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

Chapter 419: Chapter 419: Still Hiding Something From Her

This time, Yun Ji didn’t take Qiao Xixi to the river. Instead, he led her into the forest behind them.

The woods were pitch-black all around, with only the glow of the Sea Pearl illuminating their small corner.

Qiao Xixi was very curious. "Where are we going?"

"The Polluted Pool."

Before the words had even faded, Yun Ji stopped.

As she watched in confusion, he gestured in the darkness. The surrounding light gradually brightened, and the trees dissipated at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Soon, a massive pool was revealed before them.

Qiao Xixi was astonished. "How can there be such a huge pool in this forest?"

Yun Ji looked at the pool and said, "This is one of the monsters’ energy pools."

Qiao Xixi frowned. "It’s so big."

Yun Ji turned back to her. "The water in these pools has been contaminated by the Dark Keystone. You can try to purify the pool. If you succeed, you will significantly weaken the monsters’ power."

Yun Ji explained that he shouldn’t have brought her here so soon, but the monsters’ power was growing stronger and they were running out of time. On the night of the full moon, the monsters’ energy would reach its peak.

With a gentle sweep of his palm, Yun Ji sent Qiao Xixi to the center of the pool.

The moment she drew near, countless black claws shot out from the pool to grab her. But just as the claws were about to touch Qiao Xixi, they were repelled by a layer of golden light.

Once she was sure the claws couldn’t harm her, Qiao Xixi calmed her mind. The incantation she chanted began as a low hum, then transformed into a melodious tune as her body began to move in a slow, graceful dance.

Xijing stood in the forest, watching Qiao Xixi dance in mid-air from a distance. He couldn’t get any closer because Yun Ji had set up a barrier around the perimeter.

As the range and frequency of Qiao Xixi’s movements increased, sharp hisses and roars suddenly pierced the air.

Xijing turned to see countless crimson glows rushing toward them, only to be blocked by the protective barrier when they tried to approach.

"ROAR!"

The crimson glows crashed against the invisible barrier and fell to the ground, transforming into hideous monsters. They seemed completely oblivious to Xijing standing nearby, charging madly toward the pool. Even as they were battered and bloodied, they showed no intention of stopping.

As Qiao Xixi danced, a thick black fog rose from the dark water of the pool. The fog ascended into the air and quickly enveloped her.

The monsters’ roars echoed ceaselessly in Qiao Xixi’s ears. She struck her final pose and her eyes flew open.

"Purify!"

The black fog swirling around her rapidly faded, and the color of the murky water in the pool below her feet lightened slightly.

Qiao Xixi looked down at the pool, then raised her head to look at Yun Ji with delight. But just as she was about to speak, her vision went black, and her body plummeted toward the water.

Yun Ji’s expression changed slightly as he flew forward and caught her.

In that instant, all the barriers vanished, and the monsters dissipated like smoke in the wind.

Yun Ji turned to see Xijing standing behind him.

The gentleness on Xijing’s face from when he was with Qiao Xixi was gone. He held out his hand to Yun Ji. "Give Xixi to me."

Yun Ji’s expression remained unchanged. He glanced at Qiao Xixi, pale from excessive energy consumption, his eyes tight, but still placed her in Xijing’s arms.

Xijing held her tight, his heart clenching as he felt her body temperature dropping bit by bit.

After returning to the shelter, he carefully laid her down on a mat of animal hides.

"Xixi."

The rapid loss of energy made Qiao Xixi shiver with cold. She curled up, desperately wanting to absorb some warmth.

Soon, she felt a familiar warmth and eagerly moved closer to it.

Xijing had already felt Qiao Xixi trembling. He had just lain down and hadn’t even had a chance to pull her into his arms before she snuggled up against him.

Xijing wrapped a long arm around her, pulling her into his embrace and warming her with his own body heat.

Meanwhile, Jin Ling and the others, who were battling monsters in the forest, noticed that the creatures’ power seemed to have weakened.

As Kunlin was dodging an attack from Sunxiao, his power suddenly waned, and he was sent flying.

After steadying himself, the look in his eyes grew even more sinister. He threw his head back and let out a long cry to the heavens before spreading his wings and soaring into the sky.

The other monsters followed Kunlin in retreat.

Jin Ling immediately checked their location, his expression darkening. "They’re heading toward the Watchtower."

"Follow them."

"Let’s go."

Qiao Xixi woke up from the heat. She opened her eyes to find herself almost completely wrapped in animal hide blankets. No wonder she was sweating.

She threw off the blankets and sat up, realizing she still felt weak and feeble.

’This whole purifying water business is really exhausting.’

Qiao Xixi took out some water from the Spiritual Spring from her storage space. After drinking several bowls, she felt some of her strength return.

Hearing the movement, Xijing walked into the shelter. "Xixi, you’re awake. Are you hungry? I’ve already prepared some roasted fish-beast. Do you want to eat now?"

Qiao Xixi nodded eagerly. She was starving. "Yes."

"Alright, I’ll bring it in for you."

Qiao Xixi wanted to say he didn’t have to go to the trouble, that she could just go outside, but before she could speak, Xijing had already brought it in.

The roasted fish-beast meat was spread across a large leaf. Not only that, but all the bones had been meticulously removed.

Just as Qiao Xixi reached for the chopsticks, Xijing picked them up first.

"I’ll feed you."

Qiao Xixi wanted to refuse, but seeing the insistence in Xijing’s eyes, she gave in and leaned against him, letting him feed her.

"Xijing, was I asleep for a long time?"

"No, just from last night until now. The sky is just about to get dark."

Qiao Xixi was speechless.

’A whole day and night, and that’s not considered long?’

"So, tomorrow night is the full moon."

"Mhm."

Last night, Xijing held Qiao Xixi all night. Once he was sure her body temperature had returned to normal, he got up just before dawn.

"Feiyan and the others should be arriving soon."

Hearing this, Qiao Xixi immediately checked their location. Her eyes lit up when she saw it—Feiyan and the others were indeed near the Heavenly Pool.

"Should we go meet up with them?"

Xijing shook his head. "No need. It’s more dangerous outside. We’ll wait for them here. The High Priest said they’d be able to find us."

Qiao Xixi nodded, feeling an indescribable joy at the thought of them all being reunited soon.

"Have you eaten?"

"I ate earlier."

After eating a good amount of meat, Qiao Xixi felt much of her strength return. She glanced outside the shelter but didn’t see any sign of Yun Ji.

"Where did Yun Ji go?"

"He left this morning."

Qiao Xixi was taken aback. "Left? Did he say where he was going?"

Xijing shook his head. "He only said he would be back when we’re ready to set out for the Watchtower."

Qiao Xixi frowned but didn’t press further. Yun Ji was always so mysterious and elusive. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still hiding something from her.