Chapter 25

The two demonized beasts were massive, their movements causing the ground to tremble.

Seeing them relentlessly pursuing, Ye Baizhi focused and said, “We must not lead them toward the Rabbit Tribe.”

Ye Shuo realized this as well. On any other day, facing wild beasts—even ones corrupted by demonic energy—he would have fought without hesitation. But today, his priority was to protect his sister.

That was why he immediately chose to flee with her. Since the beasts were charging directly at them, he couldn’t avoid the battle any longer.

Using his strength, Ye Shuo lifted Ye Baizhi and placed her in a tree. Then, without hesitation, he swung his long blade in a sweeping strike, the force cutting deep into one beast’s leg.

Bending low, Ye Shuo slid under the beast, his blade slicing through its underside.

“Roar—!” The beast let out an enraged howl and attacked even more ferociously.

Meanwhile, the other beast relentlessly rammed into the tree where Ye Baizhi was perched, shaking it violently. She could feel the whole tree about to collapse.

Just as she prepared to counter, Ye Shuo had already finished off the first beast. He leaped forward with incredible speed, driving his blade straight through the second beast’s body.

The beast collapsed with a heavy thud.

Only then did Ye Shuo wipe the blood from his face. His gaze remained unwavering—resolute from beginning to end. He paid no attention to his own injuries and instead looked at Ye Baizhi with concern. “Sister, are you okay?”

Ye Baizhi met his gaze and felt that he truly had the makings of a Rabbit Tribe leader. His reactions to danger were swift, he remained fearless in the face of adversity, and his eyes held a determined intensity—there was a sharpness to his youthful spirit.

Effortlessly, Ye Baizhi leaped down from the tree and smiled. “Big brother, I’m fine.”

“You were amazing just now.” Admiration flickered in her eyes.

Ye Shuo had fought using only his beastman form—if he had unleashed his full strength, he would have been even more formidable. But he simply shook his head. “No, this level of skill is still not enough.”

“I almost put you in danger.”

Ye Shuo felt waves of lingering fear and a sense of guilt.

Ye Baizhi reassured him, “I’m fine.”

At critical moments, she had her own means of protection. She wore a bracelet—a protective artifact given to her by Xue Youchen. In dire situations, it could shield her from fatal attacks.

Otherwise, even if she insisted she didn’t need guards, Xue Youchen wouldn’t feel at ease leaving her in the Rabbit Tribe.

Earlier, she had considered using the artifact. But if she could avoid it, she preferred not to. Because once activated, Xue Youchen would sense it and rush to her aid. Right now, he was surely dealing with the Cat Tribe’s involvement with the Demon Tribe. She didn’t want to burden him at this crucial moment.

“Big brother, we shouldn’t stay here. Let’s head back.”

“These two beasts… I’m not sure how we’d bring them back.”

They felt far too heavy.

Ye Shuo patiently explained, “Sister, demonized beasts can’t be eaten.”

“If consumed, the demonic energy could linger in our bodies, making us vulnerable to its corruption.”

“Normally, the barrier at the Misty Forest’s border is reinforced every century by the Snow Wolf King of the Snow Wolf Tribe. But now, demonic energy has seeped through—something has likely gone wrong with the barrier.”

That was Ye Shuo’s speculation. He wasn’t certain what had happened.

All he knew was a growing weight in his chest. “If the demonic energy keeps spreading, the wild beasts of the forest won’t be safe to eat anymore.”

That would make survival in the Northern Region an even greater challenge.

Ye Baizhi felt that today’s outing with Ye Shuo had given her a deeper understanding of many things. She had a theory and asked, “Many beastmen are unwilling to come to the Northern Region, and some tribes even want to migrate away—not just because of the harsh climate and scarce food, but also because the proximity to the barrier makes it easier for them to be invaded by demonic forces or even killed by the Demon Tribe. Is that right?”

Ye Shuo nodded. “That’s true.”

