Chapter 137: Out of Control
The slightest sound from the courtyard was enough to startle Qiao Xixi awake.
She got up, put on her animal-hide clothes, and stepped out of the house just in time to see Feiyan opening the courtyard gate, preparing to leave.
"Xixi, why are you up?" Feiyan immediately stopped in his tracks when he saw her.
"Are you heading back?"
Jin Ling rose from the sofa. Just a moment ago, both males had been in the courtyard waiting for Sunxiao to return. Feiyan had wanted to talk to Sunxiao, but he never came back.
"Feiyan is going to the stream to look for Sunxiao."
Qiao Xixi felt Sunxiao’s behavior today was highly abnormal. She knew he had a domineering personality and would give Feiyan the cold shoulder, but he was always direct. If he was unhappy, he would act on it immediately, not just stay silent like he had tonight.
"I’m going with you."
Neither Jin Ling nor Feiyan approved.
"It’s late. You should wait at home. I’ll make him come back as soon as I find him."
Qiao Xixi shook her head. "I can’t sleep until I see him. We’re inside the tribe; we’ll be fine."
Since Qiao Xixi kept insisting, they had no choice but to agree to take her.
Jin Ling stood at the courtyard gate. "Be careful."
Qiao Xixi nodded and climbed onto Feiyan’s back.
The dead of night in the tribe was exceptionally quiet.
When the two of them reached the stream, they looked around by the moonlight but saw no sign of Sunxiao.
"That’s strange. Sunxiao usually bathes here."
Feiyan sniffed the air and did indeed catch Sunxiao’s scent. It was strong, so he had to be nearby.
"Let’s look around some more."
Feiyan carried Qiao Xixi upstream. They hadn’t gone far before his entire body suddenly tensed.
Qiao Xixi also felt a strange aura gradually surrounding them.
A pair of bewitching, crimson snake eyes slowly rose from the water. Unlike before, the pupils were now a blazing red, completely devoid of clarity.
His massive snake body rose from the surface, accompanied by the SPLASH of water.
Qiao Xixi turned around, a smile on her face. "Sunxiao, what are you doing submerged in the water? We waited a long time for you, but you never came back. Hurry and get out, let’s go home."
As she spoke, Qiao Xixi jumped to the ground and started to walk forward, but Feiyan quickly sensed something was wrong and bit onto her animal-hide clothing.
"Xixi, don’t go! Something’s wrong with Sunxiao."
Only then did Qiao Xixi notice the abnormality in Sunxiao’s pupils. Also, no matter what had happened in the past, he would always come to her side the moment he saw her. But today, he remained motionless.
"Sunxiao?"
The blood-red eyes shifted, landing on Qiao Xixi for just a moment before turning to Feiyan, his body erupting with killing intent.
The snake’s head suddenly reared up and lunged, snapping at Feiyan.
"Xixi, quick, hide in the forest!"
With that, Feiyan leaped in a direction away from Qiao Xixi.
Sunxiao’s attention was completely fixed on Feiyan, and he focused his attacks on him.
Qiao Xixi was frantic.
"Little sprite, quick, help me figure out what’s wrong with Sunxiao!"
"Mmm?" The little sprite’s voice sounded dazed, but it quickly came to its senses. "Oh my god, a crack has appeared in the power of the Original Stone Curse!"
"What does that mean?"
"Host, do you remember I told you Sunxiao has the bloodline of the Sky-Swallowing Python? The Beast God placed the Original Stone Curse on their bloodline because their energy becomes abnormally powerful after awakening. The curse’s power largely serves to seal away their terrifying strength. Now that a crack has appeared, Sunxiao’s mind is likely being controlled by the Sky-Swallowing Python’s power. This is incredibly dangerous! Host, run!"
’Qiao Xixi had originally planned to use a beast soul Crystal Stone to control the Original Stone Curse’s effect on Sunxiao. She never imagined the amethyst’s power would be so immense that it would actually crack the curse.’
"I can’t leave. Tell me, how can I make Sunxiao regain his senses?"
"I’m checking..."
Qiao Xixi’s anxiety surged with every BEEP BEEP BEEP that echoed in her mind.
"Deplete it! Deplete the energy he’s releasing! Right now, it’s just a crack in the curse, so only a small part of his bloodline’s power has been unleashed. The fastest way is to drain this portion of his power. He’ll stop once he’s exhausted."
"Feiyan alone is no match for Sunxiao! Host, go get backup!"
"Okay, I’m on it!"
Qiao Xixi didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she ran behind them, took out a seed from the Long-tongued Vine, and planted it in the ground.
Soon, the Long-tongued Vine extended a long, sprouting tendril and tapped it against Qiao Xixi’s hand. "Find a way to trap Sunxiao, can you do that?"
The green tendril nodded at Qiao Xixi and then began to grow at a frantic pace.
"Feiyan, come this way! I’m going to get help right now. If you can’t beat him, just run."
Feiyan glanced back and called out, "Okay! You be careful!"
Qiao Xixi turned and ran back toward the tribe. Just as she came out of the forest, she saw Feili standing furtively outside her courtyard.
"Clan Leader."
Startled, Feili stood up straight, looking slightly awkward.
"Ahem, Xixi, what are you doing out here? Still awake this late? I was just passing by. It’s nothing, I’ll be on my way."
"Clan Leader, something’s happened! Sunxiao has lost control, and Feiyan is holding him back right now. Please, hurry and gather some strong beastmen to go to the stream and help wear down Sunxiao’s power."
Upon hearing this, Feili’s expression turned serious. "Alright, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll go get people right now."
"Okay."
Just as Feili left, Jin Ling opened the courtyard gate and walked out.
"Xixi."
"Jin Ling, Sunxiao, he..."
"I heard. Don’t worry, just wait at home and watch the cubs. I won’t let them hurt Sunxiao."
"You all be careful, too."
"Mm."
Qiao Xixi closed the courtyard gate and waited anxiously.
"Little sprite, do you really not know how to resolve a situation like Sunxiao’s?"
"Host, I really didn’t know before, but I’ve upgraded now. I’ll check again and see if I can find anything."
"Okay."
That night, Qiao Xixi stayed awake until dawn, faintly hearing the commotion coming from the stream.
Hearing footsteps outside the gate, Qiao Xixi hurried over and opened it.
It was Feiyan and the others, carrying Sunxiao on their backs.
"Sunxiao, how is he?"
Jin Ling followed them into the courtyard and reassured her, "He’s fine. He just passed out."
Qiao Xixi followed them inside and saw that Sunxiao only had some non-lethal external injuries; he really wasn’t in serious danger.
Her gaze then shifted to Jin Ling’s and Feiyan’s faces. Seeing they were more heavily injured than Sunxiao, she couldn’t help but frown.
"Let me treat your wounds first."
Feiyan said dismissively, "I’m a male. A few minor wounds like this will be healed by tomorrow."
After Feiyan spoke, he noticed that Jin Ling hadn’t said a word. Instead, he was sitting obediently on the courtyard sofa, gazing expectantly at Qiao Xixi.
Qiao Xixi filled a bucket with Spiritual Spring water and began rinsing Jin Ling’s wounds.
As she cleaned his injuries, Jin Ling would occasionally suck in a sharp breath or let out a muffled groan, acting as if he were in great pain.
Feiyan was dumbfounded.