Early morning, all was silent. A tender green leaf fell onto the water’s surface with the refreshing breeze.
Shen Qi had just finished washing her face and rinsing her mouth. After casually eating a few fruits, she applied Concealing Cream to her face, turning her fair complexion dark.
Knowing that Bai Yuwei had already gone out, Shen Qi took her small knife and pistol, wrapped herself in beast hide, and prepared to set off.
Perhaps because it was still early, not many Beastfolk were out. Shen Qi tried her best to avoid their gaze, staying undetected as she recalled the route she had taken when she first arrived here.
The path was clear and unobstructed, and she smoothly left the Tiger Tribe. Once again, she saw the towering trees of varying heights.
This area was still close to the tribe, so no wild beasts dared to approach. She walked further away before spotting a wild boar with its back turned to her, digging at the ground.
She twirled the knife handle, seemingly contemplating which part of the boar to target.
The wild boar stopped digging and suddenly raised its head, turning to look at her. Drool mixed with blood dripped from its mouth onto the ground.
Only then did Shen Qi realize it hadn’t been digging but had been eating another beast.
She faintly saw a wisp of dark mist floating in the boar’s eyes.
Shen Qi narrowed her eyes. This wild boar was unusual.
She suddenly remembered what Bai Yuwei had said earlier about magic beasts. Could this be one?
The magic beast kicked its hind legs and charged fiercely toward her.
Shen Qi’s eyes sharpened. She quickly drew the pistol from her waist and aimed directly at its eyes. Red liquid sprayed into the air. Taking advantage of its rolling motion, she pulled out her knife and swiftly stabbed it into its heart.
Confirming the magic beast was dead, she pulled out the knife and saw a black object inside the wound. She picked it out and examined it—a glossy black diamond-shaped crystal stained with blood.
Before she could take a closer look, the crystal turned into fine sand and vanished instantly. She felt an indescribable sensation throughout her body, as if a certain meridian had opened, absorbing some kind of power that continuously transmitted strength to her.
She looked at her empty hand, now only stained with blood from the wild boar.
Before she could figure out what had happened, a cold voice echoed in her mind.
“The personal attribute interface has been activated. The Host can check their ability values at any time. Absorbing beast cores can enhance abilities.”
So that’s how it was…
This meant she, too, could improve her abilities by killing magic beasts and collecting beast cores, just like the Male Beasts.
This unexpected discovery delighted her.
She opened her personal attribute panel, which displayed several attributes:
Speed: +2
Strength: +2
Stamina: +2
Magic beasts must have levels just like Beastfolk. This magic beast seemed to be third-tier.
“The Host defeated a third-tier magic beast. Your abilities are now equivalent to those of a third-tier being.”
“As the attribute abilities have been unlocked, the Host can improve attributes not only by obtaining beast cores but also through other methods that aid in enhancing abilities.”
“Excellent.” Shen Qi wiped the blood from her palm and curled her lips into a smile.
She continued searching the surroundings for other magic beasts. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a patch of yellowish-green and abruptly halted her steps.
Is this… bok choy?
She approached and saw the wrinkled, wavy leaves and the plump, fleshy root below, confirming it was indeed bok choy.
Shen Qi’s eyes lit up. She cut a few stalks and casually found a vine to tie them together. Just as she finished tying a knot, she suddenly sensed danger behind her.She rolled away and turned to see a gray bear with a hunched back, its sharp claws now deeply embedded in the soil where she had just been standing.
She noticed the same demonic energy emanating from its eyes as the previous magic beast.
Having missed its strike, the gray bear angrily raised its head, pounded its chest with its fists, and then charged toward her.
This magic beast wasn’t as fast as the previous one, but it was much larger.
Shen Qi threw her knife at its neck, but its skin seemed thick, only leaving a scratch of blood before the knife fell to the ground.
She swiftly dodged its swiping claws, pulled out her pistol, and fired at its neck. Leaping over it, she picked up the fallen dagger and plunged it deep into its chest.
This was also a third-tier magic beast. Shen Qi absorbed the beast core.
She saw her attributes increase by two points again.
Picking up the uncontaminated baby bok choy from the ground, she slung it over her shoulder and continued searching the area for more magic beasts.
She found a few more, though all were below third-tier. Shen Qi eliminated them all, feeling her body grow even more agile.
There were no more magic beasts in this area. Venturing farther, she feared Bai Yuwei might return early, discover she had gone out, and lecture her again.
Besides, she had already killed eight magic beasts—more than she had expected—and her stamina was waning. For now, it was best to head back and come out another time.
Carrying the baby bok choy, she started walking toward the Tiger Tribe. Not long after, she overheard faint whispers nearby.
She even caught a familiar word—Tiger Tribe.
Quietly approaching, she hid behind a large tree trunk and listened clearly to their conversation.
“We already made a deal with the Evil Beasts last time. Tomorrow, we’ll bring that Female over.”
Evil Beasts? A Female?
Shen Qi’s long lashes veiled the confusion in her eyes as she focused on listening.
“Are you sure you can take her away?”
“Who cares? We’ve already made the trade with the Evil Beasts. Tomorrow, I’ll just knock her out.”
“Isn’t this Female the one you’ve been pursuing? How can you bear to do this?”
“Hah, I’ve chased her for so long, and she never liked me. I worked myself to the bone for her, did so much, only for a higher-tier Beastfolk to win her over. They were rolling together within a day of meeting!”
“Once I trade her to the Evil Beasts for beast cores, let’s see if she regrets it, haha! As for that higher-tier Beastfolk of hers, I already drugged him today. No need to worry about him!”
“Alright, if it goes smoothly, fine. But what if we’re discovered? Last time was just luck. This Female’s mate is even more formidable than the last one’s. And if Bai Yuwei finds out, we’re no match for him.”
“Don’t worry, he won’t find out. He’s too busy doting on the little Female he brought back to pay much attention to tribal affairs.”
“He hasn’t become the chief yet, so his authority is limited. He won’t know what we’ve done and will just blame it on the Evil Beasts.”
“That’s good. I was just worried he might discover us. Is the trade happening here tomorrow? Will the Evil Beasts come to this spot?”
“Yes, same time. As long as the Evil Beasts bring the agreed-upon beast cores, we hand over the Female. A fair exchange.”
The conversation ended, and Shen Qi finally heard them leave. She emerged from behind the tree.
Her gaze was complex as she looked in the direction they had gone.It turns out that part of the reason the Female was taken by the Evil Beast was due to betrayal within the tribe…
The Beastfolk in the tribe were unaware that such a thing had already happened internally, all believing that the Female had been snatched away by the Evil Beast.
The Evil Beast was judged as treacherous by the Beastfolk, so they could only think that the Female had been abducted by the Evil Beast.
She had to tell Bai Yuwei about this news. Such an incident occurring within the tribe would inevitably bring disaster sooner or later. Such Beastfolk were simply unworthy of remaining in the Tiger Tribe.