70: Crazy Beast King Palm Pet 10

“Ugh…” Lie Xiao winced in pain, instinctively shrinking his neck, but more than that, there was confusion and… a hint of secret anticipation?

Wen Ci tugged on his ear, shaking it hard. The beautiful eyes were still filled with unspent fury, but even more so with heartache and worry, her voice trembling with lingering fear:

“You idiot! You were bullied and didn’t even know how to fight back?! Do you want to worry me to death?! He called you a coward! He bumped into you! How could you endure it?! You are my King! My Lie Xiao!”

Her voice was choked with tears, and the intense heartache and protective affection, like the hottest magma, instantly broke through all the barriers in Lie Xiao’s heart.

So… her outburst, her action, wasn’t to show off her strength, but because… she felt sorry for him? Because she couldn’t bear to see him being bullied and humiliated?!

An unprecedented, extremely unfamiliar warm current, like a surging tide, instantly swept through Lie Xiao’s limbs and bones, rushing straight to his head, making his entire soul tremble!

It wasn’t the humiliation of being protected, but… the indescribable immense warmth and happiness of being cherished and guarded!

So, this is what it feels like to be protected by the one you love…

It was bittersweet, yet so sweet it made him want to cry.

He stared blankly at the little woman in front of him, whose eyes were red from anger and heartache, and who was tugging on his ear and scolding him. All the coldness and brutality in his golden vertical pupils completely dissipated, leaving only pure, childlike attachment and foolishness, like a young beast.

Not only was he not annoyed at having his ear tugged, but he instinctively and intimately rubbed his furry, warm cheek against Wen Ci’s hand that was holding his ear, letting out a satisfied, low purr from his throat, and a silly, huge smile spread across his face.

“Mm…” he responded softly, his golden eyes filled with starlight, “Don’t be angry… Ci Ci, don’t worry…” He rubbed harder, as if confirming the reality of this protection.

Wen Ci was taken aback by his sudden affectionate nuzzle and silly smile. Seeing the pure dependence and happiness in his eyes, all her anger and lingering fear instantly transformed into helplessness and an even deeper tenderness.

She released his ear and instead gently stroked the wonderfully soft fur, chiding, “Big idiot…”

This scene once again completely petrified all the surrounding beast-men, who then collectively fell into an even deeper storm of shock!

Their King… had his ear tugged… not only wasn’t he angry… he even… even rubbed his hand… and smiled foolishly?!

And Miss Wen Ci… not only did she possess terrifying power… her love and protective heart for the King were also so domineering and fervent!

If their previous respect for Wen Ci stemmed from the King’s favor and her own wisdom and gentleness.

Then at this moment, after personally witnessing Wen Ci’s terrifying hidden strength, and her unquestionable, even personally intervening to punish offenders, protective stance towards the King…

An instinctive awe and submission to the strong, arising from the heart, ignited like a prairie fire in the hearts of all the beast-men warriors!

She is powerful! Powerful enough to awe them, these beast tribes who revere strength!

She deeply loves their King! Loves him enough to transform into a sharp blade for him, removing all obstacles!

She deserves to stand beside the King! She is not only the precious treasure at the King’s heart, but also a true Queen who can make all their beast tribes sincerely submit and bow to her!

Someone, who reacted first, knelt heavily on one knee, pounded his right fist on his chest, bowed his head deeply, and let out a low, respectful roar: “Greetings, Queen!”

Immediately after, a second, a third… like dominoes, all the beast-men warriors on the training ground, regardless of their previous factions, now knelt in sincere submission, paying homage with the highest beast tribe etiquette to the slender woman standing beside their King, radiating supreme majesty:

“Greetings, Queen—!”

“Greetings, Queen—!!”

The sound waves surged like a tide, echoing through the sky, filled with unprecedented recognition and reverence.

Wen Ci’s identity, at this moment, was truly crowned in the hearts of all the beast tribes.

*

After the trials of the Lei Ya incident and the beast tide, Wen Ci’s position in the Royal Court was as solid as a rock.

And Lie Xiao’s changes became increasingly evident. He was still majestic and powerful, but no longer solely brutal. The gentleness and protective heart born of Wen Ci earned him more heartfelt followers.

On a carefully chosen night, when the moonlight was at its purest and fullest, the Royal Court held a grand celebration.

The Moonlight Flower Garden experienced an unprecedented bloom.

