After his encounter with Huo, Ziqian returned to his tent and spent the whole night talking with the four guardians, asking all the questions that had been troubling him.
"Who was behind my transmigration?" Ziqian asked first. It was the question that had weighed on him the most since day one.
After much contemplation, Ziqian realized that if the Beast God truly wanted someone to improve the lives of his people, he would have chosen someone far more capable—someone with broad knowledge, not someone like him who lacked it.
"We're sorry, Ah-Zi," Gae began, "but we don't have the authority to reveal any information about our master for now. What you need to know is that our master truly cares about you and will not let any harm come your way."
"Your soul was very weak at that time," Ero continued. "To ensure your safe transmigration, our master made a deal with the god Cernunnos to open a void for you, and in return, you were to help his people."
"Back then, this realm was the only option," Phi added. "Even though our master wanted to give you a better life, there was no choice."
Ziqian was disappointed not to learn the guardian master's identity but relieved to finally have some sense of the truth. He changed the subject, asking instead about the tribe's marriage customs.
On the tenth day before winter, the people of Gaia held a ritual called Eulogia, a ceremony of gratitude for the Beast God and a plea for protection to survive the harsh season ahead. During this ritual, an adult beast could marry a partner—whether female, sub-beast, or beast—and seek the God's blessing.
As Ero explained, sub-beasts could take multiple partners, a privilege bestowed to them for their high fertility and rarity. In the vast Winged Tiger Tribe, only thirty-four sub-beasts existed, a testament to their scarcity.
As a man from the 21st century, Ziqian struggled with the idea that he could get pregnant. Yet he wasn't opposed to having a child of his own. In fact, the thought of starting a family stirred a quiet excitement within him.
This world resembled the ABO setting he had read about.
Ziqian and the four guardians talked late into the night. It was rare for him to be so openly curious, but once he started asking, the four fluff balls answered with patience and honesty—everything except the true identity of their master.
The next morning, Ziqian woke to find his group was already out gathering red roots. He could only sit there, torn between laughter and despair. After all that plotting with the fluff balls about sneaking off alone, he'd been left behind for the dumbest reason possible—he overslept. Worse, Ero and Phi had woken even later.
Now, his only hope was to convince Huo to accompany him. With the man by his side, not only would he be safe, but there might also be a chance to continue what they had left unfinished last night.
While changing his clothes, Ziqian recalled something he had noticed about his body over the past few days.
"Can I ask you something?" he said to Ero.
At first, Ziqian had been reserved when speaking to the four fluff balls. But after spending time with them and realizing they were more than a thousand years older than him, he grew more comfortable confiding in them—especially Ero, who was always brimming with yellow waste.
"What is it?" Ero asked, floating in front of him. Its red fur was tangled after sleeping for too long.
"Why aren't my pubes growing anymore?" Ziqian asked. Back on Earth, he had been used to shaving every other day—he liked the clean, comfortable feeling.
Phi, who was busy polishing his yellow fur to a shine, perked up at the question. He immediately floated over to inspect Ziqian's sleeping asset. "It's cute," he commented bluntly.
"Hey! That's rude," Ziqian yelped, hurriedly covering his waist with a white fur cloth to shield his junior from the judgmental gaze of the two fluff balls. Compared to the beasts' massive rods, his looked… small. A normal size, fair in color, with a soft pink tip. Cute—annoyingly enough.
Ziqian let out a long sigh.
"Sub-beasts don't grow pubes," Ero explained flatly, careful not to add anything that might bruise their ward's pride. Of course, deep inside, he was already thinking, Not that teeny-weeny thing will ever see any action in this lifetime anyway.
If Ziqian had known what was going through Ero's mind, he would have strangled him on the spot.
"Oh. How convenient." Ziqian shrugged, his mood recovering quickly. "Another thing…" He hesitated, unsure how to begin.
"Don't be shy—just ask," Ero encouraged.
"I'm not shy; it's just… hard to describe." Ziqian shifted uncomfortably. "My body feels different. Strange. Sometimes it gets hot for no reason, and at night I…" He trailed off, searching for the right word. "…extremely horny."
Ero chuckled knowingly. "Ah, so our Ah-Zi finally noticed?" Its round body swished as it circled him with exaggerated amusement. "This body of yours is preparing to… let's call it synchronize with the rules of this world."
