Sang Qing's eyes flashed as she pulled several steel needles from her leather bag. Biting her lower lip, she threw them toward them.

"If you want to die, I'll grant your wish."

These needles of hers weren't coated in anesthetic, but in poison.

She didn't want to be some great benevolent beast anyway. They were the ones who initiated the provocation, so she would send them to their deaths.

There were about a dozen males in the bushes, half middle-aged and half young. Coveting Sang Qing's appearance, they grinned lewdly and rubbed their hands together as they lunged at her, eager to snatch her back to their Tribe.

Ha Ya had promised them that he would share her with them, and she was indeed beautiful.

This trip was worth it.

However, Feng Yuan didn't know Sang Qing had a backup plan. Seeing those disgusting males move against her, he immediately changed direction, blocked several of them, and began to fight them.

The Crocodile Beastmen had tough skin, but Feng Yuan was full of valor. He soon dragged several of them into the bushes and began to tear into them. Blood splattered in the grass, and one Crocodile Beastman was thrown against a tree, snapping it in half.

Feng Yuan swallowed the blood in his throat. Looking at his injured front paw, he bared his teeth slightly and opened his massive maw to bite them.

Crocodile Beastmen were truly troublesome.

But the teeth of a Sky Wolf Beastman were not just for show. It was possible to bite through a Crocodile Beastman if one forced it, and besides, Feng Yuan was a Fifth-Rank Warrior, so his teeth were even sharper.

With a loud bang, Ha Ya's tail struck Feng Yuan squarely on the back during the struggle. Feng Yuan stumbled half a step, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, but he also bit Ha Ya's neck and pinned him to the ground. His sharp claws pierced the soft fur on Ha Ya's belly, disemboweling him instantly.

"Ah—!" Ha Ya let out a heart-wrenching scream, his face contorted as he begged for mercy. "Spare me! I won't do it again! I was wrong! I'll let you go, I'll let you go..."

Pain, so much pain. Was he about to meet the beast god? The thick smell of blood enveloped him, and Ha Ya was in so much pain he could barely keep his eyes open.

Sharp screams kept coming from Ha Ya's mouth. Feng Yuan hesitated for a moment, and Ha Ya, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes, took the opportunity to bite his shoulder.

Damned male, his belly... he would fight him to the end.

Ha Ya's strong teeth bit down hard on Feng Yuan's shoulder and wouldn't let go. Although his teeth weren't sharp, his strength was surprisingly great, and he literally tore a chunk of flesh from Feng Yuan's shoulder.

Ow! Feng Yuan cried out in pain, his face changing drastically.

Blood dripped onto Ha Ya's hideous old face. His eyes were full of triumph as he kicked Feng Yuan over, then turned and pinned him down, opening his mouth to bite again.

He was still a bit too green; he didn't know that battles between beastmen were to the death.

Feng Yuan's eyes narrowed. He used his front paw to slash Ha Ya's neck, blood gushing from the wound, but Ha Ya still managed to bite one of Feng Yuan's paws.

Teeth pierced through Feng Yuan's paw. Ha Ya was in a desperate final struggle, and just as he was about to tear at Feng Yuan's arm... Sang Qing raised the stone in her hand and smashed it hard against Ha Ya's head.

Go to hell.

Huff, huff... Feng Yuan panted heavily, lying on the ground with a pale face. Blurred, colorful images flashed before his eyes as he struggled to breathe.

He clutched his injured shoulder with a large hand. Covered in blood, he found it difficult even to stand up.

Once Sang Qing was sure Ha Ya was dead, she dropped the stone and came to his side. "Feng Yuan..."

Sigh! Honestly.

Seeing him covered in wounds, she frowned slightly and quickly knelt to help him up.

This wasn't a place to linger; she had to get him out of here first.

Looking back at the battlefield, Sang Qing's expression was calm, as if she were used to it.

Leaning most of his weight on Sang Qing, Feng Yuan stumbled along, his face full of self-reproach. "Sor... sorry, I'm too weak."

He couldn't protect her.

Sang Qing didn't speak. She looked around to get her bearings, one arm around his waist and the other supporting his arm. Feeling the constant scent of fresh blood from him, she knew he was still bleeding.

She should have given him a hemostasis pill earlier.

Feng Yuan's external injuries weren't too bad, despite taking two hits from Ha Ya's tail, but he felt as if his internal organs were displaced. His breathing gradually became heavy and rapid.

Cold sweat rolled down from his messy hair, over his eyebrows, and into his eyes, blurring his vision.

His teeth seemed to be chattering. Leaning against Sang Qing, Feng Yuan pursed his lips, trying his best not to let out a groan of pain.

He was very heavy, and Sang Qing was straining to support him as they walked.

By the small river, Sang Qing placed Feng Yuan down by a large rock. Seeing him on the verge of fainting, she shook her head helplessly.

"I told you to leave, but you wouldn't. Now look..."

So stubborn. Now she had to waste two more pills.

Feng Yuan opened his eyes blearily. Hearing Sang Qing's complaints, the rise and fall of his chest gradually weakened. "Sorry..."

He didn't mean anything by it.

"You... go. Don't worry about me." This place was still a long way from the Heavenly Wolf Tribe. She must have run out of strength to have put him down.

He didn't need her care; he would be fine after a short rest.

He was bleeding, which could easily attract wild beasts. She should leave quickly.

Sang Qing rummaged through her leather bag, found a hemostasis pill and a Restoration Pill, and poured them out of the bottle.

Grabbing his chin, Sang Qing expressionlessly stuffed the two pills into his mouth. "Shut up."

Feng Yuan obediently shut his mouth, but his lips happened to catch her retracting fingertip, and he subconsciously bit it... Sang Qing pulled her hand back, her expression shifting slightly.

Sang Qing couldn't very well scold him over such a small thing, so she proceeded to examine his injured shoulder and paw.

Feng Yuan's eyes flickered, and he lowered his gaze to hide the joy in his eyes.

The wound on his shoulder was quite deep, with white bone faintly visible. Her eyes flickered with a hint of guilt.

Sigh, she had told him to leave quickly.

Honestly.

Sang Qing took a deep breath and kept taking out various medical supplies, gauze, and sutures from her small leather bag.

Looking at the wound on his shoulder, Sang Qing first gave him an injection of local anesthetic and began to treat him with practiced skill. "Bear with it; it might be a bit uncomfortable."

Feng Yuan nodded curiously. In his memory, Sang Qing was not a shaman, nor had she been in contact with a shaman's healing methods. How did she know how to treat wounds?"

However, he didn't press her. He was already very happy just because she hadn't abandoned him.