Zombie Marvel? Luckily, I'm Superman!

(Xingzhen isn't the female lead, nor is Pao.)

Seeing Xing's expression of utter disbelief, Pao understood that the elders' unfounded speculations and requests not only made Xing angry and embarrassed, but more importantly, it was clearly irrational to make such rash assumptions about an existence whose level of ability was incomprehensible.

On the other hand, Pao could understand the elders' feelings. The three elders were all from the same era as the late chieftain Takunmo. They had witnessed firsthand the entire process of the tribe's rise from prosperity to its current near extinction. Their anxiety about the continuation of the race was real, and their intentions were good, but somewhat extreme.

Pao sighed inwardly, a deep sense of powerlessness washing over her. She knew she wasn't suited to be the clan leader; she'd known this since she was chosen as the successor and began her education and training. She longed for a peaceful, simple life, enjoying studying plants or gazing at the sea with Xing.

She had considered stepping down, but unfortunately, she had no children, and the leadership of the Qi Yuan tribe was inherited. After Takunmo and his parents disappeared unexpectedly, she was forced into the position. It was precisely because of her mild-mannered personality, lack of decisiveness, and insufficient experience that most important decisions within the tribe fell into the hands of the three elders, led by Su, after she took office.

She now acts more like a mascot, with little say and virtually no decision-making power.

"Sigh..." Pao gazed at the horizon and sighed silently once more. She was at a loss as to what to do.

"All of this is ultimately for the continuation of our Qi Yuan clan's bloodline." A deep, resonant voice came from the distance on the beach.

Pao and Xing turned their heads at the same time and saw three figures walking towards them with canes, walking with some difficulty. They were the three elders they had just been talking about: Su, Yan, and Li.

Upon seeing them, Xing's brows furrowed immediately, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her face betrayed her annoyance. She hadn't liked these three old fogies before; they had offered numerous regressive suggestions and decisions during the game. After they urged Pao to ask her for help from Lin Yi, Xing grew even more annoyed with them.

Pao's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding rose within him.

"Three elders," Pao suppressed his unease and took two steps forward, "what brings you here?"

The three elders share similar physical characteristics: black hair and black tails, which is the most common and numerous color among the Qi Yuan tribe.

However, compared to young salamanders like Bubble and Star, the three older salamanders had much drier and sparser hair, and the huge salamander tail that was the symbol of their species behind them was also wrinkled.

Elder Su, who was leading the group, stopped and planted his cane in the sand. He first gave Bubble a stern look before speaking, "Isn't it all because of you! How long has it been since I told you what to do? Not a single word!"

As he spoke, he forcefully poked the sand twice, looking utterly disappointed.

After finishing speaking about Pao, Su instantly toned down his stern expression, turned to Xing Shi, and forced a seemingly amiable smile: "Xing, we had no choice. That matter... what have you thought about? It's not that we old folks are pressuring you, it's just that the Qi Yuan Clan really can't wait any longer!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Elder Yan immediately chimed in, "That's right, Xing! You and Pao, you young people of your generation, have reached the prime age for reproduction. But look at us, how many years has it been since our Qi Yuan clan has heard the sound of new life?"

The third elder pressed on: "Xing, we know the clan rules are strict, especially regarding... well, the purity of bloodlines and... well, the taboo of associating with outsiders. But rules are rules, and if, I mean if... if Mr. Lin Yi is really willing to help us..." He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over Xing, "We old folks aren't incapable of making an exception. Don't worry, we know about your relationship with him and won't stop you from making your choice."

Xing's mouth gaped slightly. What did he mean by that? Was he implying that he suspected her and Lin Yi of having an affair? The three of them, one after another, wove together a huge accusation, trying to pin it on their heads from afar?

Her little face gradually turned red, then turned pale with anger, and her big, star-blue tail slammed uncontrollably against the beach, making muffled thuds.

"Three elders! What nonsense are you spouting?!" Xing's voice rose in agitation. "You are insulting me! You are angering that being! How could you utter such words? It's absurd! Absolutely absurd!"

Faced with Xing's anger, the three elders showed no change in expression. Su even had an "I understand you're young and shy" look on his face and continued to add fuel to the fire: "I know, I know, you're still young, you're shy, and you're embarrassed to mention this."

"..." Xing was going crazy. She couldn't understand it. All she wanted to do now was slap her big tail hard on the heads of these three elders!

Pao, sensing the increasingly tense atmosphere, quickly stepped forward to try and smooth things over: "Three elders, you've really misunderstood. Things aren't at all what you think. I don't think we should speculate on such things. What if that being finds out and angers him?"

The three elders were unconcerned. Su curled his lip and said, "What's there to be afraid of? There's still Xing in the middle, isn't there? Besides, half a year has passed, and that person hasn't appeared again. I actually hope he will appear, so we can talk face-to-face about how to help our Qi Yuan clan get through this..."

hum!

A sudden buzzing sound of flashing energy interrupted Su's words, and an orange square portal suddenly appeared beside them.

In an instant, the atmosphere changed.

Xing reacted the fastest. The instant the portal appeared, her pupils contracted to a vertical slit, her entire body tensed, and she drew a jet-black dagger from her waist with her left hand. At the same time, she grabbed Pao's salamander claw with her right hand and pulled it behind her. Pao didn't know what was happening, and she didn't have much fighting power, so she could only hold Xing's hand tightly.

Although the three elders were old, they were experienced and reacted instantly, changing their stance. The three of them formed a defensive triangle, their cloudy eyes fixed on the suddenly appearing door.

"Xing, I have something to ask you, about..." Lin Yi said as he stepped out of the portal, but stopped before he could finish his sentence.

His gaze swept across the area. There were three old salamanders, Xing, and a young salamander he didn't recognize.

What does this defensive stance mean? Does it mean it's going to fight itself?