Chapter 156: Official Ascension

But Ji Xuan only heard the word "like", he was silent for a long time, then suddenly didn't know what to say.

"Understood."

After a while, he stood up, ready to leave.

If she likes it, there are some misunderstandings she doesn't want to mention; Ji Xuan should go explain for her, right?

"Wait, when are you and A Li planning the Mate Bond?"

Earlier, Chang Yue and Ke Si were present; Leng Xiu didn't rush to ask Ji Xuan, just greeted Mu Qing.

Mu Qing had long been mentally prepared for this, and wasn't afraid that Ji Xuan's entering would take away his First Beast Husband position, because in terms of strength he might not be inferior to Ji Xuan, and regarding his relationship with Yun Li, he clearly had the advantage.

Leng Xiu said Ji Xuan is a clever beastfolk, who wouldn't think of snatching his First Beast Husband position the moment he steps in, and moreover the two of them would support him continuing as the First Beast Husband.

So when Ji Xuan looked at him, Mu Qing's expression was very calm, "I don't oppose your Mate Bond with A Li, but you cannot take the First Beast Husband position."

Ji Xuan was merely surprised by his sudden promotion; he actually had no interest in the family's First Beast Husband position, because he is the Young Master of the Tribe, with many responsibilities.

And as the First Beast Husband, the head of the household, the priority must be family matters; since Mu Qing offered him the First Beast Husband position, he wasn't sure whether he could fulfill it.

Moreover, he was well aware that his standing before A Li could never match Mu Qing's.

"I understand, regarding the Mate Bond, did A Li bring it up herself?"

Even though he guessed this matter was probably orchestrated by Leng Xiu to make him his own, Ji Xuan still held a sliver of hope.

After all, his interactions with A Li over these days had been fairly good.

"Of course, A Li herself brought it up."

Leng Xiu, hearing this unconfident remark, looked up at him with some surprise and said, "Do you think we can be A Li's masters?"

If she herself wasn't willing, even if they blurted it out, the only outcome would be being ignored.

A flash of surprise crossed Ji Xuan's eyes, but his heart quickly raced twice; it turned out she still cared about him.

"I understand. Regarding the Mate Bond, I'll tell my father and the Priest tonight. As for when A Li wants to complete the Mate Bond ceremony, I am the Young Master of the Tribe, and pairing with a tribal female would entail a Sacrificial Activity."

If possible, I'd like to finish it before the Sacrificial Activity.

Because a Sacrificial Activity lasts three days, during which, as the involved beastfolk, he has many duties, and afterward he won't be able to return home until very late.

Ji Xuan doesn't want Yun Li to be too exhausted.

Mu Qing and Leng Xiu exchanged glances, and Mu Qing said, "Then we'll follow your lead; A Li won't say much about this. We just need to ask where you live—are you moving here, or should we all move to your place?"

Ji Xuan recalled that his courtyard was empty, and rejected the option of moving to his place.

"No need, I'll move in directly. In the future, if the household lacks beast skins or Crystal Cores, just tell me."

He has many in his private storehouse, previously piled in a cave and only retrieved when needed.

"We're short a few large beast skins; A Li likes a soft bed. Also your room needs furnishing, so besides beast skins, we'll need another set of tables and chairs and such."

Leng Xiu, while speaking, mentally calculated the items the newcomers would need after moving in.

The stone houses in the courtyard consist of roughly three rooms: the left one serves as kitchen and rear bathroom, the storage is on the second floor of the middle stone house, and on the first floor there are two inner rooms and two outer rooms, the inner rooms being Yun Li's private domain.

Mu Qing and Leng Xiu, with their cubs, live in the two outer rooms; the remaining stone house, once Ji Xuan moves in, will naturally be his.

Ji Xuan isn't picky about where he lives; hearing Leng Xiu's words, he simply sat down again and listened silently.

Occasionally he asks a sentence or two, and Mu Qing and Leng Xiu answer carefully.

……

On the day of the Mate Bond, Ji Xuan had been waiting in his own room, until Yun Li arrived wearing a dress made of reed fibers.

His gaze first landed on the female's clothing, then on her delicate, fair skin.

During the dry season many beastfolk get tanned, but A Li's darkness is subtle, still appearing pale.

Yun Li sat on his thigh, noticing a brief stiffness in his body, but he quickly relaxed; the corners of her lips barely lifted.

"Today is our Mate Bond day; I didn't ask you to go inside—do you think I don't care about you?"

For a beastfolk like Ji Xuan who always hides his thoughts, Yun Li had to be a bit direct.

As she spoke, her hands already looped around the male's neck, her gaze freely appraising him.

Although it was their Mate Bond night, Ji Xuan was still neatly dressed, with only damp short hair and lingering steam on his body, showing his seriousness about this Mate Bond.

"No, I'm very happy."

Ji Xuan actually preferred to have her to himself at this moment, rather than completing their Mate Bond in a place where she and other males were present.

"That's good!"

Yun Li smiled and leaned in to kiss him; because of the height difference, she tilted her head up and only managed to kiss the male's chin.

But just after the kiss, the male immediately lowered his head, and the hand that encircled Yun Li's waist suddenly tightened.

"Are you ready?"

Yun Li was momentarily stunned; she had thought the taciturn Ji Xuan needed her to take the initiative.

But he was willing to act, which indeed saved her many tasks.

Seeing the female nod, Ji Xuan lowered his head to kiss her brows and eyes; it was truly his first time in reality, yet such close contact he couldn't count how many times it had appeared in his dreams.

From initially finding it absurd, to being moved, then actively entwining with the Yun Li from his dreams.

Ji Xuan no longer knew how many times he had practiced.

But the female still seemed to think he was slow; the gentle, careful kiss didn't immerse her, and instead she became more proactive and enthusiastic in inviting him.

A glint of darkness flashed in Ji Xuan's eyes, his palm sliding toward the female's thigh.

Yun Li sensed the movement on her thigh, felt a brief nervousness, but Ji Xuan made no further move, so she focused all her attention on the kiss between them.

Kissing continuously can become uncontrollable, but Yun Li felt she was still clear‑headed; the sensation on her hand told her what step they had reached.

Ji Xuan still, unhurriedly, gradually drew her into his embrace, watching her pant as she searched within his arms for a suitable spot to act.

His hand suddenly exerted force, throwing her onto the bed; when he lowered his head to bite that little mouth, it was still open from surprise.

The male seized the chance to thrust in; this time it was no longer the gentle, spring‑breeze caress, but he began a full‑on assault.

Yun Li was caught off guard by Ji Xuan's sudden onslaught, and while she was bewildered and aroused, her dress had slipped off without her noticing.

A chill struck first, and immediately a scorching heat spread rapidly throughout her body.

"Hmph… no, slower…"

The delicate, feminine moans were like the strongest aphrodisiac, burning away all of Ji Xuan's former composure.