PRAIRIE LION GROUP ARC CHAPTER 2

NOTE:

I am really sorry for not updating for so long. I am currently preparing for a competitive exam which is very detrimental to my future. So I've been quite busy. I probably won't have time to update regularly and I will be going on a short hiatus at least until March 2025. Thank you for all your support and I hope I ace my exam.

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Qiao Qixi spaced out for a moment before seriously pondering what to name the little white lion.

He hadn't expected this frail, timid-looking cub to follow him, and yet here it was, quietly trailing him for so long before being discovered. This hinted at untapped potential.

As a white lion, whose survival was already fraught with difficulty, Qiao Qixi decided not to give him a grandiose name. A name too grand might feel burdensome. Instead, he drew on the wisdom of rural elders from his hometown, choosing a "humble" name for better luck.

So, after using The Art of War to outwit seals on Arctic ice, Qiao Qixi now employed folklore and feng shui to name a lion cub in the African savanna.

He settled on Doughball.

Qiao Qixi swallowed hard, briefly daydreaming about the taste of minced meat noodles—a flavor he hadn't savored in ages. Would there be a chance to reincarnate as a human and eat noodles in his next life? He began to indulge in this unrealistic fantasy.

But now was not the time to drool. He needed to focus on hunting.

This was a time of solitary struggle, leaving no room for complacency.

Little Five—or rather, Doughball—lay motionless in the grass, knowing full well that the lion's gaze was fixed on him. Perhaps the cub was both nervous and uncertain.

Fortunately for him, Qiao Qixi simply glanced at him, silently christened him with a practical name, and then turned to resume his trek.

As the big lion's indulgence allowed Doughball to relax, the cub pushed himself up with his not-so-sturdy limbs, his bulging belly comically disproportionate to his skinny frame.

Even so, the white lion was determined to follow the larger lion, keeping a cautious but steady distance.

Truth be told, Qiao Qixi always worried about leaving the cubs unprotected when he went hunting. Having Doughball, the one who seemed least capable of escaping danger, tagging along was actually reassuring.

His only concern was whether Doughball's frail body would give out before they even reached the hunting grounds.

However, as they walked, Qiao Qixi realized his worry was unnecessary. Despite looking weak, Doughball moved with surprising caution and stability.

The little lion had already learned to survey his surroundings instead of fully relying on the adult lion he'd only just begun to trust.

And yet, his willingness to follow proved he harbored a growing fondness for the larger lion, despite his lingering fear.

The two lions continued on their way toward the Arm Brothers' territory. Yes, Qiao Qixi's target for the day was once again the Arm Brothers' turf.

It wasn't his fault the Arm Brothers were too busy courting lionesses to patrol their territory three times a day.

Trailing behind, Doughball sniffed at a patch of grass marked with lion scent. Though the rain had washed it somewhat, the scent remained sharp and pungent.

Hesitant, the cub stopped in his tracks, shook his paw, and hesitated before deciding to skirt around the grass pile, swaying as he caught up.

With too little meat left from the last antelope, Qiao Qixi boldly set his sights on a herd of wildebeests. It wasn't an ideal choice, but a large wildebeest could feed his six-member family for an entire day.

Hunting a wildebeest was risky for a three-year-old male lion, with less than a 20% chance of success. But Qiao Qixi was no ordinary lion—he was a cheater with thirty years of seal-hunting experience (somewhat exaggerated) and human cunning.

He wasn't aiming for a healthy wildebeest; his target was one of the old, weak, or injured members of the herd.

From a distance, Qiao Qixi eyed the group, thinking, That's all meat.

As a father, his resolve grew stronger. No longer was he the lazy lion who could survive on one boar for two days.

Now, he was burdened with responsibility and fueled by determination.

Failure was still a possibility, though.

Lions don't have great stamina, meaning few opportunities to retry. Qiao Qixi needed to observe carefully, lying in wait like a patient predator stalking a beluga in the Arctic.

He suppressed his presence, lowering his profile as he watched the wildebeest herd from a distance.

The process was agonizingly slow, sometimes taking half an hour, sometimes several hours.

