Indeed, this time the little spoon transformed into a tiger cub. To rationalize its identity, Qiao Ci fabricated a story for it, claiming it was an orphan rescued from the jaws of a lion.
As the saintess's tiger, it was treated with great friendliness by the tribal members. They frequently fed it, took it hunting, and didn't exclude it from their daily affairs.
This led to it becoming a bit arrogant, often eavesdropping on conversations.
Now, it had overheard the chief, Nan An.
Nan An was having a grand time with Lu Yan. After washing and dressing, he looked at Lu Yan with a smile, "You're so obedient, I'm very happy. I've decided to fulfill your little wish."
He then gathered most of the beastmen and announced that he would hold a mating ceremony with Lu Yan, hoping everyone would offer their sincerest blessings.
"What is the greatest sincerity, Chief?" a beastman asked out of confusion.
"Yan Yan said that the ceremony for two people to become mates is solemn and sacred. The more blessings and gifts received at the ceremony, the more it expresses support for the couple, and the happier they will be in the future," Nan An explained, interpreting Lu Yan's words about 'gift money.'
The beastmen immediately understood. They were being asked for resources.
However, the chief was already the one who distributed the most resources in the tribe. Even with the useless Lu Yan, there shouldn't be a shortage of food. Why was he asking them for things?
Still, the beastmen were accustomed to obeying Nan An, and despite their inner discomfort, they didn't voice any objections.
One female beastman whispered to another beside her, "Didn't the saintess say that this Lu Yan doesn't have the destiny to be the chief's mate? What is the chief doing?"
"Hush, someone has already gone to fetch the saintess."
Upon hearing the news, Qiao Ci did not rush over. She only asked, "When will the ceremony be held?"
"Tomorrow at noon."
"Host, Nan An is clearly trying to slap your face. You're not immediately going to take him down; that's not your style," the little tiger yawned lazily, lying at Qiao Ci's feet.
"Too lazy to move," Qiao Ci transformed into a large tiger, her eyes narrowed as she basked in the sun on the floor covered with lion skin.
She heard that this tiger skin belonged to the first divine-stick...
Ahem, it belonged to the first saintess, who killed the chief of the lion tribe during a fight when he proposed to her, leaving the lion skin as a trophy.
It had been passed down through generations of saintesses.
"Why do I feel like Host really likes their beast form?" the little tiger nudged closer to Qiao Ci's tiger form, trying to rest its small body on the luxurious lion skin rug.
"It's more comfortable to sunbathe without clothes on. My fur feels all warm and cozy," Qiao Ci replied lazily, ignoring the tiger's attempt to snuggle with the lion skin.
The little spoon remembered the main system's instructions to let Qiao Ci enjoy romance to her heart's content in this world, so it asked with concern, "Host, most of the males in this world have been tainted by Lu Yan. Are you still looking for your cub?"
"Whatever happens, happens," as if speaking more words would tire her, Qiao Ci closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Seeing the host's massive physique, a veritable tigress, the little spoon began to worry unnecessarily.
It wondered if this generation's cub could handle it...
Since the host wasn't in a hurry, the little spoon decided to slack off too, curling up to one side and stretching out its belly in blissful comfort.
At the chief's mating ceremony, Nan An and Lu Yan were dressed solemnly and magnificently. Lu Yan had even woven a flower crown for herself to enhance her appearance, and wearing the white gauze dress she had arrived in this world, she looked like a fairy.
She smiled radiantly as she looked at the abundant gifts presented by the beastmen.
It was wonderful. She received everyone's blessings, collected gift money, and didn't even have to host a banquet. She was utterly delighted.
As the ceremony was about to begin, Qiao Ci had yet to appear. Lu Yan felt both disappointed and triumphant.
Disappointed because she couldn't openly humiliate Qiao Ci.
Triumphant because she had finally won this contest.
If only Qiao Ci could come and witness it. To have her favorite man snatched away while she was helpless, that would surely be exciting.
As Lu Yan was lamenting her wish, a stir arose in the crowd.
"The saintess has arrived."
"Is the saintess here to bestow blessings upon the chief?"
Lu Yan's eyes lit up. The person she had been anticipating had arrived. Later, she would show off even more to make Qiao Ci intensely jealous.
Hmph, daring to covet her man, she would surely make her pay.
The male tiger, who had been forcibly asked by Lu Yan to officiate the ceremony, bowed briefly to Qiao Ci before turning to Nan An and Lu Yan. Clearing its throat, it began reciting the lines Lu Yan had prepared:
"Nan An, do you take Lu Yan as your mate and enter into a soul contract with her? Will you forsake all others, be faithful in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, or any other cause, and remain devoted to her until death do you part?"
"I do..."
"I object!"
At this moment, a clear and melodious voice interjected.
"Qiao Ci, what do you mean?" Nan An looked at Qiao Ci with displeasure.
"This is a sacred ceremony for us to become mates. It concerns only Nan An and me. Why do you object?" Lu Yan looked at Qiao Ci with disgust, never expecting her to dare to step forward and disrupt her wedding.
"I previously stated that you do not have the destiny to be the chief's mate. If you forcefully alter fate, it will affect the luck of our entire tiger tribe, causing misfortune," Qiao Ci began to take her profession seriously, playing the role of a divine-stick.
"You're talking nonsense!" Lu Yan's eyes reddened with anger at her audacious words. She leaned into Nan An's embrace, appearing wronged.
"Whether it's nonsense or not, for the sake of the tiger tribe, I, the saintess, will not let you succeed," Qiao Ci declared righteously, her expression unperturbed.
Unable to bear seeing his woman humiliated, Nan An stood tall before Qiao Ci, his imposing figure exuding an aura of pressure. "What if I insist on becoming mates with Lu Yan?"
"It's very simple," Qiao Ci smiled with a hint of coldness. "You simply cease to be the chief of our tiger tribe."
"What do you mean? The tribal chiefs are the strongest in terms of combat prowess. I became chief through my own abilities.
You expect me to hand over my position based on your baseless claims. It seems I have granted you too much power and status!" Upon realizing Qiao Ci was targeting his position as chief, Nan An became furious.
His voice boomed like a bell, nearly splattering saliva onto Qiao Ci.
Qiao Ci moved aside with a look of distaste. "Speak, but don't stand so close! Your breath smells strange!"
"Qiao Ci, you've gone too far!" Lu Yan stepped forward, pointing at Qiao Ci with an indignant expression. "Brother Nan An is the chief of the tiger tribe, he is now, and he always will be. No one can shake that!"
"Oh? Are you willing to give up becoming mates with him?" If that were the case, Qiao Ci would actually think a little more highly of her.