Chapter 460

Beastman warriors and pure humans are facing off—do we even need to say what the result will be?

Translation: Beastman Warriors and pure humans facing off—what's the outcome even need to be said?

Beastman warriors and pure humans are facing off—do we even need to say what the result will be?

We need to produce natural English but not add explanatory words. However some minimal grammar is needed. The instruction: "Natural, fluent English prose — not stiff, not word-for-word literal, but never verbose." So we can add necessary grammar to make it natural, but not add explanatory content. So we can translate as: "Beastman Warriors and pure humans facing off—do we even need to say what the result is?" That seems okay.

But we must keep the meaning: The speaker implies the result is obvious: Beastman Warriors will win. So translation: "Beastman Warriors and pure humans facing off—what's the result, still need to be said?" I'll go with: "Beastman Warriors and pure humans facing off—do we even need to say what the result is?" That's fine.

When the chieftain of the Lionmane tribe brought his tribe's beastman warriors to the gathering place of the smaller tribes, he saw only a few pure-human males; the rest were all females, elders, and cubs.

Translation: When the Mad Lion Tribe chief brought his tribe's Beastman Warriors to the gathering place of the smaller tribes, he saw only a few pure human males; the rest were all females, elders, and cubs.

We need to keep "tribe's Beastman Warriors" as "tribe's Beastman Warriors". Good.

At this moment, the elders leaned one by one against the cave wall, barely breathing; the females were reduced to mere skeletons, their large eye sockets sunken, and their gazes at this group of beastmen were full of terror.

Translation: At this moment, the elders leaned against the cave wall, barely breathing; the females were reduced to skin and bone, their eye sockets sunken, their gazes at this group of Beastfolk filled with terror.

Check: "breathing out but not in" means "breathing out but not in" i. e., barely breathing. "reduced to just a skeleton" = "reduced to just a skeleton". "their large eye sockets sunken" = "their large eye sockets sunken". "their gazes at this group of Beastfolk full of terror" = "their gazes at this group of Beastfolk full of terror". Good.

Yet their hands were spread wide, protecting the little ones behind them; on the ground lay bones of food, covered in gums and saliva.

Translation: Yet their arms were outstretched, protecting the little ones behind them; on the ground lay food bones, covered in gums and saliva.

The Lionmane chieftain's eyes flickered, and a light footstep sounded—turns out it was a cub only as tall as his own shin, with a sunken belly, clearly showing each bone on its chest, running out.

Translation: The Mad Lion Tribe chief's pupils contracted; a light footstep sounded—turns out it was a cub only as tall as his shin, with a sunken belly, its ribs clearly visible, running out.

His big eyes showed no fear of these beastman warriors; after merely glancing at the towering beastman warrior ahead, he stretched out his dirty little claw and grabbed the bone at the chieftain's feet.

Translation: His big eyes showed no fear of these Beastman Warriors; after glancing at the towering Beastman Warrior ahead, he stretched out his dirty little paw and snatched the bone at the chief's feet into his hand.

Then he cautiously glanced again at the expressionless Lionmane chieftain, joy shining in his eyes as he shoved the bone—already gnawed down to almost nothing—into his mouth, licking it with a smack-smack; his blissful look made one think he was eating fresh beast meat.

Translation: Then he cautiously looked again at the expressionless chief; joy welled in his eyes as he shoved the nearly bare bone into his mouth, licking it with a smack-smack, his enraptured look making one think he was eating fresh beast meat.

The Lionmane chieftain felt a shudder within, and the killing intent that had been building all along dissipated considerably.

Translation: The chief's heart gave a jolt; the killing intent he had been brewing all along dissipated considerably.

The beastman warriors of the Lionmane tribe behind them also fell silent upon seeing the tribespeople reduced to mere skeletons.

Translation: The Mad Lion Tribe's Beastman Warriors behind him also fell silent upon seeing these small-tribe folk reduced to mere bones.

Having all experienced hunger, they naturally understood these people's feelings; especially seeing the young cubs, the claws that had emerged could not be brought down at all.

Translation: Having all experienced hunger, they naturally understood these people's feelings—especially seeing the tiny cubs, the exposed claws could not be brought down.

As they remained silent, a few pure-human males stepped out from the smaller tribe's ranks, their faces full of weary despair: "Chieftain, the food‑raiding was done by us few males; the clansmen who followed us have already died at the Ghost Tribe."

