Chapter 91
Nina and the others searched for another half a day, but there was still no sign of Sal or the others.
She stood staring at the vast wilderness stretching endlessly ahead, her heart sinking a little. The Beast World was unimaginably large—when would she ever find them?
Along the way, she left marks by the roadside. Odian helped her carve symbols into tree trunks at higher spots where they would be easier to see.
As they searched, she left trail after trail of signs, hoping that if Sal and the others were still looking for her, they would notice and follow.
By evening, they found a cave to rest in.
They had barely finished dinner when heavy rain began pouring down again, sheets of water crashing against the earth.
Nina and the phoenix males huddled inside the cave, watching the curtain of rain outside. There wasn’t much to do.
Yinny and Didi lay quietly in her arms, gazing at the rainfall with wide eyes. The egg babies rolled slowly back and forth beside her.
This cave was fairly large. Nina glanced at the open space, then at the cubs who seemed a little bored.
She suddenly took out a small leather ball. “Babies, want to play with the little ball p>
Yinny and Didi’s eyes lit up immediately.
They remembered this toy. Nina had let them play with it before. And today, the cave was spacious, the ground covered with thick hides—perfect for kicking a ball around.
The egg babies grew excited too.
We want to play with the ball!
Nina set Yinny and Didi down and tossed the ball toward them. “Go on p>
The cubs began kicking the little leather ball across the cave floor.
The phoenix males watched with fascination. The small ball was something new to them, and seeing the cubs chase and kick it around looked surprisingly fun.
Several of them shifted restlessly, clearly itching to join.
But when they glanced at their tall adult forms—and then at the tiny ball—they sighed in unison.
Ridan, however, stared longingly, practically vibrating with envy. He really wanted to play.
With a powerful kick, Yinny sent the ball flying. It arced through the air and landed squarely in Ridan’s arms.
Clutching the ball, he could no longer resist. “Lady Nina… may I play with the cubs too p>
Nina assumed he meant tossing the ball back and forth. She smiled. “Of course p>
Ridan beamed. In a flash, he transformed into a tiny phoenix—no bigger than a fluffy chick—and happily joined the cubs.
Nina blinked in surprise.
So this was what he meant by playing?
Seeing Ridan join in, the other phoenix males could no longer restrain themselves.
“Lady Nina, can we play too p>
Nina couldn’t help but laugh. “Sure p>
In the next instant—whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—they all shrank into small phoenix forms and rushed into the fray.
The cave instantly became lively—if slightly chaotic.
The little leather ball flew in every direction. Cubs and tiny phoenixes bumped into each other. Eggs rolled enthusiastically across the floor.
Nina burst out laughing.
A few eggs, a flock of fluffy “chicks,” and two furry cubs chasing after a bouncing ball—it was such an absurdly adorable sight that she could barely contain herself.
Odian pressed a hand to his forehead.
How undignified.
After watching for a while, Nina realized that with so many players, it might be more fun to introduce some structure.
“Wait a moment!” she called out.
They all froze obediently.
“Let’s try a different way to play p>
She briefly explained some simple rules—two teams, goals, no grabbing with claws.
“You’ll compete,” she added with a grin. “The winning team gets a reward from me p>
That caught their interest instantly.
Nina divided them into two teams. One side was short a player, so she looked at Odian. “Do you want to join p>
Under her bright, expectant gaze, Odian hesitated only briefly.
Though it felt slightly improper, he couldn’t refuse her.
He gave a small nod and transformed into an exceptionally beautiful little phoenix, stepping forward with an oddly dignified air despite his size.
Nina assigned teams: Yinny, Didi, Odian, and several tiny phoenixes formed the Egg Cubs Team. Ridan and the remaining phoenixes formed the Phoenix Team. She even arranged makeshift goals at each end of the cave.
The match began.
Nina watched with great enthusiasm, occasionally cheering for the cubs.
The cave filled with laughter and jubilant cries.
Outside, the dragon warriors were coiled in the trees, peering into the cave and watching the game unfold. From time to time, they couldn’t help but cheer quietly along.
“That looks so fun,” Viann whispered wistfully. “I want to join p>
“Me too,” Pado sighed. “They’re playing inside while we’re stuck in the rain p>
Compared to the lively warmth inside the cave, the dragon warriors felt especially miserable perched in the storm.
Aviel found himself imagining a scene of playing with a little dragon cub in front of Nina—laughing, competing, earning her smile.
To his own surprise, he felt a flicker of longing.
Nearby, Kith lay in his white tiger form beside the cave entrance. The cold rain had soaked his fur through, but he paid it no mind. His golden eyes remained fixed on the scene within.
Listening to the laughter echoing from inside, he felt both envy and yearning.
One day, he hoped, he too might play with the cubs before her like that.
Finch lay beside him, his long tail wrapped around himself for warmth.
“Kith,” he muttered, half annoyed and half wistful, “are we really going to just lie here? Shouldn’t we find shelter p>
“I’ll stay,” Kith replied calmly. “If you want shelter, find a cave yourself p>
Staying here meant he could better protect them. He could hear their laughter.
What was a little rain?
If anything, the cold dampness dulled the guilt in his heart.
“Are you really going to stay?” Finch asked uncertainly.
“Yes. I’ve decided p>
“Are you planning to marry that female?” Finch pressed.
Kith hesitated. “No. I won’t marry a female I don’t love. That’s why I broke my engagement before. I only want to protect them. Fulfill my responsibility p>
That was all… wasn’t it?
A faint confusion stirred in his heart.
“How long will you stay p>
“I don’t know. Probably a long time p>
He truly wasn’t sure.
“And White Tiger City? You’re the city lord. You can’t stay away forever p>
“There’s Maye and the others. It’ll be fine p>
Kith seemed unconcerned.
“They can manage for a while,” Finch said thoughtfully, “but not indefinitely. Your brother has always coveted your position. If you’re gone too long, he might seize the opportunity to overthrow you p>
“I’ve already made arrangements. Nothing will happen p>
“Alright. As long as you know what you’re doing p>
Finch relaxed slightly.
After all, this mess had begun because Kith helped him pursue the Spirit Pearl.
Thinking of it only made him angrier.
Where had that damned leopard hidden the pearl?
After a moment, Finch glanced sideways at Kith.
“Hey… do you think I should stay too p>
His voice held rare uncertainty.