Chapter 146: Answering Questions and Clearing Doubts

The day after Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er (the couple) stayed to incubate the egg, the news that they had adopted the Dragon Egg spread quickly throughout the tribe, gradually spreading.

In the Heaven Lion Tribe, most people had never seen a Dragon Egg up close, let alone Zhang Fan's Exquisite Dragon Beast Egg! To everyone, this was quite a rare curiosity!

However, out of saving face, nobody suggested going to Zhang Fan's house to see the Dragon Egg. After all, the Dragon Egg is equivalent to someone's child! Moreover, it's still an unborn child!

Most importantly, the owner didn't even say they wanted to invite anyone, yet people just showed up uninvited. This is indeed not good, especially now when everyone has their own things to do in this special period.

Thus, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er (the couple) stayed at home all the time, except for Ba Ke Er's daily hunting; the rest of the time they spent at home.

Days passed like this, and when Zhang Fan could no longer bear spending all day either eating or sleeping, or just incubating the egg, Ba Ke Er quickly suggested that Zhang Fan go out for a stroll.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan immediately happily agreed, then took out a harness, made Ba Ke Er transform into his beast form, and tied the Dragon Egg again under Ba Ke Er's belly.

After everything was ready, Zhang Fan then called Ba Ke Er, who was embarrassed about having to carry the Dragon Egg out, and they left the house together, beginning to stroll around the tribe.

For the carefree Zhang Fan with empty hands, this stroll was no problem, but for Ba Ke Er, a male Beastman brimming with male hormones, it was like a nightmare.

Zhang Fan walked ahead leisurely, while Ba Ke Er kept his head down and walked slowly behind him; anyone with eyes could see Ba Ke Er's great reluctance.

However, in order to please his female partner, Ba Ke Er, despite his reluctance, had to comply with her wishes.

Wherever they went, they attracted countless gazes—some sympathetic, some admiring, some doubtful—everyone was curious about the couple's behavior.

Although this is the Heaven Lion Tribe and most people are viviparous, a significant portion also comes from oviparous species females.

Indeed, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er now encountered someone—none other than Gesa, their former neighbor. Gesa had just returned from setting up a stall at the tribal market when he ran into the couple.

Gesa looked at the couple; it wasn't just odd, it was quite strange in their behavior and attire, and he couldn't help but feel puzzled. So he grabbed Zhang Fan and whispered in his ear:

"Fan Fan, what are you up to? Don't tell me you don't know! Isn't incubating eggs something females do? Why aren't you putting in the effort yourself, instead making your Ba Ke Er do it?"

Zhang Fan was startled upon hearing this: "Really? But I truly didn't know that incubating eggs required females! I thought males could do it too, and some bird species have males incubate—so why wouldn't this be allowed?"

Gesa nearly fainted into Zhang Fan's arms upon hearing his words. Fortunately, Zhang Fan was quick-eyed and quick-handed; before Gesa could pass out, he pinched Gesa's philtrum and steadied him with his arm.

Gesa, feeling weak, gave Zhang Fan a thumbs-up, rolled his eyes, then pretended to be admiring and said:

"You're impressive, you're knowledgeable, but I'm not going to tell you these things anyway—you wouldn't listen even if I did. Still, I suggest you go ask Wei Er the tribal healer and Di Er the pharmacist; I think they might know something."

After saying that, Gesa suddenly regained his energy, jumped up straight, and walked toward his home carrying his small basket.

Seeing Gesa leave, Zhang Fan didn't try to stop him, but instead stayed put to ponder what Gesa had just said. After thinking for a while and coming up with nothing good, he simply called Ba Ke Er over to discuss it together.

After they finished discussing, they set off purposefully toward the chief's house. Indeed, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er (the couple) had agreed after discussion to go see Wei Er to ask for a better idea.

After all, right now, wherever they go they have to bring the Dragon Egg in and out, which is really inconvenient! Look, they've only been out a short while and already about two-thirds of the tribe have come to gawk.

To Zhang Fan, it felt like he was a small animal in a zoo on Earth—even if he stayed still, he'd attract all kinds of onlookers and have to endure their various gazes, which was truly unpleasant.

The couple walked in perfect sync, taking three steps as two, quickly heading forward. Not long after, they went from the tribal market entrance to the chief's courtyard gate; after knocking, they stood quietly outside waiting.

Not long later, someone came to open the door, but the person who came disappointed Zhang Fan a little—he had expected Uncle Wei Er himself to open the door, which would have let him finish his questions sooner and act on them.

Unfortunately, the one who opened the door was none other than Fei Er, who loves to stir up trouble! This disappointed Zhang Fan greatly; he was about to pull Ba Ke Er away to leave and go find Di Er instead.

"Fei Er, is that Fan Fan and Ba Ke Er? Hurry and let them in!"

"Okay, Am, I'll let them in right away!"