Translation: As they remained silent, a few pure human males stepped out from the small-tribe troop, their faces full of weary despair: "Chief, the food‑raiding was done by us few leading the males; those who followed us have already died in the Ghost Tribe."

The remaining clansmen did not participate in the raid; just kill us, and we will pledge our lives to guarantee your mercy.

Translation: The rest of our people didn't take part in the raid; just kill us, and we'll stake our lives on your mercy.

The leftover spoils from the last raid—three game animals—were buried in a hidden spot, reserved as food for the cubs.

Translation: The loot from the last raid still had three carcasses left, buried in a secret spot—reserved as food for the cubs.

As for the adult tribespeople, they merely gnawed on bones and stripped bark from the surrounding large trees to fill their stomachs.

Translation: As for the adult tribespeople, they merely gnawed on bones and stripped bark from the surrounding trees to fill their stomachs.

They believed that with this food they could at least survive the winter, as long as they ate sparingly.

Translation: They believed that with this food they could at least hold out until winter passed, as long as they ate sparingly.

The Lionmane tribe's expression darkened further; if they didn't kill these people, they would indeed be challenging the great tribe's authority—so kill them...

Translation: The Mad Lion Tribe's expression darkened further; if they didn't kill these people, they'd truly be defying the great tribe's authority—so kill them...

Look at those females and cubs—how long could a tribe without males survive?

Translation: Look at those females and cubs—how long could a tribe without males survive?

The Lionmane chieftain sighed inwardly, "I'm having a hard time!"

Translation: The Mad Lion Tribe chief sighed inwardly, "I'm in a bit of a bind!"

"Chieftain! The shaman orders you to bring the people back; there is something very important to discuss."

Translation: "Chief! The shaman summons you to bring the people back—there's something very important to discuss."

The Lionmane chieftain flinched slightly, then his heart eased; he lifted his gaze to the few pure-human males kneeling before him and said, "I have memorized your scent; after winter passes, you will return the food you seized."

Translation: The chief blinked, then his heart eased; he lifted his gaze to the pure human males kneeling before him: "I've memorized your scent—after winter passes, you'll return the food you seized."

Having said that, he paid no more heed to the astonishment and delight of the smaller tribesfolk, leading his beastman warriors away.

Translation: Having said that, he paid no more heed to the small-tribe folk's shock and joy, leading his Beastman Warriors away.

The Lionmane beastman warriors arrived with a mighty presence, but when they left they raised only clouds of dust.

Translation: The Mad Lion Tribe's Beastman Warriors arrived with mighty vigor, but left kicking up dust and smoke.

At that moment, in the Lionmane tribe's encampment, the shaman sat grim-faced in the grass hut, pondering the news just brought by the Eagle tribe.

Translation: At that moment, in the Mad Lion Tribe's encampment, the tribe's shaman sat glumly in his grass hut, pondering the news just brought by the Eagle Tribe.

If this news is true, then even after this winter passes, the crisis in the polar forest will not have ended.

Translation: If this news is true, then even after this winter passes, the crisis in the Polar Forest will not be over.

"Shaman, are you looking for me?"

Translation: "Shaman, you called for me?"

The Lionmane chieftain strode into the cave, and upon finishing his words, he saw his shaman's face grave beyond anything before, even more solemn than a prolonged winter.

Translation: The chief strode into the cave; as soon as he finished speaking, he saw his shaman's face grave beyond anything, even more solemn than a prolonged winter.

"What's wrong with you?"

Translation: "What's wrong with you?"

The Lionmane chieftain felt uneasy, wondering if it was because he hadn't killed those smaller-tribe folk.

Translation: The chief felt uneasy, wondering if it was because he hadn't killed those small-tribe folk.

The Lionmane shaman heaved a deep sigh: "The Snow Tiger and Eagle tribes have beastman warriors on the verge of breaking through to the Gold Rank."

Translation: The Mad Lion Tribe's shaman heaved a deep sigh: "The Snow Tiger Tribe and Eagle Tribe have Beastman Warriors about to break through to Golden Rank."

The Lionmane chieftain first rejoiced, then his face changed dramatically as he leapt up from the grass hut, shouting, "When?"

Translation: The chief first rejoiced, then his face changed drastically; he sprang up from the grass hut: "When?"

Breaking through to Gold Rank is truly no good thing.

