A sly glint flashed in Xuyou’s eyes. She tilted her head, feigning confusion. "Of course I do. We’re playing a game of bride and groom."

"I’m the bride, and you’re the groom who fought and won for me. We’re making our vows to the world and the Beast God!"

Cang Jing pressed his lips together. He was tempted to take advantage of the fact that the little female possessed inherited knowledge without truly understanding its meaning, and become her future Beast Husband right here before the Beast God.

But he couldn’t. This concerned both of their futures. He had to make her understand.

"Little Deer female, once we make our vows to the Beast God, there’s no going back. We’ll become partners for life. This isn’t a game. Are you sure you want to continue?"

Xuyou thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, let’s continue. Does this mean that once we make our promise, you’ll stay by my side? That you’ll hunt for me, play with me, and even carry me on your back when we travel?"

A warmth spread through Cang Jing’s chest. He smiled and hummed in agreement. "Yes. And not just that. There’s so much I’ll be able to do for you. From now on, we’ll be the closest of all, together until the very end."

"Then why would I want to go back on it?" Xuyou asked, confused.

"Because there will be many males more outstanding than me who will want to become your Beast Husband. When they see I don’t have a superpower, they won’t allow you to accept me, and your family will absolutely not want me to be your first Beast Husband." Cang Jing’s gaze fell, his entire body radiating dejection, a testament to his disappointment and sorrow.

Xuyou laughed and threw herself onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "That’s not true! My Father and Mother said I can choose whoever I want for my Beast Husband."

"Brother Jing, are you willing to leave your home behind and follow me to see the world? As long as your heart is with me and you’re willing to follow, I’ll never regret this!"

"Besides my family, you’re the most handsome cub I’ve ever met, Brother Jing."

"Will you try your best to protect me from now on?"

"I will! I definitely will!" Cang Jing nodded emphatically. "We in the Wolf Clan hold our promises sacred. We choose one partner for life and stay true until death!"

"That’s all I need," Xuyou said with a smile. She released her hold, and as Cang Jing’s expression fell in disappointment, she knelt beside him. Reverently, she clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and whispered, "Great Beast God, did you hear him?"

"Cang Jing is willing to protect me with his life, and I like him and want to walk this path with him."

"Please bear witness today as we make a verbal agreement. From now on, Cang Jing will be my child husband!"

As she spoke, a searing heat touched both their wrists, and a faint red glow pulsed there before disappearing.

Without even getting up, Xuyou stretched out her arms. "Brother Jing, carry me!" ’Their relationship had been blessed by the Beast God himself; now she could openly ask for perks.’

Cang Jing chuckled, scooping her into his arms. He held her easily with one hand as he strode down the path. ’I’ve basically gone over her parents’ heads and snatched their little female cub. I’d better hurry and report this, right?’

Tian Pan and a few other female cubs, leading a group of male cubs, blocked their way. "This is hilarious! Is she completely brain-dead? So eager to play the bride, and what happens? She ends up giving herself away! I’m dying! Didn’t your parents ever tell you not to just promise yourself to any male?"

"My Father and Mother told me that the connection between people is very important. If you like someone, you should be with them," Xuyou said earnestly. "Life is short. Why make things hard on yourself?"

"Haha... Is that really what your Father and Mother taught you? Choosing a partner is a decision for life! You have to consider so many things, you can’t just pair up because you find someone attractive!" Tian Pan said, laughing so hard she clutched her stomach. "And I just did some asking around. This Cang Jing only looks tough. In reality, he’s already six and still hasn’t awakened a superpower. His Mother doesn’t have high fertility, and his Father isn’t a superpower user either."

"He’s destined to be just an ordinary male. Tsk, tsk. My bad, I just found this out. Didn’t get a chance to tell you."

"Who knew you’d be in such a rush to commit to him. Are you stupid, or just a fool?"

Cang Jing, who had been so happy moments before, felt a chill creep over him. In a subdued voice, he said, "Little female Deer... she’s right. I... it’s not likely that I’ll ever awaken a superpower."

"Our Mountain Wolf Clan has no trace of the Divine Clan in our blood. Legend says we were originally Wild Beasts who were granted enlightenment by the Beast God, allowing us to take human form."

"Furthermore, our bloodline is dominant. No matter if we partner with a Female Saint, or how many powerful Beast Husbands the females of our clan take, most of the cubs born are still without superpowers."

"Even my Father, the Clan Leader, doesn’t have a superpower! That’s why many Beastmen don’t want to partner with anyone from the Mountain Wolf Clan."

"But," he couldn’t help but add, fighting his case, "but we of the Mountain Wolf Clan are strong fighters. You could say we’re physically enhanced. I... if I train hard enough, I definitely won’t lose to the other males with superpowers!"

"Youyou, I won’t embarrass you."

Xuyou smiled and nodded. "Brother Jing, I believe in you! I’ve found myself such a wonderful Beast Husband, and she’s just jealous. It’s a classic case of sour grapes."

"Let’s ignore her. Come on, let’s go show my Father and Mother their son-in-law-to-be!"

Cang Jing immediately brightened up. His eyes shone, and his spirits lifted. Xuyou could almost see the ears hidden by his human form perking up and his invisible tail wagging back and forth without end.

As she thought this, Xuyou leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Brother Jing, can you change into your Beast Form? I want to see!"

Cang Jing, of course, obeyed the little female’s every word. The next moment, Xuyou felt a sudden sense of weightlessness before landing on the soft, warm back of a grayish-white Mountain Wolf. It was like sitting on a cushion.

’This is real wolf hide! According to the knowledge inherited from my Mother, wolf fur could be used to make all sorts of winter coats and writing brushes. It was incredibly valuable! Sold by weight, it could fetch a price in the thousands, or even tens of thousands.’

’And wolf teeth can ward off evil!’

Xuyou couldn’t resist clinging to his neck and asking, "Brother Jing, have you lost your baby teeth yet?"

"Not yet, but it’ll be soon," Cang Jing added, a little nervously. "Youyou, my new teeth will grow in really fast, I promise! It won’t get in the way of hunting. Even without teeth, my claws are sharp enough!"

"I already talked it over with my Father. He secured a spot in the hunt and is taking me with him..."

Xuyou laughed, playfully tugging on his ears. They were incredibly expressive. The moment her hand brushed the fur, they started to swivel and twitch, flickering with what seemed like pure delight.

"In that case, Brother Jing, don’t throw away your teeth when they fall out! I’ll tie them with a red string and wear them as a charm!" ’Wolf teeth are good for warding off evil, after all.’

Cang Jing’s face was covered in fur, but if he’d been in his human form, he was sure he’d be beet red. ’Does the little female really like me this much? Enough to collect my baby teeth and wear them close to her heart? For a male, that’s one of the highest honors there is.’

"Okay! If you like teeth, then when I go to the Secret Realm for training, I’ll find lots more for you. Many Wild Beasts have nice teeth. I’ll polish them into beads for a necklace, or shape them into a bracelet, or a comb..."