Wei Er's voice at that moment happened to come from the courtyard. Zhang Fan, comparing the volume he heard now with Wei Er's usual speaking volume, immediately realized the problem.

That is, Wei Er must be at the stone table in the courtyard; thinking this, Zhang Fan lifted his head and looked toward the stone table—and indeed, he saw Wei Er and Di Er sitting there basking in the sun.

Seeing this, Zhang Fan felt delighted, quickly grabbed Ba Ke Er's ear, and followed Fei Er into the courtyard.

After following Fei Er to the stone table, even before Zhang Fan could ask his question, Wei Er and Di Er, seeing Ba Ke Er's appearance, already broke into smiles.

Zhang Fan could somewhat guess why Wei Er and Di Er were laughing, given that Ba Ke Er's current appearance was indeed rather comical. However, Fei Er's puzzled expression also left Zhang Fan a bit confused.

"Fei Er, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Zhang Fan asked Fei Er with concern.

"Uh… actually nothing, I just can't figure out why Am and Uncle are laughing." Fei Er said to Zhang Fan with a solemn expression.

But as soon as he finished speaking, catching a glimpse of Ba Ke Er's outfit in his peripheral vision, his solemn expression collapsed and he burst out laughing—louder than Wei Er and Di Er combined.

His sudden outburst startled everyone; especially Zhang Fan, being close by, heard the loudest volume, and it nearly gave him a heart attack.

Fei Er was oblivious to this; at that moment he was solely focused on his own laughter, unaware that his volume was about to exceed normal human limits.

After Fei Er and Wei Er's brothers' excitement finally subsided, Zhang Fan then spoke, stating his purpose to Wei Er and Di Er.

"Uncle Wei Er, Am, good morning. I and Ba Ke Er are disturbing your sunbathing, for which I'm sorry! Actually, we came today for this reason—you've surely seen it, right?"

Having said that, Zhang Fan glanced at Ba Ke Er's belly and continued:

"In order to successfully hatch the child, Ba Ke Er and I have devoted as much of our time as possible to incubating the egg, but it's been over ten days and we still see no sign of the Dragon Egg cracking."

"Moreover, when we met Gesa on the road today, he said only females should incubate the egg for it to hatch successfully, but I recall I myself have incubated eggs before—so why is there still no movement?"

As soon as Zhang Fan finished speaking, Wei Er sat up straight and began to answer his doubts.

"Fan Fan, actually it's like this: according to the historical records borrowed from the Priest, the incubation period for an Exquisite Dragon Beast Egg is normally about three months, meaning your Dragon Egg still needs at least two and a half months before it hatches."

Saying this, Wei Er rose from the stone bench, walked over to Ba Ke Er, slowly undid the harness, took the Dragon Egg out of it, and then continued:

"Also, regarding your question about whether incubation must be done by females—I can only tell you it's not absolute; as you said, male Beastmen can also help incubate the egg."

Before Wei Er finished speaking, Di Er beside him also began to explain to Zhang Fan:

"Actually, male Exquisite Dragon Beasts also incubate eggs, and they can do so while keeping the egg constantly with them!"

After saying that, Di Er paused, took a sip of water, and then continued:

"However, what I described is just the incubation method for ordinary Exquisite Dragon Beast Eggs, not the method for those that can evolve into Beastmen and females."

Upon hearing Di Er's words, Zhang Fan, Ba Ke Er, and Fei Er suddenly became interested. Zhang Fan, eager to know more, voiced his doubt:

"Am, do you mean that the incubation method for our evolved Exquisite Dragon Beast Egg differs from that of ordinary Exquisite Dragon Beast Eggs?"

As soon as Zhang Fan asked, Di Er gave him a big thumbs-up and cheerfully praised: "Our Fan Fan is smart! You figured that out so quickly! Exactly, that's what I meant to say!"

Seeing Zhang Fan's question resolved, Fei Er also became eager and quickly posed his own question:

"Then, Uncle, how should we incubate this evolved Exquisite Dragon Beast Egg properly?"

As soon as Fei Er asked, Di Er quickly smiled at him, ruffled his hair, and began to answer the doubt:

"Fei Er, that's an excellent question! Actually, what I want to say is that this Exquisite Dragon Beast Egg, even if no one incubates it, if left in a safe place, it can still crack open on its own—only the time might be longer."

Having said that, Di Er again lowered his head and cracked his fingers, and after figuring it out, he lifted his head again and said confidently: "If it's natural incubation, it would take at least seven months for him to successfully hatch. So, how to hatch it, you can completely decide yourselves."

After hearing Di Er's words, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er instantly relaxed; it turns out natural incubation is possible! Then, wouldn't that mean we don't have to be so tired? However, that would also mean the waiting time would be longer!

Therefore, the two husbands Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er also did not immediately make a decision, but planned to go home and discuss it further; after they had discussed it, they would then make plans!