Chapter 57: Who is the Strongest Person in the Tribe
Yan Jiao and Cang Shi arrived outside Shan Qiu’s Teepee. They exchanged a glance, Just as they were about to speak…
A hoarse voice came from inside the Teepee. “Who’s outside?”
*Ahem!* Yan Jiao felt his throat itch, wanting to speak but feeling too embarrassed to.
“Uncle Shan Qiu, we’ve come to see you about something,” Cang Shi helplessly called out.
“Oh, it’s little Cang Shi. Come in quickly,” Shan Qiu’s muffled voice sounded.
“Let’s go in,” Cang Shi pushed Yan Jiao, lifting the Teepee door flap and entering.
*Huuuuu…* Yan Jiao took a deep breath and stepped in after him.
As they entered, they saw Shan Qiu looking at them. His eyes narrowed especially when he saw Yan Jiao.
*Hmph!* Seeing Yan Jiao, Shan Qiu said irritably. “You’ve finally deigned to visit this useless person?”
“Uh…” Yan Jiao was immediately at a loss for words.“Hehe… Uncle Shan Qiu, the Tribe has been busy weaving linen recently. He’s been too occupied,” Cang Shi quickly spoke up for his friend.
“Don’t spout useless nonsense.” Shan Qiu bared his yellowed teeth, rebuking. “My feet have nothing to do with you lot. Don’t think about useless things.”
“I told you. How could Uncle Shan Qiu blame the Old Chieftain?” Cang Shi nudged Yan Jiao with his shoulder, signalling him to speak.
“Uncle Shan Qiu, do you really not blame my Father?” Yan Jiao asked in a deep voice, the weight in his heart was not easy to overcome.
“Hmph! Why should I blame him?” Shan Qiu removed the animal hide mask from his face, hoarsely explaining. “I’m also a Totem Warrior of the Tribe. Everyone gives me meat to eat. Intercepting Ferocious Beasts is my responsibility!”
“But my Father was the Chieftain. He was the strongest person in the Tribe,” Yan Jiao quickly said.
If Shan Qiu had not lost his feet, he would definitely have become the Chieftain.
“Cut it out. Your Father was far from the strongest in the Flame Dragon Tribe. Me, the Shaman, and that woman, Sha Hong, were all stronger than your Father.”
Shan Qiu rolled his eyes, teasing. “That old guy just wanted to put on a brave face. He wanted to leave the Chieftain position for the younger generation. Otherwise, he would have retired long ago.”
“What? Even Sha Hong was stronger than my Father?” Yan Jiao asked incredulously, realising he did not understand many of the inside stories.
“What? Are you looking down on Sha Hong?” Shan Qiu glared.
“No, I’m not,” Yan Jiao quickly shook his head.
“Hmph! Sha Hong was just too low-key, her strength was not inferior to anyone.” Shan Qiu sighed helplessly: “She became a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior only after the Pure Blood Ferocious Beast attack. Meanwhile, your Father’s strength had almost declined to become an Early-Stage Totem Warrior.”
“Is she still alive?” Yan Jiao eagerly asked. If they could find Sha Hong, the Tribe’s strength would be even greater.
“Don’t know. On the day the Black Snake Tribe ambushed us, she was responsible for evacuating our people. She might have escaped, or maybe…” Shan Qiu did not continue. The outcome was easy to guess.
Sha Hong was Sha Lan’s Mother, of the same generation as Yan Jiao and Cang Shi.
“…” Yan Jiao was speechless. Under the siege of the Black Snake Tribe, even if Sha Hong was a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior, she would have been exhausted to death.
“Alright. What made you think of coming to see me?” Shan Qiu did not want such a gloomy atmosphere.
“Uncle Shan Qiu, Yan Jiao is preparing to break through to become a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior. He wants to come and ask for your advice,” Cang Shi quickly said.
“Oh?” Shan Qiu raised an eyebrow, turning to look Yan Jiao up and down. He calmly stated. “Let me see your Totem Mark.”
“Yes,” Yan Jiao said solemnly, suddenly mobilising his Qi. A pattern of neither a Dragon nor a Snake appeared on his chest. It quickly spread across his entire chest and abdomen.
Shan Qiu’s gaze lingered on Yan Jiao’s shoulders and stomach area. He nodded, saying, “Indeed. You’ve become a Peak Early-Stage Totem Warrior. Just one last surge and you can become a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior.”
“That’s great,” Cang Shi felt happy for his friend.
“How do you plan to break through?” Shan Qiu calmly asked.
“Through battle. I plan to go challenge a Pure Blood Ferocious Beast,” Yan Jiao said with a solemn expression.
“Do you have a Shaman Bone Tablet? If not, don’t throw your life away needlessly,” Shan Qiu said irritably.
“The Shaman can already make Shaman Bone Tablets. I plan to go and request one right after I speak with you,” Yan Jiao said softly.
“You? What did you just say!?” Shan Qiu’s eyes widened with shock. “The Shaman can make Shaman Bone Tablets?”
“Yes, that’s what Ah’Hua said. She wouldn’t lie to me,” Yan Jiao nodded.
“That’s impossible! He has just become a Shaman. It takes at least a year to be able to make Shaman Bone Tablets!” Shan Qiu exclaimed.
“Maybe the new Shaman is a bit special?” Yan Jiao frowned in thought, coming to this conclusion.
“He is indeed very special…” Shan Qiu glanced at his animal hide mask. After losing his feet, few people cared about him anymore.
He was silent for a moment, then suggested: “You should temper yourself for another ten days or so. When your Qi is sufficient, you can break through. No need to risk finding a Pure Blood Ferocious Beast.”
“Uncle Shan Qiu, we plan on setting out to the Spotted Deer Tribe in two days,” Cang Shi softly said.
“Taking the linen?” Shan Qiu frowned and asked.
“Yes. The Tribe doesn’t have enough meat to eat, and the rainy season is coming…” Yan Jiao said in a deep voice.
“The rainy season, huh?” Shan Qiu murmured, nodding. “If you’re taking linen to the market without a Mid-Stage Totem Warrior accompanying you, it is indeed a bit dangerous.”
“I will definitely succeed in breaking through,” Yan Jiao said resolutely.
“When battling a Pure Blood Ferocious Beast, once your Qi is sufficient, repeatedly surge your Totem Mark. Do this several times and you should be able to break through,” Shan Qiu shared his experience.
“Yes!” Yan Jiao’s red eyes brightened. Having direction for breaking through meant he would not have to waste too much time figuring it out.
“Go prepare, and don’t be careless,” Shan Qiu waved his hand.
“I’ll remember,” Yan Jiao said respectfully.
*Swoosh!* The two lifted the door flap and left.
“Ahhhh! Who knows what the future of the Tribe will be like,” Shan Qiu looked at the fluttering door flap, then lowered his head to look at his severed feet. A flash of unwillingness crossing his eyes.
He was unwilling to see the Flame Dragon Tribe get defeated, but he was helpless. He was now only able to provide assistance with stone tools.
“Shaman, please lead the Tribe through this difficult time, like the Ancestors did…” Shan Qiu prayed.
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