“But because the Snow Wolf Tribe guards the area, there usually aren’t any issues.”

“Still, many beastmen believe that other regions are safer.”

Understanding this, Ye Baizhi couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Xue Youchen. It seemed the burdens he carried were even greater than she had imagined. And with the recent demonic invasion, it was unclear what had happened on his side. As they discussed these matters, they swiftly packed up and returned to the Rabbit Tribe.

By the time they arrived, night had already fallen. The sky rumbled with thunder, and rain had begun to pour.

Seeing them return, Ye Lu and Ye Chuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Silently, Ye Chuan stepped forward to help his sister remove the items from her basket.

Ye Baizhi looked at her brother, recalling the way Ye Shuo had slain the wild beasts. She thought to herself that when he reached the strength of a fifth-tier warrior, he would likely be just like that—confident, composed, steadfast, and courageous.

Because they had encountered beasts tainted by demonic energy earlier in the day, Ye Dashan and Zhu Shi came to discuss the matter with Ye Lu.

“Our Rabbit Tribe beastmen can’t just stay in the tribe forever. Without food, we’ll starve.”

“But if we run into more beasts corrupted by demonic energy, our people will be in even greater danger.”

“How did this demonic energy appear out of nowhere?”

“Could it be a problem with the barrier?”

“That doesn’t seem likely. Could there be demon beastmen hiding somewhere in the Northern Region?”

“I heard that Kasai from the Cat Tribe has demonic abilities—perhaps she is a demon beastman.”

“For now, food must remain our priority. Winter will arrive in a few months, and time is running short. We need to hunt more.”

“Should we organize hunting and gathering teams? Moving in groups might be safer…”

Just as they were discussing these matters, the sound of crying echoed from the entrance.

The sound of knocking on the courtyard gate echoed.

“Chief! Chief!”

Upon hearing the voice, Ye Dashan immediately stood up. “It’s Gesi!”

Ye Dashan and Zhu Shi rushed to open the door, braving the rain, and saw that it was indeed Gesi.

Gesi fell to his knees and pleaded, “Chief, please save my grandmother! She was startled by the thunder, fell, and has been unconscious ever since. I’m afraid she won’t wake up… wuwu…”

Gesi was still just a child, and at that moment, he looked utterly terrified.

Ye Dashan and Zhu Shi quickly pulled him up. “Don’t worry, we’ll go check on her.”

“Ye Shuo, go find the healer immediately.”

Ye Baizhi had just finished soaking the soybeans in water when she recalled her wood-based ability. She decided to go along and see if she could help. Upon reaching a small cave, she saw an elderly woman lying unconscious inside.

Thanks to her abilities, she also had night vision, allowing her to see clearly—the old woman was frail, little more than skin and bones, clearly suffering from malnutrition.

Looking at Gesi, who was sobbing nearby—said to be twelve years old, but so thin and small that he looked only eight or nine—she turned her gaze to the empty cave and courtyard, nearly devoid of any belongings.

Only now did Ye Baizhi truly realize how severe the Rabbit Tribe’s situation was. The tribe had many rabbit beastmen, but very few were actually capable of hunting.

Ye Baizhi quietly approached the elderly woman and channeled her wood-based energy to ensure her condition was stable.

“The healer has arrived!”

Someone shouted, and just as the words echoed, a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky. In that instant, Ye Baizhi saw a striking young man step through the entrance. His skin was a pale shade, tinged with an unnatural pallor. His features were mesmerizing—almost bewitching, with an air of mystery. At the corner of his eyes, a single distinctive tear mole stood out. He appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, his figure tall and slender—lean yet commanding. He wore a black embroidered robe fitted closely to his body, moving with silent elegance.

Draped entirely in black, he seemed to carry the essence of the night, as if enveloped in shadows—like a phantom from the darkness. As he stepped inside, his gaze immediately met Ye Baizhi’s.

At that moment, she felt as if her very blood had frozen, an unshakable sensation of being locked in place, as though bound by an unseen force.