An inexperienced lion might lack the patience, but Qiao Qixi's extensive hunting experience likely surpassed that of some lions over three lifetimes.

"Cheater" was an understatement.

As he crouched stealthily in the grass, Doughball did the same in his own spot nearby.

The cub had never accompanied a lioness on a hunt before, making this his first time witnessing one firsthand.

Whether or not he was nervous was hard to tell.

Doughball stayed completely silent, alternating his gaze between the distant wildebeest herd and the big lion nearby.

Maybe I could get a little closer...

The white lion raised his hindquarters and crept forward about half a meter before stopping cautiously.

Qiao Qixi glanced back at him, his half-lidded golden eyes carrying a faint warning.

Stay put.

In the savanna, no lioness would ever take a cub this young on a hunt.

Mischievous cubs could disrupt the hunt or even get injured.

Qiao Qixi had no choice in this case.

The wildebeest herd grazed peacefully, unaware of the predator watching them. One member of the group seemed especially absent-minded as it slowly wandered away from the others.

Qiao Qixi immediately zoned in on it. Before moving, he glanced back at Doughball, his expression saying, Stay here. I'll go catch a wildebeest for you.

Doughball didn't move. His blue eyes tracked the lion's every move.

The adult lion's muscles tensed as he advanced silently, placing his paws with deliberate care to approach the lone wildebeest from the right angle.

Qiao Qixi had to ensure that when he launched his attack, the wildebeest would flee along the path he anticipated—away from the herd.

If the wildebeest bolted back toward the group, the hunt would be over.

Predicting an animal's escape route is no simple feat; even humans haven't fully studied this subject.

But Qiao Qixi was an expert.

His stealth was unparalleled. If he could stay hidden in the open, barren Arctic, the obstacle-filled savanna was practically a cakewalk.

He crept to a position slightly behind and to the side of the wildebeest, deeming it ideal.

After what felt like an eternity of watching and waiting, the perfect moment arrived.

A yellow blur streaked forward like an arrow.

The first strike wasn't meant to kill but to force the wildebeest onto a predetermined path, cutting off its retreat to the herd.

If the animal didn't flee as anticipated, the hunt would end there.

Luckily, Qiao Qixi's instincts were spot on. His strategy worked, earning him the time he needed for a second strike—this time aiming directly for the wildebeest's throat.

The lion's powerful jaws clamped onto the prey's neck, his muscular forelegs locking around it. Before the wildebeest could retaliate, he gave a ferocious shake of his head.

His formidable bite strength, combined with his thick, strong neck, tore through the animal's throat in an instant.

Warm blood gushed forth.

Unlike most lions, who might cling stubbornly to their prey and risk injury, Qiao Qixi immediately adjusted his tactics.

He understood that creating an illusion of escape could discourage counterattacks while conserving his energy and avoiding unnecessary harm.

The wildebeest, having suffered a devastating throat injury, was at its limit.

Qiao Qixi swiftly finished it off.

The distant herd likely realized what had happened, but their fallen comrade's weakening cries kept them at bay.

Many savanna lions dawdle after a kill, engaging in what might be considered a pre-meal ritual. Not Qiao Qixi—his heightened sense of danger wouldn't allow it.

Other lions may have their rituals, but Qiao Qixi's priority was efficiency.

With the matter settled Doughball emerged from the grass.

His blue eyes blinked as he stared at the victorious lion.

"...," Qiao Qixi huffed, still catching his breath from the fight. On his way past the cub, he mustered the strength to shoot him a look, signaling him to follow.

The clever cub trailed after him, staying close while constantly glancing back and perking his ears to monitor their surroundings.

Suddenly, Doughball seemed to hear something unsettling and, in a moment of panic, moved closer to Qiao Qixi's heels.

By then, the gap between them had almost disappeared.

Meanwhile, the Arm Brothers seemed to notice a rogue lion trespassing in their territory—a blatant provocation.

The older brother, Armstrong, the more composed of the two, let out an earth-shaking roar and headed out to investigate.

A lion's roar can echo for up to five miles, and this one was deafening.

