224: Chapter 224 Brings Good News

Outside the thick stone wall, each breath of the Mutated Beast rolled like muffled thunder. A foul, pungent stench seeped through the cracks in the rock, irritating Bai Wanwan's nostrils until they ached.

The stone wall trembled faintly in the shadows, loose grit trickling down.

Looking at the flimsy barrier before her, Bai Wanwan knew in her heart it probably couldn't withstand even a single swipe of that monster's claws.

The footsteps of the Mutated Beast grew near, then far, each approach making Bai Wanwan's hair stand on end.

Time crawled by in agony.

Jin Yi's arm tightened around her like an iron band. Their backs were already soaked through with cold sweat.

At this moment, they were like insects dangling from a spider's thread, where even breathing felt like a luxury.

When that nauseating stench of decay reached its peak, the shadow outside the Cave finally began to slowly recede.

But the two of them remained frozen like statues, not moving until they were certain the heavy footsteps had completely vanished deep into the Mountains and Forests.

"Is it gone?" Bai Wanwan found her voice again.

"Should be." Jin Yi quickly withdrew his arm, his knuckles unconsciously flexing.

Bai Wanwan's legs were almost numb from standing. The moment she relaxed, she immediately slid down, leaning against the wall for support.

Because of this incident, both their moods were heavy, and neither felt like talking.

In the narrow Cave, they sat on opposite sides.

She didn't know how they had endured the over ten hours. Bai Wanwan only knew that when she looked outside again, the light filtering through the stone cracks was growing dimmer.

Bai Wanwan didn't dare take out any fresh prey; the scent of blood would summon the Mutated Beast back. So, she only took out Dried meat.

"Let's make do with Dried meat for these two days, to avoid attracting the Mutated Beast."

"Alright."

In a situation like this, having anything to eat was good enough. There was no room to be picky.

He reached out to take it, leaning his body back against the stone wall as he began to eat.

Bai Wanwan chewed the Dried meat mechanically. The dry, tough fibers scraped her throat, yet she couldn't taste anything.

The two finished their dinner in silence. Bai Wanwan then took a piece of beast skin from her system space and spread it beneath herself.

She took out another piece and handed it to Jin Yi. "Lay this down, you'll sleep more comfortably."

Jin Yi wasn't that particular, but since the Female had already offered it, he accepted it casually. "You rest early. I'll keep watch tonight, don't worry."

Bai Wanwan didn't know she had run a fever last night. After a day filled with fear and tension, she was indeed somewhat tired.

But in this environment, she couldn't relax enough to fall asleep quickly.

Curled up on the beast skin, the chill from the stone floor seeped through into her bones. Unconsciously, she turned to face Jin Yi's direction.

The Male's figure stood like a solid fortress, maintaining a perfectly appropriate distance from her.

Perhaps because Bai Wanwan was awake tonight, the quiet held an undeniable awkwardness.

She simply opened her mouth to break the silence.

"Do beast tides like this happen often?"

"Not often. In my memory, it's only happened twice." Jin Yi fell into recollection. The last time was six years ago, and that beast tide had been brief, lasting only three days.

Bai Wanwan continued asking, "Then how long do beast tides usually last?"

Jin Yi stared at the Cave ceiling, his voice steady. "It depends. I heard from my Father Beast that when he was young, the longest one lasted a month."

A month...

And it's only been a few days?

If they truly had to hold out in this tiny space for over twenty more days, she'd probably go mad before the beast tide even receded.

Forget it, forget it... take it one day at a time.

Sleepiness washed over her like a tide. Her voice grew increasingly slurred: "You beastmen... really don't have it easy..."

Hm?

Jin Yi turned his gaze to look at her, only to hear the Female mumble a couple more words. Gradually, those unfinished murmurs transformed into even breathing.

That night, Bai Wanwan fell asleep only after eating and drinking her fill. When she woke the next day, she was noticeably more energetic than yesterday.

Her body no longer felt sore and weak.

She pushed aside the beast skin and sat up, letting out a soft breath to chase away the drowsiness. Lifting her gaze, she saw the Male standing like a stone statue at the mouth of the Cave.

"Any movement outside?"

"None. It's very quiet."

"Has the beast tide receded?"

Bai Wanwan's sleepiness vanished instantly. She quickly stood up from the beast skin and walked over to Jin Yi in a few steps. "Let me see..."

She pressed against the stone wall, peering out through the largest crack.

The Mountains and Forests were eerily quiet, without even the most common bird calls.

After observing for a while, she heard Jin Yi speak beside her: "Since I woke up this morning, I've been watching. Not a single beast has appeared outside."

"You mean the beast tide has receded?"

"Not necessarily, but this part of the forest should be temporarily safe."

After saying this, Jin Yi made a decision. "In a moment, you stay in the Cave. Don't go out. I'll go outside to check the situation."

Bai Wanwan knew she was currently nothing but dead weight. Staying obediently in the Cave would make it safer for Jin Yi to go out.

So she had no objections and immediately nodded in agreement. "Alright. Go quickly and come back quickly. I'll wait for you."

After speaking with her, Jin Yi didn't even bother eating. He directly pushed over the stone wall.

After quickly squeezing out, he painstakingly stacked the stones back up again.

Watching Bai Wanwan's figure gradually disappear behind the stone wall, he hesitated briefly before adding one more sentence. "Don't be afraid. I'll be nearby. I'll be back soon."

If it were any other Female, she might have been scared to tears, perhaps even unwilling to let him leave.

But Bai Wanwan had cooperated with him from start to finish. She really wasn't quite like other Females.

This thought flashed through his mind but didn't linger. Jin Yi transformed into a Golden Lion and swiftly disappeared into the forest.

Bai Wanwan pressed close to the stone crack, not until Jin Yi's agile figure had completely vanished did she slowly let out a heavy sigh.

To say she wasn't afraid would be a lie.

She and Jin Yi weren't related, not even friends.

If he left and never returned, leaving her alone in the heart of a raging beast tide...

Any beast with teeth could easily dismantle her bones and eat her flesh.

Just imagining that scene made Bai Wanwan's scalp prickle.

"He wouldn't..."

Bai Wanwan immediately shook her head, comforting herself. Since he was willing to venture into danger to find her, he definitely wouldn't abandon her.

Yet rational deduction couldn't suppress the unease churning in her heart, just like the distant-then-near roars of beasts outside the stone cracks, constantly tearing at her nerves when she least expected it.

Bai Wanwan began pacing back and forth inside the Cave, her footsteps echoing in the narrow space.

One step, two steps... She counted her own steps, as if that could measure the passage of time.

After she had paced several dozen rounds, a dazzling flash of gold suddenly pierced her vision.

Jin Yi!

He was back!

She practically threw herself against the stone crack, watching as the Golden Lion's agile form broke through the bushes.

Almost in the blink of an eye, the golden figure arrived outside the stone Cave.

"Bai Wanwan, step back a bit."

The familiar, deep voice came from beyond the stone wall. Bai Wanwan immediately took a few steps back.

With several rumbling sounds, the stones blocking the Cave entrance fell away.

Amidst the swirling dust, Jin Yi's tall silhouette gradually became clear.

He stood silhouetted against the light, his outstretched hand still stained with fresh soil.

"Come out, quickly." His voice held a rare urgency.

Bai Wanwan almost instinctively grasped the hand he extended.

After being pulled from the Cave by him, Bai Wanwan noticed Jin Yi had a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. His golden eyes shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

"Good news." The weariness between his brows couldn't mask the light dancing in his eyes.