Translation: Breaking through to Golden Rank—this is truly no good thing.

Although all the tribes of the polar forest guard this great treasure of the deep‑forest beasts, each tribe's inner bitterness is known only to itself.

Translation: Though the tribes of the Polar Forest guard a great treasure—the deep‑forest ferocious beasts—each tribe's inner bitterness is known only to itself.

Without totem poles and a grand shaman, advancing to Gold Rank beastman warriors would be a disaster for them.

Translation: Without a totem pole and a Grand Shaman, Beastman Warriors advancing to Golden Rank are nothing but disaster for them.

Because the sole consequence of forcing a breakthrough is a gradual loss of reason, reducing them to beasts.

Translation: Forced breakthrough has only one outcome: a gradual loss of reason, descending into beastliness.

The Lionmane shaman glanced at the unsettled chieftain, frowned, and said, "I fear they won't even make it through the end of winter."

Translation: The Mad Lion Tribe's shaman glanced at the unsettled chief, frowned, and said: "I doubt they'll make it to winter's end."

Having said that, he sighed deeply: "They're old beastmen—who wouldn't know the repercussions of raising their rank? It seems they secretly used crystal cores to resist the beast tide."

Translation: After speaking, he heaved a heavy sigh: "They're old Beastfolk—who wouldn't know the consequences of a rank increase? Surely they secretly used crystal cores to resist the beast tide."

Suddenly, the Lionmane shaman's eyes widened as he looked at the chieftain, his voice trembling: "Quick... go check whether our tribe has been secretly using crystal cores to boost ranks."

Translation: Suddenly, the shaman's eyes widened as he looked at the chief, voice trembling: "Quick… go check—did our tribe privately use crystal cores to boost ranks?"

The Lionmane chieftain startled, having no time to greet, he sprang up and rushed out of the cave.

Translation: The chief startled, didn't even bother to greet, rose and rushed out of the cave.

Half a day later, the Lionmane chieftain returned, his face full of bitterness, looking as if he had aged ten years instantly: "Chieftain, our tribe also has middle‑aged beastman warriors who have raised their rank with crystal cores."

Translation: Half a day later, the chief returned, face bitter, looking as if he'd aged ten years instantly: "Chief, our tribe also has middle‑aged Beastman Warriors who raised their rank with crystal cores."

Because when we finally resisted the ferocious beasts, our strength was insufficient, so they...

Translation: "Because when we finally resisted the ferocious beasts, our strength fell short, so they—"

All for the sake of the tribe!

Translation: "—all for the tribe's sake!"

The Lionmane shaman shut his eyes tightly: "The Eagle tribe's beastman warriors are still in their lands—pass our news along to them as well."

Translation: The Mad Lion Tribe's shaman squeezed his eyes shut: "The Eagle Tribe's Beastman Warriors are still in their tribe—pass our news along as well."

Because of the Eagle tribe's discovery, several major tribes began inspecting their own beastman populations—if they didn't look, they wouldn't know; but once they did, they were shocked.

Translation: Because of the Eagle Tribe's discovery, several great tribes began inspecting their own Beastfolk—if they didn't look, they wouldn't know; once they did, they were shocked.

In order to survive the beast tide, forcing a rank increase is far from uncommon among beastmen.

Translation: To survive the beast tide successfully, quite a number of Beastfolk have forcibly raised their ranks.

The Snow Tiger tribe has only a few middle‑aged beastman warriors who used crystal cores to raise their rank, while the Eagle and Lionmane tribes have more than double that number.

Translation: The Snow Tiger Tribe has only a few middle‑aged Beastman Warriors who used crystal cores to rank up; the Eagle and Mad Lion Tribes have more than twice that number.

The Black Wolf tribe's number of beastmen who forced a breakthrough is about the same as the Snow Tiger tribe's, likely because the two tribes jointly resisted the beast tide, making it less arduous than going it alone.

Translation: The Black Wolf Tribe's number of Beastfolk who forcibly broke through is about the same as the Snow Tiger Tribe's—perhaps because the two tribes jointly resisted the beast tide, making it less arduous than going alone.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the conference room was extremely tense.

Translation: At this moment, the conference room's atmosphere was extremely stagnant.

Those beastman warriors who had raised their rank with crystal cores all drooped their heads, like a big golden retrie

Translation: Those Beastman Warriors who had raised their rank with crystal cores drooped their heads like guilty big golden fur, the hair on their heads wilting.

