Chapter 408: The Five Great Beast Tribes

The successive statements from the two races immediately attracted the attention of all races present!

The Lion tribe representative, seated at one side of the long table, frowned. Everyone knows the foxes are merchants and how wealthy their families are; a thousand energy stones are a breeze for them.

These tigers, like their lions, are blacksmiths; to put it bluntly, what pretentious big‑tailed wolves are they pretending to be?

But after a moment's thought, the Lion representative still decided to follow suit.

If we speak of wealth, it refers to their lions, tigers, foxes, bears, and leopards.

These are the five great beast tribes often mentioned.

As for the Rat tribe, they absolutely surpass all other races, undeniably the foremost race, and can be completely set aside.

The Lion tribe absolutely cannot tolerate falling behind the Tiger tribe, and they are even less willing to lag behind the other races in obtaining the life‑saving medicine!

So after a brief pause, the Lion representative spoke in a low voice: "The Lion tribe is also willing to donate a thousand energy stones."

These successive donations of a thousand energy stones were like cold water poured into a boiling oil pot; the conference room erupted completely.

The representatives of the medium and small races turned ashen, whispered to each other, and an atmosphere of despair and resentment began to spread.

A thousand energy stones— even if they pooled the strength of their entire tribe, they might still not be able to produce them.

But if they don't donate, they will be placed at the end; the delay may seem short, yet every minute and second lost could let the plague claim their tribe's lives!

Under the low pressure in the conference room and Cheng Shuili's expressionless gaze from above, they had completely forgotten the fact that all beastfolk would receive the medicine, and had even forgotten that humans had promised to prioritize critical patients.

But for Cheng Shuili, this was absolutely a good thing.

Now she is like a shepherd, clearly seeing the flock completely lost, and next, by releasing a herding dog for brief guidance, she can achieve the situation she desires.

Bao Wen's face was as black as a pot's bottom; he clenched his fists so tightly his nails were nearly embedded in his flesh.

The Leopard tribe can indeed produce this resource, but it means being brutally cut down and having to bow before this human!

This is something Bao Wen absolutely cannot tolerate; he snorted coldly, gave Cheng Shuili a sarcastic glance, and was about to speak when the seated Fox representative suddenly stood up.

Cheng Shuili guessed correctly; she was indeed preparing to leave.

The Fox tribe elder gracefully adjusted her robe; her movements were unhurried, starkly at odds with the conference room's tense atmosphere.

She did not look at Bao Wen, but instead gave Cheng Shuili a slight nod:

"Since the overall situation is settled, regarding the specific donation matters, I will send a tribal officer to liaise with Director Xiong Ji. Many of our tribe are afflicted, urgently needing the medicine; please… Bear King, understand our urgent feelings and arrange it as soon as possible."

Her words were courteous, even using the title "Bear King," yet the urging tone was unmistakable.

After speaking, she did not wait for Cheng Shuili's response, turned and walked out of the conference room, graceful as if she were merely attending an ordinary tea gathering.

Cheng Shuili watched her back, her emotions extremely complicated.

Until now, she finally confirmed one thing.

All beastfolk could sense the aura of the token; though surprised, they quickly accepted the explanation and consequently changed their address.

But this change of address was certainly not due to Cheng Shuili's own power, but because of the Bear tribe behind her.

That is also why, when she was only the Wolf King, no other tribe called her "Wolf King."

Strong and weak, each status should be addressed accordingly; the beastfolk understood this perfectly.

The Fox elder's early departure acted as a signal.

Seeing this, the Tiger representative also spoke in a low voice to Cheng Shuili: "The Tiger tribe likewise will send the energy stones as soon as possible. We hope the King can also keep his promise."

He clasped his fists, turned and left, his steps steady and strong.

The Lion representative glanced at the two departing, then at Bao Wen's ashen face and Cheng Shuili's unreadable expression above, realizing staying any longer was futile; the priority was to bring the medicine back quickly.

He gave Cheng Shuili a nod, as a greeting, and walked away in long, swift strides.

The representatives of the three great strong tribes agreed to donate and then left in succession; this silent action proved the "effectiveness" of Cheng Shuili's established rule more powerfully than any words.

Inside the conference room, the pressure instantly shifted onto the remaining tribes, especially the yet‑unspoken Leopard tribe.

Bao Wen's fists clenched with a crackling sound; he felt he was being placed on fire.

If he doesn't comply, the Leopard tribe will be excluded from the first batch of rescue; he can't bear the lives of his people and internal pressure. If he does, he simply can't swallow that humiliation!

