444: Chapter 444 A slight pause in breathing

Bai Wanwan could faintly hear their voices, but she ignored them.

Holding Snowball, she huddled together with Hua Han, Jiao Yin, and The Cubs.

Hua Han silently wrapped another layer of his relatively dry beast skin around Bai Wanwan and The Cubs. Jiao Yin, meanwhile, watched the direction of the Tribe below the mountain warily, rainwater dripping steadily down his handsome jawline.

Time passed slowly amidst the cold, dampness, and anxiety.

After a hectic day, The Cubs had long since fallen asleep, and Bai Wanwan was struggling to stay awake.

Additionally, her rain-soaked clothes made her feel very cold.

Sensing this, Hua Han wanted to hold Bai Wanwan, but she leaned to the side and wrapped the beast skin tighter around herself.

His hand remained suspended in mid-air, but he still spoke his mind, "Wan Wan, you'll sleep more comfortably if you lean against me."

Bai Wanwan was well aware of their help, but she already had several Beast Husbands.

So she had no choice but to heartlessly refuse, "No, I'm fine leaning here."

She leaned against the wooden boards, not minding even as water seeped through them, one hand protecting The Cubs beside her as her head slowly drooped.

Hua Han waited quietly for her to fall asleep. Noticing her hand drop unconsciously, he reached out to her waist and finally succeeded in putting his arm around her waist.

Pulling the Female into his warm embrace, the sleeping Bai Wanwan seemed satisfied with his warmth. She shifted slightly, finding a comfortable position, and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Hua Han's breath stalled slightly, and his hand around her slender waist visibly tightened.

Hua Han turned his head, his lips brushing against her forehead.

This scene happened to be witnessed by Jiao Yin, who had just entered.

Had Wan Wan already accepted Hua Han?

Realizing this, his heart felt as if it had been pricked.

He immediately suppressed his emotions; with the fate of his Clan Members still unknown, such things were not something he should be longing for.

"How is the situation outside?"

Sensing Jiao Yin's entry, Hua Han reluctantly moved his lips away from her forehead.

"The rain is heavy. Almost all the beastmen in the Tribe are out in the rain, and they're all complaining about us."

Hua Han snorted coldly, "Complaining? Why don't they just go back then? If it were up to me, we shouldn't have bothered with them."

But then he remembered it was Wan Wan's decision and immediately shut his mouth.

On the high platform outside, the Females were clamoring.

"Clan Leader, look, my Cubs are soaked. What if they get a fever?"

"Exactly, we've lived here for decades without any issues. It can't be that dangerous."

The Clan Leader, facing everyone's resentment, said, "Wait a bit longer. If you really can't take it and want to go back, you may."

After he said this, some who were bold and didn't take the warning seriously actually took their Females and Cubs back.

The heavy rain continued. Just as the resentment was about to reach its peak and even the Clan Leader was starting to waver...

Rumble!

A dull roar, as if from the depths of the earth, drowned out all the sound of rain and complaints.

This was followed by the continuous, teeth-gritting sounds of trees snapping and boulders rolling down—a terrifying noise.

All the beastmen looked down the mountain in horror.

By the occasional flashes of pale lightning piercing the night sky, they saw a terrifying sight they would never forget: the mountain the Tribe was nestled against seemed like a sleeping beast provoked. Half of the mountain slope, like molten black sludge carrying countless boulders and broken trees, roared down with unstoppable force!

The murky mudflow instantly swallowed the foot of the mountain and the area near the new riverbed. Several caves they had just left were flattened like fragile eggshells in the blink of an eye!

The mudslide surged into the Tribe, destroying everything in its path. Murky mud mixed with debris instantly flooded the low-lying areas, forming a Swamp of death.

Cries for help from some beastmen could be heard in the distance, but they were quickly silenced by the mud and rocks.

The entire sacrificial high platform was deathly silent.

There was only the sound of rain and the suppressed whimpering of the frightened Cubs.

All complaints and doubts turned into the terror and lingering fear of survivors.

Bai Wanwan also woke up from the massive commotion. She didn't have time to wonder how she had ended up falling asleep in Hua Han's arms.

She rushed straight to the entrance of the wooden shed and looked outside.

Even with a system in her possession, she could only feel awe and dread when faced with such a natural disaster.

The beastman who had clamored the loudest earlier now had a face as pale as paper. With a thud, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed deeply toward Female Bai Wanwan, his voice hoarse and trembling: "Female Bai Wanwan... Thank... thank you! It was you... who saved my Consort and my Cubs' lives!"

His Female, holding her dazed Cubs, was already in tears.

Then, like a chain reaction, countless grateful gazes focused on Bai Wanwan. Low voices filled with awe and relief rose one after another: "Thank you, Female!"

"You saved the entire Tribe!"

"beast god above, bless Female Bai Wanwan!"

But Bai Wanwan was indifferent to their gratitude.

Their previous insults still rang in her ears.

She had warned them only because she wasn't cold-blooded enough to watch so many beastmen and Cubs lose their lives.

This night was destined to be restless. Bai Wanwan ignored the gratitude of the beastmen nearby.

After observing for a while, she returned to the wooden shed.

After enduring a dazed night, she heard that the mudslide had passed and the rain had become very light.

The Clan Leader brought the Clan Members to the wooden shed where Bai Wanwan and the others were.

This weathered old man had tears of lingering fear in his eyes as he bowed deeply to Female Bai Wanwan: "Female Bai Wanwan, you are the benefactor of our Tribe! The Lynx Clan will forever remember your kindness!"

Hua Han and Jiao Yin stood by her side, one on each side, shielding her and The Cubs in the middle.

Holding her warm little fluffballs, Bai Wanwan looked down at the home below the mountain, ravaged beyond recognition by the mudslide, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

"There's no need. We are only staying here temporarily. My warning last night was merely to repay the Clan Leader for taking us in. As for anything else, I hope everyone will not disturb me."

She spoke very bluntly; she didn't want their gratitude, nor did she want to get closer to them.

The Clan Leader sighed and immediately shooed away all the Clan Members behind him, finally bringing some peace.

"Female Bai Wanwan, rest assured, I won't let my Clan Members disturb you. But if you need anything, you can always come to us."

"Mhm."

Knowing they were in the wrong, the Clan Leader stopped bothering her and slowly walked away.

"Let's go back too." Jiao Yin came over and took the Tiger Cubs from her arms.

Bai Wanwan felt sticky and very uncomfortable. She nodded, "Alright, let's go back and get some proper sleep."

Unexpectedly, after Bai Wanwan washed up and fell asleep, she developed a high fever.

"Jiao Yin, come quickly! Wan Wan seems to have a fever," Hua Han shouted to Jiao Yin outside, his voice laced with anxiety.