Chapter 322: Strange Events and the World Beyond the Forest

Wu Yue lowered her head to look at the calm-faced beastman warrior, her heart filled with great sorrow.

That familiar face was actually Shi Lin!

That honest beastman warrior who had traded meat for staunching grass and even made her a bathtub and water bucket!

Her voice was a little hoarse: "Let me take a look."

The female loosened her grip on her hand and placed Shi Lin's head on her own thigh.

Wu Yue stepped forward, probed his nostrils with her finger, and indeed there was no breath.

Silence spread instantly among the tribespeople; no one expected that in just one night, a beastman warrior would lose his life.

The female's stifled cries sounded again, and Wu Yue also felt heartbroken.

"Host, I think the urgent priority is to first save Shi Lin, then talk; if we wait any longer we'll really have to go see the Beast God."

Tongzi's voice suddenly sounded, startling the sorrowful Wu Yue awake.

Raising her head to look at Shi Lin, who still had no breath, Wu Yue said: "You said there was no elixir capable of raising the dead, right?"

Tongzi scratched his head: "Nobody would have an elixir that raises the dead, but Shi Lin isn't dead; you just can't sense his breath now, but he does have a heartbeat."

While saying that, he quietly retracted the small meaty paw that had accidentally stepped on the beastman's chest and gotten bloody.

Wu Yue immediately bent over, condensing a speck of shamanic power in her palm and pressing it onto Shi Lin's blood-soaked chest.

Then she held her breath and focused, quietly sensing the changes in the beastman's chest.

The middle-aged female was about to say something, but Yuan Lang standing beside her stopped her, shaking his head.

Time passed second by second; just as Wu Yue was about to give up, a faint throbbing suddenly appeared under her palm on the beastman's chest, and because of the shamanic sense, her perception was crystal clear, and she couldn't help feeling overjoyed.

Amid the astonished gazes of everyone, she sat up, her entire palm instantly wrapped in green shamanic power, and she pressed it directly onto Shi Lin's chest.

As the shamanic power flowed in, Yue could feel the beastman's heartbeat beneath her palm gradually growing stronger.

From beside, an excited female voice, even tinged with sobs, came: "My child has breath, he's come back to life... he's come back to life... waa..."

Wu Yue did not stop the shamanic treatment until she felt her internal shamanic power was about to run out, then she gradually eased off.

She reached out to test Shi Lin's breath; the beastman's weak but slow breath brushed her fingers, making her fingertip twitch involuntarily—this was the feeling of life returning.

She had rescued this beastman warrior who had shown her nothing but kindness.

She rose and looked toward the chief beside her: "Their condition is stable now; we should quickly carry them into the cave. I'll go brew some witch medicine for them."

The chief's chest rose and fell sharply; he must have been holding his breath just then as well.

Upon that thought, a hint of a smile appeared on his solemn face: "Go prepare the brewing of the witch medicine; I'll handle the rest."

Wu Yue went straight to the shaman's cave and gathered the needed herbs.

Just as she stepped out, she saw Yuan Lang and Teng Qian, among others, already having set up a simple stove, with the stone pot and water ready.

Wu Yue felt warm inside; the solemn expression she'd had due to the two beastman warriors' injuries also eased considerably.

First she put the herbs to boil, then she herself sat aside and entered a meditative state.

Meanwhile, Yuan Lang watched her and furrowed his brow.

Today's situation is clearly abnormal...

Two Beastfolk warriors from the Black Wolf Tribe, plus two Half-Beast warriors from the Snow Tiger Tribe, would already be considered formidable strength even in a small tribe.

Yet the battle that caused two deaths and two injuries among them went unnoticed by the patrolling tribespeople?

Not to mention the tribespeople living far from the altar in those caves, even those dwelling near the altar noticed nothing at all?

What kind of strength could it be that prevented even two beastman warriors from having time to call for their tribespeople?

He couldn't help clenching his fists, a hint of resolve appearing in his gaze toward Wu Yue.

Just then, Wu Yue suddenly opened her eyes, looking deep into the beastman's eyes.

She looked away somewhat unnaturally: "What's wrong?"

Yuan Lang lowered his brows, concealing the expression in his eyes: "Nothing, just thinking about today's events, a bit unexpected."

Wu Yue pressed her lips: "I don't even know how Ye Duo is doing."

Today on the clearing, Ye Duo's father A Mu wept until his intestines felt torn apart, overcome with grief.

