The moment Qin Mo’s presence faded from the wooden corridor, the space around Lin Wan seemed to change.

It wasn’t quieter. The spring still bubbled softly, steam rising in thin ghost-like curls. But something about the air loosened. The invisible pressure that had been sitting on her chest since she stepped into this place eased just enough for her to breathe properly again.

Lin Wan stood there for a few seconds, unmoving.

Then she exhaled.

"That man..." she muttered under her breath. "He’s definitely dangerous."

Not in the obvious way Wang was showing his raw, overwhelming strength.

Qin Mo was something else entirely. He’s unpredictable.

And that made him far more unsettling.

Her gaze drifted back to the hot spring.

Steam curled gently over the surface, the golden shimmer of the water catching the light filtering through the canopy above. It looked inviting. Almost unreal.

She stepped closer, crouching near the edge.

"It really is a hot spring," she murmured to herself, softer this time. Making very sure she didn’t say it too loud.

Her fingers hovered over the surface for a moment before she dipped them in.

Warm. Not scorching. It wasn’t uncomfortable. It was simply just... perfect.

Lin Wan let out a quiet breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

"So this is what he meant..."

For a moment, the tension in her body eased.

Then...

[Ding! Mission Reminder.]

Lin Wan froze.

Right. That.

"The Second Beasthusband..." she muttered, rubbing her temple. "Seriously, Weiwei?"

No response.

Of course there wasn’t.

Lin Wan straightened, staring into the steaming water.

"You really don’t give me easy tasks, do you?"

Her thoughts drifted, unwillingly, toward Qin Mo.

His presence. His strength. That overwhelming aura that made even the air feel like it had to obey him.

And then, Wang.

Lin Wan sighed softly.

This was going to be a problem.

She already knew Wang’s personality. Possessive didn’t even begin to cover it. The idea of him willingly accepting another male into their bond felt almost impossible to imagine, even if he had mentioned personally selecting for her.

But Weiwei had never given her something meaningless.

And Qin Mo...

something about him felt bigger than any high-ranking beastman she had encountered before, not like she has seen much of them anyways.

Lin Wan shook her head lightly, pulling herself out of her churning thoughts.

Focus first, she told herself.

Her eyes flicked to the empty space where the translucent system interface had flickered earlier. The utensils. That part mattered. If she was going to build something real here, not just survive but actually develop, she needed tools.

This valley...

Her gaze swept the caldera again.

It wasn’t just beautiful. It was strategic. Hidden and Resource-rich.

And now occupied by someone far more powerful than she had expected.

Lin Wan let out a slow breath.

If she was going to stay here, she needed to understand him.

Because one thing was already certain. Qin Mo was not someone she could afford to ignore.

Time passed quietly.

Lin Wan remained near the edge of the spring, lost in her thoughts, when the air shifted.

Faint. But sharp.

Lin Wan’s head snapped toward the entrance.

That familiar feeling, Her heart skipped.

"Wang..."

The next second, a blur of silver burst through the entrance of the caldera. The massive leopard form landed with controlled force, golden eyes scanning the surroundings with lethal precision.

And then it locked onto her.

Relief could be seen in the leopard’s eyes.

Wang crossed the distance in seconds, shifting mid-motion into his human form as he reached her.

"Wan’er!"

His hands were on her shoulders instantly, his gaze sweeping over her body as if checking for injuries.

"Are you hurt? Did something happen? I came back and you were gone..."

"I’m fine," Lin Wan cut in quickly, placing her hand over his. "I’m okay, Wang."

Wang didn’t relax immediately. His eyes narrowed.

Because now he felt it too.

That presence. The air shifted again. Heavy and commanding

And then a voice.

"You move quickly for a rogue ."

Wang froze. Completely.

Lin Wan felt it instantly. The tension in his body didn’t just rise. It changed, it wasn’t aggression, it was something else.

Slowly, Wang turned.

Qin Mo stood at the edge of the wooden structure, his expression calm and unreadable. But his eyes were locked on Wang.

And Wang...

For the first time since Lin Wan had met him, lowered his head.

Then he dropped to one knee.

Lin Wan’s eyes went wide. "Wang?"

"Beast King," Wang said, his voice low and steady, filled with unmistakable respect. "I did not know this was your territory."

Silence.

For a brief moment, even the bubbling of the spring seemed distant.

Lin Wan stared at Qin Mo. Then back at Wang.

"...Beast King?"

Her voice came out quieter than she expected.

Qin Mo didn’t answer immediately. His gaze shifted slowly to Lin Wan, then back to Wang.

"You recognize me," he said.

"I have seen you once," Wang replied. "During the Mid-Year Festival, four years ago. I came as part of the Leopard Tribe delegation."

Lin Wan’s mind went blank for half a second.

Beast King?

Her gaze snapped back to Qin Mo.

That explained everything, The presence. The pressure. The way the surrounding air itself seemed to yield around him.

This wasn’t just some powerful rogue beastman living alone in the mountains.

This was the Beastman king.

And suddenly, Weiwei’s mission made perfect sense.

A slow chill ran down Lin Wan’s spine.

"You..." she whispered. "You’re the Beast King..."

Qin Mo didn’t deny it. Didn’t confirm it either. But his silence said enough.

His gaze shifted between them again, then dropped slightly. Toward Wang. Toward the subtle closeness between them.

Something dark flickered in his eyes. Gone just as quickly as it appeared.

"I saw your markings outside," Qin Mo said calmly. "The drawing of a structure, a dwelling I presume?."

Lin Wan stiffened slightly. The blueprint. Right.

Qin Mo’s gaze returned to her. "This house you intend to build."

Not a question. A statement.

Lin Wan hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

A pause.

"I am interested in it."

Simple. Direct. But heavy with implication.

Wang’s head lifted slightly at that. Lin Wan felt his attention shift toward her. Waiting. Listening. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

He was letting her decide. Even here. Even in front of the Beast King.

Her heart steadied.

She took a small step forward. "It’s not complete yet," she said. "But it is something I brought from my homeland. A different way of building."

Qin Mo’s eyes didn’t leave her. "Show me."

Not a request.

Lin Wan glanced briefly at Wang.

Wang met her gaze. Then gave a slight nod.

That was all she needed.

"...Alright," she said.

Because this was opportunity. To survive and to grow, And maybe, to reach something far beyond what she had imagined when she first came here.

Behind Qin Mo’s calm exterior, his thoughts were anything but still.

The Beast Shaman’s words echoed faintly in his memory.

"Go to Wanshuo Valley."

"There, you will meet the one bound to your fate."

"The one who will walk beside you and reshape the future of the Beastmen."

At the time, he had not believed it.

But now.

His gaze settled once more on Lin Wan. On the way she stood beside Wang. On the unfamiliar scent that refused to align with any tribe. On the strange knowledge she carried. And the blueprint, something even he had never seen before.

Qin Mo’s eyes darkened slightly, Interest. Curiosity.

A flicker of something uncomfortable stirred as his gaze moved to Wang’s hand, resting close to Lin Wan’s side. Then back to her face.

"So," he murmured inwardly.

"This is Male you spoke of."