Originally, he didn’t have high hopes; it was just a routine search.
But when he sliced open the beast’s skull with his dagger, a faint yet clear green glow caught his eye.
Unbelievably...
It was there!
He carefully extracted the crystal stone.
Such luck?
Even this rare artifact, almost legendary, was uncovered by them?
He held it tightly and walked steadily back to Seraphina Caldwell.
"The Sabertooth Drake dropped a crystal, for you."
Seraphina paused.
A Green-tier Beast Crystal is indeed rare.
This level of crystal contains intense primal beast power, enough for any Beast Husband to make a decisive step forward in their cultivation.
With it, any Beast Husband could leap up a tier.
It’s best given to Isaac Vaughn.
Her heart fluttered as her gaze instinctively fell on that stern figure not far away.
He has been stuck at the peak of Green Rank for months.
And this Green-tier Beast Crystal could help him accumulate enough energy to break through the barrier.
But as she reached out her hand, she abruptly pulled back.
The last time Wyatt Yardley leveled up, he immediately entered a mating frenzy.
Even though she tried everything to appease him, she could only barely calm him down.
If Isaac Vaughn goes through the same ordeal...
She, a weak woman alone in the wilderness, couldn’t handle two males going into a frenzy at once.
Just the thought was spine-chilling.
She remained silent and didn’t speak.
Beside her, Isaac Vaughn was watching coldly the whole time.
The Green Rank Crystal Stone you gave without hesitation, but at Green-tier, you’re stingy?
As Seraphina looked up, her eyes collided with the cold glint in his eyes, causing her heart to jolt.
Finally, she made up her mind and walked over step by step.
"If I give you this crystal stone, will you enter a mating frenzy after advancing?"
Isaac Vaughn abruptly lifted his head.
So, she wasn’t reluctant to give it; she was afraid he might go into frenzy.
Afraid he would lose control like Wyatt Yardley.
The matter with Wyatt Yardley still looms overhead; how could an ordinary person like her handle two frenzied males?
That would not be a test, but a torment.
Unless she was willing to embrace their beast nature and become their true partner.
But now, clearly, it’s not yet time.
"Uncertain. Advancing from Green Rank to Green-tier indeed might trigger a mating frenzy, but it’s not guaranteed every time. It depends on individual constitution and the intensity of the energy surge."
"This thing is valuable; you might as well trade it for food, medicine, which would be better than giving it to me. At least... it could let you live a few more days."
Seraphina’s brows furrowed tightly.
Trade? There’s no time to wait for that day?
Her father said their destination, the Eagle Clan, is deep in the Shadewood, requiring passage through three beast-infested forbidden areas.
The further inside, the fiercer the beasts become.
Even a Green-tier Sabertooth Drake was this challenging; if an even higher rank brutal beast comes, they wouldn’t even escape.
Instead of clutching the crystal for a bit of food and drink, it’s better to nurture someone strong, raising their power.
She didn’t hesitate any longer and shoved the crystal stone into Isaac Vaughn’s palm.
"Take it. Upgrade quickly. Once you’re at Green-tier, we’ll have a chance to survive when facing wild beasts."
Isaac Vaughn grasped the crystal stone, his gaze gradually rising.
She...
Just gave it like that?
This was a Green-tier Beast Crystal!
Even at the lowest grade, it could be exchanged at the market for ten whole high-grade beast skins.
For them struggling for survival on the wilderness’s edge, this was almost equivalent to a life, even two.
And she handed it over without hesitation?
Seraphina didn’t look at him.
She forced herself not to observe Isaac Vaughn’s expression.
Afraid that once she looked up, she couldn’t help but ask the question swirling in her mind: will you truly enter frenzy?
If you do, will you be unable to control it?
She’s heard of the terrifying nature of male mating frenzies; once out of control, even the closest ones might get hurt.
And she happened to be injured, too weak to protect herself.
If he really went into frenzy, what would she do?
At this time, Wyatt Yardley came over, snapped off the longest and sharpest tooth of the Sabertooth Drake, and casually tossed it into the beast skin pouch.
Turning around, he gently embraced Seraphina.
"Let’s go find somewhere to rest."
Seraphina, caught off guard, stiffened, and she was lifted off the ground.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say, "I can walk on my own."
But the words vanished before being uttered.
She truly couldn’t walk, the wound throbbed, and her legs were somewhat weak.
After circling Veridia, they found no mountains or caves but spotted an ancient smoking towering tree.
The trunk was so thick even three people couldn’t hug it.
Most unusual was the black gaping hole halfway up the trunk.
The hole wasn’t large but was enough for a person to enter and exit.
Wyatt Yardley set Seraphina down, quickly burrowed into the tree hole.
Clearing away the broken branches and fallen leaves inside, he shook out some pelts from the beast skin pack to lay on the ground and then emerged.
The tree hole was over two meters high; Seraphina couldn’t climb up by herself, especially being injured.
Seraphina looked up at the dark entrance with a pang of worry.
She didn’t want to trouble others, especially Wyatt Yardley.
But the other Beast Husbands were also severely hurt; Gideon Larkin’s left arm was wrapped in a bloody cloth, and his right leg was noticeably limping.
She knew they’d exhausted their strength to get here.
Forcing them to climb higher with her on their back would only worsen their burden.
Her fingers subconsciously clenched in her palm, guilt bubbling up.
If she hadn’t insisted on finding herbs in Veridia, they wouldn’t have encountered the Sabertooth Drake, nor end up in such a predicament.
Just as she was fretting how to ascend, Wyatt Yardley had already lifted her up, climbing into the tree hole within seconds.
Before she could refuse, she felt herself lighten, lifted by the waist.
The next moment, her view swiftly elevated.
As she peeked inside, the hole was small but clean, lined with thick beast skins.
The walls were dry and dust-free, without bugs, and there was no strange smell.
She had just steadied herself as other Beast Husbands crawled in one after another.
The small tree hole instantly cramped, even turning was difficult.
Seraphina wanted to shift positions, but found no space, even lifting her hand required caution, afraid of touching someone.
Are they really going to sleep cramped here tonight?
As this thought emerged, her cheeks warmed slightly.
In the Deer Clan Village, living together was unavoidable.
The village camp was small, winter was cold, they had to huddle for warmth.
But even in that situation, there were clear rules.
Females slept inside, males on the perimeter, beast skins separated them.
The night shift Beast Husband guarded outside, never intruded.
But here, clearly they could separate, why crowd together?
She discreetly scanned her surroundings.
Outside, the forest clearing was spacious, enough for two temporary camps.
They could completely split into two groups, females and the severely wounded in the tree hole, others setting a tent outside.
That would ensure safety and avoid awkwardness.
But they hadn’t done so.
She couldn’t tell if it was for protection or another reason.
Her heart carried doubts, yet she couldn’t voice them.
After all, they were here to protect her.