Cheng Shuili watched his struggle, yet did not urge him, simply waiting calmly.

She knew that silence was the best pressure at this moment.

The conference room was quiet only for a few minutes.

Cheng Shuili leisurely counted the seconds, but the other beastfolk were truly anxious.

Many representatives of the smaller tribes were willing to state their position, but the hierarchy between tribes was strict; before the Leopard representative spoke, no one dared to bypass him to express their stance.

Bao Wen's expression wavered, veins on his forehead pulsing, about to erupt, but Xiong Ji suppressed him with a glance.

After a few more minutes, a small, slender Dog tribe representative in the back row finally could not hold back; he stepped forward a few paces, anxiously saying to Cheng Shuili:

"Bear King! Our Dog tribe is willing to donate… donate five hundred energy stones! Additionally we will send ten of our best warriors to help you maintain order! We only ask to obtain the medicine as soon as possible; several of our cubs are on the brink of collapse!"

His voice, tinged with a sob, was full of pleading born of desperation.

With the Dog tribe leading, other medium and small tribes could no longer hold back, rushing forward to speak:

"Our Sheep tribe is willing to donate seven hundred, only asking that you let us obtain the medicine in advance!"

"Our Monkey tribe can contribute three hundred; we can't match the great tribes, but we should be ahead of the other small tribes, right?"

When that sentence was spoken, Cheng Shuili's mouth curved slightly; the herding dog she had been waiting for had arrived.

The other small tribes finally realized that if they donated nothing, they would be placed at the very end.

Fear of the disease almost overwhelmed everything!

Thus, whether leopard or not, whether one can offend or not, with so many races here today, can Bao Wen hold a grudge against each one?

Moreover, Bao Wen doesn't want to hand over the energy stones, but they are willing!

The children in the tribe are all sick, on the brink of extinction; even a single energy stone they can certainly produce!

The scene instantly fell into a chaotic chorus of demands.

Bao Wen watched the frantic scene of everyone vying to "flatter" the humans, hearing the urgent cries of "Bear King," and felt a surge of hot blood to his head, a mix of humiliation and real pressure that nearly made him explode.

"Enough!" he roared suddenly, his voice making the conference room buzz.

All the sounds abruptly stopped, and the beastfolk all turned to look at him.

Bao Wen's chest heaved violently; he stared fixedly at Cheng Shuili, and almost squeezed the words out between his teeth: "Leopard clan… donate one thousand energy stones!"

After speaking, he refused to stay another second, as if a flood of beasts surged behind him; he spun sharply, barreling through several small‑race representatives blocking the way, not even looking back, and rushed out of the conference room.

Cheng Shuili watched Bao Wen's retreating figure disappear at the doorway, feeling little triumph, only a calm sense of "just as I thought".

In the face of survival, even the loftiest pride must bow.

She shifted her gaze back to the mid‑small‑race representatives in the hall who were staring at her, and her voice clearly rose above the remaining clamor:

"Quiet."

"Your requests will be recorded one by one by Director Xiong Ji. Now, line up in order and register with Director Xiong Ji the contributions your races can provide."

Her words sounded like a command, and Xiong Ji stepped forward at the right moment, his resonant voice carrying reassurance and order: "Everyone, please come over here; we will handle each case in turn, no need to rush, everything will be recorded!"

The beastfolk representatives, as if they had found a backbone, immediately surged toward Xiong Ji, chattering but still hesitant to become too chaotic as they began to report.

Cheng Shuili gave no further glance, turned, and left the noisy conference room.

She returned to the director's office under the gaze of the various races, closed the door, isolating the outside turmoil, leaving only a calm calculation in her mind.

She walked to the window, looking down at the hospital courtyard below, still chaotic yet seemingly infused with a hint of clear direction.

The collection of energy stones progressed at a speed beyond imagination: the four great tribes—Tiger, Fox, Lion, and Leopard—each contributed one thousand, plus donations from numerous mid‑small races, altering the state of the Eternal Life Bottle to supply each race; after completion there should still be a surplus.

That is undeniably good, but Cheng Shuili, though pleased, could not bring herself to smile.

After this episode, she fully realized the differences between the Bear clan and the Wolf clan.

To fully control the Bear clan would certainly not be as simple as with the Wolf clan.

"Dong dong."

"Enter."

Xiong Ji pushed the door open, his face alight with uncontainable excitement: "King! Preliminary count shows donated energy stones have already exceeded eight thousand! The races are still registering continuously! This should be more than enough to start! Moreover, the foxes are moving so fast; they've already sent beastfolk to transport the goods. Where does the King think they should be placed?"

