Warrior City remained as prosperous as ever, and all the adult and soon-to-be-adult single males were in a frenzy because the annual matchmaking festival was about to begin!
This wasn't important. What was important was that their dream goddess, Shu Bei, would finally come of age this winter!
Although it was still spring, it wouldn't hurt to secure the goddess in advance.
In the wilderness, a dragon beast was locked in a fierce battle with a black python. The black snake, repeatedly unable to break free, roared in anger, "Long Rui, do you think by stopping me, Xiao Bei won't find a mate!"
"Even if you defeat me, there are many more adult males in Warrior City who will pursue Xiao Bei. Can you defeat them all!"
Long Rui let out a cold snort, "That's none of your business! Xiao Bei is mine, and you'd better not have any ideas about her!"
Xiao Si, furious, engaged Long Rui in a fight without regard for the consequences.
Thanks to Long Rui, his rival, Xiao Si's strength had steadily improved over the years, making him a top contender among the Winged Serpent Beasts.
Unsurprisingly, Xiao Si was once again defeated by Long Rui. The victor left triumphantly, while the injured Xiao Si, filled with defiance, returned home alone.
This scene was not uncommon. Da Ke glanced at his son, "Beaten by Long Rui again?"
Xiao Si grunted in acknowledgment.
Da Ke, as usual, encouraged him, "Keep it up, Father believes in you!"
Xue Hua, doting on her son, said, "Xiao Si, Xiao Bei is too popular. You're being beaten like this even before you've officially pursued her. Can't you find another female to like?"
The three precious children of the Wen Te family were not ordinary beastmen to be pursued.
Xiao Si was stubborn, "No, Mother. I only like Xiao Bei. Don't say these words again. I like her not because she's a White Spirit Beast. Even if she were a female who couldn't have cubs, I would still like her!"
With that, he shut himself in his room. He needed to rest quickly, as he still had to deliver something to Xiao Bei later.
...
The Wen Te Family.
Long Ruan Ruan came to gather information for her brother, "Sister Xiao Bei, are you participating in the matchmaking festival this year?"
The matchmaking festival was a holiday introduced by Shu Yue and her companions after returning from the modern world, specifically for the soon-to-be-adult and adult females and males of Warrior City. In principle, it supported monogamy for life, but considering the reality of more males than females, the old model was retained. If both parties had no objections, polygamy was allowed.
Shu Bei replied without a second thought, "No, I'm not interested in the matchmaking festival!"
What fun was it to watch a group of males fight!
Seventeen-year-old Shu Bei had blossomed. With her neat ponytail, thick eyebrows, and large, bright eyes, her spirited appearance greatly resembled Shu Yue. Although not yet an adult, she had already reached her mother's height and had grown into a young lady.
Long Ruan Ruan's heart leaped with joy upon hearing this, and she asked again, "Then, Sister Xiao Bei, are you not participating because you already have a male you like?"
Shu Bei knew her intentions all too well. She glanced at her sideways, "Little Ruan Ruan, you're here to gather information for your brother again, aren't you?"
"Tell Long Rui to go back and tell him I don't like younger brothers. He should find another target, perhaps your Sister An An?"
"Sister! If you don't like Brother Long Rui, do you think I do?" This was overheard by Shu An, who had just entered the room.
She also didn't like Brother Long Rui, even though this brother was taller than her.
Shu Bei shrugged, "See, Ruan Ruan? Neither you nor your Sister An An likes younger males. So, tell Long Rui to set his sights on Xia Xia."
Shu Bei was an expert at setting up her own younger sister. Long Xia Xia was conceived by Shu Yue in the modern world. Like Long Ruan Ruan, she was a dragon beast female and was five years old this year.
Long Ruan Ruan's little face drooped, "Sisters, why do you both dislike my brother? He is a bit younger than you, but Aunt Shu Yue said, 'A woman three years older is like holding a golden brick.' It just so happens that my brother is three years younger than Sister Xiao Bei..."
Shu Bei twitched her lips and interrupted her, "Stop worrying about your brother for now, Ruan Ruan. Have you ever thought about one thing?"
Long Ruan Ruan asked innocently, "What thing?"
Shu Bei analyzed the problem for her, "Look, you will marry my brother in the future, meaning you'll be our sister-in-law. If I then marry your brother, wouldn't the generational titles become a mess?"
"Even for the sake of your and my brother's happiness, I cannot agree to Long Rui."
The eleven-year-old Long Ruan Ruan was confused by the logic. By the time she understood, her face had turned bright red, "Who said I was going to marry your brother?"
"Shu Ke is so much older than me, I don't like him at all, hmph!"
Overwhelmed by shyness, Long Ruan Ruan couldn't argue with the two sisters and fled.
She had to report back to her brother quickly and let Long Rui figure it out himself!
The sight of Long Ruan Ruan being talked away amused the two sisters. Shu Bei said with a laugh, "The brother and sister are both little kids, always worrying about these things instead of focusing on proper matters."
Shu An teased, "Everyone knows that Brother Long Rui and Brother Xiao Si like you. Speaking of which, Sister, who do you prefer?"
Sixteen-year-old Shu An, in her adult appearance, resembled Shu Xin. Her personality also followed Shu Xin's. She wasn't as lively and agile as her sister and disliked running and jumping, possessing a quiet and well-behaved nature. Her face, with a babyish plumpness, exuded cuteness. When the two sisters stood together, people instinctively treated Shu An as a child.
In reality, Shu An was not much shorter than her sister.
Shu Bei was in her adolescent years, but in some aspects, she was as dense as a block of wood and not interested in such matters.
"I don't prefer either of them. An An, what I told you a few days ago was serious. I want to become a priest in the future, a powerful priest like Grandma Wei!"
Shu An: "..." She hadn't taken it seriously at all. If Shu Bei became a priest, all the young males in the city would cry to death.
Shu Bei looked at her reaction, "What, you don't believe me?"
Shu An smiled, "This isn't a matter of belief. You can't be a priest. Everyone knows priests cannot have children. Sister, you are a White Spirit Beast, how can you not have children? Once you have children, your witchcraft will not be as powerful."
Shu Bei snorted, "You underestimate me. If I don't find a partner, I'll focus on being a priest. I also know medicine and can support myself in the future."
Shu An asked curiously, "Priests never leave Warrior City. Can you endure that? If you want to go out and play later, and you don't have a partner to take you, you'll have to find a male temporarily, which is very troublesome."
Shu Bei was mentally prepared, "That's unavoidable. However, Father is still young, so there's no need to worry about this."
Shu An thought about it and said, "Then I'll do the same as you. I'll also learn witchcraft and become a priest." Not for any other reason, but simply because she preferred quiet.
Dragon beasts had long lifespans, and Father was still considered young. With Father around, she and her sister had nothing to worry about.
Shu Bei: ...
She waved her hand dismissively, "Don't just tag along. You're still young and don't understand. You're also not suited to be a priest."
Shu An: "..." Huh?