The evil female is weak and the males of the whole continent are out of control and fall.

Chapter 726 It Must Be an Illusion
“Yes,” Bai Wanwan’s eyes shone brightly even in the dim light, “not only the world I used to live in, but also many, many different worlds, which we can visit in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiu tightened his grip on her hand, the force conveying a strong sense of possessiveness.

He looked into her eyes, his voice low but clear, "No matter where we go, I will never let you leave alone."

Where she is, is his home, even if that home requires crossing an unfamiliar world.

"Okay, let's go together."

The animosity and conflict between the two settled into a deeper affection at this moment.

However, daylight did not give them much time; the sun was already setting in the west.

Seeing this, Zhu Xiu took her hand and led her step by step out of the dark cave.

Outside the cave, Yin Ze and Yan Lie, who had been waiting for a long time, turned around at the same time upon hearing the commotion, clearly not expecting them to come out so quickly.

Seeing the two of them come out hand in hand, and with the atmosphere noticeably different from the previous stiffness, Yan Lie felt a little jealous, but he also knew that this was the best outcome.

"Are we going back?" He thought Wanwan had successfully persuaded Zhuxiu to return together.

"Mmm." Bai Wanwan responded, then turned her head to look at the silent Zhu Xiu beside her, her eyes filled with a gentle reminder and a hint of reluctance, "It was agreed, two days. I'll wait for you to come back."

When Zhu Xiu met her gaze, his eyes softened slightly.

He nodded almost imperceptibly and replied in a deep voice, "Okay."

Only after receiving his confirmation did Bai Wanwan feel completely at ease.

Zhu Xiu then turned to Yan Lie and Yin Ze, resuming his usual calm and composed tone, and instructed them: "The forest is not safe after dark. You must immediately send Wanwan back to the tribe and protect her."

A hint of suspicion flashed in Yin Ze's eyes. He looked at Zhu Xiu, then at Bai Wanwan, and asked, "Aren't you coming back together?"

“Yes,” Zhu Xiu replied briefly and firmly, “I will be back in a couple of days.”

He didn't explain the reason, but his attitude made Yin Ze understand that this was the result.

Now that everything had been explained, Bai Wanwan didn't delay any longer.

She held Yan Lie's warm hand in one hand and gently patted Yin Ze's arm with the other, her tone becoming more relaxed: "Let's go then." If we delay any longer, the family members at home will be jumping up and down in worry.

Yin Ze said no more and walked to the open space in front, his body radiating a soft golden-red halo.

In the light, his figure stretched and changed, eventually transforming into a huge phoenix with a graceful body and beautiful feathers.

He slowly spread his broad wings, like the last brilliant glow before nightfall, quietly waiting.

Yan Lie helped Bai Wanwan onto the phoenix's broad and warm back, allowing her to sit comfortably in the thickest part of its feathers.

After Bai Wanwan settled down, she turned her head and waved vigorously at the figure standing tall like a lone pine tree at the cave entrance, a smile spreading across her face:
"I'm waiting for you at home, come back soon! If you're late..."

She deliberately dragged out her words, her eyes curving into crescents, "I'm going to go on a trip to another world with Jin Yi and the others!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiu's originally calm face tensed up. His thin lips pursed, and he almost squeezed out two words through clenched teeth, carrying a hint of warning: "You dare."

Even through the deepening twilight, his sharp gaze was precisely fixed on her smiling face.

"I lied to you!"

Bai Wanwan laughed even more heartily, and quickly reassured him, "We'll wait for you to come back! We'll be going now." The phoenix let out a clear cry, its wings flapped powerfully, stirring up a light dust on the ground, and its huge body lightly took off, flying swiftly towards the tribe.

Zhu Xiu stood there, watching the phoenix carrying his beloved female grow smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared into the deep twilight and the outline of the distant mountains.

He withdrew his sharp and focused gaze and looked toward the dark jungle beside the cave.

Two days... perhaps he should have come a little earlier.

We should go back soon, lest that heartless little female really come up with some audacious idea.

***

When Yin Ze, carrying Bai Wanwan and Yan Lie, landed smoothly on the open ground in front of his house, night had already fallen.

The doorway was brightly lit, and several tall figures were gathered there, seemingly arguing fiercely about something, their voices revealing obvious anxiety.

The argument ceased abruptly upon hearing the sound of the phoenix flapping its wings.

All the males turned their heads at the same time, their eyes all fixed on them.

Seeing Bai Wanwan safely slide down the phoenix's back, followed closely by Yan Lie and Yin Ze who had returned to human form, the tense expressions on the males' faces visibly relaxed, and they all gathered around.

Jin Yi, who was walking at the front, was filled with lingering fear and reproach in his eyes. He stepped forward, grasped Bai Wanwan's hand, and said in a rare serious tone, "Wanwan! How could you leave the tribe with only Yan Lie and Yin Ze? Although it's safer outside than during the snow season, it's not without danger! What if something unexpected happens?"

He had previously entrusted Bai Wanwan to Yin Ze's care, thinking she would only be active within the tribe, but upon returning, he heard that they had left the tribe.

Jin Ying and Jiao Yin stood a little further back.

Jin Ying's gaze locked onto Bai Wanwan almost the instant she appeared. His tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly after confirming that she was unharmed, but the worry in his eyes had not completely disappeared.

Even on Jiaoyin's usually aloof face, a clear expression of concern was revealed.

Neither of them rushed forward as eagerly as Jin Yi; they simply stood there quietly, confirming her safety with their eyes.

Ember Shadow stood still, not vying for a spot near her, leaving that space for the other males.

Surrounded by the males, Bai Wanwan walked into the warm house, explaining as she went, "It was my insistence that Yin Ze take me out. I wanted to go find Zhu Xiu; I was really worried about him."

At this moment, Xin Feng had already brought out the warm food from the kitchen and gently placed it on the dining table.

He looked up and asked gently, "So...did you find it?"

"Yes! Found him!" Bai Wanwan's voice rose unconsciously, carrying a sense of ease and joy after a heavy burden was lifted. "He's in a cave in the northern mountain valley. He has some things to take care of and said he'll be back in a couple of days."

The lightness in her tone and the relief she felt after being comforted made it clear to all the men present.

Zhu Xiu should be fine now.

Xin Feng smiled gently and pushed a bowl of steaming, tender meat soup in front of her. He then carefully placed a perfectly roasted piece of tender meat into her bowl and said, "Are you hungry? You've come all this way. Have something to eat first."

"I have to say, I'm really hungry!" Bai Wanwan rubbed her stomach. From noon until now, her emotions had gone up and down, and she had been running around, so she had indeed taken a lot of energy.

She finished speaking to Xin Feng with a smile, picked up her chopsticks, but her gaze involuntarily shifted and fell on Jin Ying, who was sitting quietly beside her.

(End of this chapter)