Chapter 256: Chapter 256: Take Xiya with You

A male tiger-beastman blocked Qiao Xixi’s path.

The tiger-beastman had been chasing the tiger cub and was surprised to run into Qiao Xixi.

"You little brat! I can’t believe you transformed so young. Neither of you, mother or daughter, is getting away today!"

When the cub saw the tiger-beastman, she began to babble angrily, her little mouth moving nonstop as if she were tattling on him to Qiao Xixi.

Qiao Xixi understood. The cub was so furious, she must have known he had done something to provoke her.

Qiao Xixi sneered. "You want to catch me? First, see if you have what it takes."

"EE-YA!"

The tiger-beastman paid no mind to a mere female and a young cub. With a furious roar, he shifted into his beast form and charged them.

Qiao Xixi already had a Bubble Fruit clutched in her hand. Before the tiger-beastman could reach her, she swiftly threw it.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Jin Ling had followed the scent into the woods. The moment he heard the commotion up ahead, he tore forward like a madman.

He immediately saw the tiger-beastman staggering back from an explosion. With a tiger’s roar, Jin Ling lunged forward and sank his teeth into the beastman’s neck.

The tiger-beastman was dead before he could even recover from the blast.

Jin Ling released him, then turned and ran to Qiao Xixi’s side. He shifted back into his human form and swept the mother and child into his arms.

"Xixi! Are you all right?"

Qiao Xixi could feel Jin Ling’s body trembling slightly. She knew he must have been terrified.

She gently soothed him, rubbing his back. "It’s okay, it’s okay. We’re both fine."

"Pff, pff."

Feeling the warmth of her body and her familiar scent, Jin Ling’s frantic heart began to settle.

He loosened his embrace slightly and glanced down to see a delicate little baby staring up at him with wide, expectant eyes.

"An’an! How did she...?"

Using her hands and feet, the cub scrambled onto her father. A gentle look came over Qiao Xixi’s face as she watched the mischievous display.

"Yes, An’an transformed. Let’s talk on the way back."

"Okay."

Without another word, Jin Ling transformed back into his beast form so they could ride on his back.

"It was my fault. I thought An’an was asleep, so I went to the backyard. When I returned, she was gone. I followed her trail all the way into the woods..."

Jin Ling listened quietly as Qiao Xixi spoke. When she mentioned meeting a male from the Wing Clan, his muscles tensed for an instant.

"He’s the one who made An’an transform?"

"Yes. He seemed incredibly powerful. It was as if... he was waiting there for us on purpose."

Qiao Xixi couldn’t quite describe the feeling. They were strangers, yet she found herself believing his words.

Jin Ling quickly searched his memory for any beastman fitting that description but came up empty. "He said something happened to the Black Panther Tribe?"

"Yes, but he said it wasn’t a major issue."

"Don’t worry. We’ll figure out what to do after we get back and discuss it."

"Okay."

Not long after Qiao Xixi’s group returned to the wooden cabin, Sunxiao and the others heard the news and hurried back as well.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief seeing that Qiao Xixi was unharmed.

Sunxiao’s expression was cold and stern. He had previously caught several beastmen from Tiger Beast City who’d been left behind to gather intelligence. After that, they hadn’t dared to get too close. He never imagined they were still hiding in the woods.

Qiao Xixi recounted her experience in the woods for them.

"Xixi, what are your plans? We’ll follow your lead."

Qiao Xixi had already made up her mind on the way back. "I’m thinking we’ll finish refining the Seven-color Salt Crystals we’ve mined, and then, in a few days, we’ll head back to the Black Panther Tribe."

"Okay."

"Xixi, are you leaving?"

Xijing had just reached the doorway when he heard Qiao Xixi’s words.

Qiao Xixi nodded. "I want to return to the tribe and see what’s happening. Before I go, I’ll give half of the refined Crystal Stones to the merfolk."

Xijing’s expression remained unchanged, but the tight line of his lips betrayed his true feelings.

"There’s no need, Xixi. You worked hard to refine those. You should keep them for your tribe."

Qiao Xixi didn’t argue the point with him. She had already decided to give the Crystal Stones to Ximing upon her departure.

"Then what about Xiya? Are you... going to abandon her too?"

Qiao Xixi frowned. This was her dilemma. Xiya was a merfolk; life in the sea was what was best for her. Yet, she couldn’t bear to let the child she had just found leave her side again.

"I... I don’t want to leave Mother! I... I don’t want to leave Father either... WAAAAAH..."

Qiao Xixi was startled. She hadn’t expected Xiya to overhear them.

The little girl’s hands gripped the doorframe tightly as tears streamed down her face as if they would never stop.

Seeing their big sister crying, Qiao Qiao and the other children ran over to comfort her.

"Big sister, don’t cry! Mother would never abandon you."

"Yeah! Qiao Lie was such a dummy before, and Mother didn’t abandon him."

Qiao Lie: ...

None of the males spoke. This was a matter for Qiao Xixi to decide herself; they wouldn’t interfere.

"But... but Mother is leaving! Waaah! Mother doesn’t want me anymore!" Xiya covered her small face, turned, and ran off.

"Big Sister!"

"Xiya."

Qiao Xixi shot to her feet and ran after her.

Hearing the commotion, Xijing also hurried off in the direction they had gone.

Sangze stood up to follow as well but was stopped by Jin Ling.

Sangze looked back, confused. "Jin Ling, why are you stopping me?"

Jin Ling’s voice was soft. "They won’t go far. Don’t worry."

Feiyan snorted. ’I knew that old merfolk was full of schemes. He knows Xixi is soft-hearted.’ He grumbled a few more things under his breath but ultimately stayed put.

They all understood certain things clearly. As long as Xijing didn’t cause any real trouble, they couldn’t—and wouldn’t—use brute force to stop him from joining their family. Fights were one thing, and squabbles another, but the final decision rested entirely with Xixi.

Qiao Xixi caught up to Xiya and scooped her into her arms, comforting her gently.

Xiya wasn’t truly angry. Deep down, she was filled with sadness and panic.

She had grown accustomed to her mother’s love and had become deeply attached to her. If she were suddenly separated from her mother and her little brother and sisters, she felt she could never be happy again.

The little girl slumped against Qiao Xixi’s shoulder, her body wracked with sobs. Qiao Xixi’s heart ached for her.

"Don’t cry, don’t cry. Mother promised she would never, ever abandon you, didn’t she?"

Xiya hugged Qiao Xixi tightly and looked up at her father, who was standing behind them. Her voice was thick with congestion as she asked, "Then... what about Father...? Does... does Mother... want Father?"

Hearing this, Qiao Xixi turned to look at Xijing and let out a soft sigh.

Just as Qiao Xixi was about to speak, Xijing said, "Xixi, take Xiya with you."

Qiao Xixi stared at him, stunned. "You..."

Xijing walked over to her and gently stroked Xiya’s little face. "Our merfolk have always lived in the sea, but as long as we awaken our beast souls, we can stay on land for extended periods. Xiya is a child with a one-star beast soul. She’ll be fine."

"Then... what about you?"