The Snow Tiger Witch and the Black Wolf Witch sat in the most prominent seats, their gazes toward them filled with anger and sorrow.

Translation: The Snow Tiger Tribe's shaman and the Black Wolf Tribe's shaman sat in the highest seats, their gazes toward the Beastfolk both angry and pained.

How bad does the beast surge have to be for you to forcefully raise your levels? Ah! You all think that just because you're older you can act cocky, you're daring—the crystal core burns your hands, you can't even hold it, you have to absorb it!

Translation: "How severe does the beast tide have to be for you to forcibly raise your ranks? Ah! You all think that just because you're old you can act recklessly, bold as you are—does the crystal core burn the hand? You can't hold onto it, you must absorb it!"

After reprimanding them all day, the two witches finally eased off, but their looks at the beast‑warriors whose heads were sagging toward their trousers grew ever more menacing.

Translation: After dressing them down all day, the two shamans finally eased off, merely gazing at the Beastfolk whose heads were about to droop into their pants, their looks growing ever more fierce.

Wu Yue quietly raised her gaze, gave the fuming witches a look, then turned to the big tigers with drooping heads, feeling worried as well.

Translation: Wu Yue quietly lifted her eyes, glanced at the indignant two shamans, then turned her head to the several droop‑headed big tigers, her heart also full of worry.

Without magical irrigation, these middle‑aged beastmen will swiftly turn into feral forest creatures, losing their reason and retaining only instinct; even if the four great tribes refrain from killing them, they will soon be found among the forest's wild beasts.

Translation: Without shamanic nourishment, these middle‑aged Beastfolk will soon become beasts of the forest, losing reason and retaining only instinct; even if the four great tribes' peoples don't kill them, they'll soon be seen among the forest's wild beasts.

Without Shaman power irrigation, these middle-aged Beastfolk will quickly become part of the wild beasts in the forest, losing their reason and left only with instinct; even if the people of the four great tribes do not kill them, they will soon be seen among the wild beast herds in the forest.

The Snow Tiger Witch waved her hand in contempt; the beast‑warriors let out a relieved sigh, then bolted away as if they wished they had extra legs, disappearing in an instant.

Translation: The Snow Tiger Tribe's shaman waved his hand in disdain; the Beastman Warriors hastily exhaled, then wished they could grow two more legs as they scattered without a trace.

After they departed, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew even more tense.

Translation: After they left, the conference room's atmosphere only grew more congealed.

The Snow Tiger Witch turned to the two chiefs and said, "What tasty food do we have? Let's prepare some extra for them for now; once we're outside..."

Translation: The Snow Tiger Tribe's shaman looked at the two chiefs: "What tasty food is there? Make more of it for them during this time—once we're outside..."

He drew a deep breath, then steadied himself and said, "Out there we'll likely never get to eat again."

Translation: He drew a deep breath, then forced himself to calm: "Once we're out there, we probably won't be able to eat it anymore."

The remaining tribe members in the meeting room all wore grim expressions.

Translation: In the conference room, the faces of the remaining two tribes' peoples all darkened.

The faces of the remaining members of the two tribes in the meeting room were all gloomy.

After the heavy meeting ended, everyone returned home with indescribable feelings.

Wu Yue lay on the warm kang, her mind blank, not knowing what she was thinking.

「Ding~ New mission released: Please host help various tribes' forcibly leveled-up beastman warriors stabilize their spiritual power, and within two years find a way to let them return to normal

Mission reward: Initial Body-Shaping Pill ×1

System points:

System space expanded once to 1000 cubic meters.

「Please host, strive to complete the mission as soon as possible. 」

「I... I damn it! 」

Wu Yue bounced up from the kang, looking in disbelief at the new mission appearing on the system panel, only feeling her heart heavy.

The problem that the four major tribes haven't been able to solve for hundreds of years is now left for her to solve?

「Tongzi, do you think too highly of me? 」

Lan Pangzi was also somewhat surprised by this mission; if missions were rated by stars, this one could be called four-star.