"Synchronize?" Ziqian echoed.
"Yes," Ero drawled, leaning close. "Your biology is adapting. Heat cycles, fertility, sensitivity—these are all part of a sub-beast's nature. You'll start experiencing urges… stronger than what you're used to." Its voice dropped slyly. "Especially when you're near the beast you're drawn to."
Even now, he could recall how a kiss from Huo alone had been enough to arouse him.
Phi, always gentle, floated closer and brushed its fur against his wrist in comfort. "It means your body is finally recognizing this world as its own."
Heat cycle.
Ziqian exhaled slowly, a flicker of anticipation stirring within him. If what they said was true, then last night with Huo… had only been the beginning.
He slipped into his clothes and stepped out of the tent in high spirits.
As always, the first thing he did was look for Huo. The man usually greeted him every morning without fail. But today… not even his shadow was in sight.
Instead, an ice statue stood in front of him, blocking his path.
"Good morning," Xue greeted in his usual cool tone.
Ziqian smiled politely. "Good morning, Xue!" Then his gaze darted around again.
Knowing who he was searching for, Xue explained, "Huo led a team to hunt on Mount Nebo."
"Huh? Oh…" Ziqian faltered, his body going rigid as confusion stole his voice.
He thought, perhaps foolishly, that their bond had deepened. Huo had even confessed just last night. So why would he leave without saying goodbye? Of course, Huo wasn't obligated to—but if he truly liked him, shouldn't he have at least said a word?
The thought left Ziqian restless.
They weren't even dating yet, and already he was expecting Huo to take his feelings into account at all times.
Ah-Yan was right, he thought bitterly. No one would ever truly love someone selfish and self-centered like me. They're only attracted by my appearance, but sooner or later, they'll grow bored of my face and abandon me.
And he knew what came after. Pain. Exhaustion. It was the same endless cycle of hurt.
He didn't want to feel it again.
No, not this time.
He needed to protect himself.
From now on, he would live the way he always had. He would treat Huo just like the other men he'd been with before. Keep things simple—physical only. That way, there would be no risk of heartbreak.
And yet… how could he not long for more? He thought of Ah-Yeon, who was adored and cherished by everyone, who had love showered upon him so freely. Ziqian wanted that too. To be loved, genuinely.
The two guardians stirred in alarm, sensing the chaotic storm of emotions swirling around him—an emotional turbulence born from trauma, the kind that scarred deeply.
"Ah-Zi!" Ero called out in worry.
Phi conjured a puff of white smoke and wafted it toward him.
Ziqian didn't respond at first, his mind dazed. Xue stepped forward and gently gripped his shoulder. "Ziqian," he called, his face calm as always, though his voice carried a rare note of concern.
"Huh?"
"What's wrong?" Xue asked.
"N-nothing…" Ziqian forced a smile. "Just a little sleepy. Hmm, where is Mount Nebo? When will Huo be back?" he asked, trying his best to sound normal. The smoke Phi had given him cleared his head, but he still felt uneasy.
"Ah-Zi, are you sure you're alright?" Phi pressed, scanning him carefully. The turbulent aura around him gradually ebbed, and the two fluff balls let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Don't worry. Ziqian told them inwardly. I just remembered something unpleasant.
"Mount Nebo is the largest mountain range in the north, near the edge of the fog," Xue explained briefly, his cold hand still steady on Ziqian's shoulder. "It will take them six days to return."
Embarrassed by his earlier lapse, Ziqian stepped back from Xue's icy touch. "I see."
Six days.
If Huo was going to be gone that long… then who else could he ask to accompany him?
In the past few days of gathering red roots, Ziqian had learned just how dangerous the forest could be. Even with his cheat-like monster radar, he couldn't let his guard down.
He thought back to the incident two days ago, when a female accidentally stepped on a vine and was suddenly snared, left dangling upside down. If not for the beasts escorting them, she would have been stuck there for a long time—or worse.
The radar hadn't picked up the plant; after all, it was only a normal plant, with a dangerous characteristic. Even the faintest touch would rouse its vines, lashing out to ensnare anything unlucky enough to brush against it.
