Chapter 22: Sacrifice (1)

On Shouren Xingqiu, all pairing ceremonies are conducted by the priest. Of course this time is no exception, also conducted by the priest. I saw a female wearing a white robe, holding a strange golden scepter, step onto the stage.

Zhang Fan has been in Heaven Lion Tribe for ten days already; most of the tribe's people have already seen him, but the female now standing on stage he does not know. He asked Ba Ke Er beside him:

"Ba Ke Er, who is the female on stage? I've never seen her before." Ba Ke Er hearing Zhang Fan's question also did not find it strange, because he himself, having lived in the tribe since childhood, rarely sees the priest, so he was not surprised by Zhang Fan's question.

"He is our tribe's priest; he likes quiet environments, so he has always lived with his partner in the rear mountains, only appearing when the tribe is about to have a major event or when holding a pairing ceremony."

At that moment, the priest on stage raised the golden scepter in his hand high toward the sky, still murmuring some language Zhang Fan could not understand. Zhang Fan thought this was the Beastmen's native language, so he asked Ba Ke Er:

"Ba Ke Er, what is the priest saying?"

"I don't know either; I know this is an ancient divine language spoken only by priests. Because they are the closest to the gods. Moreover, this language is something each priest speaks from birth. Also, I've heard that priests are appointed by the Beast God themselves, and priests also have the ability to divine past and future."

Zhang Fan hearing that, huh! Really interesting! I didn't expect Beastmen to be so superstitious! Might as well go meet that "fraudster" later to see if he knows whether I can still return.

"Oh, is that so? Then can we go talk to the priest later?"

"Of course! After the pairing ceremony ends, we can."

"Mm!" After saying that, Zhang Fan looked up and saw that it was now the final item of the pairing ceremony: embracing. The pairing ceremony consists of prayer, oath, and embrace. Once the prospective partners on stage finish embracing, the ceremony ends.

Just as Zhang Fan was about to call Ba Ke Er to go find the priest together, the priest had already walked up to them and spoke:

"Zhang Fan, I know you have some things to ask me, so I came over; ask whatever you want!" Zhang Fan hearing that was very surprised!

"How do you know I have something to ask you? Also, can we eat first and talk later? I think you haven't eaten yet, right? If you don't mind, please join us for a meal!" After saying that, Zhang Fan pulled the priest to sit down, and Ba Ke Er gestured to the priest's mate to let them stay. Thus, the priest couple, unable to refuse the hospitality, sat down and began eating the grilled meat Ba Ke Er had passed over. After taking a bite, the priest's eyes lit up!

"Zhang Fan, is this barbecue sauce made according to the method from your original world? It tastes really good!" Zhang Fan hearing the priest's words was startled! Could he really know where I come from? But he still kept his composure and said:

"Yeah! Since you, Priest, find it tasty, then eat more!"

"Sure! But can you teach me how to make it? I also want to learn, to try making some different delicacies."

"Sure! But we have to wait until I and Ba Ke Er return from the seaside, as we agreed to set out for the seaside tomorrow."

"Oh! Is that so? Then alright, I'll wait for you to return and then go to your place to learn how to make tasty food."

"Okay!"

Thus Zhang Fan and the priest chatted, and their relationship progressed a step further. After the meal, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er followed the priest couple to the priest's home.