Chapter 9
Where Are Your Cubs? Don’t Tell Me They Died Right After Birth?
The eggshell cracked little by little.
Shen Yue watched in amazement. Suddenly, a fluffy little head popped out. Golden fur shimmered as if coated in light.
A pair of round, black gemstone-like eyes slowly opened, curiously looking at the outside world, bright and full of spirit. Its tiny pink nose twitched as it sniffed the air.
Shen Yue’s eyes lit up.
What an adorable little fluffball!!
She hadn’t expected it to be a little golden lion!
She wanted to hug and pet it immediately.
The little golden lion, after clearly seeing Shen Yue in front of it, sniffed her scent, then extended its sharp little claws from its soft paws and broke free of the shell—
“Female Mother!”
That soft, milky voice almost melted Shen Yue on the spot.
It recognized her!!
It knew she was its mother.
Shen Yue was overwhelmed with excitement. This was her cub, her little baby.
So intelligent. So miraculous.
She immediately scooped it into her arms.
“Big Treasure!!”
The soft little fluffball nestled into her embrace, nuzzling her with its tiny furry head.
“Female Mother, Big Treasure finally sees you.”
“Female Mother smells so nice, Big Treasure likes it!”
Shen Yue’s heart softened completely. It was unbearably cute.
So this… was what being a mother felt like?
It was fulfilling, joyful, and gave her a powerful sense of purpose. For the first time, she felt a fierce instinct to protect.
She hadn’t expected the original owner to be carrying a golden lion’s cub.
This bloodline was incredible.
In the Beast World, lion tribes were not rare, but golden lions were extremely scarce, and pure-blooded ones even more so.
And the one in her arms had such pure, radiant golden fur… clearly top-tier bloodline.
Could it be that when the original host barged into Beast City, she had accidentally mated with a pure-blood golden lion male during his rut?
She had no memory of that event, only that there had been more than one male… she just didn’t know whose child it was.
But now it seemed clear—
The golden lion’s genes had overpowered all others.
At least she hadn’t given birth to something strange or grotesque.
That alone was a relief.
Holding Big Treasure, Shen Yue finally felt at ease.
So… the remaining six eggs must also be golden lions?
She just hoped at least one would be female. If all were males… that would be quite troublesome.
The little one in her arms was extremely clingy, refusing to leave her embrace.
“Female Mother, Big Treasure sleepy… want to sleep in Female Mother’s arms…”
Its small body curled into a ball, its gemstone-like eyes drooping with sleepiness.
It was unbearably cute.
Shen Yue gently rubbed its tiny head.
“If you’re sleepy, then sleep. Female Mother will hold you.”
It had just hatched, so its energy was limited.
As soon as it touched her, it wanted to sleep.
Holding it close, Shen Yue softened her voice.
“Big Treasure, how about I name you Jin Yao? Yao Yao?”
“Yay! Yao Yao! Big Treasure is Yao Yao!”
Though sleepy, the little one still responded happily.
Shen Yue’s heart melted.
“Such a good baby. Go to sleep.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the little one’s breathing became steady. Soon, it even made soft humming sounds in its sleep, its tiny ears twitching.
Shen Yue watched warmly, unable to resist hugging it tighter and inhaling its scent.
Milky and soft.
No wonder mothers always adored their children more the longer they looked.
The ultimate maternal filter.
She had just settled in to enjoy more time with her cub when—
An unwelcome voice interrupted.
“Shen Yue, get out here!”
“If you don’t come out, I’ll smash your cave!”
It was Xiong Jiaojiao.
Shen Yue gently placed Yao Yao on the grass mat, carefully patting its back. Seeing it still asleep, she stepped outside.
As soon as she emerged, she saw Xiong Jiaojiao standing with hands on hips, glaring at her.
“Shen Yue, you ugly female, finally decided to come out!”
Her gaze dropped to Shen Yue’s now-flat belly.
“Oh? So you really gave birth. Where are your cubs? Don’t tell me they died right after birth?”
Shen Yue narrowed her eyes.
“Did you eat something filthy? Your mouth stinks.”
Xiong Jiaojiao’s eyes widened.
Did she hear that right?
Shen Yue… talked back?
One of her mates tugged at her sleeve nervously.
“Female Master, maybe we should forget it. This ugly female is different now. She has a new mate, and that man is very strong!”
Xiong Jiaojiao shoved him aside.
“Look at you, useless thing! Why wasn’t it you who got beaten this morning?”
The male stumbled to the ground.
She pointed at Shen Yue.
“That ugly thing? What man would want her?”
“Shen Yue, if you’ve got guts, call your new mate out. He dared to injure my fifth mate. I won’t let this go!”
Shen Yue let out a soft laugh.
“What, your mates lack ability, run into others’ caves to steal food, and still expect not to be beaten? Don’t you understand the Beast God’s rules?”
Xiong Jiaojiao’s face twisted.
“Who are you calling useless?”
Her other mates avoided eye contact, clearly guilty.
Only the largest among them stepped forward aggressively.
“In this savage land, strength is the only rule! Call us useless again and I’ll smash your cave!”
He strode forward, flexing his arms.
Shen Yue’s eyes sharpened.
“You dare?”
Xiong Jiaojiao snorted.
“I dare. Xiong Da, teach her a lesson!”
Xiong Da?
Shen Yue almost laughed.
What a fitting name.
Xiong Jiaojiao had six mates. This must be her strongest one.
Xiong Da cracked his knuckles.
“Yes, Female Master.”
As the towering man approached step by step, Shen Yue’s hidden silver needles glinted between her fingers.
Every body had fatal points.
If he dared destroy her cave, she would kill him.
Inside were her cubs—her precious babies.
She would never allow anyone to harm them.
Her small frame stood firmly at the cave entrance.
Xiong Jiaojiao sneered.
“Where’s your mate? Let him come protect you. Or was he never your mate at all?”
By now, Xiong Da had reached her, eager to show off before his female.
With a single shove, he pushed her aside.
“Move! Today I’ll smash your cave and see where you live!”
Shen Yue stumbled back under the force, her eyes turning cold.
Now.
The silver needle in her hand shot forward, piercing three inches below his left ribs.
At that exact instant—
A golden blur flashed past before she could even react.
It lunged and bit down on Xiong Da’s leg.
“Bad guy! Don’t hurt my Female Mother!”
It was Yao Yao!
Shen Yue fell to the ground from the momentum, her eyes widening as she looked up.
Xiong Da howled as the sharp little fangs sank in.
“Where did this little brat come from? Get lost!”
He kicked hard.
The little golden lion was sent flying like a broken kite.