「You damn host, although this mission is difficult, the reward given to you is truly generous; let's not mention those points and system space, just that pill... tsk tsk tsk! 」

He clicked his tongue for a moment, then continued: 「That Body-Shaping Pill is specially for enhancing your physical strength; after taking this pill, your physical strength can match that of a low-level Silver-rank Beastman Warrior. 」

Tongzi opened the system panel, directly flipped the shop page to the end, then pointed at a pill and indicated for Wu Yue to look: 「Hey, look down there, how many zeros is that? 」

Wu Yue's eyes lit up at first, then dimmed again: 「What's the use of saying these? Where am I supposed to go now to find a Grand Shaman or a Totem Pole for these beastman warriors

Although I previously impersonated a Grand Shaman, I don't have the Grand Shaman's shamanic power. 」

Somewhat frantically pulling at her hair, Wu Yue drooled looking at those rewards.

You damn host, saying you're a dog you really are a dog, Tongzi scornfully said: 「During exams you need to read the questions, when accepting missions you also need to understand the mission content clearly, host!

The mission mentioning first stabilizing spiritual power indicates that stabilizing spiritual power can temporarily alleviate their frantic state; letting you resolve it within two years indicates that the method of stabilizing spiritual power can guarantee they won't lose their sanity within two years. 」

Wu Yue blinked slightly, then her heart leapt with joy: 「Tongzi, do you have some method? 」

If temporarily stabilizing spiritual power could prevent Uncle Shishi and the others from losing their sanity and turning into beasts, she would certainly be willing to do it.

Tongzi raised her little face, proudly pointing at her chin: 「Stabilizing spiritual power such a thing is available in the system shop; it's a kind of herb that can be taken directly, but the price... 」

While saying that, she stretched out her little paw and rubbed it, then raised her eyebrows at Wu Yue: 「You get it! 」

Wu Yue chuckled: 「First tell me how many points one herb needs; within my capacity, I will naturally do my best to save them. 」

Tongzi hehehe: 「200 points per herb. 」

「I... I damn it! Robbery! 」

Ten people would need two thousand; the forcibly leveled-up beastman warriors of the four tribes added up...

Wu Yue only felt her head buzzing; good grief, after this rescue, the ten thousand points she earned from completing the last mission would probably be gone.

In her mind appeared the kind faces of several uncles and Uncle Shishi's bright smile when he gave her the stone mill; Wu Yue listlessly sighed: 「Let's just exchange it! 」

Just these days it seems she needs to go out; otherwise the origin of this herb would be questionable.

The next day, Yuan Lang, who was grinding stone tools at home, suddenly heard someone knocking at the gate outside; his dark brows furrowed as he rose and walked outward.

Just as he opened the door, a familiar little head popped up from the wall: 「Hey, Yuan Lang! 」

On his handsome, upright face a smile suddenly appeared; Yuan Lang quickly walked over, opened the courtyard gate, reached out and pulled the little female's hand, wrapping it up.

「The weather is still cold; why run out? If there's something, just have the beastmen notify me. 」

Feeling the beastman's palm heat, Wu Yue's little face blushed slightly, her gaze at the beastman beside her shining brightly, as if containing starlight.

Yuan Lang's house interior is very simple, not like her own home with many decorations; his bow and weapons are hung on the wall.

Wu Yue directly told Yuan Lang the content of the system mission, of course, still using the Beast God's name.

Hearing those generous rewards, Yuan Lang's eyes also lit up, but thinking of the little female's earlier claim about going out to pretend to look for herbs, he still frowned and said: 「Going out to look for herbs is just an excuse; we don't need to go far, we just need to find a nearby cave to stay a few days, then return to the tribe. 」

「But since we finally got a chance to go out, it would be better to truly go around and gather some herbs to bring back. 」

Yuan Lang insisted: 「The weather is too cold; after winter passes, if you want to go gather herbs somewhere, I'll accompany you, but for now it's not possible. 」

Having said that, he didn't want to continue the topic, directly saying: 「In that case, our leaving the tribe now needs preparation; two years' time, or finding a Totem Pole and a Grand Shaman willing to come to the Polar Forest to infuse the uncles with shamanic power... 」

Saying this, Yuan Lang himself couldn't help but chuckle inwardly: Where would there be a Grand Shaman willing to travel ten thousand miles to a remote little place to infuse shamanic power into a few beastman warriors?

Thinking of another possibility, he raised his head to look at Wu Yue and said: 「Or it could be that you become a Grand Shaman within two years and return to the tribe to infuse shamanic power into these beastman warriors, assisting them in breaking through to become Gold-rank Beastfolk. 」

Upon hearing that, Wu Yue's face instantly turned bitter.