Chapter 505: Cloud Fruit

The two tribes' people were still shouting insults, while Wu Yue was immersed in the joy of obtaining cotton and could not extricate herself.

Damn it, this time we're going to get rich!

"How is this cloud fruit exchanged?"

In the midst of the two tribes' arguing, Wu Yue spoke up and asked.

Her clear, female voice, compared to the recent flushed, loud shouting, was extremely pleasant to the ear, and the surrounding tribespeople all turned to look.

"It's Shaman Yue!"

"Honored Shaman Yue!"

The beastman warrior standing behind the stall and the beastman warrior holding half a cloud fruit both respectfully bowed.

Seeing Wu Yue inquire about the fruit, the beastman warrior who had just tasted the cloud fruit hurried forward and said, "Honored Shaman Yue, this cloud fruit cannot be eaten as food; eating it gives a sensation like chewing beast fur."

Wu Yue nodded: "I know."

She looked at the beastman warrior standing behind the stall, whose face was somewhat unsightly, and said, "You just said this cloud fruit isn't for eating, right? Then what is it actually used for?"

The beastman warrior behind the stall respectfully bowed and said, "Honored Shaman Yue, after the cloud fruit is exposed to the sun, it can be torn into large, large white flowers that look like clouds, soft and very comfortable."

Our tribe's people gather the cloud fruit back, dry it, and spread it on our sleeping places; it's much more comfortable than dry grass and beast hides.

After the beastfolk finished explaining, they still gave a disdainful glance to the half-beast who had just been arguing with them.

You understand now, the cloud fruit is used to spread on sleeping places, not to eat.

Wu Yue nodded as if casually: "I was just saying that laying beast hides for sleep is uncomfortable; I'll take all the cloud fruit your tribe brought this time. How much salt do you want?"

Hearing this, the beastman warrior's eyes instantly lit up; he somewhat nervously rubbed his hands and cautiously said, "For this small pile of cloud fruit in front of me, you only need to give five scoops of salt."

Actually, such a pile of cloud fruit normally requires ten scoops of salt to exchange, but the tribespeople here are unwilling to use precious salt to exchange for this inedible fruit, and the half-beast is also very anxious.

His already irritable mood, after encountering the half-beast who tried the fruit and caused trouble, completely erupted; he never expected that after this argument, such good fortune would actually come.

Their unsellable cloud fruit was actually taken a liking to by Shaman Yue; they had thought they would just have to bring the cloud fruit back.

The people of the surrounding tribes were all doubtful of Wu Yue's decision; it's just for sleeping, dry grass and beast hides are also comfortable, as long as they can block ground moisture and cold.

In their view, exchanging salt more precious than life for such cloud fruit merely used for sleeping is not worthwhile at all.

The half-beast happily called his tribespeople to gather the cloud fruit, wanting to personally help Shaman Yue send it back to their cave.

"Shaman Yue, if you want to exchange for fresh fruit, you can check out our tribe's stall; our fruits are freshly picked, very sweet and delicious."

Seeing Wu Yue's group about to leave, the beastman warrior who had just tasted the cloud fruit hurried forward to invite.

After speaking, he also took several red fruits from the bosom of a tribesperson behind him and handed them to Teng Qian: "These are our tribe's fruits; you can try them."

Wu Yue smiled at the beastman warrior and said, "Which tribe are you from?"

The beastman warrior puffed out his chest: "Honored Shaman Yue, I am from the Ma Ji Tribe."

Ma Ji Tribe...

Thinking of the Ma Ji chieftain with whom she had cooperation, Wu Yue's lips curled into a faint smile: "Alright, I'll go."

Having said that, she directly turned and led the group selling cloud fruit toward her own cave.

Behind the crowd at this moment, two squat pure human males stood there, even occasionally tiptoeing to watch the already receding Wu Yue and her group.

"It's great to become a shaman, actually using precious salt to exchange for useless cloud fruit just for sleeping."

"Isn't that right? Compared to our Niluo shaman, this Shaman Yue is... tsk tsk! Our shaman is better, wouldn't waste precious salt on such things."

"Why bother with so much? The Niluo shaman told us to keep an eye on the Xue Yue Tribe; we just do that and report back to the shaman."

