The desolate autumn quietly arrived, turning the lush trees flat under the autumn wind, dyeing them with a hint of autumn color.
Walking in the Life Forest, Lotcar found a familiar path, the very path he had taken when he escaped.
However, Lotcar did not choose to cross the desert, but opted to scale the towering and perilous mountains, eventually arriving in Serti, where he met Ying Luo.
Along the way, Lotcar actively engaged in conversation with Yang Yu and the others about his life within the tribe and some matters regarding the selection of the Clan Leader.
Like many past Beastman Clans, the Silver Teeth Clan revered strength above all.
To become the Clan Leader of the Silver Teeth Clan, one needed to gain the approval of the predecessor, become an official candidate, and prove one’s strength to the community.
The Full Moon Festival was the most important day of the year for the Silver Teeth Clan, during which a ceremonial battle was held annually.
Not many participated in the Full Moon Festival ceremonial battle, only four, aimed at displaying the valor of the Silver Teeth Clan and praying to the ancestors.
Only then would the Silver Teeth Clan return to their primal form, fighting in the guise of giant wolves.
If the Clan Leader wished to abdicate, he would announce it before the ceremonial battle, allowing all Clan Leader candidates to join the battle and prove their strength to the tribe members.
Generally, those who became Clan Leader candidates were strong and participating in the ceremonial battle was merely a formality.
However, exceptions occasionally arose where some, not approved by the Clan Leader as candidates, defeated the candidates and emerged victorious, proving their strength.
At that moment, they would attain the title of acting patriarch and possess some of the Clan Leader’s powers.
Yet, the real power still remained tightly in the hands of the Old Clan Chief.
For acting patriarchs to become official, they either had to gain the Old Clan Chief’s approval and win the next ceremonial battle or win the championship of five consecutive ceremonial battles, proving their unrivaled strength.
Years ago, Lotcar was also a standout member of the Silver Teeth Clan, having earned recognition early and becoming the only officially designated Clan Leader candidate, where winning the Full Moon Festival battle would officially make him the leader.
Had that incident not occurred, Lotcar might have steadily ascended to Clan Leader, reaching the pinnacle of his life.
That day, his cousin laced his wine with a curse that caused him to lose consciousness and wreak havoc on the village.
When he regained consciousness, his village had turned into ruins, and his cousin was spreading rumors that "he lost his mind in pursuit of power."
Intent on salvaging his reputation, Lotcar challenged his cousin to a duel the moment he regained consciousness.
Yet, provoked by his cousin’s taunting words in anger, he lost control and helplessly watched as he attacked the person he loved most.
Anger, sorrow, regret, and other negative emotions assaulted Lotcar’s mind.
Uncertain if his rampant strength would harm others again, Lotcar eventually chose to flee.
And with that flight, he was left unable to defend himself.
At the time, if he could have reverted to his Beastman form, perhaps there would have been room for explanation...
But until now, Lotcar had tried countless times and still could not return to his Beastman form from that of the giant wolf.
Carefully advancing along a once-traveled path, Lotcar’s heart began to pound intensely, so intensely that he could hear his heartbeat from every part of his body.
The joy of soon seeing a long-lost acquaintance and the worry for the tribe’s future fiercely collided.
Yang Yu could feel the temperature on Lotcar’s back rising rapidly, almost like sitting on a flying electric heating pad.
"Speaking of which, Lotcar, you once said that you felt Ying Luo resembled someone, which is why you continued to spend time with her. Who do you think Ying Luo resembles?"
"When I first met Ying Luo, she was only ten years old, naturally, she reminded me of my own daughter."
Slowing his pace, Lotcar let out a rare, hearty laugh,
"They are both strong girls.
At that time, I might have subconsciously thought that my daughter would definitely handle everything well and live strongly, which is why I finally decided to leave this country.
After so many years, she must have grown into a beautiful young lady like Ying Luo.
She’s about the same age as you guys, and you would definitely get along very well.
If you take a liking to my daughter, don’t be shy—just let me know, and I’ll definitely help to set you up.
I’d feel more at ease entrusting my daughter to you."
Yang Yu frowned slightly—I consider you a friend, yet you want to become my father-in-law?
Bai Jin pouted unhappily and viciously plucked several wolf hairs from Lotcar’s back.
Faced with Lotcar’s heartfelt invitation, Yang Yu still adhered to the "I definitely don’t want to raise a deadly FLAG" principle. Talking about love could wait, and he tactfully declined,
"No need to make such promises. I’ll do my best to help you, don’t think that using your daughter as a bargaining chip will make everything stable."
"Ha ha, I know that. You’re just that kind of person. I was only joking."
Lotcar’s pace became slower and more cautious,
"Let’s leave the jokes here.
We are nearing a frequently visited area of the Plant Clan—better to be cautious.
Yang Yu, I don’t know where your plant-like abilities come from. Since we are near the Life Forest, try to keep a low profile as much as possible.
It’s best not to use that skill."
"Thorny Binding" was Yang Yu’s most commonly used Control Skill which, without "Taunt," helped him consistently control enemies.
Suddenly blocking this skill would limit the options in tactics.
However, considering that Lotcar was worried that using "Thorny Binding" too frequently might attract the attention of the Plant Clan, preventing him from fulfilling his revenge, Yang Yu chose to restrain himself as Lotcar had suggested.
In reality, Lotcar had no such thoughts; he merely wanted to remind Yang Yu to be careful.
After all, the Plant Clan, like the Silver Teeth Clan, was a rather mysterious race.
However, what Lotcar was most concerned about now was how to fully expose Kai Bu’s conspiracy and clear his own name.
During his exile in the Human World, Lotcar had often thought about this issue but had never found a good solution.
All Lotcar could do now was to let things take their course.
Yang Yu always came up with some brilliant ideas—hopefully, this time he would come up with a good one to help clear everything.