"The Sky-Swallowing Python lineage has always been afflicted by the Original Stone Curse. It’s impossible for them to ever fully unleash their innate energy."

"City Lord, we could feel his immense power. His Original Stone Curse has likely been shattered."

"Are you saying the Divine Leopard Tribe has a Sky-Swallowing Python that has fully unleashed its innate power?" A male wearing colorful beast hides, with a fiery red feather in his hair, strode into the room.

He stared at Songyan, desperate for an answer.

"Priest Fengxuan, that Sky-Swallowing Python is indeed free of all restraints."

Fengxuan looked thrilled. "And what of Sangze? You said he’s incredibly powerful now?"

"Yes, but he’s also gone mad. He won’t listen to anyone, and he even wants to kill his own mother."

Fengxuan grew even more excited. "He even wants to kill his own mother? That’s perfect!" ’A great weapon needs to be cold-blooded and merciless. As long as it can understand commands, that’s enough.’

He looked to Jin Wei. "City Lord, I must go see this for myself. I want to see just how powerful Sangze can become, and that Sky-Swallowing Python... if we could subdue it... it would be a monumental blessing for our Tiger Beast City!"

Jin Wei nodded. "Have Jin Che go with you."

"Good. Give me a few days. I need to make some preparations, just in case. Otherwise, it will be difficult to bring them back."

"Mm."

Listening to the two of them speak with such excitement, Songyan swallowed the rest of his words. ’Since Priest Fengxuan wants to see for himself, I’ll just let him find out in person.’

...

After taking over the Divine Leopard Tribe, Qiao Xixi began delving into the tribe’s internal affairs the very next day.

She spent three days exploring every corner of the tribe. Afterward, she spent 10 points in the system’s store to buy a map of the Beastman Continent, used another 10 points to get paper and a pen, and then hand-drew a complete topographical map of the Divine Leopard Tribe.

"What is Xixi doing?"

Feiyan gazed at the map, brimming with curiosity. "This is the Divine Leopard Tribe?"

Qiao Xixi nodded. "That’s right. I want to improve the Divine Leopard Tribe’s defenses, so I first need to understand the lay of the land."

"Sunxiao, where do you think it would be most useful to bury the Bubble Fruits?"

The tribe had patrolling guards. The male beastman managing them had been one of Sanggu’s trusted followers, but Qiao Xixi had replaced him outright, giving Sunxiao full responsibility for the patrols.

Sunxiao studied the map meticulously, a flash of amazement in his eyes. ’This map is incredibly detailed.’

"We don’t need them for now. I’ve already been on patrol these last two days. The outer walls of the tribe are quite sturdy. I’ll have them patch up any weak spots immediately. We can save the Bubble Fruits for later."

"Okay."

"I also have a bold idea: I want to start raising beasts in pens."

"In pens?"

Qiao Xixi nodded. "I feel it’s too dangerous for everyone to always be out hunting. While we still have to do it, I want to try farming and animal husbandry to ensure we have enough food when the cold season arrives."

’It’s basically a transition from the Stone Age to the Agricultural Age.’

In truth, she was a complete novice at this, but since she was now the Clan Leader, she couldn’t just hold the title in name only, living out her days waiting to die. Besides, there was no downside for her if the tribe grew and prospered.

"Tell us, Xixi. What exactly do we need to do?"

Qiao Xixi listed off some of the smaller, poultry-like wild beasts. "We can also raise animals like sheep-beasts and Black Bull Beasts. As long as they have enough fodder to live on, it’ll be a lot easier for us than hunting."

This was the first time Jin Ling and the others had ever heard of farming and animal husbandry. Or rather, even if a few beastmen had tried it before, they were an extreme minority. No one had ever thought of developing these practices on a larger scale.

But now that Qiao Xixi had brought it up, they all thought it was a great idea.

"It’s worth a try whether it works or not. It’s not like it’ll take much effort."

Feiyan chimed in eagerly, "Then I’ll take the tribe’s Hunting Team out today and try my best to bring some back alive."

"Mm."

Jin Ling added, "I’ll take some men and find a suitable plot of land in the tribe to fence off for the animals."

"I’ve already found a suitable place for farming. It’s right here."

Qiao Xixi drew a circle on the map with her pen. She’d already inspected the plot and was very pleased with it; the land was flat, the field of view was open, and the soil was exceptionally fertile. It couldn’t be more perfect for planting.

"Xixi, I’ll go with you."

Sangze hadn’t had a chance to speak, but now he could finally be of help.

But the moment he spoke, Sunxiao and the others all turned to look at him.

Sangze met their gazes, his own eyes a picture of innocence. He even puffed out his chest. "Don’t worry, I can protect Xixi."

Feiyan scowled. "You’re only a 3-star right now. A 3-star, you hear? The same as Qiao Lie and the others."

Feiyan’s merciless jab left Sangze looking a bit deflated. Of course, his main issue wasn’t Sangze’s low beast soul level; he just didn’t want him getting too close to Qiao Xixi!

Qiao Xixi came to his rescue. "Then Qiao Lie and the others can come with us. The tribe has patrol teams, so we don’t have to be afraid."

Her three beastmen mates were still a little uneasy, but their tasks had already been assigned, and they couldn’t go back on their word.

"I’ll have a few males go with you as guards." Sunxiao made the final call.

"Okay."

Once they left the inner city, the family split up.

"Xiao Yao, now that I have a cub in my belly, do I need to be careful with my daily activities?"

"Don’t worry, Host. The cub is much more resilient than you imagine. As long as you don’t suffer any severe trauma, there won’t be any issues."

’That’s a relief.’ It was Qiao Xixi’s first time being pregnant with a cub, so she was a little short on experience.

After leaving the inner city, Sangze shifted into his beast form for Qiao Xixi and the others to ride. But Qiao Lie and the other cubs all insisted they were big cubs now and could walk on their own. In the end, only Qiao Xixi rode on Sangze’s back while the cubs transformed and trotted alongside them.

Sangze’s pace wasn’t slow, but it was exceptionally steady. For some reason, having Qiao Xixi on his back filled Sangze’s heart with an ineffable joy, as if he were carrying the most precious thing in the entire world.

"It’s just up ahead. Look, the flowers and grasses here are growing exceptionally well, which means this land is very fertile."

After Sangze came to a stop, Qiao Xixi hopped down. Sangze immediately shifted back to his human form to steady her.

"Xixi, be careful."

"I’m fine."

"Mother, what are we going to plant here?"

Qiao Xixi had already decided on the crops with Xiao Yao last night.

"We’ll plant purple fruits." Purple fruit was a crop similar to purple sweet potatoes, but its growth cycle was longer and it grew much larger. Most importantly, its yield was high.

"And some Grass Fruits as well." Even in the Divine Leopard Tribe, Salt Crystals were a rare luxury. If they could cultivate Grass Fruits on a large scale, they would be able to obtain a great many Salt Crystals.

"Let’s start by trying to plant these two. For today, let’s just clear out all these flowers and weeds."

"Okay."

The cubs happily rushed into the overgrown field and began energetically pulling weeds.

Qiao Xixi also crouched down to help, her hands transforming into sharp claws that were far more effective than any tool.

After weeding for a while, Qiao Xixi was just about to ask the guards to fetch more people to help when her vision suddenly went black. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she collapsed to the ground.