As soon as Amo returned, he saw his father standing at the cave entrance, seemingly waiting for him.
"Father, are you waiting for me specifically? Is there something you need?" Amo asked.
"Amo, tomorrow is the Mate Selection Ceremony. You will participate, and I hope you choose Karlen. She's an excellent female, and she will surely bear you a healthy litter," the tribe leader said, his eyes full of pride.
His youngest son truly was outstanding. At such a young age, his strength had already surpassed even his own.
"Father, I don't like Karlen. I won't choose her. I said this a long time ago—there's no female in the tribe I like," Amo frowned.
He didn't like any female… except for her.
"How dare you! I am your father—you must obey me! Karlen is perfect in every way. She's the most suitable for you, and her father thinks highly of you. Tomorrow, you will choose her," the tribe leader said sternly.
This son of his was really hard to control.
"Impossible. If you're so fond of Karlen, why don't you go choose her yourself?" Amo said, turning away.
His back alone conveyed his firm stance: he would not choose Karlen.
"Damn it, Cheng Mo… Amo! How dare you speak to me like that? You unfilial child!" The tribe leader clutched his chest, fuming.
The next day.
Early in the morning, the tribe's central square was already crowded with beastmen.
Today was a major day. The Mate Selection Ceremony was extremely important.
In the beastman world, selecting mates and producing offspring were taken very seriously.
No matter how strong a male beastman was, having no offspring was a disgrace.
Moreover, raising one's own children was considered a great honor and a source of pride.
Thus, many single beastmen had gathered, ready to choose the female they desired. If the female agreed, they could become mates.
A female could choose multiple mates, of course—females were rare, males were abundant.
Two females were already standing in the center, scanning the crowd of males to gauge their strength and looks.
At that moment, Karlen and Adaha arrived.
The moment they appeared, all eyes turned to them.
Karlen was the most beautiful female in the tribe and had a slightly strong build—a female like her could produce offspring easily.
The males were visibly impressed.
Adaha was also attractive. Not as popular as Karlen, but still with a desirable figure. Naturally, many males admired her.
Both women stood proudly, necks slightly raised, faces filled with confidence.
But Karlen didn't see Amo. Her eyes darkened slightly with disappointment, but she trusted he would show up.
The tribe leader surveyed the crowd, satisfied… until he realized his youngest son was missing.
That unfilial child… could it be that he really isn't coming?
At that moment, a gasp rose from the crowd at the back.
A figure emerged slowly—a clean and tidy figure wrapped in soft beast skins. Long legs gleamed subtly in the sunlight, and her fair skin made everyone stare in awe.
Her delicate face, silver-white hair cascading past her waist, glimmering curious eyes, and a pair of white antlers on her head—like a sprite from the mountains, ethereal and enchanting.
"Wait… is she a female from our tribe? How come I didn't know?"
"She's stunning!"
"Where did this female come from? She's beautiful!"
"I… I don't like Karlen anymore. I want her!"
"I want to be her mate!"
The adult male beastmen couldn't look away. Such a beautiful female—they'd never seen one like her before.
"I know who she is! She's the mutated deer the young chief rescued! I never expected her human form to be thisbeautiful!"
The crowd whispered excitedly.
The females in the center were shocked, their faces falling in embarrassment.
She was really beautiful.
Karlen and Adaha gritted their teeth in anger.
Damn it! How dare this female show up?
This was their tribe's Mate Selection Ceremony. What was she doing here?
All eyes shifted to Si Lu, the focus stolen from Karlen. Jealousy boiled over. If not for so many people watching, she might have stormed forward to scratch that smiling face.
"Karlen, why is she here? Could it be… she wants to choose a mate too?" Adaha whispered.
Her own jealousy was obvious.
"How dare she! She isn't even from our tribe. What right does she have to participate? She doesn't deserve it!" Karlen hissed angrily.
Her hatred burned deep.
"Si Lu, why are you here? This isn't your place. Go back to your cave immediately!" Karlen could no longer restrain herself and shouted.
This female was deliberately intruding.
"Whether it's my place or not isn't up to you, Karlen. You can't speak for the tribe leader, can you?" Si Lu replied calmly.
Stupid. Big-breasted, but no brains.
"You… you… that's not what I meant! Tribe leader, she—" Karlen trembled with rage.
This female was cunning and sly.
If the tribe leader took her words to heart… Karlen and her family would be in trouble.
The tribe leader furrowed his brows. This beautiful female's words were reasonable.
Karlen had indeed spoken without thinking.
Of course, this silver-haired female was smart.
"Tribe Leader, I'm the female rescued by the young chief. I'm grown up, I've lost my tribe, and I don't have a mate. Am I allowed to participate in the Mate Selection Ceremony? After all, the ceremony doesn't say I must be a tribe female. I also like this tribe and want to live here," Si Lu said, looking pitiful.
Her words were clear: she wanted to stay—and choose a mate.