Lang Feng gently removed the black shirt he was wearing and stepped closer to her. Without saying a word, he placed the warm fabric over Liuyue's trembling shoulders. His silver eyes softened.
Then, with careful strength, he lifted her into his arms.
Liuyue gasped slightly, her arms moving instinctively to wrap around his neck. She was still scared, confused, and unsure of everything, but his body was warm—comforting, even. She pressed her face slightly into his chest, her heart beating fast.
Si Yao stayed on the ground, his golden eyes cold and unmoving as he watched Lang Feng walk away with her. His hand clenched into a fist, but he didn't move to stop them.
Liuyue didn't know where they were going.
She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, the soft chime returned in her ears.
[System Notification: You are being transported to "The Wild Howl Woods" — territory of the Wolf Clan.]
Her brows furrowed. "So… that's where he's taking me?" she whispered.
She looked up at the man carrying her. "Who is he?" she asked softly.
> [Answer: Lang Feng. Position: Wolf Clan Leader – Leading Alpha.]
[Mission Reminder: Complete your first Clan Bond successfully to unlock a Reward – Gift or Ability will be granted based on emotional depth and physical connection.]
Liuyue blinked. A reward? An ability?
The forest began to thin, and they reached a wide clearing. Her eyes widened.
In the center of the woods stood a large, beautiful building made of silver stone and dark wood. It had curved rooftops and open archways with vines gently wrapped around the pillars. Crystals shimmered along the edges, glowing faintly.
It didn't look like a house.
It looked like a palace.
Her lips parted in awe. "This is… beautiful…"
As Lang Feng walked toward it, several members of the Wolf Clan spotted them. Some bowed quickly with respect. Others gasped, staring at Liuyue in shock as the Alpha carried a strange, naked girl in his arms.
Whispers began.
Then, a flash of silver and white came rushing down the steps.
A young woman appeared, her long hair tied up in a high tail. Her wolf ears twitched with rage, and her lips curled in disbelief as she ran toward them.
[Identified: Lan Yuexin – Wolf Clan Princess]
[Position: Daughter of the former Alpha's brother. Status: Believes she should have been Lang Feng's mate.]
"Lang Feng!" she called sharply, rushing to his side. Her eyes darted to Liuyue. "Who is this?"
Lang Feng only smiled softly.
Still holding Liuyue, he said gently, "She's the Chosen Womb."
Yuexin's eyes widened in shock. Her hands dropped from his arm as if burned.
"You mean she's the one from the prophecy?"
Lang Feng nodded calmly.
He stepped forward, finally setting Liuyue down on the ground. His hands lingered on her shoulders, and he gave her a small smile before gently squeezing her cheeks.
Liuyue stiffened slightly, confused by the soft gesture. She could already feel Yuexin's burning glare.
The moment Lang Feng turned and excused himself, saying, "I'll return shortly," Yuexin stepped closer.
Her sweet expression dropped.
Her voice came out low and sharp.
"So you're the filthy outsider womb," she sneered. "I used to think the prophecies were just stories. But here I am, staring right at one."
Liuyue didn't respond. Her chest felt tight. She just listened quietly.
Back on Earth, right before the night she was brought here… she remembered something.
She had gone to the hospital.
The doctor had told her she couldn't conceive. Her womb had been declared infertile.
A bitter ache rose in her throat.
And now… if she was chosen as a woman for a Clan—did that mean she could give birth here?
She barely had time to ask herself the question before the system chimed again.
[Answer: Yes. You can conceive. Your body has been spiritually rewritten to fulfill the role of the Chosen Womb.]
"Ah—!" she jerked slightly in surprise. The voice had spoken so suddenly in her head, she hadn't been ready.
[Reminder: You have officially gained your first enemy. Standing directly in front of you.]
Before she could say a word, Yuexin turned on her heel and walked away, leaving only the heavy weight of her glare behind.
Meanwhile…
Far beyond the forests and rivers, where the land turned dry and cracked under the burning sun, there was a place known as The Obsidian Sands — the territory of the Serpent Clan.
The air shimmered with heat. Black stone buildings carved from ancient lava rock rose from the sand like blades. Everything here smelled of spice, heat, and danger.
Si Yao stormed through the palace corridors. His boots echoed loudly on the stone floors as he pushed past guards and servants without a word. His long dark coat fluttered behind him, and his snake hissed low from his shoulder, sensing his tension.
He didn't stop until he reached the highest chamber—the throne room of the Serpent Clan.
At the far end, seated on a raised platform carved from black jade, was a tall man with a cold, sharp presence. His silver eyes were half-closed in thought, but even at rest, he looked like a coiled predator waiting to strike.
His long black hair shimmered with green streaks, and a large white serpent rested curled beside him, its tongue flicking slowly at the air.
She Hanyi.
The Leader of the Serpent Clan.
The King.
Si Yao fell to one knee, his head bowed low.
"She Hanyi," he said quickly, his breath heavy. "I've seen her."
The air in the room shifted.
She Hanyi didn't move yet. His voice was quiet and calm, but sharp as a blade. "Seen who?"
"The girl," Si Yao said. "The one they speak of in the prophecy. The one all the Clans have been waiting for. The Chosen Womb."
Now, She Hanyi's silver eyes opened fully. Cold light gleamed in them like the edge of a knife.
"Explain."
"I was in the sacred forest," Si Yao continued. "Alone. I picked up a strange scent. Sweet, unfamiliar. I followed it—and there she was. A human girl. Naked. Confused. She didn't speak our language."
He paused, his jaw clenched.
"She didn't look like anything special. I thought she was just a trespasser. So I confronted her. I… may have been a little aggressive."
The white serpent beside She Hanyi raised its head and hissed sharply. The sound echoed off the stone walls.
Si Yao quickly added, "But before I could touch her, the forest reacted. It lifted her into the air. Protected her. Like it was alive. Then light exploded across her body. Her skin glowed—symbols appeared. Old ones. Magic I didn't understand. I've never seen anything like it."
His golden eyes narrowed.
"Something marked her. Something ancient."
Silence stretched in the throne room.
She Hanyi slowly stood from his seat. His tall figure cast a long shadow across the floor. His serpent slithered from the platform and wrapped around his wrist like a bracelet.
"And now?" he asked coldly. "Where is she?"
"…She was taken," Si Yao said, voice tight with frustration. "Lang Feng appeared. Out of nowhere. He fought me off and took her."
The Serpent King's jaw tightened.
"The wolves," he said softly. "Of course. They've been waiting for an excuse to act."
He turned away from Si Yao and walked toward the window, looking out across the endless desert.
"She arrived in our lands first," he said darkly. "She was ours to claim."
Si Yao didn't respond. His hands curled into fists.
She Hanyi's voice dropped low and dangerous.
"The wolves have made the first move. Then we'll make the second. Prepare the envoys. I want eyes on Wild Howl Woods immediately."
He glanced back at Si Yao, his gaze like ice.