Ziqian knew that all groups were too used to following the same safe routes; if he stuck with them, he'd lose the chance to discover new fruits and vegetables. He wanted to split off on his own—but safety was still an issue. An escort was necessary, and the first person who came to mind was Huo.
Unfortunately, the man had left.
Who else can I ask? Ziqian brooded, so caught up in his thoughts that he failed to notice the tall figure silently watching him.
"If you need to go somewhere, I'll accompany you," Xue's voice broke through his musing.
Ziqian's eyes lit up immediately, his entire expression brightening. "Really?"
Xue gave a single nod, recalling his mother's command: Let Ziqian do whatever he wants—just don't let him get hurt.
"Let's go, then!" Ziqian swung his bag made of monster hide over his shoulder and tugged insistently at Xue's arm, but with his feeble strength, he didn't even make Xue budge from his position.
"Hey, you said you'd accompany me," Ziqian pouted, looking aggrieved.
"I will. But first, I need to fetch something. Wait here." His tone was calm, not leaving room for argument.
"Oh… fine," Ziqian relented with a small push to Xue's arm. "Then hurry!"
As Xue strode away, Ziqian's gaze drifted, and a thought struck him. "Where are Gae and Nia?"
"Gae was summoned by our master," Phi explained gently. "He'll be back soon. As for Nia… we don't know. He was already gone when we woke up."
Ziqian frowned, worry creasing his brow. Nia was usually the most obedient among them.
"Don't worry, Ah-Zi," Ero reassured, his fluffy red fur puffing as he floated closer. "No one in this world can harm us. Nia probably just wanted some time alone."
Ziqian exhaled softly. "Alright… then let's finish the second task before they return." His lips curved into a smile, his eyes brimming with enthusiasm once again.
As if the one who had experienced emotional turmoil earlier wasn't him.
_______________.
Meanwhile, on Mount Nebo—
"You're scaring everyone with that face," Cai said, slinging an arm over Huo's shoulder—only for Huo to shrug it off immediately.
"You were always eager to lead the hunting party to Mount Nebo. What's wrong with you today?" Wan asked, puzzled by Huo's foul mood.
Ren grinned and playfully jabbed Wan in the chest. "Haven't you noticed? That beautiful sub-beast staying in Xue's tent—Huo likes him. Our great brother guards him so closely, no one else even gets a chance to talk to him."
"Oh!" Wan's eyes widened. "I saw him from afar yesterday. He was… breathtaking. He was shining, making everyone else seem dull in comparison." His voice brimmed with admiration.
Cai and Ren burst out laughing.
"When did you learn to talk so sweetly?" Cai teased.
"I can't blame him," Ren said, ruffling Wan's hair. "Beautiful isn't enough to describe him. Honestly, if I weren't already married, I'd fight Huo for the chance to be Ziqian's first husband." He smirked as he spoke.
"Do you want to try it now?" Huo asked, cracking his knuckles, his gaze sharp.
"I'm joking!" Ren laughed, dragging Wan away from danger.
"Don't mind them," Cai said lightly, patting Huo's shoulder again. "Even if they tried, they'd never stand a chance."
Huo believed that too. He wouldn't lose to anyone in a duel—except Xue, the one opponent he had never managed to defeat.
He wasn't as clever as Xue, but he wasn't a fool. Wan was right: he had always competed fiercely for the right to lead the Mount Nebo hunts, eager to prove himself to the tribe. But last night, he hadn't even opened his mouth, and his mother had still handed him the role.
And then, before dawn, Lia had sent them off—so fast he hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye to Ziqian.
Lia's intentions were obvious. He wanted Xue to marry Ziqian, and because Huo never left the sub-beast's side, the two hadn't had time alone together. By sending him away, he had created that opportunity for them while calling it a chance for him to "prove himself."
Whatever his true reason, Huo swore he would return as quickly as possible, before Xue and Ziqian had the chance to grow close.
"Enough rest! Move out!" Huo barked, his voice sharp as steel.
His body shifted, and in an instant a majestic black liger with golden stripes stood where he had been, its aura both arrogant and ferocious.
With a powerful swish of his massive wings, he soared into the sky, more than thirty beastmen in varied flying forms trailing after him.
Unnoticed, a small white fluffball perched contentedly on top of his head, swaying with the wind.