The two Beastmen beside the female grew somber and asked anxiously, "Si Shuo Divine Female, what do you mean? Is there a solution?"

At this moment, Xu Chi was still blanketing the small courtyard with his Spiritual Power, preventing anyone outside from spying or eavesdropping.

Si Shuo pursed her lips and hesitated again.

In the moment she feigned hesitation, the two Beastmen stepped forward and, just like the young Crowned Eagle, looked as if they were about to kneel and kowtow.

She quickly stepped aside. "Don’t be so quick to kowtow. I never said I wouldn’t help."

With tears in her eyes, the female’s heart ached with helplessness as she saw the bruise on Zhong Ling’s forehead. ’For powerful Beastmen, especially males born at the top of the food chain, it’s difficult for them to bow their heads, let alone kneel.’

The males in her family, young and old, had spared no effort traveling far and wide because of her illness. This time was no different. They had figured that since the Beast God was holding a trial in the Secret Realm, it would attract many powerful individuals. Perhaps one of them could cure her, or maybe the Secret Realm itself held a treasure that could help. That was why their entire family had come.

"Si Shuo Divine Female, if you can cure our female, we are willing to pledge ourselves to you as our master!"

This was the highest possible form of payment. If they pledged themselves to her, everything they earned from that day forward, even their very lives, would be hers to command.

Si Shuo pressed a hand to her forehead. "That won’t be necessary. All you have to do is promise not to reveal that I’m the one treating your female."

"Let’s just say we were here today... visiting relatives!"

The family opposite them exchanged a glance. ’Visiting relatives? Do we even have any relatives here?’

Xiao Cheng, however, understood. He was just about to give Zhong Ling a critical once-over when Ali clapped a hand over his eyes.

"Father, you’re such a handsome, dashing male! Don’t look at him with the picky glare of some eighty-year-old crone inspecting her daughter-in-law. It completely ruins your image. It’s ugly!"

Xiao Cheng immediately grew nervous. "Is it ugly? Did your Mother see?"

"Very ugly. She hasn’t seen it yet; I blocked her view just in time," Ali said, looking pleased with herself. "Father, you need to think clearly. I’m the one choosing a child husband. I’m the one spending a lifetime with him, not you."

"If you mess this up and I can’t pick a child husband again, hmph, then you can just wait for Mother to give you the cold shoulder!"

Xiao Cheng sucked in a sharp breath. ’Well, well, the little cub has gotten bold, daring to threaten her own father.’ Before he could even pretend to be heartbroken, Ali planted a soft kiss on his cheek. "Father, the Crowned Eagle is the king of birds! The fact that he’d beg my mother to save his own shows that he’s a devoted son, full of loyalty and integrity. His character can’t be all that bad."

"Besides, he’ll have to dedicate his Beast Mark to me. That’s like handing over half his very being. Would he dare be disloyal?"

"And on top of that, everyone knows what Eagle Falcon Beastmen are like—they only ever have one partner in their entire lives!"

"If you’re really that unhappy about it, Father, you can just help me train him to be even stronger. That should work, right?"

As Xiao Cheng listened, the corners of his mouth slowly began to curve upward. ’She still has some conscience, at least.’

But Wei Ce’s eyes widened as he stated the blunt truth. "Ali, you’re Xiao Cheng’s cub, all right. Not only can your father not get angry, but now he has to be a free-of-charge training master for your child husband..."

’Talk about a stab to the heart!’ Xiao Cheng wanted to cough up a gallon of blood. ’Can he really spin it like that? Then again... it’s not like he’s wrong, is it?!!’

Ali quickly patted Xiao Cheng’s head. "Father, Uncle Wei Ce is just talking about himself."

"That’s right. Xiao Cheng, from now on, we’re in the same boat," Wei Ce said, nodding with a sigh.

Xiao Cheng was speechless. ’Oh, thank you so much. You guys are just the best, so good at reading the room.’

Si Shuo cleared her throat, suppressing a laugh. "I was wondering, is your Zhong Ling betrothed to any other young females?"

The Beastmen across from her froze for a second. Even Zhong Ling was flustered, his tanned face instantly flushing red as he averted his eyes, not knowing where to look.

"No," the female said, smiling and shaking her head repeatedly. "Our Lingling hasn’t taken a liking to any young females yet. We felt that we should let him grow a little older and become more capable. Then he could explore the lands of our Southern Continent and see if he might meet a young female he likes, one he’d be willing to pursue for a lifetime."

At this, she patted Zhong Ling’s shoulder, leaned in, and whispered, "Lingling, do you think our two families could become in-laws?"

Zhong Ling shot a quick glance at Ali, then lowered his head so far he looked like he wanted to bury it in his chest. He mumbled almost inaudibly, "Yes, Mother."

Ali had actually heard him, but she put on a slightly disappointed expression. "It’s perfectly normal if you’re not interested in me, you know. Nobody is liked by everyone."

"You can rest assured that even if you’re not interested in me, my mother is kindhearted and will still treat your mother."

"I would hate for you to begrudgingly agree to be with me just for your mother’s sake. A marriage is a lifetime commitment, and I don’t want us to become a resentful couple."

"Besides, if it’s not you, maybe the next young male who comes along will be even more impressive!"

"No, it’s not forced at all!" Zhong Ling quickly looked up and said urgently. He looked at the little female’s fair and pretty face, the adorable curve of her baby-fat cheeks—everything about her was delightful. "You-you’re the most beautiful young female I’ve ever seen. I want to follow you. This has nothing to do with my mother."

Only then did Ali smile. "You won’t regret this? Once the trial here is over, we’ll be leaving. Are you going to come with us? Otherwise, I have no idea when we’ll ever see each other again."

"I will!" Zhong Ling nodded and said earnestly, "Once my mother is cured, I can follow you forever."

Ali’s eyes sparkled. "There’s nothing for us to do down here. Why don’t you take me flying?"

Zhong Ling glanced at his mother and father, then smiled and transformed into a Crowned Eagle. Once he felt the little female climb onto his back, he said softly, "Ali, hold on tight!"

Ali wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and felt them suddenly shoot into the air, leaping toward the sky and soaring into the clouds. The wind whistled in her ears, and the air grew crisp and fresh, carrying the faint scent of sunlight.

She slowly opened her eyes, watching as Beast City shrank below them. The mountains and rivers became a still, painted scroll, gradually vanishing into the clouds and mist...

And just like that, the two youngsters were engaged, with only the vow before the Beast God Statue left to make it official. The two families then properly introduced themselves to one another.

Zhong Ling’s mother was a beautiful and elegant female Seagull named Tang Qian, and his father was a Crowned Eagle named Dong Chen.

After a few pleasantries, Si Shuo’s tone became low and serious. "I suspect that her vitality has been drained away by the Thousand-faced Saintess."

"The Thousand-faced Saintess?" The Beastmen’s breathing grew heavy.

"Si Shuo Divine Female, we have heard of the Thousand-faced Saintess. Everyone says she is practically a Divine Servant to the Beast God, and that as long as the payment is sufficient, any wish can be granted."

"My Beast Husbands have been asking around from various sources. They thought that since my condition seemed incurable, perhaps making a wish to the Thousand-faced Saintess might help."

"But... are you saying my condition is because of the Thousand-faced Saintess? We don’t even know her." Tang Qian’s brow furrowed as she tried to think. ’Who could I possibly have offended? Why am I being targeted?’