Chapter 228: Alkaline Grass

Shi Jia Dan looked at the Beastfolk sitting on the carpet cushion under his hand, lazily half‑collapsed on the soft comfortable armchair, and said: "What's so good about the fruit? Don't just think about eating. You are now in a place blessed by the Beast God. Close your eyes and enjoy communicating with the Beast God; perhaps the Beast God will see you and me."

The one leading the breeding this time was a Beastfolk of the Ox tribe named Niu Bin; he said with great emotion: "You're right. In the desert, after walking for more than ten days you only see yellow sand. This time I even saw several oases."

While the people of the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts were speaking, a guard announced that the lord had invited them to the side hall; Shi Jia Dan, full of questions, followed the guard.

Before entering, Shi Jia Dan smelled a whiff of grass at the doorway; before he could react, Niu Bin behind him quickened his pace, stepped over him, and headed into the room.

Lin Manzhi and Mo Lie sat at the head seat; on the broad long table lay a dozen or so green drinks, each accompanied by a piece of meat wrapped in dried green grass.

She saw the thirteen towering, burly men who entered, their eyes fixed on the food on the table, ignoring the people at the sides, smiling rather than being annoyed.

Now it's settled; the pasture grass in this space is in high demand, so the profit it can fetch is even greater.

Mo Lie sat calmly in the chair, his long legs casually crossed, one hand resting on Lin Manzhi's chair back; when he restrained his aura, he looked like a handsome Beastfolk, so harmless that people tended to overlook him.

Niu Bin rushed straight inside, and the other dozen or so breeding Beastfolk, as if dazzled by a beauty, only had their eyes on the drinks on the table; Shi Jia Dan, still uninterested in the grass, remained vigilant.

Shi Jia Dan knew that a lord who could govern Kuangsha City so smoothly must be a strong one, and a strong person never has a good temper.

"Great Kuangsha City Lord, Shi Jia Dan of the Yellow Lion Tribe of the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts pays you respects." After entering, he first bowed his head to Mo Lie, who was seated behind the table; when he lifted his head and saw Lin Manzhi beside Mo Lie, a flash of astonishment crossed his eyes, then he composed himself neatly.

Mo Lie casually nodded.

Lin Manzhi looked at the people from the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts; at the front, the one with golden‑brown hair was Shi Jia Dan, who was also a capable War General for the continent's lord.

He is also the Beastfolk who will negotiate the trade later.

Noticing the gaze of the beautiful female, Shi Jia Dan subconsciously puffed out his chest.

What a beautiful female…

Shi Jia Dan couldn't help but brag in his mind, but reason told him that someone who could sit beside the lord and be treated with a protective posture must be the legendary Beast God‑blessed Kuangsha City Lord's Wife.

"Beautiful Lord's Wife, Radiance of the Kuangsha Desert, the Beast God‑favored female, it is my supreme honor to behold your visage; may your beauty shine more brilliantly and eternally than the morning star deep in the desert." Shi Jia Dan bowed his head toward Lin Manzhi, placed his left hand on his chest, and performed a standard warrior salute.

Mo Lie's eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.

Hm?

A lion's mouth can truly spew a heap of flowery words that delight females.

Lin Manzhi was unfazed; in the original book, the Ten Thousand Beasts lord was also of the Lion clan, whose notorious flirtatiousness makes them court every female with such attentiveness.

She smiled faintly, nodded lightly at Shi Jia Dan: "Brave warrior of the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts, thank you for your compliment."

Shi Jia Dan had been buoyant and rose, but when his eyes met Mo Lie's glance, his heart felt as if someone were gripping it tightly, and his body instinctively stiffened.

…what a terrifying aura.

It felt as if a mountain pressed down; the Kuangsha City Lord lifted his ice‑blue eyes and scanned, his gaze seeming to issue a warning.

Shi Jia Dan felt his breathing become difficult, a bit suffocating.

Mo Lie's voice was cold: "No need for a salute, sit."

He and Lin Manzhi sat on the master seat above; after his words, Shi Jia Dan, with the Beastfolk from the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts, sat down, holding their breath.

Even though she could not feel the pressure of the aura between the male beasts, Lin Manzhi saw everyone at the table looking very restrained, and smiled, saying:

"You have traveled far from the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts; we were supposed to meet at the banquet that would entertain you tonight, but before the banquet I wish to discuss a trade cooperation with your continent."

"On the table is the food I prepared for you, made from green juice and dried green grass; everyone, please have a try."

Her voice was like a gentle spring breeze, unknowingly easing the previously tense atmosphere; the normally quiet and honest Niu Bin, upon hearing 'have a try,' immediately forgot his fear.

The dozen or so breeding Beastfolk stared at the center, an odd synchronized swallowing sound arose; Niu Bin swallowed again, his nose pointing toward the table.

The scent kept emanating from the cups in the middle.

Niu Bin was very familiar with this flavor; his race, due to the Spirit Core's need for massive energy, primarily consumes meat, yet he actually loves grazing on grass, often chewing it as a tasty fresh snack.

Almost simultaneously, everyone lifted their cups; the breeding Beastfolk generally liked eating grass, and at this moment they tipped their cups, drank in one gulp, and their eyes all lit up.

Finding the green juice decent, they were even more eager for the meat mixed with dried green grass, devouring it without lifting their heads, then couldn't help whispering.

"…what kind of grass is this? It tastes sweet and rich, so delicious!"

"Did you notice? The green juice feels so soothing after drinking; I used to feel the Spirit Core was quite tense."

"Yes, yes, yes! What is this green juice? I've eaten many kinds of grass on the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts, but never a grass that contains energy."

Listening to the breeding Beastfolk's high praise, Shi Jia Dan, who was indifferent to grass, slowly lifted his cup and took a sip; in an instant… he felt nothing.

The meat piece, coated with dried green grass, had a faint special fragrance; Shi Jia Dan found the taste of the food to be merely average.

Seeing Shi Jia Dan's expression, Niu Bin knew he couldn't taste anything good; he hurriedly stood up to speak.

Honestly, I didn't know many races on the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts love eating grass! This green juice and dried grass, if taken out, would surely be popular throughout the beast territories!

Niu Bin asked cautiously: "Lord, Lord's Wife, may I ask if you intend to use these foods to trade with the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts?"

Lin Manzhi, hearing this, fixed her gaze on Niu Bin, "Exactly, this is the unique alkaline grass of Kuangsha City; the Continent of Ten Thousand Beasts is far away, fresh alkaline grass is hard to preserve, so I brought the sun‑dried version which is easier to store, the same as the dried green grass you put in your meat."

So that's called alkaline grass! Niu Bin still had the aftertaste of alkaline grass in his mouth, saliva dribbling, never having imagined a grass could be so tasty, making him almost snatch the leftover food from Shi Jia Dan to shove into his own mouth.