Even though Wu Yue usually didn't associate with them because of Ye Duo, seeing them look as if they'd aged decades in an instant, she couldn't help feeling a pang of sorrow.

Just then, the chief's voice came from beside: "Wu Yue, after you finish brewing the witch medicine, leave the rest to them; you and Yuan Lang will later accompany me to the altar."

Wu Yue looked behind him and saw Shi Lin and the A Mu of another beastman warrior; she immediately nodded: "That's certainly best; with A Mu caring for them, I believe they'll recover faster."

The two females, hearing this, couldn't help but break into grateful smiles.

Today, if it weren't for Wu Yue, their children would have already gone to see the Beast God.

The two stone pots had already begun to exude a rich bitter aroma; Wu Yue, her expression normal, lifted the large leaves on the stone pots, and the shamanic power in her hand fell into the pots like a blob of water.

The inherent bitterness instantly dissipated, followed by a faint fresh scent spreading out.

Everyone was still seeing the making of witch medicine for the first time, and they couldn't help but be shocked by this miraculous scene.

She handed each of them a stone bowl, instructing: "The witch medicine is already brewed; this amount is for two doses. Give them one now, another at noon, and I'll brew the afternoon dose when I return."

The two females solemnly nodded: "Okay."

"Leave it to them; let's go."

The chief's expression was not good; the two said little, merely following silently behind him.

Upon reaching the clearing before the altar, many beastfolk and beastman warriors were already waiting there.

Upon seeing the chief and Wu Yue, they all greeted in unison.

The chief's face darkened as he looked at the crowd: "Everyone has seen today's events; a strange beastman invaded our tribe and nearly killed our two beastman warriors."

"But we, who have always considered ourselves strong, detected nothing at all."

As the chief's words fell, the beastfolk and beastman warriors couldn't help but lower their heads in shame.

"So from today onward, every patrol squad will have two additional beastman warriors."

After saying that, he looked toward Bai Qi who stood at the front of the beastfolk: "Bai Qi, later assign the patrol duties."

Bai Qi solemnly nodded: "En."

"The patrol teams and hunting squads within the territory should pay attention to finding Ye Duo's traces; if there is any news, promptly send word back; if..."

He let out a heavy breath: "If Ye Duo has been summoned by the Beast God, then bring her body back."

After hearing that, the beastfolk and half-beast warriors fell silent for a moment, then all responded in agreement.

After making the arrangements, the clan chief let the beastfolk and half-beast warriors disperse.

Turning his head to look at Wu Yue beside him, he revealed a bitter smile: "Wu Yue, your shaman identity has been exposed; this is very dangerous for you."

"Is the clan chief worried that the other three tribes will come to kill me?"

Wu Yue said calmly.

Such a thing is quite normal; no tribe would want a much stronger tribe to appear nearby, as that represents danger.

"It is an existence more dangerous than they are."

An old voice suddenly came from behind; Wu Yue, the clan chief, and Yuan Lang turned their heads upon hearing it, and it turned out to be the shaman.

The shaman glanced at them, then walked straight to the altar and sat down on the first step.

"You little brats only know the Polar Forest, but you don't realize that our Polar Forest is merely a tiny part of the Spirit Net Continent."

He looked up at the sky: "Beyond the Polar Forest, we already know of several existences like our Polar Forest, and there are very strong tribes there."

Our four tribes have been in contact with them since long ago.

He turned his head to look at Yuan Lang: "When you went out to exchange salt earlier, you must have passed through those tribes and territories, right?"

Yuan Lang pressed his lips, then nodded: "En."

The shaman sneered: "You only know that those tribes don't give trouble to you salt‑exchangers, but you don't know what our Polar Forest has sacrificed each year to ensure the safety of the salt‑exchanging people."

Yuan Lang's deep eyes looked at the shaman: "Is it the ferocious beast crystal core?"

The shaman gave him an approving look: "That's right; we must offer a certain quantity of ferocious beast crystal cores to them, so they can guarantee not to plunder or kill you."

However, a few days ago the chief of the Flying Hawk Tribe brought news that this time they have increased the tribute again.

So Yue...

His aged face was full of solemnity: "Those who most want to kill you are not the tribes within the Polar Forest, but these tribes outside the forest; they are no longer satisfied with merely exchanging ferocious beast crystal cores from us."

The sheer amount of information in the shaman's words almost shocked Wu Yue; after a long while, just as she was feeling relieved that as a member of the Snow Tiger Tribe, one of the four great tribes of the Polar Forest, no one dared to provoke them, she never expected that they had already been targeted.

