I Transmigrated as a Villainess to Raise Babies, and My Beast Husbands Are Fighting Madly Over Me!

Chapter 412: Chapter 412: He Doesn’t Like to Eat Bugs

Qiao Xixi looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Many years ago, he used his dark power to cause the Demonization of many magical beasts and Mutant Beasts. He led them to attack the beastmen’s tribes and slaughter our people. In the end, I used my Beast Soul to suppress him beneath the Heavenly Pool in the Thunder-swallowing Forest."

Qiao Xixi frowned as she listened. "So he’s escaped now because your Beast Soul was damaged?"

Yun Ji nodded. "The Spring of Life, which all beastmen depend on, began to show signs of drying up long ago. In order to protect the spring’s source, I had to withdraw part of my Beast Soul. This weakened the power suppressing Yun Ming, allowing him and those monsters to escape."

However, because the power of Yun Ji’s Beast Soul had not completely vanished, Yun Ming and the monsters were confined to the Thunder-swallowing Forest, unable to leave.

But with a constant stream of new monsters appearing, there would come a day when Yun Ji’s Beast Soul would no longer be able to hold out.

"So Beast King City sends adult males with Awakened Beast Souls in here to die?"

Yun Ji’s brow furrowed, and he let out a resigned sigh. "It’s a trial of life and death. If we don’t have them come in to kill the monsters, even more beastmen will die when the monsters break out of the Thunder-swallowing Forest."

Qiao Xixi pressed her lips together. She couldn’t judge whether this was right or wrong. "What about the females whose fertility was drained? Was that also to suppress the monsters?"

Yun Ji’s eyelids trembled, and his lips tightened into a thin line.

"I was not aware of that."

Or rather, he knew the Beast King had wanted to do it, and he had stopped him. He just never expected him to go behind his back and do it anyway.

"The water sources became contaminated, leaving many beastmen with no water to drink. Later, they discovered that using females with strong fertility could purify the water in a short amount of time."

After hearing this, Qiao Xixi felt a heavy weight on her chest, as if a large stone had been placed there. It seemed both were impossible choices, because one side always had to be sacrificed.

"Is the water contamination related to the monsters too?"

Yun Ji nodded. "The power of the dark stones they carry contaminates the water. The more monsters there are, the more water sources will be affected."

"Isn’t there any other way?"

At her words, Yun Ji’s light-colored eyes shifted, slowly coming to rest on Qiao Xixi.

"There is."

Just as Qiao Xixi was waiting for him to continue, he said no more, simply gazing at her quietly.

Qiao Xixi wasn’t stupid, but she was a little baffled. She pointed a finger at herself. "Me?"

"Yes."

Qiao Xixi froze. A moment later, besides shock, an indescribable excitement filled her eyes. "Are you saying I can kill those monsters? Am I that amazing?"

Yun Ji was speechless.

"You can cleanse the water sources contaminated by the dark stones."

"Oh."

’I thought I was going to awaken some incredible combat power.’

Seeing her disappointment, Yun Ji explained patiently, "The monsters’ energy comes from two sources: the dark stones, and the natural power within the contaminated water. As long as you purify the water, their strength will weaken."

"Oh."

"Xixi." Yun Ji’s voice suddenly turned stern.

"So, you can’t stay here any longer. Once I’ve recovered a bit, I will send you out. You must find the contaminated water sources and purify them. You don’t need to worry about anything else."

"I can’t leave yet. I have to save my father."

"He will be fine."

Qiao Xixi didn’t like the sound of that at all. "How many times have you people used my father? After you were done with him, you locked him up in the Watchtower. He’s covered in injuries, and you’re telling me he’ll be fine?! I will find a way to rescue him."

Yun Ji watched her, brows knitted and fists clenched. She seemed truly furious.

He let out a soft sigh. "I will help you."

"You don’t have to help me, but you absolutely can’t—what? You’ll help me?"

Qiao Xixi had thought Yun Ji was on the Beast King’s side.

"Yes."

"But you need to wait for the right moment. The Watchtower is guarded by the Ten Great Beast Guards, but they aren’t always there. On the night of the full moon, when the monsters’ power is at its peak, more than half of the Beast Guards will leave the Watchtower to kill monsters in the forest and prevent a major disturbance."

"You’re saying we can rescue him when their defenses are weaker."

Yun Ji nodded.

"But you’re the Priest. Don’t they listen to you?"

Yun Ji hummed in agreement. "They only take orders from the Beast King."

Qiao Xixi wanted to ask about the dream she had earlier, but then she had a second thought. ’It was Yun Ji who revealed my father’s whereabouts to that person. If I let him know that I already know some things, he might turn on me.’

’After all, his power and status are plain to see. Having his help to rescue my father is definitely more advantageous for me.’

’As for the dream, I can deal with that after my father is safe.’

Yun Ji said there were still several days until the full moon. That was perfect. She could use this time to wait here for Jin Ling and the others to arrive.

"Are we safe here? Can that Yun Ming track us down?"

Yun Ji turned his palm over. He frowned at the faint light glowing in it. "He shouldn’t be able to track us for the next few days. This area is close to the Watchtower, and the aura from the Ten Great Beast Guards’ Beast Souls acts as a deterrent. The monsters won’t approach rashly. But you still need to be careful when you move around."

Qiao Xixi understood. ’It seems Xiao Yao picked the right place for me. This must be one of the safer zones in the entire Thunder-swallowing Forest.’

Since she would be staying here for a few days, she needed to prepare some essential supplies, like firewood. She had no desire to eat dried meat for days on end.

Seeing Qiao Xixi get up, Yun Ji also stood.

"You should wait in the cabin. I’ll go out and gather some firewood. It gets pretty cold at night." The main reason was that she wanted to start a fire to cook a hot meal.

"I’ll go with you."

Qiao Xixi looked at his still-pale face and firmly refused. She was counting on him to be strong enough to help rescue her father. Right now, the most important thing was for him to rest and recover.

"You don’t need to go. You’re so weak right now, you need to rest properly. Go on, lie down. I’ll be right back."

Yun Ji paused, slightly taken aback.

Seeing him still standing there, Qiao Xixi thought for a moment, then walked over, tugged on his animal-skin clothes, and made him lie down on the bed.

"Stay put. Don’t wander off." As she spoke, she grabbed a nearby fur blanket and draped it over him.

After doing all this, she walked out of the wooden cabin and closed the door. Yun Ji could still hear her muttering to herself.

"What should we eat today? Birds seem to like bugs, right? I guess I’ll catch some bugs while I’m out."

Yun Ji was speechless.

’I don’t like bugs!’

Although the Thunder-swallowing Forest was full of monsters, it was also rich in natural resources. At the very least, firewood was easy to find.

After stacking the firewood outside the door, she planned to go to the river to see if she could catch a fish-beast. All she had left in her storage space was dried meat and a few scattered fruits. Those were for emergencies; given the current opportunity, it was better not to deplete her reserves.

Qiao Xixi stood on the bank, and with just one glance into the water, she spotted a Big Fish Beast slowly swimming past her.

"You’re the one."

Qiao Xixi picked up a rock from the bank and hurled it forcefully into the water.