At first, no one present understood what Ziqian was trying to do. But seeing Huo gradually stop struggling and grow calmer, they believed that whatever it was, it had to be helping.
Their trust in Ziqian deepened.
Then they suddenly caught a faint trace of pheromone in the air. It was subtle, but the sweetness is captivating and strangely enticing. As it spread through the crowd, everyone who smelled it—even the females and sub-beasts—felt a gentle warmth spread over them, easing their fear.
Only then did many realize what Ziqian was trying to do. Ziqian was using his pheromones to calm Huo.
The crowd could hardly believe it at first, especially the sub-beasts who already had partners and understood exactly what such an act meant because for both beasts and sub-beasts, the use of their pheromones is knowledge that has been ingrained in them since birth.
Beast pheromones could be used to pressure and intimidate monsters and even other beasts. The strength of the pheromones reflected the power of the one who released them.
Sub-beasts' pheromones, in comparison, were usually soft and sweet, sometimes alluring and sensual. It held great importance in mating and offered many benefits to beastmen.
The two had entirely different characteristics, but they complemented each other perfectly. One was meant for attack, while the other was for support.
It was once believed that the pheromones of sub-beasts could enhance a beastman's prowess in battle. However, because sub-beasts were rare, they were rarely allowed to accompany hunting parties, as doing so would put them in danger. Most sub-beasts were also timid and unwilling to venture deep into the forest.
As time passed, the most fundamental purpose was gradually forgotten, and sub-beasts' pheromones were now mainly used for mating and attracting beastmen.
Sub-beast pheromones could indeed help calm beastmen.
But all of this was possible on the condition that the two were married and bonded. Without a bond, it was considered nearly impossible. More than that, such an act was regarded as intimate between two individuals who don't have a relationship.
That was why a sub-beast who had not chosen a partner before coming of age would be paired by the patriarch and the high priest with the most suitable beastman from the tribe.
But now, Ziqian was using his pheromones on Huo without a bond.
As time passed, the scent of the pheromones grew stronger.
Several beasts, drawn in by instinct, unconsciously stepped forward, wanting to breathe in the pheromones more clearly and bask in the comforting sweetness, but before they could take another step, a powerful wave of cold and domineering pheromones suddenly crashed over them.
The sharp pressure stung their senses and froze them where they stood. A chill ran down their spines as their instincts screamed a warning.
No one dared move again.
Many people consciously or unconsciously looked at Xue.
The young patriarch's expression is getting darker, they thought. But whatever they thought, no one voiced it, and everyone quietly waited for Ziqian.
Lia wanted to examine and treat Xue's wounds, but Xue was ignoring everyone around him. The bleeding had already stopped, and the injuries did not seem life-threatening, so Lia could only leave him alone as he sighed wearily from the side.
Meanwhile, Bei had already ordered the several warriors present to make the people step back. Ziqian's pheromones were growing stronger, and they had begun affecting the other beastmen, especially those who did not have a bond.
If more beastmen are drawn to Ziqian's pheromones, Xue might be the next to go berserk.
As a few more minutes passed, Huo remained calm, but there were no other changes. Everyone began to think that what Ziqian was doing was not working, proving that a bond was necessary.
Then suddenly Huo let out a loud growl, startling the crowd around them. Xue reacted immediately, rushing forward to take Ziqian away, but Bei swiftly stopped him.
"Father!" Xue protested angrily.
"Calm down and wait!" Bei said sternly.
It was the first time in a long while that Bei had spoken to Xue in such a tone, as he was clearly not thinking rationally right now. Xue was clearly overwhelmed by his emotions. If Xue interrupted the two, he could endanger not only Huo but Ziqian as well.
Xue gritted his teeth.
For the first time since he could remember, Xue felt such intense fear. He had never felt this way before, not even when he fought a three-horned monster at only ten years old. But this time, the mere thought of Huo hurting Ziqian made him feel as though his heart might stop at any moment.
Xue wanted to immediately bring Ziqian to safety, but his father was right. He needs to calm down. Interfering now might only escalate the situation.
