The moment the rabbit tribe finished settling their tired females and cubs, Su Mingxuan gave a sharp signal.
"We move."
The rabbit tribe immediately formed lines again. Strong beastmen stepped forward, offering their backs and arms to carry the exhausted older beastman up the slippery slope.
Su Qinglan didnât even get the chance to walk.
Hu Yan scooped her up in one smooth motion.
His arms wrapped around her securely, as if she were something delicate that even the mountain wind could break. Su Qinglan blinked in surprise, but his expression was stern.
"Youâve been outside too long," Hu Yan said softly. "Your body is cold."
Rong Ye, in his beast form, brushed against Hu Yanâs leg irritably as if saying, "I wouldâve carried her first if you werenât so fast."
Han Jue walked on the other side, his eyes silently guarding her. The three of them surrounded her like living shields.
Behind them, the newly rescued pregnant females were being lifted by their own mates. Some were carried in strong arms, some on broad backs.
The line of beastmen slowly began their climb back up the mountain.
The rain was still soft inside the dome, but the ground was muddy and slippery. Steps had to be taken carefully.
As they moved upward, Su Qinglan felt a strange prickling sensation.
Someone was staring at her.
She turned slightly and caught the rabbit tribe leader looking her way again.
His gaze wasnât bad...it was respectful, grateful, maybe even amazed. He looked at her as if she were a miracle, a little sun in the rain.
But he looked a second time.
Then a third.
And that was a big mistake.
Because Han Jueâs cold glare burned into him like a blade. His eyes narrowed dangerously, already imagining beating this man into the mud.
Rong Ye, still in beast form, let out a silent growl. He leaned forward slightly, his sharp claws digging into the soil.
He looked like he wanted to run straight back down the mountain, tackle the leader, and drown him in a puddle.
Only Hu Yan did nothing...not because he didnât notice, but because his focus was completely on Su Qinglan. He didnât want her slipping, tripping, or getting cold.
Still, the rabbit leader felt the killing intent. His long ears froze straight up, and he quickly turned his face away, pretending he was admiring a tree.
After that, he didnât dare look at Su Qinglan again.
The climb continued slowly.
Cubs yawned sleepily on their fathersâ shoulders. Pregnant females leaned weakly into their mates. Beastmen puffed and panted, but no one complained.
Eventually, the ground became firmer. The air grew warmer. The familiar upper mountain path appeared, winding between the tall trees.
"Weâre close," Su Qinglan whispered.
Hu Yan nodded and tightened his hold around her just a little.
When they reached the top, Su Mingxuan raised a hand to stop everyone.
"You will stay here," he announced.
He pointed toward several empty tree houses made long ago by fox tribe members. They were built at the edge of the territory...safe but not too close to the inner trees.
"They are newly built but dry and strong," he said. "Use them for now. And if you want more, you may build your own houses. My tribe will help."
The rabbit tribe leader stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Thank you..."
Su Qinglan smiled a little at the sight. She knew her father wasnât harsh, he simply knew how to handle tribes and people. He did everything carefully, with rules.
And because of that, they would survive.
But her own situation was different.
The moment they reached the top, Hu Yan glanced down at her hand, then up at her face.
"Youâre cold," he said.
Rong Ye flicked his tail impatiently. Han Jue clicked his tongue softly. All three were urging her without words.
"Fine, fine," she sighed. "Letâs go home."
They didnât even hide their relief. Hu Yan carried her straight toward the treehouse. Rong Ye walked right behind, bumping Hu Yanâs leg occasionally, reminding him not to drop her. Han Jue walked on her other side, looking exceptionally calm.
But before leaving, Su Qinglan turned to the pregnant females who were being settled into the empty tree houses.
"You should dry yourselves and rest," she told them gently. "I will come soon with medicines."
The females looked at her with trembling gratitude.
She continued, her tone firm but caring, "Ask your mates to hunt something once the rain lightens. Meat is good, but only if itâs fresh. Iâll teach you how to cook food that wonât make you sick. Donât eat raw meat. Itâs bad for you, especially now."
Every beastman in the rabbit tribe nodded so fast it looked like their necks might snap.
They would do anything she asked.
Satisfied, Su Qinglan turned back toward her home and entered her tree house.
The moment she stepped inside, she removed her leaf raincoat at the entrance and hung it under the little shed they have built. The leaves dripped softly as they dried.
Inside the house, the warmth welcomed her. She didnât waste time.
She walked straight to the herb storage and began pulling down bundles. Dried leaves, roots, flowers...all neatly tied and stored. She laid them out and began sorting them.
She added dried meat.
And then she added fruit.
Rong Ye froze.
His fur puffed up instantly.
"Youâre giving that away? " he asked in disbelief, shifting into human form and grabbing the basket pitifully.
Su Qinglan froze a little. His voice wasnât angry...just full of heartache.
"This is our food," Rong Ye said, eyes big and wounded. "We hunted and dried it. Itâs for you."
He looked so pitiful that Su Qinglan almost dropped the basket.
But she had no choice.
"I have to save them," she whispered, guilt filling her heart. "If they donât eat, how will they survive? I have to save the three pregnant females... and food is part of it."
Rong Ye looked like he wanted to argue, but his eyes drooped, and he sighed sadly. "But... our food..."
Su Qinglanâs heart squeezed painfully.
She reached up and patted his head gently, coaxing him. "Donât worry. After treating them, I will cook something good for you. It will be delicious."
He leaned into her hand reluctantly, still pouty.
Han Jue said nothing. He simply leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her with calm acceptance. If she wanted to give away food, he wouldnât stop her.
Hu Yan was the same. He walked over and silently began packing the herbs into small leaf pouches for her, helping without question.
But as Su Qinglan worked...
A sudden thought struck her.
The system mission said:
Save the three pregnant females.
But today... she had only seen two. Her hand froze. Then her heartbeat quickened.
Where is the third one?
Is she from another tribe?
Is she hiding somewhere?
Or... is she in danger right now?
Just where is the third female?
Su Qinglan swallowed hard. A soft shiver crawled down her spine just by imagining this.
Somewhere out there... a pregnant female was waiting. And she had to find her...before it was too late.