After getting dressed in fresh leaf clothing (the women had made her several outfits now), Xin Yi emerged from the river smelling of flowers and herbs.
Hei Yan was immediately there, sniffing her neck, her hair, her shoulders.
"Mmm. Very nice." He licked a stripe up her neck. "And soft."
"Stop that!" But she was smiling.
He had already gotten his tribe members to gather everything she needed for cooking, the flat stones, herbs, wood, even water in clay vessels. With System's guidance, she prepared the meat again, seasoning it carefully. Hei Yan watched her every move like a cat watching a bird.
When it was ready, he pounced on it.
"Hey! Bad kitty!" Xin Yi swatted his hand. "Don't eat it all!"
He pouted but backed off.
This time, she made sure to share with the cubs who had visited her that morning and some of the other tribe members.
"This is amazing!"
"What magic is this?!"
"Alpha's female is blessed by the spirits!"
They started calling her "Miracle Female," which made her blush.
[Don't forget, Host! You have to construct the first proper house!]
"Ugh, not that..."
[If you don't complete it within 8 hours, you will die! ☆]
"WHAT?! Why didn't you tell me that?! HOW DO I DO IT, SYSTEM?!"
[First, you'll need to use your System Points to unlock the Basic Construction Package!]
"How many points do I have?"
[Current Status:
- Starting Points: 50
- Basic Dignity Quest: +10
- Cooking Quest: +50
- Survival Quest: +30
Total: 140 Points
Basic Construction Package costs 100 points and includes: cement mixture formula, basic tool blueprints, and architectural knowledge download!]
"Fine! Buy it!"
[Purchase complete! Knowledge downloading.….ding!]
Suddenly, information flooded Xin Yi's brain, how to mix materials, how to construct walls, how to create a stable foundation. She also unlocked a small dimensional storage space where she could keep materials.
"Hei Yan!" she called.
He appeared instantly. "Yes?"
"I need help building something."
He tilted his head, confused. "Building what?"
"A better place to live. Trust me."
~
For the next several hours, with Hei Yan's strength and the tribe's help, they gathered materials. Xin Yi directed them to collect clay, sand, and specific stones. She mixed them with water according to the formula in her head, creating a crude but functional cement.
They constructed a small structure, not a full house, but something between a hut and a building. It had proper walls, a raised floor, and even a roof made of woven branches sealed with the cement mixture.
When they stepped inside, it was dry. Warm. Stable.
No damp dirt. No musty air.
Xin Yi beamed with pride. "See? This is called a house!"
Hei Yan looked around in wonder. "This is.….good." He smiled at her. "You're full of surprises, little female."
[Quest Complete! Host survived!]
[Reward: +100 Points + Unlock: Advanced Civilization Package (Coming Soon!)]
[New Quest Chain: Show them civilization!]
[Step 1: Establish basic hygiene practices]
[Step 2: Introduce simple tools and—]
"ALPHA!"
A young panther male burst into the clearing, panting.
"The Tiger Clan approaches!"
Hei Yan's entire body tensed. "Already?"
"Yes, Alpha! They'll be here within the hour!"
Xin Yi tugged on Hei Yan's arm. "What are they?"
His expression was serious. "They're like our cousins. Related to us. But they're more.….reckless than we are. And more promiscuous."
"Promiscuous?"
"They like babies. Many babies. And they'll mate with anyone they find attractive." He looked down at her. "If their Alpha sees you, he will want to claim you immediately."
"EHHH?!"
Before she could protest, Hei Yan pulled her close and started licking her, her neck, her shoulders, her face, covering her with his scent.
"What are you doing?!"
"Marking you as mine," he said seriously. "So they know not to touch you."
[Oh my~ How possessive! (◕‿◕)]
"Come." He grabbed her hand. "You will stay close to me. Don't leave my side for even a moment."
They walked to the edge of the village where the path opened up.
Xin Yi could hear them before she saw them.
Loud. Boisterous. Laughing.
Then they emerged from the trees.
Beautiful.
That was the first word that came to mind.
Tiger beastmen, every one of them gorgeous, covered in tiger-stripe markings that rippled across their muscular bodies. They wore loincloths of better quality than the panthers, and their hair ranged from black to red to auburn.
But at the front of the group walked someone who made even Hei Yan look almost ordinary.
[New Character Detected!]
[Name: Feng Huang (凤煌 - Phoenix Radiance)]
[Species: Tiger Beastman]
[Rank: Alpha of the Fire Claw Tiger Clan]
[Threat Level: EXTREMELY HIGH (considers everything a potential mate)]
[Warning: This one is SERIOUS TROUBLE, Host! (≖_≖ )]
He was hot.
Red hair that caught the sunlight like flames, sharp golden eyes with vertical slits, tiger stripes that looked like they had been painted on by an artist. He moved with a lazy, confident grace that screamed danger and sex appeal.
Xin Yi swallowed hard.
Hei Yan's grip on her hand tightened. "Do you have interest in him?"
[Say yes at your own peril, Host!]
"No!" Xin Yi said quickly. "Of course not!"
But her voice came out a little too high.
The Tiger Alpha's head turned. Those golden eyes locked onto her. He inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring. Then his lips curved into a devastating smile.
"Well, well, well." His voice was smooth as honey. "Hello there, little female."
He started walking directly toward her.
Hei Yan stepped in front of Xin Yi, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
"She's mine, Feng Huang."
"Is she?" The Tiger Alpha's smile didn't waver. He leaned to the side, looking past Hei Yan directly at Xin Yi. "I don't see a mating mark."