Everything Yue Ling could see was also within System 999's field of vision. Unfortunately, she didn't recognize a single plant herself. The moment she heard System 999 cry out in excitement, she hurried over and began harvesting the herbs exactly as instructed.
Bai Ying stayed close behind her the entire time. Part of his attention was fixed on their surroundings, staying alert for any lurking ferocious beasts, while the rest was on the small, delicate female crouched among the grasses. Whenever Yue Ling struggled to pull up a stubborn root, Bai Ying would reach out and effortlessly yank it free for her.
By the time the bear beastman returned, Yue Ling was already slick with sweat, her forehead damp from hard work. Seeing the large pile of herbs she had gathered, Xiong Da simply wrapped them up in the animal hide he had brought back.
"These should be enough. Let's head back," Yue Ling said, letting out a small breath of relief.
The beast world truly was rich in resources. In such a short time, they had already collected an impressive haul of medicinal plants.
Bai Ying scooped Yue Ling up with ease, then tossed the bundle of hide-wrapped herbs to Xiong Da. Bending slightly, he expertly lifted the small female into his arms again.
"No need, I can walk now," Yue Ling said, shaking her feet lightly. A faint rustling sound followed—she was wearing a crude pair of leaf-made shoes. They were thick enough that the ground didn't hurt her feet anymore, though they were a bit oversized.
Xiong Da curled his lip, shooting Bai Ying a look full of disdain. She already said she didn't need it—yet he's still shamelessly moving in closer.
"It'll be faster this way," Bai Ying replied gently.
The little female was astonishingly light in his arms.
"…Alright then," Yue Ling conceded. Lang You's condition couldn't afford any more delays. She leaned obediently against Bai Ying's chest, adjusting her posture to keep her balance.
Before long, they arrived back at the shaman's cave. After some basic physical cooling, Lang You's face was no longer such an alarming red, though his temperature was still dangerously high.
Yue Ling handed the fever-reducing herbs to Lang Zuo. "Boil some water and simmer these into a medicinal brew."
Lang Zuo immediately took the herbs and hurried off to prepare the medicine.
Guided by System 999, Yue Ling then sorted through the remaining herbs, selecting those meant to heal wounds.
"What kind of plant is that?" the old shaman asked curiously, leaning in to look more closely. He was far more interested in their effects than their appearance.
"This one is called Nine-Joint Wind Grass. It promotes blood circulation, reduces swelling, relieves pain, and treats festering wounds. This one here is Blood-Scattering Herb—it cools the blood, stops bleeding, and helps wounds heal faster."
Yue Ling repeated System 999's explanations word for word while crushing the herbs into a paste and carefully applying it to Lang You's wound.
The old shaman watched in astonishment. Compared to what Yue Ling knew, his own knowledge felt laughably insignificant. He committed the names and effects of those two herbs firmly to memory—just knowing them would allow him to hold his head higher in front of other shamans.
The boiled medicinal brew was fed to Lang You, and at Yue Ling's instructions, Lang Zuo continued wiping his body repeatedly to reduce the fever.
Without anyone noticing, dawn quietly arrived. Lang You's temperature finally returned to normal.
Bai Ying turned his head and saw Yue Ling sitting on the ground, her back resting against the stone wall. She was clearly exhausted—so tired that soft, shallow snores escaped her lips.
"Bai Ying, take Yue Ling back first," the old shaman said, looking at the utterly drained female.
Bai Ying nodded. He strode over and scooped Yue Ling up in his arms, holding her in a careful princess carry.
Yue Ling's eyes fluttered open briefly. In her dazed state, she glanced up, recognized Bai Ying, and promptly fell back asleep.
Bai Ying couldn't help but chuckle. The look in his eyes softened even further as he listened to her steady breathing. The little one fell asleep again.
Everything that had happened the day before was already known throughout the entire tribe. The famously cold and love-averse male, Bai Ying, had set his sights on the once-mad female Yue Ling. So when he carried her openly through the tribe, no one found it strange anymore—it all felt strangely natural.
At the entrance of her cave, Anna stood rigid, her silver teeth nearly grinding to dust. She had waited for Bai Ying for an entire year. For his sake, she had refused to bond with anyone else and endured multiple rejections from him. Yet in the span of a single day, he had chosen that mad female who lived in the most remote corner of the tribe—pampering her with such open devotion.
She couldn't understand it. How was she inferior to that mad female in any way? That female was short and thin, with nothing remarkable about her except a passable face. In strength, in status, in everything else, Anna believed she surpassed her completely.
Is Bai Ying blind?
"Anna," someone said quietly beside her, "are you really going to let her enjoy this? She's stolen your position––she's stolen your first beast husband!"