Shen Qi followed the two of them to a large, dome-shaped stone house. It appeared to be roughly constructed from limestone blocks, supporting a rounded roof.
Stepping inside, she saw that along the walls, at intervals of about one meter, there were protruding stone blocks, each holding a cluster of flames. This illuminated the originally damp and dim environment.
Shen Qi raised her gaze toward the front. On the main seat, a Beastfolk with long, silver-white hair casually disheveled was tilting a wine jar into his mouth. Wine spilled from the corner of his lips, flowing into his black Beast Robe imprinted with red patterns.
At this moment, his narrow phoenix eyes were half-closed as he leaned lazily against the back of the chair. His handsome profile and facial contours were flawlessly perfect.
Yan Di, seated beside him, also held a wine jar, gulping from it vigorously. Seeing her arrive, he waved his hand, signaling for her to come over.
Shen Qi walked over. Only then did the Beastfolk on the main seat glance at her sideways before continuing to drink.
Yan Di set down his wine jar.
Shen Qi watched the two of them expressionlessly. Her obsidian-like eyes fixed on this lazy, carefree Beastfolk as she parted her lips and spoke softly, “The King summoned me?”
Yan Di also looked at him. “Ze, didn’t you call him here?”
Yuan Ze straightened his posture slightly. A pair of phoenix eyes stared at her, carrying a sudden, sharp intensity that sent chills down one’s spine.
Shen Qi’s gaze turned slightly cold. Their eyes collided abruptly in the air, like blades clashing.
“What’s your name? Are you… a Male Beast?” His latter words carried a hint of hesitation. He had just heard Yan Di mention it was a seemingly weak Male Beast, but this physique was far too frail.
Shen Qi saw the heavy disdain in his eyes but paid it no mind. “Xiao Qi. Male Beast.”
“I heard you killed several of my Evil Beasts. Quite bold!” Yuan Ze tapped his fingers against the wine jar, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Daring to meet his gaze directly with such eyes, and even killing his subordinates—this Male Beast was somewhat interesting.
Shen Qi lowered her eyes, remaining silent.
Seeing her silence, Yuan Ze’s lips curved into a half-smile. “Show me the thing you used to kill the Evil Beasts.”
Shen Qi pressed her hand against the pistol at her waist, hesitating for a moment before handing the weapon over to him.
This Beastfolk’s aura seemed extremely powerful, though his exact rank was unknown. The Evil Beast beside him was already fifth rank, so this Beastfolk’s rank was certainly not lower.
Yuan Ze looked at the black object, then swept his gaze over her face—equally dark.
His mocking eyes returned to the object in his hand. “How is it used?”
“Press the hollow part in the middle.”
“Like this?” Yuan Ze pointed the longer end of the object toward her—the barrel of the gun.
Seeing this, Yan Di was greatly alarmed. “Hey, hey, Ze, what are you doing? You just summoned him here, only to kill him?”
Ignoring his companion’s protest, Yuan Ze pulled the trigger. There was not the slightest sound.
His mocking gaze fell upon her unresponsive face. “This thing is completely useless. Are you deceiving this King?”
“It can indeed shoot something, but it’s empty now. This object needs to be manufactured.”
Fortunately, she had stored the bullets in her spatial storage before entering the Dark Forest, fearing her weapon might be taken by others and used against her—how ironic that would be.
Yuan Ze regretfully tossed the pistol onto the ground, his eyes holding a teasing glint. “Then tell me, what use do you have? This King does not lack powerful Male Beasts.”
“I can prepare medicinal herbs.”Yuan Ze’s eyes showed a hint of surprise. “You’re a Shaman?”
“No, but I can treat some illnesses.”
“Oh? You’d better not lie to me.” Yuan Ze looked at Sen Yan. “Wasn’t there a Male Beast who caught something yesterday? Bring him here.”
Sen Yan nodded and vanished from the room in an instant.
Not long after, he returned with a Beastfolk whose face was covered in large and small hives. The Beastfolk was scratching the affected areas.
Shen Qi looked at the exposed skin, red and raw from scratching, with no intact spots left. She frowned. “Stop scratching. It’ll only get worse.”
The Beastfolk stopped scratching upon hearing her words and looked at her. “Will it get better if I stop? These things are so itchy, I can’t help it.”
“The more you scratch, the worse it’ll get. The hives will only spread.”
“Is this thing called hives? It seems… it really does get worse when scratched.” The Beastfolk thought about how he had been scratching nonstop all day, his skin red and raw, a sight that was shocking to behold.
Yuan Ze raised an eyebrow slightly. It seemed this Male Beast knew a thing or two.
“Now, cure him. If you succeed, you can stay. If you fail… you’ll have no value.”
The implication was clear: if she couldn’t solve his illness, she would die.
Shen Qi lowered her eyes, her long lashes hiding the coldness in her gaze.
“This isn’t difficult, but I lack medicinal herbs.”
“I have plenty of medicinal herbs. Take him there later.” Yuan Ze turned his head to look at Yan Di.
“Alright, let’s go, delicate Male Beast.”
Shen Qi glanced at his teasing gaze, then swept her eyes over him. With a forced smile, she said, “Sure, flamboyant Male Beast.”
Yan Di had changed into a Beast Robe upon returning. The one he was wearing now was brightly colored and patterned, making it impossible not to stand out.
Upon hearing the word “flamboyant,” he nearly stumbled, glaring at her with wide eyes.
How dare this delicate Male Beast call him flamboyant? Where was he flamboyant? This Beast Robe was so stylish!
Angry, he didn’t even want to acknowledge her. Swinging his sleeves, he quickly walked ahead of her.
Yuan Ze, hearing her retort, gave a faint smile.
Interesting.
Shen Qi followed him into a small stone cave. Inside, various herbs were scattered about—some she recognized as medicinal herbs, and many others she wasn’t sure were even herbs.
“Does Evil Beast City not have a Shaman?” She remembered seeing some Beastfolk with minor ailments on the way here—some with pus-filled pimples on their faces, others coughing.
“That’s right. Evil Beast City has no Shaman. There used to be one, but the Shaman fell ill with a disease even he couldn’t cure, and eventually died.”
“Didn’t you try to find another Shaman?”
“Those Shamans are all cowards afraid of death. Who would be willing to come to Evil Beast City? For more serious Evil Beasts, we go to Shamans from other tribes to get medicine. For minor illnesses, we usually just ignore them, and they get better in a few days. It’s the Females who are weak and often sick.”
“Look around. Take whatever medicinal herbs you need.”
Shen Qi was somewhat surprised. The medicinal herbs here were no fewer than those in Si Jingzhan’s collection. Was the King of Evil Beast City this extravagant?
Yan Di noticed the surprise in her eyes and smirked teasingly. “These were all brought back by the King. He doesn’t know if they’re medicinal herbs or not. Whenever he sees something unusual, he brings it back. The King can’t treat illnesses, so they just sit here.”Shen Qi nodded. Since she couldn’t treat illnesses but had stockpiled so many medicinal herbs, it wouldn’t be excessive for her to take a few more portions, right?
Shen Qi first found the medicinal herbs for treating hives, then took several other types of herbs.