She always felt that the relations among the four great tribes in the Polar Forest were too harmonious, never expecting that this pattern of harmony was actually brought about by the threat from tribes outside the forest.

Suddenly, she seemed to think of something, her gaze uneasy as she looked at the shaman: "Shaman, do ferocious beasts live only in the Polar Forest?"

Just as she expected the shaman to shake his head, she saw him solemnly nod: "Yes."

Damn!!!

Wu Yue at this moment practically wanted to die on the spot!

The ferocious beast crystal cores that can help beastfolk warriors temper their bodies exist only in the Polar Forest?

"How do the beastfolk warriors of the tribes outside the forest advance?"

The clan chief beside them, with some trembling in his facial muscles, said: "Using shamanic medicine."

Shamanic medicine?

Wu Yue and Yuan Lang's expressions involuntarily brightened: "Can't our beastfolk warriors use shamanic medicine?"

The clan chief gave a bitter smile: "If advancing with shamanic medicine were that easy to succeed, why would these tribes still have us offer ferocious beast crystal cores as tribute?"

He looked at the two youngsters: "Advancing via shamanic medicine is extremely painful and highly dangerous; even if five out of ten beastfolk warriors succeed in advancing, that would already be a high success rate. You... understand?"

The two of them froze upon hearing that...

So you're saying that the beastfolk warriors of the outside tribes advance purely by relying on numbers?

"I will inform the tribe members to keep your shaman identity confidential; as for the other three tribes, besides their shamans, we will also continue to keep it secret."

"Now the ambitions of these outside forest tribes are gradually revealing themselves; we must definitely prepare for battle."

The clan chief said solemnly.

Wu Yue nodded: "I understand; I will also be careful when treating from now on."

After bidding farewell to the shaman and the clan chief, Wu Yue and Yuan Lang then set out again toward the outside of the tribe.

"If we cannot return before the rainy season this time, you must be more careful on your own in the tribe."

Yuan Lang spoke with a solemn gaze.

Wu Yue nodded: "Don't worry, I have more than just the methods you know."

Actually, today's events also gave Wu Yue a warning.

Ye Duo went missing; the two half‑beast warriors almost lost their lives, and if it hadn't been for the tribespeople discovered by the patrol, they would likely have already died.

Thus, even with patrolling beastfolk warriors, their own defenses cannot be relaxed.

"So, host, you must train diligently; once you become as powerful a shaman as the Xuehu Wu, these people will have to detour when they see you."

Upon hearing that, Wu Yue's eyes narrowed instantly: "Do you know who the people sneaking into the tribe are?"

Tongzi paused: "It's too far away; I'm not entirely clear either, but I can sense that when they fight, there is a very obvious shamanic power fluctuation."

Wu Yue's steps halted, her heart shocked: "Shamanic power fluctuation!"

Tongzi scratched his own foot: "These people probably came while the Xuehu Wu was absent; that shamanic power fluctuation is only slightly lower than that of the Xuehu Wu."

But compared to you, it is far too strong, so you cannot perceive him.

Wu Yue's hands clenched suddenly; first the poisonous insects, then coming to the Snow Tiger Tribe to kill—these outside forest tribes are truly loathsome.

Yuan Lang's low, magnetic voice sounded again: "Although the shaman said the tribes within the Polar Forest won't do anything to you, but..."

He stopped his steps, his deep eyes looking at her: "We are people who have experienced a world more complicated than this; we should understand that as long as there is desire, traitors of this sort exist at any time."

Wu Yue nodded: "Are you suspecting the Black Wolf Tribe? Because of those two corpses of Black Wolf Tribe members?"

Yuan Lang nodded: "Don't trust them too much; you must keep some reservations, like your Shaman power level."

Wu Yue looked at the Beastfolk beside her, a question suddenly sprang to mind, and she directly asked: "What about you?"

Yuan Lang stopped walking, his dark brows slightly raised, his handsome, upright face full of arrogance: "Naturally, I am the person you should trust most."

Looking at his expression, Wu Yue pursed her lips and said: "Then you must really stay alive this time when you go out, and also become very strong."

From now on, you will be my shield; if this shield of yours is broken, then this mage of mine will be in danger.

Yuan Lang laughed and looked at her: "What is a mage again?"

Wu Yue had a hint of green Shaman power appear between her hands: "In our place, someone like me is called a mage, pretty damn awesome."

Yuan Lang burst into loud laughter: "With my shield around, you, as a mage, won't have any chance to act."