Though not overly concerned, Qiao Qixi still opted for caution, weaving through a more indirect route.

Armstrong, the dominant male lion, arrived at the scene to find nothing but quiet.

The lingering scent of the rogue lion was faint, not threatening enough to spark his full wrath.

Still, he roared a few more times in the direction of the intruder's departure—a warning not to return.

This formidable lion began patrolling his territory, marking its boundaries with urine and asserting his dominance with more roars.

Armstrong's decision not to pursue was undoubtedly good news for Qiao Qixi's little family.

The den was eerily quiet. Before Qiao Qixi returned, the four cubs—who had once brushed shoulders with death—stayed hidden inside, too frightened to venture out.

When they finally heard noises outside, their ears perked up, recognizing the familiar sound of the lion. The atmosphere immediately relaxed, even showing a hint of excitement.

They tentatively emerged, letting out soft, kitten-like calls, much like children awaiting their mother's return.

Despite his exhaustion, these tender sounds melted Qiao Qixi's heart. He set the prey down and flopped to the ground, panting for breath.

Doughball lagged behind a bit, but by the time he arrived, all the cubs had their eyes fixed on him.

The scene was oddly touching for Qiao Qixi, making him think that from now on, Doughball might hold a special place among his brothers.

After catching his breath, Qiao Qixi began eating. He hadn't eaten his fill earlier and was now ravenous.

The cubs, having eaten earlier, were a bit hungry but didn't rush forward. Instead, they simply watched in silence.

Only Doughball walked over and began eating next to Qiao Qixi, much to the surprise of the other cubs.

The wildebeest's hide was tough, so to help the cubs, Qiao Qixi tore off pieces of meat and handed them to Doughball.

This was his reward.

Doughball had proven himself today, impressing Qiao Qixi and earning his favor.

Having never experienced anything close to indulgence, this act of kindness might have been overwhelming for Doughball.

The atmosphere during the meal was relaxed, and the other cubs finally let down their guard.

They started playing nearby.

It began with harmless nudges—a paw to the head here, a tail poke there—but soon escalated into playful wrestling.

This kind of roughhousing was common for adolescent lions.

Watching them frolic filled Qiao Qixi with contentment, making his meal even more enjoyable. Before he knew it, he'd devoured half the wildebeest.

Tired from playing, the cubs sheepishly approached the prey. Seeing Qiao Qixi's silent approval, they gathered around the wildebeest and feasted heartily.

This would be their last meal of the day.

The lions ate their fill, consuming enough to sustain them for the next dozen hours or so.

No exaggeration—Qiao Qixi's household had a decent meal plan. If this pace continued, the cubs were bound to grow quickly.

But there was no denying the toll 'hunting twice daily' took on Qiao Qixi. He was so drained that even lifting his tail felt like a chore.

Eh, maybe I can delay burying the remains for a bit.

Despite his exhaustion, he still found the energy to groom the cubs.

The first victim was Doughball, who was within easy reach. When Qiao Qixi gave the cub a firm lick across the face, Doughball froze in place, his entire body stiffening.

... It was as if he couldn't believe it.

At nine months old, the cubs could already clean their own fur after meals.

Lionesses rarely groom cubs at this age—not because they didn't care, but because there were too many cubs to manage.

But as a first-time parent, Qiao Qixi cherished the opportunity. His movements were efficient, quickly cleaning Doughball's face and mouth.

For any animal, grooming is one of the most direct and affectionate gestures.

Doughball clearly understood the lion's tenderness. Perhaps it left him feeling overwhelmed and a bit at a loss.

The scrawny cub stayed perfectly still, lifting his slender neck as his beautiful blue eyes shifted from startled to content, eventually narrowing in satisfaction.

Evidently, this act of care brought him immense comfort and security.

It meant he was no longer a homeless cub, adrift in the wilderness.

By accepting Qiao Qixi's comfort and food, Doughball had found his new home—wherever this lion might be, that was home.

Unless, of course, Qiao Qixi ever drove him away.

The other cubs stopped licking their paws and looked on, eyes filled with longing.

