The sight of Qiao Xixi made the males’ eyes light up. Even Qiao Yi hadn’t expected them to return at this time.
Qiao Yi cleared his throat. "It’s nothing. They were just hungry, so they got up bright and early to make breakfast."
Not suspecting a thing, Qiao Xixi nodded. "Well, you guys can carry on. I’m going up to check on Sangze."
Sunxiao set down the bone knife he was holding and turned to follow her. "I’ll go take a look."
Feiyan quickly tossed his bone knife aside and went after them.
Jin Ling didn’t move. He simply returned to the stove and put the sliced meat into the pot.
Inside the stone house, Sangze still showed no signs of waking.
Yun Ji walked to the bedside and took out the Soul Stabilizing Pearl. It was a red orb, only about half the size of his palm.
Yun Ji pressed his palms together and began chanting. He then opened his hands, allowing the pearl to float into the air above Sangze’s body.
The pearl emitted a red halo that enveloped Sangze. In the blink of an eye, the Soul Stabilizing Pearl slowly drifted down and merged into his chest.
Yun Ji slowly withdrew his hand.
Seeing this, Qiao Xixi stepped forward. "How is he?"
"The Soul Stabilizing Pearl has been fused with his body. For the time being, his beast soul energy won’t continue to leak, but I can’t say for sure how long it will last."
’That means we still have to find the formula for the Forbidden Technique as soon as possible to solve this for good.’
"Xixi, what’s your plan?" Qiao Yi asked.
Qiao Xixi had already thought it through. "Father, I want to go to Tiger Beast City. Sangze was fed the forbidden drug by his own father, and that Forbidden Technique came from Tiger Beast City. He must have the formula for the drug."
Hearing this, Qiao Yi frowned, his disapproval clear.
"You’re already enemies with Jin Wei. Why would he ever just hand over the formula for the forbidden drug?"
’That’s a real problem. Considering how despicable and cunning Jin Wei is, it’ll be hard to trick him the way I tricked the Beast King.’
’Getting the formula out of him will be incredibly difficult.’
Seeing Qiao Xixi’s brow furrow deeper, Yun Ji took her hand reassuringly. "Don’t panic yet. If the forbidden drug exists, Jin Wei can’t be the only one who knows about it. I’ll look into it on my end as well."
Sunxiao and Feiyan’s eyes narrowed as they stared at the pair’s clasped hands.
Qiao Xixi nodded. ’This will require some careful planning.’
"Xixi, you’re back! Jin Ling’s already made breakfast. Come on down and get something to eat."
As Qiao Xixi stepped out of the house, she saw Xijing returning with buckets of water.
"Okay."
A large pot of meat stew from Jin Ling was already on the table. Everyone gathered in the living room and sat down.
When they were nearly finished eating, Jin Ling set down his bowl. "Xixi, why don’t you head back to the tribe with Sunxiao and the others first? I’ll go to Tiger Beast City and scout ahead."
Qiao Xixi’s brow furrowed instantly, but before she could speak, Jin Ling said placatingly, "Xixi, don’t refuse just yet. Hear me out."
Qiao Xixi pressed her lips together, her eyes fixed on him.
Jin Ling continued, "First, I know the situation in Tiger Beast City better than Sunxiao or the others. Second, Jin Wei is obsessed with creating an immortal, monstrous killing machine. To him, I was a useless failure. But now, things are different. Not only am I still alive, I’m stronger. He’ll be desperate to know the reason."
"When I get there, I’ll start by scouting out the city. If I’m discovered, I can feign allegiance. He won’t kill me before he gets the answers he wants."
After Jin Ling finished, Sunxiao and the others remained silent. Logically, his plan was the most sensible course of action.
But what mattered most was what Xixi wanted. If she didn’t want Jin Ling to go, they would stop him.
Qiao Xixi was deeply worried. "But what if Jin Wei tries to hurt you?"
"I can escape, Xixi. Don’t you trust me?"
Qiao Xixi pressed her lips together. She believed Jin Ling was capable of protecting himself, but emotionally, she couldn’t help but worry.
"Xixi, Jin Ling is only going to gather information, not to clash with Tiger Beast City head-on. We should let him go and take a look."
"Xixi, don’t worry. I’ll go with Jin Ling," Xijing spoke up.
All eyes turned to Qiao Xixi. She knew they were all in agreement, and she knew this was the best way.
"Alright. Then Jin Ling and Xijing will go to Tiger Beast City to gather information first."
"Mm."
"As for you, Xixi, you’ll take Sangze and return to the tribe with Sunxiao and Feiyan."
Qiao Xixi snapped her head up to look at Qiao Yi. "Father, you’re not coming with us?"
Qiao Yi glanced at Yun Ji. "I’ll come find you at the tribe after Yaoxi successfully becomes the Beast King."
Qiao Xixi looked toward Yun Ji, who quickly suppressed the reluctance in his eyes. "Yes, you all should head back to the tribe first."
Sunxiao and Feiyan got up to pack.
The thought of parting with them made Qiao Xixi’s eyes instantly turn red.
She turned and went back inside. From her personal space, she quickly retrieved the Invisibility Cloak and some Strong Healing Glue, wrapped them in a hide pouch, and pressed it into Jin Ling’s and Xijing’s hands.
"There’s healing medicine and an Invisibility Cloak in here. I’ve told you how to use the cloak before. Since you’re going to gather intel, you should keep these. Oh, right, I also put in some powder that can mask your scent..."
Qiao Xixi held onto the two of them, talking nonstop, terrified she might have forgotten something important.
Jin Ling and Xijing listened quietly, knowing this was all a testament to her care for them.
Qiao Yi and Yun Ji stood in the courtyard, watching from the side as Qiao Xixi spoke with Jin Ling and Xijing.
"Did you explain everything to Xixi?"
Yun Ji knew what he was asking. "Mm. Xixi said she’ll wait for me to step down from my position."
Qiao Yi snorted. "Yun Ji, Yun Ji... In the end, you punk still just used our Silver Frost White Wolf clan."
Yun Ji slowly lifted his gaze to Qiao Yi, whose scars had now faded.
"The Silver Frost White Wolf clan also received Xixi’s power, which made your bloodline’s combat strength far greater than that of other clans, did it not?"
Qiao Yi didn’t deny it. "Say what you will, but once Yaoxi successfully takes the throne, I’m going to find Xixi and my grand-cubs. You can just stay in that godforsaken place all by yourself."
Yun Ji lowered his gaze, a faint smile touching his lips. "I have waited for far longer." ’What is a little more time now?’
The moment Qiao Yi saw Qiao Xixi approaching, he tactfully turned and went inside, leaving the two of them some time alone.
Qiao Xixi said nothing, simply wrapping her arms around him from behind.
"I’ll be waiting for you at the tribe."
Yun Ji held her hands, feeling her warmth, a gentle smile gracing the corners of his eyes.
"Okay."
Once everything was packed, Qiao Xixi and her group walked to the gates of Beast King City.
At the city gates, several males of the Phoenix Wing Clan were already waiting.
Qiao Yi looked at them, unable to hide the worry in his eyes. "Be careful on your journey."
"Father, you all be careful, too."
Feiyan carried Qiao Xixi and leaped onto the back of one of the Phoenixes. The moment she settled in, Qiao Xixi saw a frail figure running toward them.