Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
âCan this... really work?â
Bai Qingqing was wrapped up in animal skin while she held onto Anâan. She probed her head out and said worriedly, âWhat if we canât get back out after going down?â
They had spent half a day and found a new quicksand river that would also allow them to enter Flame City. Therefore, Curtis decided to bring Bai Qingqing down directly. Sheâd be put through less hardship then.
âSince weâre already here, why should we suffer outside?â Curtis tidied up the animal skin and pressed Bai Qingqingâs head inside. âBe good and stay inside. Weâll be here to take on everything outside.â
âEn.â Bai Qingqing held onto Anâan and squatted down.
Parker tied the remaining bit of their luggage onto the rope and then looked up at Alva, tossing him a jar of water.
âHey, drink up quickly. After youâre done, Iâll take everything with me.â
Alva didnât mind. He opened up the wooden cork and took a few careful sips before returning it to him.
Given his speed, heâd be able to fly back in at most a day. He wouldnât die of thirst.
âTake care!â Alva wiped his mouth, turned into his beast form, and flew off.
Parker tied everything onto the rope, then himself and Bai Qingqing as well. He didnât pay Curtis any heed.
Curtis threw a glance at them, hugged Bai Qingqing with one arm, then waved his tail and dragged Parker, who was caught off-guard, along together.
Roar!
Parker was given a fright and kicked his legs to turn over. However, before he steadied himself, he was brought into the quicksand.
It was very dark in the animal skin. After entering the quicksand, it clearly became even darker without any hint of light rays. The scorching heat also disappeared suddenly, and hints of coolness seeped in from the gaps of the animal skin.
Bai Qingqing felt that her body was being pressed from all directions. She put her limbs around Anâan as an additional layer. After quite a while, her body felt relaxed.
âWeâve arrived?â Bai Qingqingâs stuffy voice came out from the animal skin.
She then felt the arm carrying her tighten and immediately understood Curtisâs intention. She shut up.
This was a dark world with passages leading in all directions. This area of quicksand waterfall brought them to the center of the passageways, and they were able to see the scene of the various passageways.
There were beastmen moving around, either in their animal form while covered in sand and dust, or their human form while carrying boulders of varying sizes. They entered from one passageway and left from another, covered in sweat and blood.
The air was extremely murky, filled with the scent of sweat, blood, and rot.
The two beastmen who suddenly appeared while carrying luggage attracted the attention of all the beastmen around, especially the female voice that rang out from one of the bundles.
âYou guys brought a female?â
A lion threw a few assessing glances at Curtis and Parker, turning into a man with four animal stripes and a beard.
The manâs voice wasnât loud, but it resonated through oneâs ears. There was also a hint of power in his voice. He was clearly not someone weak.
His gaze landed on Curtis for a little longer, as if having doubts about his animal stripes. His gaze then landed on Parker, who had three animal stripes on his face.
Parker was instantly shocked. He didnât expect that theyâd encounter a four-striped beastman right off the bat.
Even if they were to lose in person, they mustnât lose in disposition. Parker stared at the lion beastman and said, âWhatâs that to you?â
The hair and head on the lion beastmanâs head instantly erupted. This was the sign of a beastman flying into a rage.
All the beastmen passing by came over, bellowing away with a strong desire to stir up trouble, instigating for the lion beastman to make a move.
However, the lion beastman seemed wary of something. His hairs stood up while he stared at Parker warily.
âI donât remember how long it has been since Iâve touched a female. If you guys have brought one...â