"South Bank brother's mate, I'm determined to be! I don't believe in what you say about destiny. Even if it's true, I'll defy heaven!"
Lu Yan naturally wouldn't give up the chance to put Qiao Ci in her place. After speaking with arrogant grace, she tightly held onto Nan An's arm, declaring her ownership.
"And what about you? As the leader, will you truly disregard the fate of your entire tribe and insist on becoming her mate?" Qiao Ci turned to Nan An and asked.
"My mind is made up, Saintess. Please stop spreading ominous prophecies. I will bear all consequences myself." Nan An's protective demeanor made Lu Yan's eyes sparkle, convinced she had chosen the right person.
The other members of the tribe showed slight dissatisfaction, but obedience to their leader was ingrained. No one dared to object, hoping only that the Saintess could persuade him further, so as not to implicate the entire tribe.
Qiao Ci nodded. "So, what you're saying is you don't want to give up Lu Yan, nor do you want to give up your position as tribal leader?
In that case, for the future of the Tiger Tribe, I, this Saintess, have decided to challenge you! As long as you are no longer the leader, you can form a partnership with whomever you please without endangering the tribe."
"You want to challenge me? Don't be ridiculous."
"You are no match for me."
"Once the challenge begins, I will not show you any mercy."
Upon hearing this, Nan An looked at Qiao Ci with utter disdain, repeatedly scoffing.
"Yes, don't come crying to me for mercy later," Qiao Ci replied with an incredibly calm expression.
Nan An, Lu Yan, and even the little cub beside them found the phrase strangely familiar.
Challenging a leader required a day of preparation. The mating ceremony for today, however, could not proceed.
The beastmen who had brought their precious supplies as gifts for the pair looked at each other, then sheepishly retrieved their offerings. With chuckles, they told the black-faced Lu Yan and Nan An,
"The mating ceremony isn't happening today either, so I'll take my gifts back for now. I'll give them again when your ceremony finally takes place."
"That's right, I was thinking the same thing. It's unlucky to give gifts in advance. I'll bring them another day."
"Me too."
After saying this, they quickly scurried away with their belongings, as if afraid they might be robbed.
Lu Yan spotted a snow-white fox fur among the gifts and, finding it exquisite, intended to wear it for play that evening.
Seeing that it too was being reclaimed by its owner, she stamped her foot in anger, tearfully complaining to Nan An, "Look at them, they're bullying me too, boohoo..."
"Don't be angry, Yan Yan. Once I deal with Qiao Ci, they'll naturally return everything, and it will still be yours." Knowing how much Lu Yan adored that fox fur, Nan An quickly soothed her.
Lu Yan felt that everyone disliked her, and an unvented frustration welled up inside her. She then spoke fiercely to Nan An, "Then you must severely punish those who disrupted our wedding tomorrow. If you show any mercy, don't even think of coming to my bed!"
"Indeed, the leader's authority must not be challenged!" Nan An looked towards Qiao Ci, his eyes like frost.
The Tiger Tribe had no need for inherently rebellious beastmen. Since the Saintess's position had granted her too much power and made her forget who truly held authority, her tenure as Saintess was effectively over.
Qiao Ci was woken early. As she listened to the few female beastmen cheering her on, their voices buzzed in her ears.
"Saintess, no matter what, we support you. I always felt that Lu Yan was very strange. She suddenly appeared near our tribe, and without her beast form, she's definitely not a proper beastman."
"Saintess, everyone knows your combat strength doesn't match the leader's. Since you've challenged him, do you have a foolproof plan to defeat him?"
"If all else fails, borrow the power of the gods. I support you becoming the leader, after all."
"Yes, we absolutely cannot let that woman ruin our tribe!"
"Alas, that Lu Yan is truly trouble. She's made our tribe a mess. The males in the tribe are always bickering, and we females are constantly agitated."
"I understand," Qiao Ci said, getting up and dressing. The others eagerly escorted her to the challenge site.
When Qiao Ci arrived, Nan An and Lu Yan were not yet there.
Watching the scorching sun overhead and noticing the impatience in the host's eyes, the little cub ran around playfully.
There would be a good show soon. Some people wouldn't get off lightly today without a thorough thrashing~
It wanted to warm up first, and take advantage of the chaos to take a few bites, supporting the host with all its might, hehehahei~
Meanwhile, Nan An and Lu Yan were still being intimate. Nan An, looking at the harsh sun outside, rubbed Lu Yan's smooth skin with his fingers and smiled, "It's almost time for our appointment. Don't cause trouble, or I won't even want to leave this room."
The more he said this, the more Lu Yan clung to him. They kissed and touched, her sweet voice saying, "Then let her wait! You are the tribal leader, not just anyone can challenge you whenever they please. What's wrong with waiting a little? If you can't wait, just admit defeat.
Hmph, I get upset just thinking about you making physical contact while fighting. So, spend more time with me~
Besides, influential and capable figures often make their grand entrance last. Being punctual is so common, it lowers one's status."
Nan An looked at Lu Yan, who had a myriad of illogical arguments, with doting affection. "Alright, alright, I'll do whatever you say."
Lu Yan looked at this man who doted on her to the extreme, feeling a surge of triumph. Indeed, crossing worlds always meant meeting handsome men and being pampered. Even if Qiao Ci was beautiful and knew some pseudo-mystical arts, what of it? She still couldn't snatch her, the chosen one.
As the two lingered in their affections, they couldn't help but engage in intimate activities. Just as they were about to lose themselves, a fierce wind suddenly swept through, tearing off the straw roof of the small earthen hut.
Lu Yan and Nan An were forcibly brought back to reality.
They were exposed naked to the sun, with the men, women, and elders of the tribe surrounding them, led by Qiao Ci.
Lu Yan, still possessing some shame, quickly used an object to cover herself, glaring at Qiao Ci with grievance and resentment.
She truly was a beastman without morals or ethics, not even bothering with the basic courtesy of knocking!
And staring shamelessly at Nan An's good physique, utterly devoid of shame!
Compared to Nan An, who was already a beastman, Lu Yan felt far more uncomfortable. Seeing that Lu Yan had thoroughly covered herself, he picked up his clothes from the ground and slowly put them on, gazing at the instigator as if she were already dead. "Qiao Ci, do you want to die?"
Qiao Ci looked at him coldly and slowly replied, "I don't know if I want to die. I only know that you truly deserve to die!"
"Time is up. I declare the match officially begun!" Qiao Ci announced, launching the first attack towards Nan An. Her fierce aura struck directly at his face.
Beside them, the adorable little tiger also flexed its claws, ready and poised to lend a helping paw to the host at a critical moment, adding splendor to her victory~