The system was not stupid. As soon as it heard its host's command, it didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately sprang into action.
At the same time, Bai Youran's body began trembling uncontrollably, as if she were being skinned and dismembered, her whole body convulsing in pain.
The most terrifying part: in just a brief instant, her hair began to turn half-white, and her face displayed deep, frightful wrinkles that were far beyond her age.
This change left the surrounding beastmen stunned. Only Mu Yuan was horrified: "It's over… everything's over… even I might be dragged down by this female."
Now, seeing Bai Youran in this ghostly state, who would believe she was the "goddess" they had once boasted about?
Qinghua was also momentarily dazed. She hadn't expected Bai Youran, stripped of her golden finger, to end up like this.
Sensing Qinghua's confusion, the system explained:
"Actually, Bai Youran was bound to an evil wild system. The beauty it granted her was just a preemptive depletion of her body's vitality. The favorability it extracted was actually her own life force."
So that's why, in her previous life, the beastmen chieftains around Bai Youran always ended up in mutual destruction after wars, gradually weakening their tribes.
With everything in place, Qinghua returned with Xiao Tian. Though she wore cold-proof clothing, standing outside too long still left her legs numb and sore.
The scene of Bai Youran giving birth had been witnessed by many tribe members. Even if Mu Yuan had wanted to intervene, he couldn't—after all, they now lived in a communal cave.
Soon, Mu Yuan faced a joint crackdown by the tribe's warriors, led by He, the one who had once competed with him for the chieftain's position.
He approached with a smug, victorious stride, joy on his face, staring at Mu Yuan, whose face had turned dark with shock, and slowly spat out cruel words:
"Mu Yuan, 28th-generation chieftain of the Tiger Tribe, deceived by divine punishment, mistook a monster for a goddess and brought her into the tribe. By vote of all tribe members, you and your accomplices are hereby expelled from the tribe."
Hearing his old rival's cold, emotionless words, Mu Yuan panicked: "No! You can't do this to me! I've contributed so much to the tribe. Li, help me speak for me…"
Li, once his trusted aide, simply averted his head helplessly. He also had a female to care for and couldn't blindly follow Mu Yuan anymore.
Seeing Li's obvious refusal, Mu Yuan understood: he had been abandoned by all the tribe members. His former subordinates had betrayed him. He was now utterly alone.
Seeing the once-high chieftain reduced to a crawling, fallen state, He felt the long-suppressed resentment and anger he had endured under Mu Yuan finally ease.
"Considering your past contributions to the tribe, we won't be completely heartless. You may move out after winter."
With that, the group of beastmen didn't even glance at Mu Yuan. This area seemed like a forbidden zone; all tribe members avoided him and his allies like venomous snakes.
Even He and his group, when notifying Mu Yuan, kept a wide distance, not daring to approach the beast-skin curtain that had been hung on Bai Youran's delivery day.
They didn't notice that Mu Yuan's lowered eyes were filled with a murderous glint, his expression twisted further.
Meanwhile, Qinghua, back in her foldable tent, retrieved a steaming bowl of Yunnan "Crossing the Bridge" rice noodles from her space. This kind of hot food was perfect for the chilly weather.
Watching her enjoy it, Xiao Tian couldn't help drooling. Transforming into humanoid form seemed to have made him pick up his sister's love for good food.
Qinghua noticed his eager little eyes and quickly waved her hand, giving him a portion of the wontons she had made herself.
Though it didn't smell as fragrant as hers, Xiao Tian was easily satisfied. Using an awkward spoon, he slowly ate.
Each bite released a burst of meaty juice, the rich flavor melting in his mouth—simply wonderful.
Bi'er watched the two devouring their food, conflicted. She fiddled with rose petals in her space, unsure whether to reveal something or not—it was hard to decide!
A few seconds later, the last petal seemed to indicate "don't say." Horrified, Bi'er shook her little head and tried again.
While Qinghua was halfway through her meal, Bi'er suddenly appeared—not as a soul, but as a small, fairy-like figure.
She glowed faintly pale blue, floating in midair, her skin like jade and her features delicate and bright—a tiny, adorable creature.
Xiao Tian stared, and seeing his own recently rounded belly from overeating, he felt a surge of insecurity.
Sure enough, his instincts were right: his once doting sister had quickly abandoned him.
"Oh, Bi'er, your transformation is too cute, just a bit small, I can't really play with you."
No matter. Holding Bi'er in her hands and admiring her was a joy. Qinghua decided this happily in her heart.
Hearing her sister's words, Bi'er let out a quiet sigh of relief. Luckily, her humanoid form was small—her sister wouldn't treat her the way she did Xiao Tian.
Later, Qinghua, considering Bi'er's small size, specially prepared a delicate little cup as her personal eating bowl.
As the atmosphere settled, Bai Youran woke again—only to meet Mu Yuan's dark, intimidating gaze.