"That fast?" Cheng Shuili said, a bit surprised; the efficiency of these great tribes was astonishing.

"The Fox clan and the Rat clan are similar; doing business values reputation and efficiency," Xiong Ji explained, "and they have many patients in their tribe, so they're truly anxious."

Cheng Shuili pondered briefly, then said, "No need to find a storage place; take me directly to receive."

"Take the King to receive?" Xiong Ji truly didn't grasp the meaning, reflexively asked, then realized he shouldn't question the King's decision, hurriedly knelt, "Your Majesty, forgive me! I didn't intend to doubt, it's just… with so many energy stones, moving and counting them takes time; why should I trouble you personally…"

Only then did Cheng Shuili sense a similarity between the Bear clan and the Wolf clan: as long as a token is in hand, these beastfolk are absolutely loyal.

Though some Bear clan beastfolk were resentful, they could not defy the suppression that stemmed from deep bloodlines.

A forced melon is indeed not sweet, but it quenches thirst.

Quenching thirst is enough.

Cheng Shuili's mood improved considerably, and she finally gave a detailed explanation of the Abyssal Ring's situation.

Xiong Ji had long heard rumors that humans might possess miraculous artifacts, and that his own King also owned one; his eyes lit up, his face beaming with prideful excitement: "I see! The King actually has such a divine artifact! I'll take you there right away!"

He immediately rose, respectfully leading the way ahead.

Cheng Shuili followed him to a temporary receiving area drawn near the hospital side gate; there, the Fox clan steward, accompanied by several guards, was already stationed beside a few heavy large crates.

The Fox clan steward, upon seeing Cheng Shuili arrive in person, flashed a hint of surprise in his eyes, but quickly concealed it and bowed respectfully: "His Highness the Bear King, these are the one thousand energy stones promised by the Fox clan."

Cheng Shuili gave a slight nod, offered no further small talk, and stepped forward directly.

Under the astonished gazes of Xiong Ji and the Fox clan steward, she simply reached out and gently brushed the crates; the neatly arranged energy stones inside, emitting a soft glow, vanished instantly, as if they had never existed.

The Fox clan steward's pupils contracted, suppressing the shock in his heart.

He had originally harbored a hint of testing, hoping to see how this newly appointed "Bear King" would handle the massive funds, whether he would need to enlist the Bear clan's power for transport and custody, but he did not expect the other side to possess such unfathomable means!

Xiong Ji, though already aware of the ring's existence from Cheng Shuili, could not help but grin broadly at the sight, proudly straightening his back.

Cheng Shuili herself simply opened the panel to check the increased number of energy stones, confirming it was exactly one thousand; she then calmly said, "The count is correct; the medicine will be allocated to the Fox clan's critical patients first, as agreed."

"Thank you, Bear King!" the Fox clan steward's attitude grew even more respectful, and the slight contempt he felt toward a human vanished completely.

Who ever said humans aren't strong?

He had long guessed that to become king among the Bear clan, among these bear maniacs who worship force, one could not possibly be an ordinary human.

The Fox clan steward felt a chill in his heart, increasingly believing that this newly appointed Bear King was unfathomable.

He dared not linger further, respectfully took his leave, and immediately returned to his tribe, preparing to report in detail what he had seen today.

After the Fox clan departed, the Tiger and Lion clans arrived in succession.

The two races seemed to be pitting themselves against each other, each unwilling to fall behind.

Two contingents of troops met head‑on at the hospital side gate, and the atmosphere instantly became somewhat delicate.

Representatives from both sides glared at each other, each seeing an unabashed competitive intent in the other's eyes.

"The Tiger clan's energy stones are here, Bear King, please inspect!"

The Tiger clan representative's voice boomed like a great bell, first having people lift several massive metal crates; upon opening, the neatly arranged energy stones were revealed inside.

The Lion clan representative, unwilling to be outdone, immediately waved a hand for his subordinates to lift crates of the same specification, proclaiming loudly:

"The Lion clan's one thousand energy stones have also arrived, Bear King, please review! Our clan has many critical patients; we hope the Bear King can be compassionate and provide aid soon!"

Cheng Shuili's expression remained calm; she again reached out and lightly brushed, and under the shocked gazes of the two clan representatives, she transferred the mountain‑piled energy stones entirely into the Abyssal Ring.

"The count is correct," Cheng Shuili's voice broke the silence, "the medicine will be allocated first according to the rules."

The Lion and Tiger clan representatives made no sound, the two beastfolk stood dumbfounded, mouths agape as if they could hold an egg.

After the former enemies exchanged a glance, they finally recovered.