Chapter 700

The tribe's important combat strength Beastman Warrior went missing, plunging the entire Stingray Shrimp tribe into a gloomy atmosphere; even though their own Shaman remained stationed in the tribe, some people were still anxious.

'During this time the Beast God's wrath has kept appearing; could it be that someone did something to anger the Beast God, thus bringing down punishment?'

'Don't talk nonsense; if the Shaman hears it, he will definitely punish you.'

'Moreover, even if the Beast God were to mete out punishment, it would only be for those who angered the Beast God; our tribe has always only hunted and lived within our own territory, so the Beast God would not punish us.'

'It's been so long; why hasn't the chieftain returned yet?'

'Yeah, is our territory really that big?'

The tribesmen's discussion voices drifted into the Stingray Shrimp Shaman's ears, making his already unsettled heart become even more tumultuous.

The suffocating atmosphere spread through the tribe, lasting until the next morning's dawn; not only were the Beastfolk of the missing Stingray Shrimp hunting party gone, but even the Stingray Shrimp chieftain and his group who went out to search for them vanished without a trace.

The Stingray Shrimp Shaman could no longer sit still; after a sleepless night, he walked out of his dwelling with dark, exhausted circles under his eyes.

The Beastman Warrior guarding outside saw the Shaman come out and hurried forward: 'Shaman Sir, would you like something to eat?'

The Stingray Shrimp Shaman waved his hand and hurried toward the tribe's exit: 'Take a few Beastman Warriors and come with me to the Eel tribe.'

The Beastfolk quickly agreed, turned and hurried to gather the tribesmen.

The Stingray Shrimp tribe is a large tribe that survives under the Eel tribe's jurisdiction; although its combat ability is average, it is skilled at producing salt, so the Eel tribe values it highly.

Because the Stingray Shrimp tribe struggles to reproduce, in any inter-tribal battle they are only used as logistical reinforcements, never sent to the front lines.

Of course, there is also the reason that they look down on their modest combat ability.

Therefore, after so many Beastman Warriors went missing all at once from their own tribe, the Stingray Shrimp Shaman, who always cared about tribal population, could no longer sit still.

'I, the younger brother, have encountered trouble; what should we do?'

'Of course, we should tidy up and go ask the elder brother for help!'

So, when the Eel Shaman Sir and the rare returning pale-faced Beastfolk who came to share a meal were gnawing on fish, a hurried footsteps approached and finally stopped outside the tent.

'Shaman Sir, the chieftain has an important matter regarding the Stingray Shrimp tribe that he wishes to discuss with you; may we let them come in?'

The Eel Shaman Sir furrowed his brows, 'Stingray Shrimp tribe?'

'It's just a small tribe; what important matter could there be?'

Just as he was about to refuse, the pale-faced Beastfolk sucking on a fish tail wiped his hands on the animal skin at his waist and said: 'Let the chieftain uncle come in to speak; there's no one to talk to in your tent, it's too boring.'

Faced with his only offspring, the Eel Shaman Sir, although he sometimes despised him, was still willing to indulge the child's wish in such a small matter.

A rich voice came from within the tent: 'Alright, let them come in.'

The Beastfolk respectfully agreed and quickly left.

In just a moment, the Eel chieftain and the Stingray Shrimp Shaman entered together.

Faced with the mighty Eel Shaman Sir, the Stingray Shrimp Shaman approached trembling, bowed low to the ground in a deep salute: 'Stingray Shrimp Shaman, I pay my respects to the honored Eel Shaman Sir.'

The Eel Shaman Sir nodded: 'Rise, sit down and speak.'

The thick, warm animal-skin tent; this kind of animal-skin tent is entirely made from the pelts of fine land beasts.

Of course, even as the highest-ranking Shaman of the Stingray Shrimp tribe, he could not afford such a land-beast animal-skin tent.

When he first entered the tent, he saw that just that one piece of the tent's door curtain would require a great deal of salt to obtain.

'Shaman, just now the Stingray Shrimp Shaman came and said that their hunting Beastfolk squad went out to hunt and never returned, and the Stingray Shrimp chieftain led people to search for them but has not returned yet.'

The Eel chieftain's face grew grave; the incident in the Stingray Shrimp tribe inevitably reminded him of the recurring Beast God's wrath.

Seeing the Eel Shaman Sir frown and stay silent, the Stingray Shrimp Shaman could not help but ask cautiously: 'Shaman Sir, could it be the Beast God's punishment?'

The Eel Shaman Sir's train of thought was interrupted, his brows slightly furrowed, he gave the Stingray Shrimp Shaman an annoyed glance: 'Your Stingray Shrimp tribe's tiny territory couldn't possibly do anything wrong; what would the Beast God gain by punishing you?'

The Stingray Shrimp Shaman shrank his head in embarrassment; indeed, he thought the same.

The Eel Shaman Sir pondered for a long time, recalling all the past punishments of the Beast God, yet he could not think of any instance where the Beastfolk would mysteriously disappear.

He lifted his gaze to the Eel chieftain: 'Send a squad of Beastfolk to scout; the situation is still unclear, so make sure they stay careful.'

The Eel chieftain nodded: 'Shaman Sir, otherwise I'll go myself.'

The Eel Shaman Sir looked at him with indifferent eyes: 'You are the chieftain of the Eel tribe; there are so many daily affairs to handle in the tribe, if you leave, would you have me, an old man, deal with all those messy matters?'

The Eel chieftain: '...'

You're right; I was being thoughtless.

Leaving the Eel Shaman Sir's tent, the Stingray Shrimp Shaman exhaled heavily; the Shaman Sir's aura was truly terrifying.

The Eel chieftain turned to look at him: 'Go back first; I'll send Beastfolk to investigate here, and if there's any result I'll come tell you at the Stingray Shrimp tribe.'

Before our people return from scouting, your Stingray Shrimp tribe must not send anyone out; your strength is too low, and the danger you'd face is great.

Although they said our strength was low, the Stingray Shrimp Shaman was not unhappy at all; instead, he gratefully nodded: 'Thank you, chieftain; our tribe truly has no one left to send out, and the ones who escorted me here are the few remaining Beastman Warriors of our tribe.'

The Eel chieftain patted his shoulder: 'I know your tribe's situation; hurry back, perhaps your chieftain and Beastman Warriors have already returned.'

If you have any news of them over there, be sure to come and let us know.

The Stingray Shrimp chieftain gratefully agreed, and after grabbing a meal at the Eel tribe, he then brought back the few remaining shrimp of his tribe to the Stingray Shrimp tribe.

He still harbored some hope, perhaps upon returning to the tribe he would see the chieftain and the hunting party's tribesmen.

But he was disappointed; what awaited him was not the chieftain, but the equally anxious members of the Stingray Shrimp tribe.