The bear beast stared with a sinister gaze at the spot where Qiao Xixi and the others had just been. It only turned away after confirming multiple times that there was no one in the water.

Underwater, Qiao Xixi’s heart was still pounding.

’Those beastmen must have a high star rank, otherwise they wouldn’t have reacted so quickly.’

"That Land Beast just now was so scary. We don’t dare go any closer."

The young Seal Beasts were terrified. Clearly, they were afraid of the Land Beasts up above.

"Why don’t you go play near your old home for a bit? Come find me here when you’re done. If I’m not here when you get back, just head home by yourselves."

Being young, the Seal Beast cubs didn’t ask any more questions. Once free, they turned and swam off toward the deep sea.

Qiao Xixi looked at Xiya and asked, "Xiya, can we get a little closer?"

Xiya nodded. "We can."

Xiya swished her sapphire-blue tail, leading Qiao Xixi behind a large reef.

They surfaced, and from behind the cover of the reef, they could see many emaciated beastmen hauling Salt Crystals. Whenever any of them slowed down in the slightest, the guards would raise their whips and lash them viciously.

"ARGH!"

Qiao Xixi watched as the male Deer Beast collapsed, blood spilling from his mouth.

"Useless trash! You’ve barely been working and you’re already collapsing? Get up!"

His face filled with terror, the male Deer Beast staggered to his feet, lifted a Salt Crystal from the ground, and continued onward.

Qiao Xixi was hesitating, wondering if she should use the Invisibility Cloak to go ashore and investigate, when a shadow suddenly fell over them from the sky.

"Xiya, look out!"

Reacting in a flash, Qiao Xixi grabbed Xiya’s hand and pulled her down into the sea, hiding in a crevice of the reef.

No sooner had they hidden than a Golden Eagle Beast’s talons clamped down on the reef, right where they had just been.

Qiao Xixi watched from beneath the reef, her heart pounding in terror. Xiya’s face was also deathly pale, her small fists clenched tight.

Thinking she was just scared, Qiao Xixi pulled her into an embrace. "Don’t be afraid. It can’t get us here. We’re safe."

Xiya gritted her teeth. "It was these Flying Sky Beasts that captured my father when he was injured. They threw him into a fire... Father... To protect me, they stole his Jue Pearl."

Xiya choked back a sob as crystalline tears rolled from the corners of her eyes.

Qiao Xixi watched, both amazed and heartbroken, as the tears rolling down the girl’s cheeks solidified into pearls the moment they fell.

"Don’t be sad. I’m sure your father will get better."

Xiya sniffled, resting in Qiao Xixi’s arms. She hadn’t cried once since her father was grievously injured, because she knew that to survive, both for herself and for him, she had to become stronger.

But for some reason, ever since meeting Qiao Xixi, she’d felt the urge to cry.

’Xiao Yao, is Xijing so weak right now because his Jue Pearl was stolen?’

’Yes, Host. A Jue Pearl is the Lifebound Pearl for a star-rank beastman. Without it, not only do they lose all their combat abilities, but they also become extremely weak. It’s even difficult for them to maintain their human form.’

’And what happens if he never gets it back?’

’Over time, his body will completely degenerate. He’ll never be able to return to his human form and will only be able to exist as a beast.’

Qiao Xixi frowned. ’It’s the same principle as a spirit losing its Mana.’ 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

’That’s just too tragic.’

’Can you find out where Xijing’s Jue Pearl is located?’

’Xiao Yao sounded like it was face-palming. "Host! I’m just a system, you know! I’m not omnipotent!"’

’Oh, is that right? Well, then I guess I’ll just have to run around like a headless chicken and find it myself. And why would I do that? Because I think if Xijing recovers, he could probably help me out. And what would I need his help with? Oh, you know, maybe gathering all the sea beasts to take back the salt fields from Tiger Beast City. And why would I want to take back the salt fields...’

’Alright, Host, get to the point!’

’If I don’t take down Tiger Beast City, they’ll come after me. We’re already enemies. It’s either them or me. So, what are you going to do about it?’

’Host...’

’I won’t make things difficult for you. I’ll just have Xiya take me back. Once Jin Ling and the others find me, I’ll find a nice, secluded spot, start my own little faction, and stay far away from all this trouble.’

With that, Qiao Xixi held Xiya close, preparing to leave.

’Hey, wait! Host, look at you, getting all serious again. It’s not like... Look, while I’m not omnipotent, I *did* just upgrade. Just wait, I’ll check for you right now.’

Qiao Xixi sneered.

’Well, what do you know, I actually found it! Host, the Jue Pearl is being kept in the living quarters at the salt fields. A Jue Pearl is useless to Land Beasts, so after they got it, they probably just tossed it aside somewhere.’

’Send me the location.’

’You got it! Sent, Host~~’

Qiao Xixi opened the location marker and saw that it was quite close to where they were.

’Hmph. Some systems are just masochists. They won’t listen when you’re nice, you have to threaten and bribe them before they behave!’

’Er... Host, I gave you the location, and you’re still humiliating me... *sob sob sob*~~’

’Heh. All you do is make empty promises, but you won’t take the slightest risk for me. Was I wrong to call you out?’

’Oh, would you look at the time? I seem to be busy all of a sudden. Gotta go, Host!’

Qiao Xixi returned to the present and looked down to see Xiya drying her tears.

"Auntie Xixi, I’m not normally like this. I don’t like being a crybaby." Seeing Qiao Xixi remain silent for so long, Xiya thought she was disgusted with her.

Hearing this made Qiao Xixi’s heart ache even more, and she couldn’t resist planting a kiss on the girl’s small cheek.

"You’re just a little one. Whenever you’re sad and want to cry, you can come cry in my arms, and I’ll comfort you."

Hearing that Qiao Xixi wasn’t disgusted with her, Xiya’s eyes reddened again, but this time she held back the tears.

"Xiya, I know where they’ve hidden your father’s Jue Pearl. I’m going to get it back for you."

Xiya’s eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know, Auntie?"

Qiao Xixi winked at her. "Because your auntie is clever! Now, you wait for me right here. There are Flying Sky Beasts in the sky, so you absolutely must not come out on your own, understand?"

"No, you can’t! It’s too dangerous!"

"It’ll be fine. I’ll be back soon. You must listen to me!"

With that, Qiao Xixi quickly swam to the surface, broke through the water, and scrambled onto the reef.

"Auntie..." Xiya’s head broke the surface as she called out softly.

"Get back down!"

Xiya bit her lip and could only sink back beneath the surface.

To conserve the duration of the Invisible Cloak, Qiao Xixi waited until she was on top of the reef to take it out.

But before she could even put the cloak on, the Golden Eagle Beast patrolling the sky dove straight for her.

Just as the Golden Eagle Beast’s sharp talons were about to seize her, the tiger cub cradled in Qiao Xixi’s arms seemed to sense the danger. She suddenly opened her eyes.

Her gilded pupils swirled with flowing light. She bared her toothless gums and let out a soft "MROWL!" As if struck by a terrible fright, the Golden Eagle Beast suddenly lost its balance and plunged headfirst into the sea.