Chapter 518: You’re So Naughty
Qiao Xixi lowered her eyes and opened the leaf-wrapped bundle, her expression noncommittal.
"This is a lot of meat. I can’t finish it all."
"Eat more. You’ve gotten thin."
After he spoke, Qiao Xixi said no more, simply picking up a piece of roasted meat from the bundle and eating it slowly and deliberately.
Meanwhile, the cubs who had witnessed Qiao Xixi being taken by Kunlin were frantic with worry.
Fortunately, the commotion alerted the patrol team, who immediately intercepted the cubs.
When Feili returned and learned what had happened, he was filled with self-blame.
Upon getting the news, Feiyan checked Qiao Xixi’s location and immediately led a party in pursuit.
Back in the inner city, the cubs were on pins and needles, even late into the night.
"Cubs, come and eat first. If your mother comes back and finds out you haven’t been eating, she’ll surely be sad."
Qiao Qiao’s eyes were red-rimmed, her voice choked with sobs. "Grandfather, Mother will be okay, right?"
"It’s all my fault. If I were just a little stronger, that bad guy wouldn’t have been able to take Mother," Sangqi said, his face etched with self-reproach. He had felt uncomfortable around Kunlin before, but he hadn’t told his mother. ’If I had said something then, she might not have been in danger.’
Qiao Ang’s lips were pressed tight, his eyes also red, but he held back his tears, refusing to let them fall.
Qiao Lie’s small face was tense, his body drawn taut. His mother had fallen into Kunlin’s hands to save him. It was all his fault!
Tears kept welling up in Xiya’s eyes, solidifying into pearls that clattered to the floor.
Looking at the cubs, Feili let out a heavy sigh. He was upset, too. If only he had been a little faster when he went to get the bamboo basket, he might have been able to stop Kunlin.
In an instant, the atmosphere at the dinner table sank to its lowest point.
It was at this moment that Feiyan walked in.
Seeing Feiyan return, Qiao Ang immediately jumped up and ran over.
"Father! Father! Did you find Mother?"
Feiyan’s expression was even grimmer than the cubs’, but seeing their expectant gazes, he still nodded.
"Don’t worry. Your mother is fine. So you wouldn’t worry, she even sent a message for you."
After speaking, Feiyan used his consciousness to activate the card that had been sent to him.
Soon, the cubs heard Qiao Xixi’s voice coming from the air.
"Cubs, your mother is fine. What happened by the river was all part of my plan, just like I told you before. So you don’t need to worry. I let Kunlin take me on purpose. I might have to go to Tiger Beast City or Wing Beast City to take care of some things. Once I’m done, I’ll come back to the tribe. Can you all be good and wait for me in the tribe?"
When the voice faded, Feiyan looked at the cubs.
"You all heard her. Your mother is fine for now, so don’t worry. Now, go and eat properly."
The cubs still missed Qiao Xixi dearly, but after hearing her words, they felt much more settled and obediently returned to their seats at the table.
Feili placed a portion of meat in front of the tiger cub. After glancing at the already-eating cubs, he walked over to Feiyan.
"What exactly is going on? What was that with Xixi’s voice just now?"
Feiyan didn’t tell Feili about Qiao Xixi’s spatial positioning ability. After all, it was an unbelievable thing, and the fewer people who knew, the better.
"Father, that was a voice transmission from Xixi. Those were her exact words. I didn’t make it up to trick the cubs."
Feili was still astonished, but seeing that Feiyan didn’t want to elaborate, he didn’t press the matter.
"Is Xixi really safe right now?"
Feiyan’s brow furrowed in conflict. Knowing Qiao Xixi, she wouldn’t lie about something like this. But even with her instructions, he was still consumed with anxiety, wishing he could fly to her side right now and bring her back. Yet, Xixi had also told him to stay and guard the tribe.
In an instant, Feiyan found himself in a dilemma.
Qiao Xixi knew Feiyan and the others must be feeling terrible, and she didn’t want to waste any more time with Kunlin.
She spent the entire night leaning against the stone wall of the cave with her eyes closed to rest. There was no way she could fall asleep under these circumstances.
Sensing a ray of golden light break through the clouds and shine into the cave, Qiao Xixi’s eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.
The moment she did, her gaze met Kunlin’s black-and-red phoenix eyes.
As their eyes locked, Kunlin’s lips curled into a smile, and he pushed the remaining roasted meat toward her.
"We’ll leave after you’ve eaten your fill."
Qiao Xixi wasn’t hungry, but to conserve her energy, she picked up a piece of cold roasted meat and began to eat.
After finishing, she packed up the rest of the meat and stood up.
"Since you said you’re taking me to see Yaya, let’s get going. We shouldn’t keep her waiting."
"Alright."
Kunlin walked to the cave entrance, turned his back to Qiao Xixi, and crouched down. "Get on my back."
Qiao Xixi clambered on without a hint of hesitation. She had no desire to be carried all the way by his sharp claws like yesterday.
The moment Qiao Xixi had a firm grip, Kunlin leaped from the cave, transformed into his beast form, and shot into the sky.
The cold wind lashed at her, making her face feel numb.
Kunlin flew at an incredible speed, as if he couldn’t wait to bring her back to Wing Beast City.
Qiao Xixi buried her head in his feathers, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.
After flying for an unknown amount of time, Qiao Xixi spotted Tiger Beast City in the distance, nestled within the mountain forest.
When she checked the map and her location yesterday, she had discovered that to get to Wing Beast City, they would have to fly over Tiger Beast City.
Even by air, there was no way around it; this was the most direct route back to Wing Beast City.
’Xiao Yao, have you finished calculating the altitude and distance I asked for?’
’Calculations are complete, Host. I will tell you when the time is right.’
’Good.’
Just as she finished the thought, a powerful, cold gust of wind blew past, slowing Kunlin’s flight. Because of the strong wind, he glanced back at Qiao Xixi.
Catching a glimpse of Qiao Xixi’s pale face, frozen by the cold, a flash of pain crossed his eyes.
"Are you cold?"
Qiao Xixi pressed her lips together and stubbornly replied, "I’m not cold. You don’t need to stop and rest. Let’s get to Wing Beast City as soon as possible."
The look in Kunlin’s eyes turned icy once more. "In such a hurry? Are you that eager to get back to the tribe and be with your mate?"
Qiao Xixi didn’t answer, which he took as a silent confirmation.
A surge of anger rose in Kunlin’s chest, and the black-and-red glow in his eyes reappeared. He beat his wings and began to descend rapidly.
Directly below them was a dense mountain forest near Tiger Beast City.
Watching the ground approach, Qiao Xixi sat up on Kunlin’s back.
Just then, Xiao Yao’s voice sounded.
’Host, now! Jump!’
Hearing the command, Qiao Xixi leaped off Kunlin’s back without a moment’s hesitation.
Kunlin was startled, and the grim coldness in his eyes intensified. He wheeled around and flew swiftly toward Qiao Xixi.
"Xixi, you truly are disobedient!"
He moved with extreme speed, arriving above Qiao Xixi in the blink of an eye and extending his sharp claws.