Chapter 448

Kuma Tribe, Huo Teng Tribe

His scarlet eyes watched the rapidly approaching Kuma Tribe group; even if he could only block them for a moment, it would be enough to let the captain and the others widen the distance.

Kuma Tribe Beastman Warrior

"Do you want to resist the mighty Beastman Warriors of the Kuma Tribe?"

Envoy Beastman

Weak Beastman Warrior of Huo Teng Tribe

Kuma Tribe Beastman Warriors

The Beastman Warriors of the Kuma Tribe narrowed their eyes and nodded silently.

Our Captain

When the Kuma Tribe Beastman Warriors arrived before the wounded Huo Teng Tribe Beastman Warrior, it was only a few breaths.

Seeing several ferocious-looking Kuma Tribe Beastman Warriors grinning as they lunged at him, the Huo Teng Tribe Beastman Warrior did not flinch, extended his claws, his muscles tensed, and prepared to charge forward to buy his people even a single breath.

just interjection.

Just as he was about to charge forward, the animal skin around his waist seemed to be grabbed; he only jerked in place a few times, unable to move an inch.

Compared to his own unscathed state, it was instead the few Beastman Warriors of the Kuma Tribe who had just looked ferocious that screamed and collapsed onto the ground not far ahead.

Especially the Envoy Beastfolk who had just swung his claw to deliver a fatal blow—now his claw was drenched in blood, the intense pain twisting his face.

This... what happened?

etc.

A familiar voice sounded from behind; hearing it, the wounded Beastfolk trembled all over, incredulously turned his head, and saw that the tribesmen who had previously fled were now standing without exception behind him, looking at him with deep concern.

The Beastfolk's eyes nearly burst: "Captain, how could my life compare to the tribe's important affairs? How could you come back!"

He felt both moved and self-reproachful, mixed with utter helplessness.

If, because of saving me, the crystal cores they obtained this time all fell into the hands of the Kuma Tribe, he would be the sinner of the entire tribe.

Stout Beastman A Man

"We can't escape; with so many Golden Beastman Warriors they have, being captured is only a matter of time."

Polar Forest, Snow Tiger Tribe, little female shaman

Saying that, he raised his head and looked around.

Upon hearing that, the wounded Beastman Warrior looked around and discovered something different: a hazy ring of light encircled them, protecting them inside.

So the thing that just wounded the Kuma Tribe Beastman Warrior was this light ring?

Rourou, Wu Yue

At this point, they could only huddle inside, unable to do anything.

Hearing that, the Beastman Warriors stared, then their faces grew solemn; the standoff with the Kuma Tribe had finally arrived.

"Let's rest first, eat some mushrooms, then set things up around; it'll be safer."

Stout Beastman

Having something to do, they no longer dwelled on the desperate situation they faced, each tearing a mushroom from his own head and beginning to gnaw on it.

Envoy Beastman and his group

To them, though they had never personally touched this transparent thing, they had seen it many times—couldn't be more familiar.

Huaxia Shaman

Once, when they returned from hunting, they also saw behind the tent a ferocious beast that had been dead for a long time.

They used to think it was handled personally by the Huaxia Shaman, but now...

The intense pain in his claw and body told him that this thing possessed such great power, and he couldn't help but feel ever more fearful of the Huaxia Shaman he had seen a few times.

And the Kuma Tribe Beastman Warriors around them obviously recognized the barrier as well: "Captain, this isn't the great shaman of the Polar Forest..."

Before he could finish, the Envoy Beastfolk shot him a fierce glare.

Shaman Sirs

Great Shaman

Great Huaxia Shaman

His gaze shifted slightly and landed on the little female crouched on the ground, pouting as she drew circles; he had seen clearly that it was her throwing something that formed the barrier.

"Where did this barrier come from?"

The Envoy Beastfolk looked at the little female crouched on the ground, his tone deep.

Rourou, however, wasn't afraid of him at all; she merely lifted her eyelids lazily, gave a heavy snort, turned her little butt toward them, and kept drawing circles.

The sturdy Beastfolk walked to the edge of the barrier, looked at the Envoy Beastfolk's still-bleeding hand, his eyes flickered for a moment, then quickly returned to calm.

etc.

"Cut the nonsense; the captain asked you a question—just answer directly. Did you steal from the great shaman... uh!"

A Kuma Tribe Beastman Warrior stepped forward angrily, about to utter harsh words, but the next second his own captain punched him in the gut; he grunted in pain and shut his mouth.

After his doubtful gaze met his captain's fierce eyes, his throat rolled as he swallowed several mouthfuls of saliva, then he retreated to the back with sweat beading on his forehead.

What they didn't see was that when the sturdy Beastfolk heard the words "great shaman," his pupils contracted sharply and the fist at his side clenched instantly.

But the next second he returned to calm; only he himself knew the turmoil in his heart at that moment.

The Envoy Beastfolk gave the sturdy Beastfolk a sinister look: "Originally it was your tribe that followed us first; even if you die here after a few days, you deserve it; even with this barrier, it cannot protect you forever."

"Still, hurry up and hand over the crystal cores in your hands; I'll let you die more easily."

Lin River

The threat in his words could not be more obvious.

The sturdy Beastfolk gave a low chuckle: "Even if we only have a little time, we will persevere; if you have the ability, break through the barrier and catch us."

Speaking, he patted the protrusion on his chest: "The crystal core is right here."