Countless moonlight flowers fully unfurled their petals under the bright moonlight, exuding a soft and sacred silver-white glow, decorating the entire celebration venue like a fairyland. The air was filled with a cool and rich, exotic floral fragrance.

The leaders and warriors of various beast tribes gathered, their faces showing sincere blessings and reverence. Bonfires burned brightly, illuminating excited faces.

The altar was built from ancient giant trees and smoothly polished white stones, carved with ancient beast tribe blessing totems.

Around the altar, piles of prey and treasures symbolizing loyalty, strength, and fertility were stacked.

When the distant and deep sound of the horn rang out, the entire Royal Court fell silent.

Lie Xiao appeared.

He had shed the battle armor that symbolized power in his daily life and changed into a ceremonial robe meticulously sewn from the softest moonlight beast hide and silver threads. The robe outlined his perfectly powerful physique, yet it had a little less wildness and a little more solemnity and… tenderness.

His golden vertical pupils shone brightly in the moonlight, his gaze piercing through the crowd, firmly fixed on the other end of the altar.

Wen Ci, led by the oldest and most respected fox tribe priest of the Royal Court, slowly approached.

She was also dressed in a wedding gown made of moonlight beast hide, simple and sacred in style, with a long train trailing on the ground covered with moonlight flower petals, rippling with flowing halos as she walked.

Her dark hair was braided into an intricate plait, adorned with tiny moonstones, as if she wore stars in her hair.

Her face, illuminated by the moonlight and the halo of the flowers, was breathtakingly beautiful, with a sacred and inviolable purity.

She walked step by step towards the altar, towards the golden-eyed giant beast who had retracted his claws for her, learned to smile for her, and planted a garden full of moonlight for her.

Lie Xiao watched her approach, his heart pounding like a drum. He held out his hand, palm up, with a barely perceptible tremor.

Wen Ci gently placed her hand in his large and warm palm.

His fingers immediately tightened, completely enveloping her small hand, as if he held the most precious treasure in the entire world.

The fox tribe priest began to chant ancient and long blessings, his voice vast and powerful, invoking the witness and blessings of the Moon God and the Beast Ancestors. The beast-men below the altar held their breath, their gazes devout.

When the blessings reached their climax, the priest brought two moonlight stone cups filled with clear spring water, in which two perfect moonlight flower petals were steeped.

“By the moon, by blood, we swear!” the priest proclaimed loudly, “Drink this cup, souls intertwine, life and death together, never to part!”

Lie Xiao and Wen Ci exchanged glances, both seeing in the other’s eyes an unshakeable love and determination.

They raised their stone cups, and under the gaze of thousands, amidst the flowing moonlight and the blooming sea of moonlight flowers at their feet, they drank the spring water in the cups, which had fused with each other’s aura and vows, in one gulp.

The cool spring water slid down their throats, carrying a strange fragrance, as if connecting their souls.

“The ceremony is complete—!” the priest’s voice echoed through the night sky.

The next moment, Lie Xiao could no longer suppress the surging love in his heart. Amidst the thunderous cheers and blessings, he stretched out his strong arms and swept Wen Ci into his embrace!

Wen Ci let out a small gasp, then nestled securely in his strong, warm embrace, her arms wrapped around his neck.

Lie Xiao held his only treasure in this life, his golden eyes filled with unprecedented satisfaction and happiness. He lowered his head, intimately pressing his forehead against Wen Ci’s, and his deep, affectionate voice, like a vow, sounded in her ear:

“Ci Ci, my Queen… my… life.”

Tears of happiness welled up in Wen Ci’s eyes. She tilted her head back and actively kissed his lips, which held a smile and infinite tenderness.

“Lie Xiao, my King… my home.”

The moonlight gently enveloped the embracing couple, the blooming moonlight flowers exuded a halo of blessings, and the entire Royal Court was immersed in an atmosphere of joy and sanctity.

Bonfires reflected the sincere, joyful faces of the beast-men, cheers and beast roars intertwined, celebrating their powerful and deeply affectionate King finally formally uniting with the Queen who had won their hearts.

On this beautiful night blessed by moonlight and floral fragrance, the King of the beast tribe and his Queen forged an eternal soul bond.

From then on, by the throne of the Royal Court, she would always be by his side, and by her side, he would always be her mountain-like protector.