286: Chapter 286 Solving the Problem

Bai Wanwan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "Zhu Xiu, go wash up. After dinner, accompany me to see the Jin Cang Clan leader."

"Alright."

Xin Feng had already prepared a large amount of meat for Zhu Xiu and Yan Lie, who had been busy outside.

Bai Wanwan also sat down and had dinner with her Beast Husbands.

Only The Cubs were still at a carefree age; no matter how chaotic the outside world was, the siblings remained unaffected.

After eating and drinking their fill, they huddled together and rolled around on the ground.

After patting The Cubs' heads, Bai Wanwan turned to Xin Feng and Yan Lie beside her and said, "Zhu Xiu and I are going to discuss some matters with the Clan leader. We'll be back soon."

Xin Feng replied softly, "Alright. After I finish handling things at home, I'll come pick you up."

After giving her instructions, Bai Wanwan took Zhu Xiu's hand and went out.

She had thought she would need to cross the entire Central Plaza to find him at the Clan leader's home.

Unexpectedly, less than two minutes after stepping out of her home, she saw the Clan leader's figure.

He was surrounded by several Females.

"Clan leader, you have to save us. The Males are either coming back injured or empty-handed. What are we supposed to do if this continues?"

If it weren't for the food they had stockpiled some time ago, they would already be starting to go hungry.

In just a few days, the Jin Cang Clan leader also seemed to have aged several years.

He raised his hand, pressing it down to signal for everyone to quiet down. "Everyone, don't worry. The difficulties before us are only temporary."

"Then when can we drive away those Bear Clan beastmen?"

"Yes! The Rainy Season is coming soon..."

"Our food is only enough to last a little over ten days."

The noisy, clamoring voices rose and fell, giving Bai Wanwan a bit of a headache.

No wonder the Jin Cang Clan leader looked so much more weathered after not seeing him for a few days.

At that moment, another group of beastmen walked back dejectedly, carrying their prey.

A line of over ten Males, several of them injured, but the prey they carried amounted to only three or four animals.

Jin Cang noticed and frowned, asking, "Only managed to hunt these few?"

One Male gnashed his teeth and cursed, "Those Bear Clan beastmen always attack us during our hunts, making our prey escape time and time again."

If this continued, they could only barely manage to avoid hunger for now, with no way to stockpile food for the Snow Season.

"Clan leader, we'll all starve to death if this goes on!"

The Male speaking threw his torn beast skin skirt to the ground and spat out a mouthful of bloody foam.

"Clan leader, why don't we just take some people and raid the Bear Clan's lair? We are the sacred Golden Lion Tribe. Why should we put up with the Bear Clan's bullying?"

"Yes! Clan leader, let's attack them. Let the Bear Clan taste some of their own medicine."

Jin Cang had not been without thoughts on this matter.

But going back and forth like this would also mean missing the time to stockpile food.

Moreover, going to attack the Bear Clan on their turf meant injuries that couldn't be treated promptly. The best outcome would be mutual destruction.

This was not the result he wanted to see.

The Golden Lion Tribe had developed to this point, but Sacred Females had not been seen for many years, and the Tribe was gradually declining.

He had to preserve this remaining ember, waiting for the day when Bai Wanwan was willing to undergo the Pairing Ceremony with Jin Yi, to then develop the entire Golden Lion Tribe anew.

The current difficulties were only temporary. He could not sacrifice more Males.

Amidst the agitated crowd, he raised his hand to signal for everyone to quiet down.

The Golden Lions still held great respect for this old Clan leader.

Jin Cang's brows and eyes were tinged with the hardships he'd endured. "Everyone, calm down first. I've considered your suggestions. But acting impulsively will only lead to mutual destruction, and we'll still end up hungry and injured."

"But Clan leader, are we just supposed to endure it like this?"

Clan leader Jin Cang shook his head. "They've sent so many Males to attack us. Their food supplies will be similarly short. Let's hold out and see who falters first."

"But the Bear Clan is more cold-resistant than us. They can still go out to forage during the Snow Season."

"Go tend to your wounds first. I'll think more about this matter..."

Jin Cang called over the nearby Shaman to treat the injured Males.

"Clan leader..."

Bai Wanwan spoke up, stepping forward slowly.

Jin Cang turned around and saw Bai Wanwan. A strained smile appeared on his face, and his gaze swept over her slightly swollen belly.

"It's chaotic here. Have your Beast Husband take you somewhere else. Be careful not to get jostled."

"Clan leader, I came specifically to find you."

"To find me? What is it?" His voice, though tired, remained patient with her.

Bai Wanwan didn't hesitate either, stating her purpose directly. "Clan leader, I wanted to discuss the food shortage issue with you."

"Mmm. The Bear Clan's disturbance is indeed affecting our food stockpiling. But don't you worry. If you don't have enough food, I'll have the Males bring some to you."

Bai Wanwan had always known that Clan leader Jin Cang treated her with special favor.

Thinking about various things before and after, she had a guess in her heart.

So, did Jin Cang actually know she was a Sacred Female all along?

Since arriving at the Golden Lion Tribe, Clan leader Jin Cang's actions had never made her uncomfortable.

But she also didn't want her secret exposed.

That matter could be addressed later.

She shook her head. "Our food should be sufficient. I wanted to discuss the Tribe's food shortage with you, Clan leader."

She had the system space; she wouldn't starve.

It was because she felt somewhat guilty that she wanted to step forward and help share the burden within her means.

Upon hearing this, Jin Cang immediately became serious.

"Mmm, what did you want to say?" A glimmer of anticipation rose in his eyes.

"It's like this. I know of a type of plant that is very easy to cultivate, filling, and doesn't require Females to engage in high-intensity activity or eat too much meat. If we can cultivate this plant, it could at least ensure that the Females and Cubs don't go hungry."

"What plant?"

Jin Cang's eyes burned brightly. If what she said was feasible, it would solve his biggest worry.

"A tuberous plant. It can be placed directly in the fire to roast. Once it becomes soft and tender, the texture is very good. Females and Cubs would probably like it too."

Bai Wanwan simply finished stating her request. "However, I'm not yet certain if I can grow it successfully, because the ones I planted before all had problems. The reason I came to find you today, Clan leader, is to ask if you could allocate a piece of land to me. I want to try cultivating it on a larger scale. If the cultivation is successful, then we can get through this Snow Season."

If any other Female had said this to him, Jin Cang might have hesitated.

But Bai Wanwan was a Sacred Female, and she had managed to escape alive from the Wandering Beasts. She might truly be able to bring a miracle to the Tribe.

With almost no hesitation, Jin Cang agreed immediately.

"Alright!"

He even asked proactively, "There isn't much vacant land in the Tribe. Is the plot next to the woods sufficient?"

That was exactly the plot Bai Wanwan wanted. It was usually not crowded and large enough.

"That should be enough. Thank you, Clan leader." A faint smile appeared on Bai Wanwan's cheeks.

Perhaps infected by her smile, Jin Cang's mood relaxed, and he revealed his first smile in several days.

"You are the one helping us solve the problem. I should be the one thanking you."

Bai Wanwan was about to speak when she looked up and saw a line of beastmen approaching rapidly from the distance, an expression of surprise appearing on her face...