Xiao Shuo had been soaking in the river for a long time, but the summer water was still too warm, nothing compared to the refreshing bite of ice-cold water.
The burn on his hind leg remained a horrifying sight. When he shifted back to human form, the fist-sized scorched hole on his thigh nearly exposed the bone.
The terrifying scenes from earlier that day flashed through his mind.
The Mountain God had suddenly erupted in fury, spewing endless flames.
He and a few other beastmen had been running at the front, completely oblivious to the mountain’s ominous changes, until the Mountain God’s wrath unleashed a torrent of fire…
The fiery surge burst forth, and in the blink of an eye, the other beastmen at the front were swallowed by the flames, instantly reduced to ashes. If not for his incredible speed, he too would have been nothing but charred remains by now.
Yet, his leg had still been seared by a stray ember.
He had never encountered sparks so vicious, just one drop had nearly burned straight through his thigh. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he had turned back and plunged into the river, only to run into that wretched woman, Tang Hongluan…
With a dark expression, he endured the pain as he made his way back. All in all, today had been terribly unlucky…
Passing by Tang Hongluan’s home, his icy silver eyes glinted coldly as they settled on her cave dwelling, taller now, more spacious…
But what was she doing sitting on the ground?
Was it because of the fire at her doorstep, or was it just his imagination? Why did it seem like there was a faint glow shimmering around her?
Still, it was rare to see that wretched woman actually fixing up her home. Recalling how she had thanked him earlier, he scoffed and walked away.
Of course, Tang Hongluan had no idea that three beastmen had passed by her door overnight, each casting a curious glance her way.
Thanks to the abundant spiritual energy of the beast world, the relative ease of low-level advancements, and perhaps also because Tang Hongluan had eaten well and rested soundly the night before, her supernatural abilities had leveled up overnight, reaching Tier 2.
Tang Hongluan was thrilled. Maybe cultivation was too physically draining, but she woke up ravenous, her stomach growling with hunger.
Fortunately, she still had venison and a whole goat.
Swiftly, she skewered the venison and began roasting it, turning the meat while snacking on wild berries.
The berries in the beast world were all-natural, whether tart or sweet, each bite carried a refreshing, invigorating sensation. Unlike in the apocalypse, where so much was artificially engineered to deceive the taste buds but wreaked havoc in the stomach.
Bi Ze remained standing in the distance, drawn by the aroma of roasting meat.
In his memory, Tang Hongluan often ate raw meat… she wasn’t one to bother with cooking. Yet now, she had cut the meat into smaller pieces and was roasting it.
And what was she eating? Bi Ze narrowed his eyes, watching as Tang Hongluan popped one small berry after another into her mouth, his brow furrowing slightly…
Yan Chen followed the scent of roasting meat and arrived, only to lose interest the moment he saw it was Tang Hongluan. He glanced dismissively at the meat on the spit before walking away.
He had no interest in anything that belonged to this woman.
Yesterday, they had encountered the Mountain God’s wrath while out hunting. Today, everyone was expected to gather at the square for a ritual to appease the Mountain God’s fury.
Moreover, Xiao Shuo, a beastman who had awakened divine bloodline, had been cursed by the Mountain God’s rage. This was an ill omen. While the other beastmen had perished, Xiao Shuo had survived. That alone demanded an explanation.
Today, the high priest will perform divination to seek the will of the heavens. If the heavens decree that Xiao Shuo must die to appease the mountain god’s wrath, he will undoubtedly act, leaving Xiao Shuo no chance to escape.
Tang Hongluan stared at Yan Chen’s tall figure. According to the original host’s memories, this beast husband had fiery red eyes, but they had rarely interacted. He was usually elusive, spending most of his time wandering in the forest.
Yet, as she watched Yan Chen’s retreating back now, he seemed burdened with heavy thoughts.
Next, Qing Yuan and Yun Li also left.
Finally, Xiao Shuo emerged.
Tang Hongluan was startled, Xiao Shuo’s leg…
Though he tried his best to ignore the wound, his gait was still slightly unnatural. Through the hem of his beast-hide skirt, a fist-sized gaping wound became faintly visible to Tang Hongluan.
So, something had happened yesterday… No wonder the beastmen had returned early. But how could someone as strong as Xiao Shuo get injured?
Moreover, she frowned, Xiao Shuo’s injury didn’t look like it was caused by a fight.
A tiger’s roar echoed across the square.
Another signal to gather.
This time, Tang Hongluan didn’t stay at home but ran over with the others.
Though she jogged while munching on roasted meat, nothing could come between her and her meal! After training all night, she was starving and needed to replenish her energy immediately.
Tang Hongluan couldn’t help but sigh. This body was truly weak, just a few steps left her panting. It couldn’t withstand any strain at all. How was this acceptable?
By the time she finally reached the square, it was already crowded with people: men, women, and children alike.
The elderly priest stood on the central altar, the tribal chief beside him, both wearing solemn expressions.
Everyone in the square also looked grave.
Without any source of gossip, Tang Hongluan burned with curiosity. But the moment people around her noticed her, they instinctively stepped back as if she were a plague…
Tang Hongluan’s lips twitched. What kind of people were these?
“Hongluan?” A timid woman’s voice called out.
Tang Hongluan turned to see a petite woman staring at her, or more accurately, at the half-eaten roasted meat in her hand.
This woman was Hai Jie, the youngest daughter of a once-respected elder in the tribe. Later, it was said that this elder had conspired with outsiders to betray the tribe’s interests and was executed. His older children, who sought revenge, were also killed.
Only this youngest daughter was spared, the tribe reasoned that as a female and still young, she posed little threat.
The beast husbands assigned to Hai Jie were all trusted followers of the tribal chief, effectively keeping her under surveillance.
But according to the original host’s memories, Hai Jie had occasionally offered food, drink, or conversation whenever their paths crossed, back when the original host was still unkempt and erratic.
With her beast husbands watching closely, Hai Jie had no other friends. Occasionally chatting with a “useless” woman like Tang Hongluan didn’t raise any alarms.
After all, what trouble could two good-for-nothings possibly stir up?
Seeing that Hai Jie was hungry, Tang Hongluan handed over the untouched portion of her roasted meat. “Here, it’s freshly cooked. Have some.”
Hai Jie glanced at Tang Hongluan, her eyes reddening slightly, before accepting the meat and eating.
“What’s going on?” Tang Hongluan seized the chance to gather information, she was dying of curiosity.
“Yesterday, the tribe went out for a group hunt, but halfway through, the Mountain God got angry. Several beastmen died, and I heard Xiao Shuo was also cursed.” Hai Jie devoured the roasted meat, surprised that Tang Hongluan knew to cook the meat before eating it.
“The Mountain God got angry?” Tang Hongluan widened her eyes. Xiao Shuo was cursed?
No wonder the priest was dressed so formally today, looks like they’re resorting to mysticism…
But what could make the Mountain God so furious? A landslide? An earthquake?
She couldn’t figure it out.
“The mountain spewed fire… several beastmen turned to ashes in an instant!” Hai Jie leaned in and whispered, “It seems the Tiger Tribe has offended the Mountain God, which is why they suffered this calamity!”
The mountain spewed fire…
Tang Hongluan fell silent. Could it be they encountered a volcanic eruption?