Beast World: A Fragile Beauty Blessed with Many Children-Chapter 268 - 267: I’m Laying It on the Line

That sentence was like the guillotine above their heads finally falling, but it also stabbed them in the heart, causing a searing pain.

They wanted to believe her words. But at the Female Saint Conference, apart from the new Female Saints just chosen by the Beast God who didn’t have too many Beast Husbands yet, which other Female Saint—or any female with moderate fertility or higher—didn’t have at least three to five Beast Husbands by her side?

Having over twenty was even commonplace. What were they supposed to think? It was like a sudden blow to the head, jolting them awake!

They had been living too comfortably, forgetting the dangers of the outside world. They had actually believed that the seven of them—a mere seven—would be enough to protect their female and cubs.

They weren’t clever enough to fight against fate, but they all firmly believed that the traditions, customs, and norms passed down from their ancestors had been proven by time.

If they were truly strong enough, their female wouldn’t have to attend the Female Saint Conference with a fake pregnant belly. And their pair of Iron Beast Cubs, born half a month ago, wouldn’t still be hidden away in the valley, their existence unknown even to their own grandfather.

Their female was playful and liked to follow her whims, but on this particular matter, they didn’t want to simply indulge her.

’What if she really does find a male she fancies? She shouldn’t have to miss out on a suitable Beast Husband because of her promise to us.’

Now that Si Shuo had broached the subject, Zhi Le and the others began to carefully and earnestly explain their thoughts, weighing every single word.

Her eyes reddened again. She nodded and said, "I want you all to be by my side forever. I don’t want to place my hopes on anyone else. Our family’s situation is unique; there’s no need to add more members.

"I may only have the seven of you as my Beast Husbands, but every one of you is incredible. Wei Ce is at the Peak of Level 14 cultivation; he can take on seven or eight Twelfth Level males all by himself.

"Yin Jiang is a Level 14 Warrior now, too. Even as a Flying Beast, he can hold his own against three to five Twelfth Level males, can’t he?

"Not to mention the rest of you can fight opponents above your own level. The way I see it, you don’t have confidence in yourselves. Worse, you’re already planning for what happens after you’re gone!

"I’m making my stance clear right now: for the rest of my life, I will only have the seven of you. If you want me to live a long and happy life, then you’d better do everything you can to protect yourselves and grow old with me."

Her voice was as delicate and sweet as ever, but every single word struck their hearts with immense force, making them pound violently in their chests.

Gong You stepped forward and knelt before her on one knee, taking her hand. "Darling, I understand! I’ll work harder than ever to improve myself and protect you and our cubs.

"How can we expect anyone else to protect our own female and cubs?"

The other males also stepped forward, each making his own pledge.

Si Shuo finally let out a soft laugh. She slid off of Ji Liang and went to each of them, giving them a hug and a gentle nuzzle.

"Don’t put too much pressure on yourselves," she said. "The cubs are smart, and they’re stronger than other cubs. Just remember, no matter what happens, you must protect yourselves first!"

After being angry all day and having a good cry, Si Shuo was truly exhausted. She curled up in Xu Chi’s arms and let him carry her inside.

The males stood in the main room, the storm of emotions in their chests taking a long time to subside. Once the couple was out of sight, they looked at one another, and the feeling between them had changed.

They had always gotten along well, guarding their female and cubs together. But now, their bond had deepened. Their destinies were completely intertwined.

"Brothers, there’s nothing more to say. From now on, let’s live well—for our female and the cubs!" Zhi Le said, taking a deep breath and holding out his hand.

Ji Liang nodded and placed his hand over Zhi Le’s. "Little Shushu may look delicate, but she can be very opinionated and stubborn. When she sets her mind on something, she doesn’t give up easily.

"We should stop entertaining the idea of adding new members to the family. It’s just as she said: having that thought is already a compromise with fate. It means we lack the absolute resolve to return to her side in a life-or-death crisis."

Xu Chi came over as well, adding his hand to the pile. "A shuo’s asleep," he said in a low voice. "She’s dead tired today. She didn’t even take a nap at noon and was out the moment her head hit the pillow.

"They say for a Beastman to survive, they need to stick together and help one another, and the best way to do that is to find a tribe.

"But I survived on my own, and I was free and unburdened. Every path has its own challenges. No matter which path we’re on, improving our own strength is never the wrong move."

Gong You’s lips curled into a smile. "Our darling only has us. For her sake, we have to protect ourselves."

"I’ve died once already," Yin Jiang said as he placed his hand on the pile. "It’s an awful feeling, to be filled with the desire to live and the pain of leaving Shuo’er. I will never give myself a second chance to say goodbye to her!"

Xiao Cheng’s expression was solemn. "From now on, Sister is the most important person to me. I won’t be at ease with anyone else looking after her; I need to see her living happily with my own eyes. My cultivation reached the Twelfth Level the moment I came of age. I have such great talent, and I refuse to waste it on pride or complacency. I won’t be any less capable than my brothers!"

"Brothers," Wei Ce said, solemnly placing his hand on top of the others. "I may have been the last one to join our little family, but we have the rest of our lives ahead of us to grow closer. So I won’t mince words.

"Let’s work together, help and support one another..."

In that moment, their hearts were calm, resolute, and happy. They felt a surge of strength course through their bodies.

Si Shuo had made it clear she would not be taking any more Beast Husbands. The affection and reliance she normally showed her own Beast Husbands made the other males who were searching for a female burn with envy. Since the path to her was blocked, they decided to challenge her Beast Husbands instead.

They were determined to show the female their prowess and take the husbands’ place.

For Zhi Le and the others, this was a rare opportunity to improve their Combat Power. The Female Saint Conference had effectively become their personal training ground.

Si Shuo’s only job was to eat snacks on the sidelines and watch the show. After what had happened that night, her relationship with her Beast Husbands was more intimate than ever—even more affectionate and sickeningly sweet than when they had first become mates.

As night fell, the bonfire was lit. The slightly damp wood billowed with thick smoke. The meat roasting above it SIZZLED, and dripping fat burst into flickering sparks as it hit the flames. The aroma drifted on the shifting winds, blanketing the entire grassy field.

The heavy scent of roasted meat gradually overwhelmed the Beastmen’s keen sense of smell. Days of revelry had lowered the guard of the Beastmen accustomed to the easy life in Beast City. Some simply fell asleep on the grass, while those with female companions retired to nearby tents to enjoy their intimate pleasures...

Si Shuo leaned against Yin Jiang’s chest, counting on her fingers. "Tomorrow afternoon," she whispered, "I’ll pretend to go into labor, and we can leave early. Sound good?"

Yin Jiang nodded. He felt unusually drowsy today, a dull ache throbbing in his head from lack of sleep. He forced his eyes open and grunted, "Shuo’er, let’s go back and sleep..."