273: Chapter 273 Vitex Poison

Zhu Xiu, who had been struggling forward, suddenly felt as if a portion of his Innate Ability had been drained away.

His knees went weak, and he dropped to one knee on the ground.

"Zhu Xiu, your condition is terrible. Stay and rest. Yan Lie and I will keep searching."

Xin Feng looked at Zhu Xiu's state, his voice heavy.

Zhu Xiu's knuckles turned white from the strain as the backlash of the dark curse surged over him in waves.

"No need," he gritted his teeth, resisting the backlash of the dark curse. "I can still hold on."

They had already found Wan Wan's lost hair accessory deep in the Dense Forest. Wan Wan should be somewhere in these mountains.

Xin Feng hesitated, wanting to say more, but ultimately nodded.

Time was of the essence; every second mattered for Wan Wan's safety.

Zhu Xiu adjusted himself with incredible speed. After suppressing the backlash once more, the three of them continued onward.

They hadn't gone far when a strange noise suddenly came from the bushes.

Yan Lie was the first to rush forward to investigate. He returned moments later and lowered his voice to the other two. "It's Beastmen from the Golden Lion Tribe."

Hearing this, Zhu Xiu took a few steps forward and pushed aside the tangled branches and leaves before him.

A group of Golden Lions was conspicuous, but even more eye-catching was the Female surrounded in their midst.

She was curled up on the ground in agony, a hideous wound on her thigh gushing blood that stained the surrounding grass a dark red.

They immediately recognized Zhuo Ling.

Zhuo Ling's trembling hands were covered in blood, her eyes filled with terror.

She stretched her blood-stained fingers toward the surrounding Males, her voice broken. "Sa...save me."

Not long ago, she had been relieved at the prospect of being rescued, only to have a lurking wolf tear a chunk of flesh from her in the blink of an eye.

Now she even breathed carefully, afraid any movement would cause more blood to flow from her wound.

The Golden Lion Clan warriors fumbled in their attempts to stop the bleeding; the medicinal powder they sprinkled was immediately washed away by the fresh blood.

"We must take her back immediately!" a Male said urgently.

"But the Young Clan Leader is still inside. We can't just leave."

"Jin He!" the leading Male made a decision. "You are responsible for escorting Female Zhuo Ling back to the Tribe. Have the Clan Witch treat her at once."

The lion named Jin He immediately lowered his body.

Zhuo Ling struggled to climb onto the lion's back, but the movement tugged at her wound, causing another surge of blood to flow.

Her face was already as pale as paper, her eyes a mix of hope and fear.

Just then, the bushes rustled.

Zhu Xiu and his group stepped out of the shadows. The Golden Lion Clan instantly tensed, relaxing slightly only after recognizing them.

Zhu Xiu walked straight toward Zhuo Ling, his shadow falling over her pallid face.

Zhuo Ling seemed to grasp at a final lifeline, her breath faint as she said, "Save me... If you can heal me, I'll tell you where Bai Wanwan is."

Yan Lie stepped forward in a flash, asking urgently, "Where? Tell us quickly!"

"Heal me first," she bargained with difficulty.

Zhu Xiu, however, merely watched her coldly for a moment before turning away. "Unnecessary. In your condition, you couldn't have gone far. Wan Wan is nearby."

Yan Lie and Xin Feng also shifted their gazes from Zhuo Ling and followed Zhu Xiu.

Zhuo Ling's pupils gradually lost focus as she watched the three figures' resolute departing backs.

Warm blood continued to flow, and she could clearly feel her life slowly slipping away.

She was truly terrified. She had just gone out to play with the other Females. Why had she ended up in those Males' hands and then in this state?

Bai Wanwan looked back and saw the Bear Clan Beastmen getting closer and closer.

She could only exchange for the shared use of Xin Feng's Talent one more time.

Instantly, a fierce wind swept through the Mountains and Forests, whipping up grass and leaves, obstructing the Bear Clan Beastmen's vision.

Some even crashed into each other.

By the time the gale subsided, Bai Wanwan and Jin Yi had also vanished from their sight.

"Damn it! Find them! We must find Jin Yi!"

Bai Wanwan lay weakly on Jin Yi's back. Why did using a tool also make her limbs go weak and her body grow hot?

Jin Yi also noticed. The Female who had been holding onto him tightly just moments ago was now loosening her grip.

He immediately turned his head to remind her, "Bai Wanwan, you need to hold on tight, or you'll fall."

"I... I know, but I seem to have no strength."

Bai Wanwan gritted her teeth, not wanting to be a burden, but her body's reaction was beyond her control.

Jin Yi sensed something was wrong. "What's wrong? Are you unwell?"

"Yes, my arms and legs feel weak, and my whole body is hot."

Jin Yi's pace slowed further. If the Female couldn't hold on and fell, she'd be seriously injured.

"Don't be afraid. Let's find a place to hide first."

Fortunately, he was intimately familiar with the nearby terrain.

The Beastmen he had sent for were in another direction. He'd had to detour when Xiong Zong's subordinates blocked the way earlier, but now that Wan Wan couldn't sit steady, he couldn't take her to rendezvous with them.

He slowed his pace, arriving at a depression between two nearby mountains.

Inside was a narrow mountain crevice, just large enough to fit the two of them.

Jin Yi quickly transformed into his human form and caught the collapsing Bai Wanwan.

His hands met burning hot skin.

Had she developed a fever again?

"Bai Wanwan, are you alright?"

Bai Wanwan bit her lip and didn't make a sound. Her consciousness was clear, but when she saw Jin Yi's excellent jawline and handsome face, a shameful thought actually arose in her mind.

She already had three Beast Husbands. While she had always appreciated Jin Yi, she had never dared to imagine taking him as her Beast Husband.

But now, why did just looking at him make her body heat up uncontrollably, wanting to tear off his beast skin and... do things?

His scent was also very clean, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees.

Like opium tempting her.

She could only close her eyes, bite her lip, and resist these thoughts.

But Jin Yi didn't know her situation. He called out once, and receiving no response, he grew worried.

After entering the mountain crevice, he carefully set Bai Wanwan down.

He raised his hand to touch her forehead again, but Bai Wanwan dodged to the side.

Her movement left Jin Yi's hand frozen in place. An unprecedented emotion rose from the depths of his heart.

Did she... dislike his touch?

Bai Wanwan turned her head away, avoiding his touch and his scent.

She felt that if she didn't put some distance between them soon, she would turn into a wolf.

Jin Yi withdrew his hand, clenching it tightly as it fell to his side.

"Then rest for a while. My men have already returned to the Tribe to send word. They'll soon send more Males. You'll be safely returned to your Beast Husband's side."

After he finished speaking, Bai Wanwan gave no response.

Jin Yi concealed the look in his eyes and stood up, walking to the cave entrance.

As he observed the situation outside, he couldn't help but feel restless inside.

Did Bai Wanwan dislike him?

He had never entertained extravagant hopes, but after sensing the Female's attitude toward him...

His heart felt sour and astringent, an indescribable discomfort.

After calming down for a moment, he thought that regardless of Bai Wanwan's willingness, he should go gather some Silverleaf Herb.

A fever couldn't be delayed. He had to return her intact and healthy to her Beast Husband's side.

He glanced back at Bai Wanwan and was about to turn to search for Silverleaf Herb nearby.

Suddenly, he heard a sound from Bai Wanwan.

He hesitated for a moment but couldn't resist the concern rising in his heart for her. He walked toward her step by step.

"Hot... so uncomfortable..."

Bai Wanwan turned over, reaching out to claw at her chest. Her clothes became disheveled, revealing a patch of snowy white skin...