Chapter 65: Took a Little Follower Back to the Tribe

Ying said nothing, only pressing his lips tight. Hearing Nan Qinghuan's words made his heart ache; he did not want other males getting close to Huaner, but he also knew Huaner wanted to live in a house, not a damp Cave. If he wanted to keep her, he had to give her the life she wanted.

He finally realized that what he could give her was too little—beast meat, a large Cave—none of these were what Huaner wanted.

After thinking it over, Ying turned to look at Youchao Xuan. He finally let out a breath. "Xuan, you may come to the Tribe, but you cannot stay by Huaner's side. She is my female, so you must keep your distance from her, otherwise..."

Ying did not finish his words, but Xuan of course understood what Ying meant. He smiled and looked at Ying. He had long heard that Ying had obtained a White-skinned Female and treasured her like a gem; seeing it today, it was indeed true.

He did not answer Ying's words, but quickly stepped forward and made a respectful gesture toward Nan Qinghuan. "The Goddess is sacred and inviolable. Xuan understands. Xuan only wishes to follow the Goddess and, together with the Goddess, realize the ancestors' wish."

Seeing Nan Qinghuan remain silent, Xuan knelt down again and pleaded, "I beg the Goddess to take Xuan in. Xuan not only can build houses, but can also find the Spirit of the Earth according to the Heavenly Book, seeking new life for the Tribe."

Hearing this, Nan Qinghuan grew even more interested. "The Spirit of the Earth? What is that?"

Xuan, however, raised his eyes to look at the sky. The sky was clear blue and the breeze was warm. He seemed to be envisioning the future. "According to the Heavenly Book, it is a treasure as white as snow."

"White as snow?"

It had to be said that this trip to Otherworld not only broadened Nan Qinghuan's horizons, but also taught a lesson to that deceitful Heavenly Maiden, and conveniently let her take in a little follower who could build houses.

When they were ready to leave, the tribespeople all thanked her one after another, begging her to come to Otherworld again next time. Many tribespeople who had been deceived by the Heavenly Maiden were even willing to give her their Beast Skins and fruits. This made Dashan extremely happy, and he and Xiao Guai accepted everything without refusal. Soon, the basket on Xiao Guai's back could hold no more.

That basket was not something the Tribe originally had. Nan Qinghuan had gone and asked Axi to find people to weave it from bamboo, and she resolutely became a little inventor.

"Please stop giving us things. Keep these for yourselves to eat. I know everyone is not doing well. If you have any difficulties in the future, come find me at the Ying Tribe. I, Nan Qinghuan, will definitely help everyone."

"Long live the Goddess, long live!"

Many people knelt down to her, which Nan Qinghuan could not accept. She hurriedly had Dashan and Xuan make them stand up. Xuan, however, waved his hand and looked at her with respect. "The Goddess deserves the reverence of the tribespeople. Goddess, do you know how long I have waited here for you?"

"Waited for me?"

On this side, the tribespeople of various Tribes were all seeing Nan Qinghuan and her group off. Not far away, in the jungle where the forest was dense, a Beastman stood atop the tallest pine tree. That Beastman was flapping his wings, taking in everything in Otherworld with his eyes.

Half his face was painted with a white Totem, and his pair of eyes were sharp and ruthless. His whole person made people afraid to approach.

"Heh..."

He gave a light laugh, flapped his wings, and flew down from the tree. Beneath the thicket, the Heavenly Maiden knelt on the ground, trembling. "Please, Chief, do me justice. That female called Nan Qinghuan destroyed the Scepter in front of all the tribespeople. Now no one believes me anymore. Chief, please help me."

Rongdi saw the female who had been beaten black and blue, gave a cold laugh, walked to the side, and sat down. He downed a bowl of Fruit Wine in one gulp and wiped his mouth. "Useless thing."

"Chief, you..."

Ana had not expected the Chief to reproach her. What was going on? In Rongdi's mind, he thought of that petite female from that day. The thing in her hand had nearly blinded him. He had to settle this score with her.

