The five tiger beastmen raised their heads in unison and looked towards the main hall.

  Bai Qingqing walked in from the backyard with several porcelain bowls in her hands and a gracious smile on her face.

  Parker followed behind carrying a large pot from which white smoke emanated. As a gust of wind blew from the backyard, an immense fragrance blew against everyone’s faces.

  The intoxicated tiger beastmen inhaled deeply as they gazed at the female, not sure if it was because they were mesmerized by the female’s beauty or due to the alluring fragrance and warmth of delicacy.

  With a darkened expression, Parker briskly walked to the tiger beastmen and heavily set the pot upon the floor.

  “Eat if you want to. Then, prepare to set off,” he said angrily.

  The tiger beastmen instantly snapped out of their reverie and took the porcelain bowls from Bai Qingqing’s hands. After they each took one from her, they curiously sized up the bowl, before scooping the meat soup into their bowls and drinking it with gusto.

  The meat soup was rich, and many meat slices floated on top. After drinking down several bowls of the soup, the tiger beastmen could feel their bodies warming up from the inside out.

  Seeing everyone drinking without stopping, Bai Qingqing said, “Take your time, everyone.”


  “Ooh ooh!”


  The tiger beastmen’s responses were mixed with the gurgling of liquid.

  When Curtis heard Bai Qingqing speaking with the tiger beastmen, he immediately slithered out with the still asleep An’an in his arms.

  “I’ll go and call Alva,” Parker said to her. He then turned and walked towards the bedroom. “Babies, come with me to the tree hole.”


  The leopard cubs responded lazily, then flipped around and fell back into a deep slumber.

  Parker shook his head helplessly and shoved away apart with his legs, then rolled the dry grass into a bundle and carried it out.

  Now that they were sleeping on the icy floor, the leopard cubs’ sleepiness finally dissipated. Yawning, they followed their father out.

  “An’an is awake too.” Bai Qingqing tapped An’an’s little mouth. Seeing the baby open her mouth and suck her finger, Bai Qingqing knew that she was hungry.

  After one final glance at the tiger beastmen, Bai Qingqing carried An’an to the bedroom.

  By the time she finished feeding her, Parker was back with Alva.

  Parker carried out all the luggage and introduced them one by one. “These few jars are clear water, these few bags are food, and that bag is Qingqing’s clothes. Be careful not to damage them.”


  “Don’t worry, we’ll be careful. Let me carry the food,” a tiger beastman offered. He turned around and removed his skirt, then transformed into a tiger.

  Parker tied the two bags of food together and placed them on the tiger beastman’s back.

  The water jars were placed on the tiger beastmen’s backs in the same manner. Seeing the ropes making dents on the tiger beastmen’s furs, Bai Qingqing felt painful for them. Hence, she said, “When we reach the desert you guys can drag the items along. Let’s bring more rope, and, when the time comes, we can tie them into a bundle and drag them along.”


  “Alright,” Parker responded. After placing the luggage on the tiger beastmen’s backs, he ran into the storeroom and found a bundle of long ropes the thickness of wrists made from tree barks.

  After all the preparations were in place, the entourage finally set off.

  Only then did the skies completely turn bright, with patches of dense dew hanging on the food.

  Bai Qingqing sat on Parker’s back, and, as her legs swept through the grass, her calves turned wet.

  When they reached the edge of the desert, the air immediately turned dry. Without the shade from the trees, the blazing sunlight was scorching and brought a stinging sensation to one’s skin.

  “Curtis.” Bai Qingqing reached out her hands to him.

  Shaking his tail from side to side, Curtis came to Bai Qingqing’s side. He carried An’an with one hand and held Bai Qingqing’s petite hand with the other, his snake tail making a smooth and slight dent upon the sandy ground.

  “Do you feel hot?” Bai Qingqing asked as she gazed at his face, her voice slightly trembling as Parker ran.

  “I’m fine,” Curtis replied softly.