Shen Qi tossed the three-flavor herb into the furnace, testing the effects of the Alchemy Furnace.
She stared into the furnace, watching as the three-flavor herb gradually turned into powder before completely disappearing. She poured the medicinal powder onto a clean leaf.
The green powder almost blended into the leaf. She wrapped the powder up.
There was no opportunity to use it now, and although it wasn’t particularly harmful, she certainly wouldn’t use it herself. She decided to keep it for now—it might come in handy later.
Time flew by—
Three days later, the tribe was buzzing with excitement.
Over these past few days, she had gone out to hunt magic beasts and prey, improving her abilities significantly. Meanwhile, Bai Yuwei had smoothly advanced to the fifth rank.
Today was the day to select the new tribe leader. A large open space in the Tiger Tribe had been cleared, surrounded by Beastfolk from all sides, including members of the Eagle Tribe.
They had heard that the Tiger Tribe was selecting a new leader today and had come to watch.
“Since the tribe leader’s death, the Tiger Tribe has been without a leader. I’ve chosen today to hold a competition in the form of an arena. Anyone who wants to become tribe leader can come to the center and compete round by round. The final victor will be entrusted with the authority of the tribe leader.”
Darui leaned on his cane, carefully observing the eager Beastfolk around him before finally looking in Bai Yuwei’s direction.
Bai Yuwei received the hint and looked down at Shen Qi’s curled eyelashes. “Qiqi, stay here. I’ll come back after the fight.”
Shen Qi looked up at him. “Alright, I’ll wait for you. Good luck.”
Encouraged by her words, Bai Yuwei smiled as if he had eaten something sweet and walked to the center of the open space.
The Beastfolk watching assumed he was confident that the position of tribe leader was his for the taking.
And indeed, this position was meant for him. He had the confidence to claim it.
Whether it was due to the former tribe leader’s entrustment or his own strength, he was destined to become the tribe leader.
He had barely taken his stance when another Tiger Beast from the opposite side stepped forward aggressively.
Both transformed into their tiger forms, though Bai Yuwei’s golden fur appeared more lustrous.
The opposing Tiger Beast let out a fierce roar and charged toward him.
Their collision stirred up a turbulent wave of energy. They could even see a faint golden Spiritual Energy emanating from Bai Yuwei’s body, enveloping him.
“What is that?”
The Shaman stood beside her and explained, “That’s spiritual power. High-ranking individuals or Beastfolk born with talent possess it.”
Shen Qi nodded in understanding. When this spiritual energy was released, even she felt a faint pressure.
It seemed this world was more complex than she had imagined…
Ai Chu also came to her side and, seeing the spiritual energy around Bai Yuwei, said, “Actually, he wasn’t born in the Tiger Tribe. He came from Beast City.”
“Beast City?” Shen Qi wondered if Bai Yuwei had some connection to Beast City.
Seeing her confusion, Ai Chu continued, “I only know he has ties to the city lord of Beast City. For some reason, he came to our Tiger Tribe, and the former tribe leader valued him greatly, treating him like his own son. But…”
Ai Chu’s voice faltered. “The tribe leader had an incurable illness and passed away not long ago. He had long advised the Tiger Tribe’s Beastfolk that Bai Yuwei had the greatest chance of becoming the next tribe leader.”
“Actually, today is just a formality. This ritual is held every time a tribe leader is selected. Competing with the strong is also a way to train oneself. Everyone already agrees that he will become the tribe leader.”Not long after, Bai Yuwei defeated him. One after another, Beastfolk stepped forward, and he dealt with them all, leaving them utterly defenseless.
After witnessing his prowess, many Beastfolk dared not approach to test him further, though some believed that after fighting for so long, he would eventually tire.
As more Beastfolk stepped forward, a few hoping to take advantage also tried their luck, but without exception, they all ended in failure.
Even if they were unwilling, they had to admit defeat.
Formally recognizing Bai Yuwei as the new tribal chief, the Male Beasts and Females of the tribe erupted into enthusiastic cheers.
Darui handed him the long-prepared Tiger Tribe chief’s token—a slightly worn stone plaque now held firmly in his hand.
Darui looked at him with satisfaction, patting his shoulder. “Well done, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.”
He and the previous chief had discussed Bai Yuwei’s potential multiple times, both aware of his great promise. True to their expectations, he had successfully become chief.
Bai Yuwei grinned broadly, his smile spreading across his face. “Shaman Darui, thank you for taking care of me all these years!”
After a brief exchange, Bai Yuwei ignored the admiring gazes of the Male Beasts and the affectionate looks of the Females, making his way through the crowd to Shen Qi.
“Qiqi, I won! I’m the chief now!”
He picked her up and spun her around joyfully.
Caught off guard, Shen Qi grabbed onto his beast hide, startled.
At that moment, an eagle’s cry echoed across the sky.
Si Jingzhan landed on the ground, transforming into his human form. Seeing the two embracing, he walked toward them with an impassive expression.
Upon seeing him, Bai Yuwei’s tone carried a mix of dissatisfaction and pride. “Si Jingzhan, you’re too late. I’ve already finished the fight, and you’re just arriving now.”
Si Jingzhan handed over the item in his hand, responding calmly, “I was delayed by some matters. This is an apology gift.”
However, the direction he extended it toward was Shen Qi.
Bai Yuwei glared at him with wide eyes. “Is this for me or for my Qiqi?”
Si Jingzhan shifted the leaf-wrapped item toward him, and only then did Bai Yuwei accept it.
He reached out and gave Si Jingzhan’s shoulder a hearty pat. “Good man, you’re a true friend!”
Si Jingzhan cast a cold glance at the shoulder he had just patted.
With the chief selection concluded, the Beastfolk gradually returned to their previous routines.
Shen Qi and Bai Yuwei also returned to their home.
Bai Yuwei placed the square, leaf-wrapped item in a corner.
“Host, the task has been updated: Obtain three medicinal herbs—Zhucha, Ziling, and Baidong—to refine the Vertigo Powder.”
“Xiao Yu, where are the specific locations of these herbs?”
“Host, the herbs are all inside the gift the Eagle Tribe chief just gave.”
Bai Yuwei noticed Shen Qi’s gaze fixed on the apology gift he had casually placed earlier. “Qiqi, do you want that thing?”
Shen Qi nodded without hesitation.
Bai Yuwei said, “If you want it, take it. What’s mine is yours. Besides, aside from medicinal herbs or materials, he rarely gives anything useful to me. You know how to make medicine, so these herbs might come in handy for you.”
“Alright.” Shen Qi unwrapped the leaf bundle, revealing several herbs she had never seen before.
She then retrieved the Alchemy Furnace from the corner. Bai Yuwei noticed it and asked curiously what it was.
Shen Qi explained to him, “This is a tool I made for refining herbs. It’ll make things more convenient in the future.”
It looked like an ordinary little furnace made of wood, which didn’t arouse his suspicion.Shen Qi brought the three medicinal herbs and the Alchemy Furnace to the riverside, placed the herbs into the furnace, and waited for them to refine into powder.
Before long, the herbs vanished into nothingness, and Shen Qi used a leaf to collect the powder.
In his mind, a brief introduction to the Dizzying Powder appeared:
【Dizzying Powder: Made from Vermilion Tea, Scutellaria, and White Winter. Sprinkled into the target’s eyes, it can cause dizziness for several seconds.】
Shen Qi raised an eyebrow—this use was quite promising!