Xue forced his eyes shut and slowly exhaled. He was angry at Huo and, at the same time, angry at himself for allowing things to spiral so far that Ziqian had to step forward and place himself in danger.
When Xue opened his eyes again, he had already regained his composure. He returned to his previous position, his gaze once more fixed on Ziqian's figure in the distance.
He appeared calm and unfazed, but his pheromones had become colder and stronger, making the people around him uncomfortable.
Huo writhed in Ziqian's arms until his growls turned into pained groans.
Ziqian's arms felt numb, his hands trembling, and his complexion turned paler, but he continued to control and strengthen his pheromones, wrapping them around Huo despite the growing anxiety in his heart as he listened to Huo's pained groans.
The crowd waited with bated breath. Then an unbelievable scene unfolded before them.
Huo began to transform back into his human form, slowly and with difficulty.
Ziqian had not only calmed Huo but had also helped him return from his berserk state. It had worked even when the two of them were not yet bonded, overturning everything they had believed.
"Maybe it's because he is the god's messenger," a petite sub-beast softly murmured.
"Right? If not, then how could he use his pheromones without a bond?" another sub-beast said, still staring at Ziqian in disbelief.
"Only someone chosen by the beast god could do something like that."
"That is what makes him different from us."
No one responded to the two sub-beasts' conversations, but many shared the same thought. They did not consider that perhaps they were the ones who had failed to understand and utilize the true purpose of pheromones. Instead, they simply believed that Ziqian was different and special because he was the god's messenger.
Ziqian did not know what the others were thinking. He slowly opened his eyes after the guardians happily informed him that he had finally succeeded.
But what unfolded in front of him makes his heart clench in pain. Huo was in a terrible condition—bloody, pale, and with a body full of bruises and wounds. The man's eyes were tightly closed—he had lost consciousness from pain and exhaustion.
Ziqian hurriedly checked Huo's pulse, and only when he felt the steady, strong heartbeat did he heave a sigh of relief. As if on cue, all the remaining strength in his body evaporated. His body slightly swayed, and with his knees feeling numb from kneeling too long, he accidentally let go of Huo.
In a panic, he scrambled toward Huo, his hands shaking as they scraped against the dirt and broken debris. He was worried that Huo's head hit something because of scattered stones or splintered fragments around them.
But someone was faster than him.
Ziqian did not notice when Xue approached. All he knew was that the man had already draped a large fur over him, scooped him up, and carried him away.
Ziqian wanted to protest, but when he saw the patriarch lifting Huo while Lia checked his condition, he shut his mouth and obediently leaned against Xue's chest.
Xue silently strode away, ignoring everyone and leaving all responsibilities to his mother and father.
Sensing the tense atmosphere surrounding the man, "I'm tired," Ziqian murmured softly, his tone aggrieved.
"Rest," Xue replied without slowing his steps.
Ziqian did not know where Xue was carrying him. Their tent had already been destroyed, and they no longer had any place to sleep.
He blinked and looked up at Xue. "Where are you taking me?"
"To Mother and Father's tent."
Ziqian sighed. "Tomorrow, we need to prepare early for the feast, but I don't have any energy left now. I don't even know if I can wake up early."
Just the thought of all the work waiting for him when the sun rose made Ziqian want to cry again, even though his eyes were already sore from crying too much earlier.
He shifted slightly and tried to raise his limp arms with a miserable expression. "I planned to cook a lot of food too, but my arms are numb. I can't even lift a single finger now. What should I do?"
"I will do it," Xue said.
"But I wanted to cook something new for tomorrow."
"Then tell me how to make it."
Ziqian huffed softly and nestled deeper against Xue's bare chest, as if deliberately acting spoiled. "What if you make it badly?"
"Then make me do it again."
Xue's answer made Ziqian chuckle.
He continued to complain all the way to the Patriarch's tent, grumbling about the feast, his numb arms, and all his plans for tomorrow while leaning comfortably against Xue.
Xue listened in silence, replying now and then with a few words.