In the end, he made a decision, intending to placate Bai Wanwan first.
"Go bring Xin Feng here."
The remaining Beastmen were all cautious. Hu Ya, who had just ruined the Clan Leader's plans, was shot several glares.
Only Bai Wanwan was smiling, completely unconcerned by the Clan Leader's dark expression.
A moment later, Xin Feng was brought before the Clan Leader.
A hint of confusion appeared on his face of stark contrasts, but his gaze returned to calm after sweeping over the crowd.
"Xin Feng, I've called you here because the Holy Female, Bai Wanwan, wants you to be her Beast Husband. Are you willing to become her Beast Husband?"
He deliberately paused and sighed. "If you're not willing, your uncle won't force you. After all, you've made significant contributions to the tribe."
He was clinging to one last sliver of hope. Xin Feng had once been the tribe's number one Warrior and was admired by many females.
Even after his Talent was destroyed and he was injured and disfigured, there were still some who wanted him as their Beast Husband, but Xin Feng rejected them all.
Therefore, the Clan Leader thought Xin Feng would probably refuse to be Bai Wanwan's Beast Husband as well.
He was a proud Beastman. He would never accept being just one of many powerful males by his Wife's side.
If Xin Feng refused, he could leave Xin Yu and Xin Shan with Bai Wanwan, have them sire two litters of cubs first, and then figure out the rest later.
Before Xin Feng could speak, Bai Wanwan walked to his side. "If I said I have a way to restore you to your former self—not just your face, but your Talent too—on the condition that you become my Beast Husband, would you be willing?"
Xin Feng's expression froze, and he whipped his head around.
He didn't ask, but his eyes said everything.
"Whether you want to take this gamble or not is up to you."
No powerful male could bear becoming useless.
Although the Clan Leader couldn't hear what Bai Wanwan said to him, he sensed it would be detrimental to his plan and immediately interrupted their conversation.
"Xin Feng, don't feel pressured. If you don't want to, your uncle won't force…"
"I am willing."
"Hmm… What?"
When the Clan Leader processed what had happened, he felt like he'd been hoist by his own petard.
"I am willing to be Bai Wanwan's Beast Husband."
Bai Wanwan's eyes curved into a smile. She turned to the Clan Leader and said, "Clan Leader, Xin Feng said he's willing, and I like him very much, so please preside over our bonding ceremony."
"No!"
Hu Ya rushed forward, staring at Xin Feng in disbelief. "Why did you agree to bond with her? Is it just because she's a Holy Female?"
Her sense of superiority over Bai Wanwan, which she had maintained for more than a decade, had been shattered repeatedly over the past few days.
Xin Feng, her former favorite, had been unwilling to become her first Beast Husband. Later, even after he was severely injured, lost his Talent, and was disfigured, he still refused to be her Beast Husband.
But now, he had so easily agreed to be with Bai Wanwan.
"Xin Feng, even if you bond with Bai Wanwan, you can't possibly be her first Beast Husband. Are you willing to be just an ordinary Beast Husband by her side?"
"Yes, I am."
He turned his head and sized Bai Wanwan up seriously for the first time.
'Over the past few days, I've heard from other Beastmen that Bai Wanwan isn't a useless female. On the contrary, she's a Holy Female, a rarity even in a Super Tribe.'
'She's not robust like most females. Instead, she's fair and delicate, and she doesn't look easy to provide for.'
'But… this is my only chance.'
He longed for power, longed to be able to roam freely through the deep mountains as he once had.
"Why? Because she's a Holy Female?"
Before Xin Feng could reply, Bai Wanwan answered for him. "Is that not enough?"
"Bai Wanwan, you're doing this just to spite me."
'As if she wasn't the one who seduced Xin Shan and Xin Yu into her bed.'
'Although, that outcome was something I was happy to see, she really has no standing to accuse me.'
"That's enough, Hu Ya. Xin Feng is doing this of his own free will."
The Clan Leader, suppressing a bellyful of anger, glared at his two disappointing sons. "Alright, that's how it is for now. You two, come back with me."
He had to think this over carefully and find a way to get Wanwan to have a litter of cubs with the two brothers.
"Let's go. We're going home, too."
Bai Wanwan grabbed Xin Feng's arm.
Xin Feng wasn't used to being touched by females and visibly stiffened, but he still followed her toward the stone cave.
"Bai Wanwan, let go of Xin Feng."
Bai Wanwan spun around and huffed. "What? Don't you have your own Beast Husbands? Why are you always staring at other people's? I suggest you don't provoke me. Believe it or not, I'll steal all of your Beast Husbands. Whoever you like, I'll deliberately steal them. After all, how many Beastmen can refuse a Holy Female like me?"
Hu Ya could only glare at her, fuming but not daring to speak.
Bai Wanwan didn't want to waste any more time on her. She turned back and found Xin Feng staring at her with a strange expression.
Remembering the nonsense she had just spouted, she quickly said, "I was just trying to scare her. I don't like the males she's into."
Xin Feng frowned. "No matter what, they're better than me. Why choose me?"
"You have that little confidence in yourself?" Bai Wanwan smiled. "Because once you're restored, you'll be the strongest and best-looking. Why shouldn't it be you?"
"I don't know if what you're saying is true or not, but I'm willing to take that gamble."
Xin Feng didn't hide his true intentions. His purpose for bonding with her was to restore his power, nothing more.
Of course, Bai Wanwan wasn't doing it because she liked him either; after all, they had only met twice.
She chose Xin Feng because she felt this Beastman had clear, upright eyes. The cubs they had would surely earn her more rewards and Life Value.
"I'm a little scared living alone. You should move in today."
"Alright. You get some rest. I'll go move my things."
Xin Feng was quick. It took him three trips back and forth to move all of his belongings over.
In truth, he didn't have much—mostly just some animal hides and food.
Bai Wanwan watched as he lifted a hide, picked up the stone basin underneath, and walked over.
"Take these salt blocks."
Salt blocks!
'Heaven knows how much I've been craving some flavor in my mouth.'
Her eyes were practically glued to them.
'If I could find some flint to start a fire, I could have a hot pot in the middle of winter and eat some steaming, boiled meat slices. That would be pure bliss!'
"One, two, three, four, five… How do you have so many salt blocks?"
"I traded for them with a Traveling Merchant a while ago."
Bai Wanwan nodded. "This is great. You don't mind if I use these, do you? I'll pay you back later."
"Mm, they're for you. Just use them. You don't have to pay me back."
Although he had become her Beast Husband for other reasons, since he now held the title, he had to take care of his female just like any other male.
Bai Wanwan hadn't expected him to be so generous. Being able to have these things showed that he must have had a really good life before.
'But… he's as thin as a bamboo pole now. His life must be very difficult.'
She hadn't expected him to be so generous as to give her all his salt blocks.
'Once I get the system's rewards, I'll be sure to treat him well.'
Fondling the salt blocks, unable to put them down, Bai Wanwan's eyes crinkled into a smile.
Xin Feng happened to see this, and the image of what he'd seen in the river that day flashed through his mind.
'The little female is a bit too fair, and her frame is a bit too delicate.'