The two followed far behind Wu Yue's group; seeing them enter the cave, they then hurried back to the Wu Ke Tribe's cave to report.

"Cloud fruit? Did you see what she used the cloud fruit for?"

Niluo, lying sideways in the grass nest, asked in a lazy voice.

Behind her knelt a slim, extremely handsome half-beast warrior, who was gently helping her pound her shoulders; his gaze toward her seemed to show a hint of affection.

The two pure human males looked enviously at that half-beast warrior, then respectfully said, "Honored shaman, we are both pure humans; if we get too close to the Xue Yue Tribe's cave, we'll be discovered."

Niluo frowned at the two, then waved her hand dismissively: "Alright, keep watching."

The two hurriedly bowed and retreated, preparing to leave the cave.

"Wait."

Niluo narrowed her eyes: "Go get some salt and exchange for some cloud fruit to bring back."

"Cloud fruit?"

"Could it be that our own Niluo shaman also wants to learn from Shaman Yue to exchange precious salt for that useless fruit?"

"Honored shaman, the cloud fruit has all been exchanged by the Xue Yue Tribe's Shaman Yue; there's none left, and this cloud fruit only exists in that tribe's territory; other tribes don't have any."

Niluo frowned, somewhat irritably waving her hand: "Forget it, just keep watching the Xue Yue Tribe."

"Shaman, do you want cloud fruit?"

After the two pure human males left, the half-beast warrior kneeling behind Niluo suddenly spoke.

Niluo turned her head to look at him: "Do you have it?"

The half-beast warrior kneaded Niluo's shoulders, his handsome cheek slowly approaching her: "I know where the tribe that possesses the cloud fruit is located; if you want it, I can have my people gather some for you."

Niluo gazed dreamily at the handsome half-beast's face before her, the corner of her smile deepening: "Then I will surely reward you well."

After a moment, waves of indescribable sounds began to emanate from the cave.

The two pure human males guarding the cave entrance suddenly shuddered, their eyes glowing as they looked around.

The left guard glanced at the right guard: "Damn, this shaman's body is really awesome!"

The right guard nodded in agreement: "The voice is also very loud."

The two exchanged glances while also perking up their ears to listen, finding it quite enjoyable.

On the other side, Yuan Lang, who was guarding the kiln, saw a line of beastman warriors carrying what looked like a small mountain of white fruit into the cave, and he also stepped forward.

"Teng Qian, you take them to get salt."

After the group left, Wu Yue excitedly shoved the white fruit in her hand into the Beastman's hand: "Give it a squeeze and see."

Yuan Lang watched as the fruit, upon touching his palm, instantly got stained with several dark fingerprints; he clenched his palm and squeezed it.

In an instant, a familiar feeling welled up in his heart: "This is... cotton?"

He looked incredulously at the white fruit before him; the so-called "cotton" before him was vastly different from the cotton he had seen at the frontier.

If Wu Yue hadn't placed this fruit in his hand, he would never have linked this faintly fragrant white fruit with the cotton that can be made into cotton garments and cloth.

"It's truly amazing."

Yuan Lang couldn't help but sigh.

Wu Yue beside him also nodded and said: "Yes, from the flour we discovered and the plants that can be woven into cloth, to corn and cotton, it's truly amazing."

She left only one for Teng Qian to later experience the wonder of the cloud fruit; the rest were all stored by Wu Yue in her system space.

"Ding! Would you like to sell the new species, cloud fruit, to the system mall? We'll offer twenty points per cloud fruit for purchase!"

The system's cute voice sounded in her mind, and Wu Yue generously waved her small hand: "Sell you ten!"

System: "..."

"I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it..."

"It's only ten—didn't you wave your hand a bit too extravagantly? Those who don't know might think you intended to sell a thousand."

After silently complaining about Wu Yue, the money‑grubbing system still rolled away with the ten cloud fruits, leaving only a refreshed points number.

The trade between the small and medium tribes lasted a full three days.

Although called a trade between small and medium tribes, it was actually the salt trade organized by the four major tribes.

"Shaman Wu Yue, are you ready?"

From outside the cave came the shout of the Maji chieftain; beside him, the Dong Sang chieftain silently stepped back a few paces from the goods.

