Qinghua had been busy recently tracking the beast god's whereabouts. Through divination, she knew it was a rare opportunity and could greatly benefit the growth of the nine-tailed celestial fox, Xiao Tian.
However, the timing wasn't right yet, and no clear leads had appeared.
Still, Qinghua didn't lose heart. She hadn't forgotten her promise to the system.
The system, suspecting its host might have forgotten, hurriedly reminded her early one morning:
"Host, I remind you: we must wait until Bai Youran is at her weakest. Only then can I expend minimal energy to reclaim that wild system."
"System, you already said that before. Don't worry—I've got this!"
System: I just noticed you've been busy with the beast god lately and feared you'd forget your promise to me. Sigh… all my earlier pride was for nothing…
Qinghua had already made her plan. She intended to return to the tiger tribe on the day Bai Youran gave birth—the perfect moment to act.
Lately, Bai Youran had been troubled: her belly was growing larger and faster than expected.
Not even five months in, she had become plump and bloated, her skin dull, and her once shiny black hair dry and split.
Even Mu Yuan, who had once gazed at her with such eager eyes, now often avoided her, sometimes casting strange glances at her secretly.
This realization enraged Bai Youran, who had been worshipped by the beastmen upon her arrival. Any initial excitement about having children had completely vanished.
Yes, Bai Youran loved herself above all. Seeing her body age and become ugly because of the children growing inside was unbearable for this selfish woman.
She even scolded the system angrily: "You said you'd help me stay beautiful! Look at me now—fat and ugly like a pig. Aren't you responsible for me?"
The system was frustrated. This fool didn't know how to keep beastmen in check, chasing only temporary pleasure. Now, carrying multiple beastman offspring, it was no surprise she had become unattractive.
"Who told you to get pregnant? And the favorability you'd absorbed earlier wasn't enough to maintain beauty. You'd need at least a dozen strong beastmen like Mu Yuan to help preserve your looks."
Hearing this, Bai Youran felt faint. She had never imagined that a single pregnancy could affect her so profoundly.
After a moment of thought, she glared at her protruding belly. Since this was their fault…
Quickly, she sent the two beastmen guarding her away: one to cook, the other to fetch water.
Bai Youran had made up her mind—she had to act quickly. Once she moved into the communal cave in a month, it would be nearly impossible.
Staring at the empty treehouse, she rubbed her belly and murmured: "Don't blame me… you're the ones in my way. Don't regret it—you've done this before, haven't you?"
Having thought everything through, Bai Youran picked up a stone from the house and struck her belly hard.
A strange scene occurred: no matter how hard she struck, her belly remained steady, and the children inside were unharmed.
Watching this, Qinghua smirked. Her enhanced "Multiple Offspring Fortune Pill" was powerful—once consumed, the children would be delivered successfully.
But she had also tampered with it: the children's health came at the expense of the mother's vitality. Bai Youran's recklessness today would inevitably backfire on her own body.
The system, witnessing its host's methods, was speechless. It realized Qinghua's tactics were becoming increasingly ruthless.
Yes, it had better behave in the future—or else Qinghua might treat it the same way!
Bai Youran was shocked by the strange scene, hurriedly dropping the stone. She muttered: "Something's wrong… there's something evil in my belly… it's a devil…"
When Mu Yuan returned, he saw her sitting on the ground, disheveled, muttering continuously.
This deranged appearance sparked a flash of disgust in his eyes.
Hmph. He had expected a beautiful goddess as his mate, but now she was uglier than ever while pregnant. Walking down the road, probably no male beastman would even glance at her.
Recalling the ridicule from other tribe members, Mu Yuan's face darkened further, and his hands clenched involuntarily.
During the day, Mu Yuan had overheard the hunters gossiping:
"Have you seen the chieftain's partner now? She's terrifying."
"Yeah, luckily I didn't become her second mate. Otherwise, my human form might have been trampled."
"That's his own problem—Mu Yuan insisted on choosing that strange female as his partner."
Thinking of their ridicule, Mu Yuan's anger surged. Seeing Bai Youran in her forlorn state made him even more furious.
Due to the cubs inside her, he restrained his impatience and approached to hear what she was muttering.
Upon hearing phrases like "there's a demon in my belly" and "I can't get rid of it," Mu Yuan's fury could no longer be contained.
He grabbed Bai Youran by the neck, ignoring her terrified coughing.
Seeing her regain clarity out of fear, Mu Yuan threatened her word by word:
"If anything happens to my cubs, you won't live."
Only when Bai Youran nodded mechanically did he release her.
His brutal display terrified her; she hadn't expected him to suddenly snap, as he had always been gentle with her.
In the previous life, Bai Youran's beauty and figure had kept Mu Yuan enamored, despite other beastmen rivals.
But in this life, Qinghua's interference had shattered their already fragile relationship.
Time flew to the day of Bai Youran's delivery. Under Xiao Tian's cover, Qinghua had already arrived near the tiger tribe.
She had erased the original face markings with a potion. Even if she appeared openly, few young beastmen would recognize her.
Still, she remained cautious. Elderly beastmen might remember her face, and she didn't want unnecessary complications.
Since transforming successfully, Xiao Tian had learned another skill—stealth. As long as Qinghua didn't reveal herself, she could remain perfectly hidden with his help.
Hearing the screams inside, Qinghua felt nothing. She simply watched the holographic projection, waiting for the best moment.
After a long time, her legs numb, new noises finally came from inside:
"The chieftain's wife has given birth! Ah! What… is this…"
The beastmen delivering the offspring panicked. Qinglan intended to scold them, but upon seeing the horrifying scene, she froze and covered her mouth.
Before them were semi-human, semi-tiger creatures—strange forms, unlike any newborn beastmen.
Mu Yuan, hearing the chaos, lifted the beast-skin curtain and was shocked into silence.
Bai Youran, seeing these creatures, fainted from fear.
Qinghua immediately said to the system: "Hurry! System, reclaim Bai Youran's golden finger now!"