After saying that, he seemed unwilling to waste more words with the Kuma tribe's Beastman Warriors, turned and walked over to sit beside the female Shaman, his long arms extending to embrace her before closing his eyes.

In order to return to their tribe before winter, they had barely rested along the way; now that they finally have the barrier's protection, they naturally need to make the most of the time to rest.

Burying his face in the female's neck, the burly Beastman's eyes suddenly opened: "Just now, the Kuma tribe's Beastman Warrior mentioned the great shaman when he saw this barrier."

His warm breath brushed the skin between her neck, making the female shrink her head slightly, but the next second she was drawn in by the Beastman's words.

Her round eyes shone amazingly: "You mean, the barrier you give me each month is from that great shaman of the Chinese tribe?"

The great shaman's arts—she, as a Shaman Disciple, though valued in the tribe due to her talent, still finds it extremely difficult to meet the great shaman.

Moreover...

She had never seen her own tribe's great shaman store his arts on a strange hide, nor had she ever seen it with the great shaman of their old rivals, the Kuma tribe.

Thinking this, the female Shaman's eyes shone amazingly; this would mean that the great shaman of the Chinese tribe is surely stronger than their own tribe's great shaman and the Kuma tribe's great shaman.

Taking several deep breaths, the female Shaman struggled to calm her wildly beating heart.

The burly Beastman grunted: "So we needn't doubt the barrier's strength; now we just need to wait..."

He didn't continue with the rest of his words, merely gazing toward the direction they had fled, a hint of hope flickering in his eyes.

After resting for a while, the sound of footsteps came from the direction where everyone had run; the Beastman Warriors of both tribes looked over, the Kuma tribe's people wearing triumphant smiles, while the Huo Teng tribe's folk looked rather grim.

The arrivals were precisely several shamans from the Kuma tribe and the Beastman Warriors left behind to protect them.

Looking at the Huo Teng tribe's Beastman Warriors protected within the barrier, the four shamans' faces were all grave.

Leaving some Beastman Warriors to guard them, they then withdrew a distance: "Let's find out exactly where their barrier comes from."

The messenger Beastman, while extending a hand to heal his own tribe's healing shaman, shook his head with a grim expression: "No, the Huo Teng tribe's lot aren't saying, but they went after us to the polar deep forest to hunt fierce beasts, very possibly also encountering that great shaman of the Chinese tribe."

Such a protective barrier has only been seen in the presence of that great shaman.

Upon hearing this, the four shamans grew ever heavier in heart; the methods and immense power of that great shaman of the Chinese tribe were things they had never seen even from their own great shaman, which is why they chose to curry favor after witnessing his abilities.

But now, the Huo Teng tribe, whom they have been chasing, possesses that great shaman's methods—could they have some connection with him?

This series of speculations made them feel utterly unwell.

"What's the point of thinking so much? It's just giving them a barrier; as long as we kill them all, that great shaman won't know."

Just then, the healing shaman gathered his power and suddenly spoke.

Everyone startled, all turning their heads to look at him.

Yet he wore a calm expression: "Our Kuma tribe doesn't wish to offend the great shaman of the Chinese tribe, but there's no need to be frightened like this; we too are a super tribe, also blessed by a great shaman."

The healing shaman's voice was steady and solemn, instantly dispelling much of the anxiety in everyone's hearts.

Even the messenger Beastman let out a breath.

Mainly, the impression left by that great shaman of the Chinese tribe in the polar deep forest before was simply too overwhelming.

The healing shaman glanced at them, then strolled forward toward the Huo Teng tribe's people, standing outside the barrier with several Golden-rank Beastman Warriors guarding him.

"Hand over the crystal core; although this barrier is the great shaman's art, as his waning power fades, it will slowly disappear—how long can you hold out?"

"And..."

Speaking, he gave a cold chuckle: "You couldn't possibly still escape, could you?"

Trapped here, all that awaits them is a dead end.

Seeing the healing shaman's demeanor, the female Shaman instantly flared: "Even if it's wasting time, winter is coming soon—just stay here with us to welcome the first snowstorm."

Although fear lurked in the depths of her eyes, her expression still retained a hint of stubbornness.

But her words completely darkened the healing shaman's face.

The first snowstorm of winter will turn the previously bearable weather suddenly icy, and the frigid wind mixed with heavy snow seems able to blow straight into one's bones.

Although they have shamanic power protecting them, they cannot withstand such weather; even Beastman Warriors with strong bodies and divine beast power shielding them cannot endure it, let alone them being pure humans.

When the first snowstorm of winter arrives, everyone will stay in their mountain caves, having prepared food and absolutely not venturing out—even the fiercest beasts will remain in their dens.

The Beastman Warrior units of the two tribes faced off beside the forest river; many tribes on the opposite bank also saw the situation, as one tribe's leading Beastman Warrior gave a subtle glance to the warriors behind him, then looked plainly as their silhouettes vanished into the mountain ridges.

"Chief, what is this..."

Beside the young Beastman, an elderly Beastman Warrior frowned and looked at him.

The Beastman curled the corner of his mouth: "We're barely able to survive; if this time helping the Huo Teng tribe gains us some food, our tribe can have a few members make it through this winter."

After he finished speaking, the many tribespeople beside him fell silent together, gazing at the barren mountains behind them, then turning to look at the lush forest across the bank, their yearning for life instantly overwhelming them.