Hu Jiao Jiao’s voice stopped abruptly.

She blinked, then rubbed her eyes to be sure she wasn’t seeing things.

How could there be a female standing beside Long Mo?

And not just any female—a delicate beauty with soft, innocent features that could melt anyone’s heart.

There were only a handful of females in the tribe, and Hu Jiao Jiao was familiar with all of them by now. She was certain this one wasn’t a member of their tribe.

While she was still processing this, Ying Yuan and the other beastmen approached.

“Ying Yuan!” Lu Mian’er leapt from a beastman back and ran straight into Ying Yuan’s arms.

Only then did Hu Jiao Jiao notice that the Chief had called not only her, but all the families and mates of the returning beastmen.

“Ying Yuan, what happened? How are you back so soon? And what about the supplies? The sea salt?” The Chief, completely focused on the lost resources and sea salt, hadn’t noticed the unfamiliar female yet.

At the mention of their journey, Ying Yuan’s face darkened. Hugging Lu Mian’er, he answered in a low voice:

“Chief, I’m sorry. We encountered heavenly fire on the way, and all our supplies were consumed. It was only with great difficulty that we managed to return safely.”

“What! Heavenly fire? And the supplies are gone?” The Chief’s face went pale, suddenly looking years older.

Ying Yuan nodded. “And the path to the sea is entirely blocked by the fire. We searched nearby for another way but found nothing.”

At this, the beastmen faces grew grim.

With heavenly fire blocking the way, they couldn’t reach the coast, and there wasn’t enough time to gather new supplies. Even if they did, the fire would only die down when winter’s snow finally covered it. Until then, they’d be trapped.

It was like being forced to the edge of a cliff.

The Chief staggered, almost falling, but Hu Jiao Jiao caught him. Hearing the news, her heart sank.

“What… what do we do now? How could this happen…” The Chief’s lips trembled, his voice filled with sorrow. “Without sea salt, how will our tribe survive next year?”

The realization dawned on Hu Jiao Jiao. Her dream hadn’t been random. Although Long Mo and the others had survived the journey, the failure to bring back salt meant that next year, the females would struggle to survive. And without females, the tribe itself would face extinction.

Without salt, she and all the females here might not make it through the next winter.

This was the life-or-death crisis her dream had foreshadowed.

“It’s my fault for not protecting the supplies better. Let me gather a new batch and go to the coast alone. I’ll try to bring back whatever salt I can,” Ying Yuan offered, guilt written on his face.

The Chief, though heartbroken, hadn’t lost his composure.

“No, the fire covers a huge area. You wouldn’t make it across,” the Chief replied firmly, shaking his head. “If your strength gave out mid-flight and there was nowhere to land, you’d perish in the flames.”

“But…”

Ying Yuan opened his mouth to argue, but the Chief raised a hand, silencing him.

“That’s enough. I can’t let you take that risk alone. I’ll find another way. If it comes to it, we’ll ration the males’ salt for the females,” he said with resolve, leaving no room for further discussion.

The Chief sighed, placing a hand on Ying Yuan’s shoulder. “You all just came back from the fire. Don’t blame yourselves; not even the Beast God could’ve helped. Go rest.”

Seeing the Chief’s understanding, the group’s guilt deepened.

Heads hung low, they fell silent.

Just then, the Chief noticed the unfamiliar female among them, looking surprised.

“Who is this? And why did she come back with you?”

Jiao Jiao glanced at the female, who seemed to shrink under the tribe’s gaze, drawing her hands close to herself as though too timid to speak.

Long Mo frowned and took a step away, pulling his cloak from her grip.

The female’s face turned pale, and in a timid voice, she finally spoke:

“My name is Huang Yue. I met Long Mo while escaping danger on the road. My tribe was attacked, and everyone was killed. I’m the only survivor.”

“Long Mo saved my life; otherwise, I would’ve perished in the forest. Could I join your tribe?”

The addition of a new female was always good news for the tribe.

As a mixed clan, they didn’t mind beastmen from outside joining. At this, a bit of color returned to the Chief’s face.

“Yes, of course. You’re very welcome here,” he said warmly.

This was, at least, some positive news.

Hearing this, Hu Jiao Jiao’s expression turned rigid. She eyed Huang Yue with suspicion.

Huang Yue?

Wasn’t that the name of a female character in the book?

In the original story, it was Ying Yuan who had rescued Huang Yue, causing her to fall in love with him at first sight. Even though he had a mate, she continued to admire him, becoming Lu Mian’er’s top rival.

But now, it was Long Mo who had saved her?

“Thank you, Chief. The beast in your tribe are so kind.” Huang Yue lowered her head, her expression grateful.

She was tall and didn’t look fragile, but her gentle, innocent face drew sympathy effortlessly.

The male beastmen, hearing her words, looked sheepish.

Accepting her into the tribe was more beneficial for them, after all.

“Huang Yue, you must be exhausted from the journey. I’ll have one of the females help you settle in, and if you need anything, just let me know,” the Chief said kindly.

“Alright.” Huang Yue nodded, simple and sincere.

Looking around, the Chief’s gaze landed on Hu Jing, one of the most outgoing females. He waved her over.

“Hu Jing, please show Huang Yue around and help her settle in. She can stay with you for now.”

Since Hu Jing was cheerful and without a mate, she seemed like the perfect choice.

“No problem! Leave it to me,” Hu Jing replied, stepping forward.

But as Huang Yue glanced at Hu Jing, she recoiled behind Long Mo, her voice small and pleading.

“Chief, I… I’m scared. Could Long Mo show me around instead? I don’t feel comfortable with the others.”

Seeing her delicate, innocent act, Hu Jiao Jiao felt a surge of anger. In the book, her fourth brother, Hu Qingyuan, had fallen for Huang Yue, only to be used by her and left to a tragic fate.

Stepping forward, Hu Jiao Jiao positioned herself between Long Mo and Huang Yue, her voice loud and clear:

“Sorry, but my mate doesn’t like to be around other females. You’ll have to get used to it. Long Mo is my mate, after all. You can’t just cling to him because you’re uncomfortable around the others, right?”

Huang Yue’s face went pale, and she bit her lip, looking lost and helpless.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to cling to him. I didn’t know he had a mate…”