A sound of footsteps came from the cave, and Wu Yue and her two companions appeared in everyone's sight; all present couldn't help but look on with admiration.

One can only say that the image of the three from the Snow Moon tribe was truly excellent— the females beautiful, the Beastfolk handsome and sturdy, especially their clothing, which added a touch of brilliance.

"Feeling their gazes, I feel I can do it again."

Teng Qian flicked the long hair at the back of his head with pride, feeling his whole self had become more than one notch handsomer.

"After getting along for so long, I never knew you actually had a hidden ailment in this regard."

Yuan Lang gave his little brother a sympathetic glance, his furtive gaze sweeping over a certain part of Teng Qian.

Teng Qian felt a sudden chill, instinctively clamping his legs together: "Boss, this trip is not that trip!"

"Shaman Wu Yue, our three tribes are stationed together; if you need anything later, just say the word."

The Mashi chieftain heartily slapped his chest, his proud little eyes occasionally glancing toward the crowd behind him laden with many items.

Wu Yue glanced casually; the animal hides and precious herbs were indeed far more than what she had brought.

Even the Dong Sang tribe beside them was quite affluent.

Wu Yue nodded: "If you need anything during the exchange, I'll definitely have you help."

Before the cliff, the open space that had been crowded with people a few days earlier was now empty; the members of the various small and medium tribes sat directly on the ground.

At the front were five erected grass huts— that was for the four... no, now it should be the five major tribes' seating area.

After everyone was seated, the Sen tribe chieftain rose and walked to the middle: "Tribes that have previously attended the trade gathering know well what comes next."

"Any precious items can be presented; our four major tribes will provide what you need, and you will trade your own items for whichever tribe's goods you choose."

"Alright, the trade begins now."

As the Sen chieftain had just returned to his seat, a half‑Beast warrior sitting at the very front stood up.

He held a piece of worn animal hide in his hands, walked to the center, and carefully unfolded the hide.

"Heavens!"

"Is this tribe under the protection of the Beast God?"

When the worn hide was opened, what appeared was actually a piece of silvery‑white animal hide emitting a silver glow.

"It's snow‑beast fur!"

The chieftains of the four major tribes straightened their bodies, their eyes blazing as they fixed on the half‑Beast warrior's hide.

The Wuke chieftain spoke with eager eyes: "What do you need?"

The half‑Beast warrior first put away the snow‑beast fur in his hand, then said: "I want to exchange this snow‑beast fur for a more fertile territory, and I also ask for the protection of the great tribe."

"You live within our Sen tribe's territory, don't you?"

Before the Wuke chieftain could speak, the Sen chieftain beside him suddenly looked at the half‑Beast warrior and said.

The half‑Beast warrior holding the hide, upon hearing the Sen chieftain speak, lit up and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, our tribe lives within the Sen tribe's territory."

The Sen chieftain nodded amiably: "I'll take your hide; when I return, I'll allot you a fertile plot of land for your tribe, and I can also protect you."

Having gotten what he wanted, the half‑Beast warrior's body trembled with excitement.

Although the other tribes felt envy, jealousy, and hatred, such territorial advantage cannot be matched, after all no tribe is willing to leave the land where their ancestors have lived for generations to live elsewhere.

After the two each swore an oath to the Beast God, the half‑Beast warrior happily handed the snow‑beast fur to a Sen tribesman nearby, returned to his tribe's ranks, and even earned the admiration of his own clansmen.

"Great, our tribe will have more food."

"And we'll receive the Sen tribe's protection, so we won't have to worry about being killed by other tribes anymore."

After the half‑Beast warrior stepped back for a moment, a middle‑aged half‑Beast warrior slowly stepped forward: "Chieftains, honored shaman, I hold in my hand a stone tool I have polished for many years; it is very sharp."

Having said that, he swung the stone tool and cut a thigh‑thick log into two sections; the eyes of the four chieftains sitting in the grass hut instantly lit up.

"How would you like to trade it?"

This time the one asking was Wuke, who was anxious because, after Wu Yue's arrival, their tribe's sole advantage of having a shaman was gone.

Now they can only strive to gather enough items to trade for other tribes' assistance.

"Our tribe also needs such a sharp stone tool; half‑Beast, what do you want?"

The chief of the East Mulberry Tribe also spoke.

------Side story------

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