Clumsy Beast, Keep Your Paws Off-Chapter 459: The Journey Continues

Xuan Long’s expression twitched ever so slightly, his brows furrowing for just a brief moment as he looked down at the two fluffy intruders.

"...."

But in the end, he said nothing. Silently, he shifted just a little, making enough space so they could fit more comfortably.

The tiger cubs immediately curled up, satisfied. Their tiny bodies relaxed completely, their breathing gradually evening out as they drifted into sleep.

Beside them, Xiao San was far less troublesome. He didn’t fight for space or try to squeeze in. Instead, he quietly slithered back into his small basket and coiled himself neatly inside.

"Hisss..." (Still spinning...) The ground still felt like it was moving beneath him, the lingering sensation of the sea refusing to fade completely. His tiny head swayed slightly before finally coming to rest.

"Hissss..." (Sleep... better...) A good nap would fix everything.

Soon, silence fell over the group. Su Qinglan was asleep, the cubs nestled securely between them, and even Xiao San had gone completely still inside his basket.

Xuan Long closed his eyes as well, one arm resting lightly near Su Qinglan, his presence calm and quietly protective.

Not far away, Han Jue sat quietly. From the hide pouch hanging at his waist, something slowly peeked out. It was none other than Stove. The little creature carefully poked his head out, his eyes blinking with curiosity as he looked around.

So many people. He froze instantly. Then, very slowly, he retreated back inside, not daring to come out again.

Han Jue: "...."

Han Jue glanced down briefly but said nothing.

Nearby, Rong Ye, Shi Feng, and Hu Yan sat together. Almost at the same time, their eyes drifted in one direction toward Xuan Long.

More specifically... toward Su Qinglan sleeping peacefully in his arms. Silence lingered between them for a moment before a faint sound broke it.

"Tch." Rong Ye was the first to look away, his expression calm, though his tone carried a slight edge of annoyance.

Shi Feng crossed his arms, his face expressionless, but his eyes were unmistakably jealous.

Hu Yan simply let out a light snort. None of them said anything directly, yet the meaning was obvious...jealousy, blatant and undeniable.

If they could burn Xuan Long with their gaze, he would have already been a grilled snake.

Still, none of them interfered.

Instead, they shifted their attention to something more practical...the remaining meat. Xuan Long had hunted plenty earlier, and not all of it had been eaten.

Without wasting time, Hu Yan stood up and began organizing the meat. Rong Ye followed silently, helping to pack everything neatly, while Shi Feng handled the tools and supplies with efficient, precise movements.

Han Jue joined them shortly after. They worked quietly, without complaints or unnecessary words, and soon the soft, rhythmic sounds of preparation filled the air.

Time passed slowly. The sun shifted slightly across the sky, its warmth gentle against the resting group.

And then after a small movement. Su Qinglan’s fingers twitched faintly before her eyes slowly opened. "...Mm..." She blinked once, then twice, her mind clearing as the exhaustion in her body faded significantly. She felt refreshed... energized.

The tiger cubs stirred as well. Their tiny bodies stretched lazily before they sat up, looking far more alive than before.

Even Xiao San lifted his head from the basket. The dizziness was gone, and the ground no longer felt like it was shifting beneath him.

Xuan Long opened his eyes last, his gaze returning to its usual sharp clarity. "Well?" he asked calmly. Su Qinglan sat up, stretching her arms as a small sense of ease settled within her. "...Much better."

Around them, everything had already been prepared. The supplies were packed, the remaining meat secured, and everyone stood ready to move.

Not far away, Lan Yue and the others from the mermaid tribe had also finished resting. They stood together, their expressions steady and composed.

Soon their journey began once again towards the dragon beast city.

***

Far away from Dragon Beast City, hidden between long stretches of quiet land and untouched wilderness, there stood an ancient place that time itself seemed to have forgotten. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

It was not grand in the usual sense.

There were no walls or gates. There was no one even to guard this place.

Only four massive pillars... and a single, high-raised platform.

Yet the moment one looked at it, they would feel it...an invisible weight in the air, a energy that was suppressing them. No one knew whether there was even any energy or if it was just in their mind. But it was there.

And this place was none other than the White Temple.

The four pillars stood tall and silent, each one thick and towering like it could hold up the sky.

Their surfaces were smooth but marked with faint, worn carvings...patterns so old that no one alive could fully understand them anymore. Time had faded their details, yet they still carried a quiet power.

At the center was the platform.

It was enormous.

It’s so large that if someone tried to walk around it, it would take a long time...far longer than expected. Its surface was pure white stone, clean and untouched, as if dust itself did not dare settle there.

There was no statue, and neither was there any altar filled with offerings.

Just an empty space.

And yet... it didn’t feel empty.

Legends said that long ago, when the Beast God first descended into this world... this was where he had rested.

No one knew how long he stayed.

No one knew what truly happened.

But the place remained.

Because of that legend, another belief slowly spread among the people.

If someone wished to pray to the Beast God...

This was the place.

They said that any prayer offered here would be heard. That the Beast God, no matter how distant, would listen.

And so, even after countless years...

The White Temple stood quietly with the belief of countless orcs.

But no one has ever witness anything here.

Suddenly... a long wisp of air stirred through the stillness.

It moved slowly at first, then circled the ancient grounds, lifting the fallen white leaves along with it. They rose into the air, spinning quietly, as if drawn by an unseen force.