"What? Really? You're taking me outside the tribe?" Meng Yuqing immediately latched onto Xuan's words, eyes shining with excitement. He didn't even spare his newly-acquired blade another glance as he focused on Xuan.
Xuan raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. He seemed a little proud of the reaction.
"Yes, but only within the patrol zone."
"Now? Let's go now!" Meng Yuqing nearly jumped in excitement. He had longed to explore the patrol zone, especially since Qiuye and the foraging team often went there. However, Qiuye had refused to bring him along, insisting that he rest until his house was ready, and things were more settled.
But Meng Yuqing couldn't wait any longer. He'd already wasted two days without using the Exploration feature. Today, he was determined to make full use of it before midnight.
"Hold on," Xuan said, lowering his voice. "We have to wait until Father goes to sleep. He won't agree to me taking you out at night otherwise."
Hearing this, Meng Yuqing quickly clamped his hands over his mouth and nodded. He glanced nervously toward Qiuye's room, making sure he hadn't overheard. Xuan chuckled at his reaction but immediately found himself silenced by Meng Yuqing's hand over his mouth.
"Shh!" Meng Yuqing hissed, gesturing for quiet.
Xuan blinked in surprise before nodding solemnly, signaling he wouldn't make another sound. Meng Yuqing removed his hand and whispered, "When does Qiuye usually sleep?"
"He's leading the foraging team tomorrow morning, so he'll need to get up early. He should fall asleep soon." Xuan pressed his ear to the wall, listening for sounds from the next room. As he listened, he unconsciously touched his lips with his fingers. "It's quiet now. Let's wait a little longer."
Meng Yuqing obediently perched on the bed, eyes locked on Xuan, eagerly waiting for the signal to leave.
About half an hour later, Xuan stood up abruptly. Meng Yuqing's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Let's go," Xuan said.
The two slipped out of the house as quietly as possible. Once outside, Xuan moved ahead, putting some distance between them. Moments later, a sleek, imposing black panther emerged in his place.
Meng Yuqing blinked. Just as he was wondering if Xuan intended to carry him in his mouth again, the panther crouched low, inviting him to climb on.
Meng Yuqing froze for a moment. "Huh? Not in your mouth?" he thought, then quickly realized what was happening. His excitement doubled. He'd thought the ride the day before was a special case due to the urgency of saving Luo. But now, being allowed to ride again… Did this mean he would never have to endure being carried in Xuan's mouth again?
Images of gallantly riding a mighty beast flashed through his mind.
However, reality quickly slapped him in the face—he couldn't climb up.
Xuan's panther form, even crouched, was nearly two meters high. His glossy fur offered no grip. Without assistance, Meng Yuqing struggled to haul himself onto the broad back.
From his vantage point, Xuan's expression was clear: surprise, then exasperation, and finally resignation.
Humiliated, Meng Yuqing wanted to crawl into a hole. Qiuye, so gentle and delicate-looking, had climbed up effortlessly. Yet here he was, flailing like a fool.
Fortunately, Xuan didn't let him wallow in embarrassment for long. The panther's thick tail extended toward him, gently patting his leg as if guiding a cub. With the tail's support, Meng Yuqing finally managed to scramble onto Xuan's back.
The fur was thick, coarse, and surprisingly warm, enveloping his hands completely. Lying flat on his stomach, Meng Yuqing resisted the urge to bury his face in the fur and inhale deeply. Xuan's panther form was majestic, blending power and grace seamlessly.
"Hold tight. I'm about to move," Xuan said, glancing back. Meng Yuqing's constant petting was making him uncomfortable.
"Does it hurt when I grab your fur?" Meng Yuqing asked as he clung to the thick coat.
"Not at all. Just hold on tight," Xuan replied, shaking his head.
Meng Yuqing braced himself against the fur and leaned low. "Ready when you are."
Xuan nodded and turned toward the house, his gaze locking on the doorway. Behind the beast-hide curtain, a tall figure stood silently—Summer. Meeting Xuan's eyes, Summer simply waved before retreating inside.
Meng Yuqing was oblivious to the exchange. His mind was fully occupied with the thrill of riding a massive black panther. He nestled against Xuan's back, starry-eyed. Big cat… black big cat… I've been dreaming of this!
The patrol zone came into view quickly. As they passed the tribe's gates, the on-duty beastmen greeted Xuan warmly. Meng Yuqing, however, was still lost in his dreamland, reveling in the experience.
Xuan eventually stopped, pulling Meng Yuqing from his reverie. "Why did we stop?" he asked.
"I'm deciding what kind of beast would be suitable. Do you have a specific target in mind?" Xuan sniffed the air cautiously.
"I don't know much about the beasts here. You decide. Just pick something big enough. I need to find my limits," Meng Yuqing said softly.
"Size isn't everything in determining a beast's combat ability. Let me scout around," Xuan replied, padding forward.
As he watched Xuan carefully consider their options, Meng Yuqing felt a twinge in his heart. He thought back to what the system had said about finding a trustworthy beastman to help him maximize the system's capabilities. Xuan was clearly that person.
Resting his hand on Xuan's thick fur, he pressed his cheek against the panther's back. Was there anyone more trustworthy or capable than Xuan? Not right now. And he didn't have the luxury of time to find someone else.
Decision made, Meng Yuqing spoke up. "Xuan, I want to look for usable resources here."
Xuan paused mid-step. "Did you notice something?"
The way Xuan phrased the question made Meng Yuqing falter. He looked down, not answering right away. Xuan didn't press him, simply slowing his pace.
After a while, Meng Yuqing finally said, "Run straight ahead for twenty minutes. I have a way to identify what's nearby."
"Okay. But… how long is twenty minutes?" Xuan asked, genuinely puzzled.
"…Just keep running until I tell you to stop."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xuan took off. Meng Yuqing quickly activated the system.
"System, activate Exploration for twenty minutes."
"Exploration activated. Duration: twenty minutes. Continuous operation. Timer started."