"This is a sap that protects against the large insects’ spiritual power," Yin Ji explained. "I already applied some while you were unconscious, but since we’re going out now, we should add another layer to be safe."

"Large insects?" Jiang Zheyu looked up at him.

"Yes. Outside the tribe, there are many large insects, some with wings and some without. These insects prey specifically on Beastmen," Yin Ji nodded. "They’ve been more active lately. We think the Zerg Mother has awakened, so it’s very dangerous outside the tribe."

Hearing his explanation, Jiang Zheyu paused for a moment. ’I thought this place was so primitive, they wouldn’t even know what a Zerg Mother was.’

"You actually know about the Zerg Mother?" Jiang Zheyu asked, surprised.

Yin Ji noticed something odd in Jiang Zheyu’s words, a kind of disconnect from their world. He studied her for a moment before speaking slowly, "All Beastmen on the Forest Continent learn about the Zerg Mother as children. Isn’t it perfectly normal to know about her? Why are you so surprised?"

Jiang Zheyu paused. ’There really is a gap between us.’ She quickly changed the subject. "Let’s go find your people first. I’ll explain later."

’We’re in the same universe, after all.’

’When the time comes, I’ll tell him that there are other planets and that technology is highly advanced. He should be able to accept that, right?’

"Let’s apply the green sap first," Yin Ji said.

Jiang Zheyu hesitated, then reached for the bottle. "I can do it myself."

But Yin Ji moved the glass bottle away, dodging her outstretched hand.

"This sap has to be applied to specific spots, not just randomly. You don’t know how, so let me do it." Yin Ji’s eyes never left Jiang Zheyu’s face as he spoke.

’Just as I thought.’ He saw the surprise and hesitation on the female’s face.

’The female is completely clueless about all this.’

Jiang Zheyu really hadn’t known the sap had to be applied to specific spots. But she reasoned that if the people on this planet used it to avoid insect attacks, then what Yin Ji said must be for a good reason. She didn’t dare risk applying it randomly.

So, after a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. "Then... I’ll have to trouble you."

Yin Ji squatted before her, poured some of the sap into his palm, and slowly spread it onto her fair, slender ankle.

"Female Master, what’s your name?" Yin Ji asked softly.

’I still don’t know my little female’s name.’

"Don’t call me Female Master. My name is Jiang Zheyu," she said quietly.

When Yin Ji heard Jiang Zheyu reject the title of Female Master, he felt a flash of unhappiness.

’I rescued her, so she’s mine now.’

’It doesn’t matter what tribe she came from or where she was before. She’s mine now.’

"But you are my Female Master, and I am your Beast Husband," Yin Ji said slowly, his voice laced with sadness. "If you don’t want me, I’ll be exiled from the tribe and become a wandering Beastman."

His large frame was crouched before her, his voice turning plaintive and making him sound exceptionally pitiful.

Yin Ji’s palm moved from the female’s ankle up to her leg. He kept his head bowed, his gaze fixed on her ankle, his eyes burning with a feverish obsession.

But when he finished and stood up, his handsome face held a pair of silver eyes that looked utterly sincere and pure.

"Huh? What kind of logic is that?" Jiang Zheyu was completely baffled.

’Why would he be exiled from the tribe just because I don’t want him?’

’But that’s not important right now.’

"Let’s go," Jiang Zheyu said once Yin Ji had finished.

"Okay." Yin Ji walked outside.

Jiang Zheyu followed him.

She found that the houses here were all built from wood and packed earth.

The ground was a wide expanse of yellow soil.

Looking into the distance, she could see a range of mountains stretching across the horizon.

Yin Ji suddenly transformed into a massive silver tiger before her very eyes.

"Get on. It’ll be faster if I carry you," Yin Ji’s voice rumbled from the tiger’s maw.

Jiang Zheyu stared at the huge, fluffy tiger before her. The indifference she had felt toward the man began to waver slightly.

’It’s a big white tiger!’

’And he looks so majestic! So handsome, and he looks so soft to pet.’

’Animals definitely seem much more approachable than people.’

’But this isn’t the time to be thinking about that.’

The big white tiger crouched down before her.

Jiang Zheyu made to climb onto the big white tiger’s back.

But the tiger in his beast form was enormous. Even crouching, his back was higher than her head.

’Can I make it if I jump?’ Jiang Zheyu wondered. ’But would that hurt him? Slamming down on his back like that?’

But a second later, her dilemma was solved.

A long, white tail circled around her waist.

The great tiger’s tail coiled around her waist, lifting her effortlessly and setting her down upon his back.

’Is his tail really this strong?’

Jiang Zheyu was utterly astonished. "Thank you," she said quickly.

"It’s nothing," Yin Ji replied softly.

Jiang Zheyu found herself lying on a vast expanse of fluff.

The great tiger’s back was so broad that even when she lay down completely, there was still room to spare on either side of her arms.

With the female on his back, Yin Ji took off at a run, heading away from the tribe.

’It’s so fluffy... and comfortable. Like lying on a cloud.’

Jiang Zheyu couldn’t help herself. She subconsciously began to move her arms up and down, as if doing a breaststroke in the soft fur.

The sensation of the plush fur against her skin was incredibly soft and pleasant.

Yin Ji felt the female’s touch, and his heart began to pound in his chest.

’She likes my beast form,’ he realized, ’but she’s indifferent to me as a person.’

’But her arms are so soft.’

’And her skin is so smooth.’

As Jiang Zheyu stroked the fluff, she relished the smooth, comforting sensation against her arms.

’Petting something fluffy really is the best way to de-stress.’

The tension that had been building inside Jiang Zheyu began to melt away as she petted the soft fur.

That is, until she felt something wrap around her ankle.

She gave her ankle a little tug and glanced down to see the white tail coiled around it.

In response to her slight struggle, it seemed to tighten its coil, adding another loop.

It was then that Jiang Zheyu remembered this was, in fact, a Beastman. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

’But even though I know he’s a Beastman, I just can’t resist.’

’I’m so stressed out, I need this fluff to feel better.’

’Oh well,’ Jiang Zheyu thought. ’I’m taking advantage of him, so it’s only fair he gets to take a little advantage of me, right?’

’Sigh.’

’How can I be so pathetic? I lose all my self-control the moment I see his beast form.’

’It’s fine. I just petted his back. That’s not enough to complicate things between us... right?’