Yuliana didn't expect that even this would make someone jealous.
"Witch doctor, did you make a mistake? How could someone like her be worthy of communicating with the Beast God? Don't let her die halfway there."
The speaker was a female with orange fur named Huang Xinxin. From the original host's memory, she used to have a crush on Yuval and often picked on her intentionally or not. Other females quickly chimed in.
"Why don't you go instead? I'll take your beast husband then, how about that?"
Yuliana saw through her petty intentions. Although the title of the Beast God's Sanctuary sounded glorious, it was only hearsay. No one had actually experienced it. Who would willingly give up a comfortable life to chase after a cold legend? It was all just empty talk.
"You..."
Huang Xinxin was speechless.
"Enough arguing. Do you all want to be punished?"
The witch doctor spoke, and the place finally quieted down.
The so-called bonding ritual was where a male would give his most prized hunting tooth, with a hole drilled into it and his name engraved, to the female. She would wear it around her neck and never take it off for the rest of her life.
This symbolized a reminder of her responsibilities and also allowed others to see how many beast husbands she had. It was a traditional form of commitment between beast couples.
After the ceremony, the crowd dispersed, and the witch doctor led a few selected females toward the Beast God's Sanctuary.
Yuliana didn't want to go to any sanctuary, but in this tribe, the witch doctor's word was law. She had no choice but to observe and wait.
Maybe something unexpected might happen—maybe a chance to change her fate.
Compared to the tribal chief's place, the witch doctor's residence was much larger and more spacious.
After saying goodbye to Yuval, they walked a long way through the woods to their destination.
They went through a complicated incense bath and a long worship ritual.
Then, a totem of the lynx tribe was carved into their collarbones by the healer women, marking them as females who would devote themselves to the Beast God.
Among the chosen females was Nana, a black-and-white cat-type beast who used to be Yuliana's childhood friend.
They used to play together until Yuliana's adoptive uncle died and Nana's family persuaded her to stay away from Yuliana.
Now, she smiled at Yuliana in a friendly way.
"Yuliana, do you remember when we used to play together?"
"Enough. If you have something to say, just say it."
Yuliana didn't like fake friendliness. After all these years with no contact, suddenly acting warm could only mean one thing: she wanted something.
"I know I wronged you. Please don't be mad. I was scared too."
"If that's all you want to say, then don't bother."
Yuliana was running out of patience.
"My dad said that being chosen as a sacrifice might bring honor to our families, but we never come back."
"I'm so scared. Just thinking that I might never see you again made me want to say sorry."
"I feel terrible too, but there's nothing I can do. Can you forgive me?"
Her eyes turned red as she sniffled.
Yuliana didn't answer.
She wasn't the original host, so she couldn't forgive on her behalf. As for the future, that would depend on fate.
Right now, all she could think about was: What exactly is this so-called Beast God's Sanctuary?
Why does no one return after going there? What's waiting for them?
Before she could figure it out, a few healer women forced her to drink some holy water.
Then came the "boxing" ceremony.
Each of them was locked into a separate wooden box in their beast forms. The boxes were nailed shut with only small holes for breathing.
The bumpy journey made her fall asleep. The holy water's effects kicked in, and soon she blacked out.
When she woke up, she was in a completely unfamiliar place—far from her tribe.
Yuliana looked around.
She was in a large, luxurious wooden house. Rare animal skins hung on the walls, and fires were lit all around.
Inside, beast men of different types were drinking and celebrating. All of them were male.
Some muscular ones had beautiful females feeding them mouth-to-mouth.
A few females were being touched all over by eager males. They just giggled and didn't seem offended.
Yuliana was dragged to an inner room by two strong males. A heavily made-up middle-aged female sat on a stone bench, looking at Yuliana with disgust.
"The Lynx tribe's offerings are getting worse every year. If they send someone this low-quality again, cut off their cloth supply!"
"Yes!"
A middle-aged guard answered immediately.
"Sister Fang, two more decent-looking girls are on the way."
"Fine. Put some makeup on her. Get her ready for the guests."
Under Fang's orders, several females rushed in and pinned Yuliana down to apply makeup.
Yuliana immediately realized something was wrong. She tried to struggle, but the guards' grip was like iron, locking her shoulders so she couldn't move at all.
This place was a trap. There was no such thing as a Beast God's Sanctuary—it was all lies.
There were too many guards. Escape was impossible. She was dragged out and shoved onto a stage.
Her face was red with anger, which only made her look more fragile and appealing.
"She's so tiny. I bet she couldn't handle one night with a real man."
"What's her beast form? Show us!"
"This 'Gentle Haven' is going downhill. Next one, please!"
"I like the weak ones. If you all don't want her, don't fight me for her later, haha!"
The guard beside Yuliana held a whip, demanding she show her beast form.
It looked like they were going to whip her if she refused—and who knew how long the wound would take to heal?
There was no use resisting now. Right before the whip hit her, Yuliana quickly changed into her beast form, making the crowd burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! This is the smallest lynx I've ever seen!"
"She's probably underage. Tsk tsk."
The guard stepped forward and shouted out the details.
"This lynx tribe female just reached adulthood. Gentle and pure, she's never had a beast husband. Offered by the lynx tribe's witch doctor. Starting bid: three beast skins."
"I bid three."
"I bid five."
"I bid ten."
Yuliana could no longer stay calm. She now realized she would've been better off begging some family to take her in back then.
That would've been better than being sold off like a product.
And what would they do with her after they bought her?
The answer was obvious.