Perhaps they, too, yearned for affection, but they couldn't bring themselves to believe a strange lion would provide it.

How could that be possible?

Fear ultimately outweighed their desire.

None of the cubs dared approach, though their shy, curious glances betrayed their interest.

Even while roughhousing with one another, they couldn't help but steal glances at Qiao Qixi, their feelings toward him a complex mix.

Doughball's feelings might have been just as complicated. But he craved warmth he'd never known, enough to follow Qiao Qixi even in his weakened state.

One by one, the large lions who'd once protected them had left, never to return.

How could such memories not leave lasting scars?

Eventually, Qiao Qixi mustered the energy to dispose of the carcass. Returning to the den, now rid of the burden, he collapsed into sleep.

Initially, a small white fluffball crept over, curling up beside him.

Then came a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth...

The entire group of cubs snuggled close to Qiao Qixi, finally able to sleep soundly.

When Qiao Qixi awoke, he found himself surrounded by a ring of fluffy bodies. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Still, he relished the sight and decided to take full advantage by licking each cub's head one by one.

What a win.

In their sleep, the cubs instinctively nuzzled against the lion grooming them.

Which one is this?

Qiao Qixi observed carefully. Ah, it was Chengfeng—the second cub, a strikingly handsome lion.

Daiyuan and Xiaoban were sound asleep, unfazed by the grooming.

Zidian, the third cub, was surprisingly alert. He woke up after a single lick and even seemed ready to move away...

But ultimately, he just turned his head, signaling a clear refusal.

Qiao Qixi didn't push it. After all, forcing affection wouldn't endear anyone.

When he finished, only Doughball remained untouched. He was the closest, his head resting almost on Qiao Qixi's paw, his delicate neck fully exposed under the lion's watchful eye.

Qiao Qixi gently licked the white lion, who woke but didn't open his eyes. Instead, he slowly stretched out, revealing his chest and belly.

It was an unspoken gesture of trust.

Or perhaps, it was a desperate gamble—offering vulnerability in exchange for care he didn't dare hope for.

Qiao Qixi didn't betray that trust. He carefully adjusted his tongue to avoid scratching Doughball's skin beneath his soft fur.

The seemingly timid fifth cub once again made a bold move, nestling himself entirely between Qiao Qixi's paws.

Though his blue eyes gazed elsewhere, his focus was wholly on the lion's gentle grooming.

It was so soothing that he drifted back to sleep.

As it turned out, sleeping together really was the fastest way to build bonds.

When the cubs woke up, they continued to huddle close to Qiao Qixi, yawning lazily. They seemed to enjoy the cozy pile they'd formed.

This was natural. Lion cubs were inherently cuddly creatures. The difference lay in whether their parents indulged them.

The African savanna, however, didn't care for sentimentality.

Cuddling had no future; only fangs and claws would ensure survival.

But Qiao Qixi was perhaps a special kind of parent. While he allowed the cubs to be affectionate, he also wouldn't let them neglect honing their survival skills.

From today onward, all the cubs would accompany him on his outings.

As Qiao Qixi stretched and got up, the cubs that had been dozing beside him began to stir.

Their sleepy faces, one after another, seemed worlds away from the fierce, powerful lions they would one day become.

When Qiao Qixi started walking in a certain direction, Doughball was the first to follow, quickly joined by the others.

This was the trust built through shared sleep.

Thus, an adolescent lion, now with a makeshift family in tow, embarked on a unique journey of survival in the savanna.

Leisurely leading the way, Qiao Qixi thought, They say third time's the charm. I really can't keep stealing from the Arm Brothers—I'll get pummeled.

To be safe, he decided to venture further afield in search of new hunting grounds.

Using his keen sense of smell, he avoided dangerous areas and scouted for suitable locations.

Survival in the cracks of the savanna—that was their reality.

Having left their den of two weeks, Qiao Qixi didn't plan to return. The area was saturated with their scent, and the Arm Brothers would inevitably come looking.

Sure enough, not long after the group left, Armstrong—the more vigilant of the two brothers—discovered their now-empty den while patrolling his territory.