"That female—don't let her small stature fool you. When it comes to dealing with people, she's fiercer than a strongman. Ana, you underestimated the enemy too much. No wonder."

Hearing this, Ana did not quite understand. How could the Chief be praising that female? Could it be that he had met Nan Qinghuan? "Chief, I don't know what that female's background is. She actually made Xuan kneel to her, and Xuan even wants to go with her to the Ying Tribe. Back then, we invited Xuan so many times and he was never willing to come live with us in the Na Shan Tribe. How..."

"You call yourself the Heavenly Maiden, yet have you never heard of an ancient prophecy?"

"A prophecy?"

Rongdi raised his head. His skin was dark but very healthy. He had a pair of sharp, large eyes and a high, prominent nose. His whole person gave off a fierce, keep-away vibe. On his back was a pair of enormous wings—his treasure for survival, and also his weapon in battle.

He was a Beastman, and also the Clan Leader of the Rongdi Tribe. He was the king of this forest, leading Beastmen in campaigns across all directions. He had powerful ambitions; he wanted to unify all the Tribes and become the master of this land.

"As the Heavenly Book says: at the dawn of Otherworld, seven-colored aurora shall appear across the earth, and a Goddess shall descend. The Goddess fears no fire, possesses a special pair of snake eyes that can awe all snakes, and she can also unify the Tribes to achieve hegemony."

"What?"

Ana suddenly thought of the time she had Summoned venomous snakes to kill Ying and that female. Those snakes had fled at the sight of that female. Could it be... "That White-skinned Female is truly the Goddess?"

"Ana, no one knows better than you whether gods exist in this world. A female who came from the Ape Tribe could not possibly do all of this."

Even though that White-skinned Female was indeed very beautiful, she could not have done those things. Only a male could—unless she was the Goddess.

At the thought of such a beautiful female being intimate with Ying every day, he felt quite displeased. It was just like failing to conquer the prey he wanted to seize—his heart was always uncomfortable.

"Chief, that female has done many things in the Ying Tribe. She taught the tribespeople to build wooden bridges, taught them to make sauces, and even had everyone eat cooked food. The people of the Ying Tribe are all grateful to her. Now no one eats raw meat anymore."

"They don't eat raw meat? What do they eat?"

"Roasted Meat. Nan Qinghuan also taught the tribespeople to make sauces, and she can even make wine. All of this was reported back by my people who went to gather information."

"Wine? Impossible. She couldn't possibly know how to make wine. Among the nearby Tribes, only my Na Shan Tribe has fine wine."

"It's true. Chief, if you don't believe it, you can fly to the Ying Tribe and see for yourself, and then you'll know whether what I say is true."

Rongdi clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. His gaze turned toward the distant Ying Tribe as he softly chewed on a name, as if wanting to swallow her into his belly. "Nan Qinghuan."

Dusk hung low, and a bright moon hung high among the clouds.

Inside the Cave, the Bonfire was low. Nan Qinghuan was lighting candles when she suddenly felt uncomfortable and sneezed. What the heck—who was talking about her? After the candles were lit, the Cave was tidied up too. The faint glow of candlelight illuminated the interior. There were wildflowers gathered from the outdoors. She took a deep breath and looked with satisfaction at the Cave she had arranged. This Cave finally felt like home.

They had brought many useful things from the Market street, and she had already had Xuan and Dashan distribute them to the tribespeople for use. Only the flax she kept, waiting for when the third tier of the Plane Mall opened—then she could request a loom to make linen cloth, and later make clothes for the tribespeople. But the most urgent matter at hand was her plan to have Xuan go find the Salt Mine.

She had thought it through. Simple cooking utensils could make do for now, but the people of this Tribe could not go without Salt. Although salt leaves could serve as a substitute, there were many people in the Tribe and the leaves would be eaten bare. She had gone to look today, and she had to admit that the women of the Tribe were truly capable—so many salt leaves had been picked clean, and the trees were bare and somewhat desolate. Eating salt leaves was not a long-term solution, so... "Cluck cluck cluck..."