Today, they didn’t take the usual route. The massive troop marched forward in grand formation, and along the way, Yun Jiao spotted many treasures.
There were all kinds of herbs—large and plentiful—fruits that were big and round, and especially those rows of black fungus growing thickly on rotting wood not far ahead.
Just then, the bird-tribe beastmen who had gone to scout returned, reporting to Bao Cang (the leopard) what kinds of wild beasts lay ahead.
Bao Cang immediately ordered the main troop to rest in place, then led several groups of beastmen toward that direction.
The females began searching nearby for edible fruits. Only Yun Jiao jumped down from Lei Xiao’s back, grabbed a large beast hide, and rushed straight toward the fungus. It looked very much like those elderly folks charging into a supermarket sale, clutching plastic bags.
Lei Xiao, Hua Duo, and the four guards followed closely behind. Seeing her pick those slimy, densely packed, disgusting things made their brows twitch violently.
“Yun Jiao, why are you picking this rotten tree flesh?” Hua Duo glanced once and instantly broke out in goosebumps.
“This isn’t rotten tree flesh, it’s called wood ear fungus. It’s delicious. I’ll make soup for you later.” Yun Jiao said this while realizing her beast hide was nearly full, so she quickly asked Lei Xiao to fetch another.
Lei Xiao nodded, brought her a clean hide, tied up the one already stuffed with fungus, and then went to help.
Hua Duo, who had a touch of trypophobia, felt nauseated just looking at the fungus.
But Yun Jiao said it was edible. For food, she braved it.
Hua Duo tried to ignore the slimy, revolting texture and quickly plucked the fungus. Their commotion soon drew the attention of other females.
Seeing Yun Jiao actually picking that disgusting “rotten tree flesh,” their expressions were like old men on the subway staring at their phones.
“Is she crazy?”
“I think so. Haven’t you noticed she’s always seemed a bit off in the head?”
“Don’t say that—she’s the Sacred Female.”
“Being the Sacred Female doesn’t mean she can’t be dim-witted. Who else would choose a cold-blooded beastman as her first husband?”
“Well… that’s true…”
…
The females whispered among themselves, clearly disliking Yun Jiao.
When she was considered a “useless female,” the other females disdained her, acting as if they might catch something from her. Even after she became the Scared Female, they still disliked her—because Yun Jiao’s presence made the males behave abnormally.
Some females’ beast husbands showed longing expressions whenever Yun Jiao was mentioned. For females who were used to being adored, how could that not make them uncomfortable?
Guo Guo ignored these petty females and led Hu Yun toward Yun Jiao.
The females rolled their eyes: walking so close to Yun Jiao, weren’t they afraid their own beast husbands would be seduced away?
A few males, hearing Yun Jiao say the fungus was edible, quietly came over too. If the Sacred Female said it could be eaten, then it must be true. They wanted to bring some back for their partners.
The females rolled their eyes again: of course, these males couldn’t behave even with partners. Getting so close to Yun Jiao while their mates weren’t around—who would believe they had no ulterior motives?
Until the shaman arrived, accompanied by two male guards.
The females: “…”
They all fell silent, beginning to wonder—could it really be edible?
Yun Jiao was startled to see the shaman: “You… want to eat this?”
The shaman nodded. “You said this is called wood ear fungus? Do you eat it just like this?”
“Wood ear can’t be eaten raw. It must be cooked or stir-fried.”
“Why?”
“Eating it raw is dangerous. It can cause illness—like skin swelling and itching—and it can upset the stomach.”
Yun Jiao knew the shaman wouldn’t understand technical terms, so she explained as simply as possible.
The shaman gave a faint smile, opened her beast-hide pouch, and pulled out a freshly picked herb. She asked, “Do you know what this is?”
Yun Jiao glanced at it and answered honestly: “Aloe vera!”
“…” The shaman was momentarily surprised, then asked, “And its effect?”
“It treats wounds, stops bleeding.”
“And this one? Do you recognize it?” The shaman produced another herb.
Yun Jiao didn’t know what the shaman was really testing, but she answered each question anyway. After all, this was the shaman—someone she couldn’t afford to offend.
The shaman asked several times, then finally nodded in satisfaction: “Are you willing to learn the art of witch doctors from me?”
“Huh?” Yun Jiao was stunned.
The surrounding beastmen were also shocked.
Guo Guo exclaimed excitedly: “Yun Jiao, why are you still standing there? Hurry and agree to the shaman!”
Lei Xiao squeezed Yun Jiao’s hand, urging her to accept quickly.
The art of witch doctors was never passed on lightly. A shaman would not casually allow a beastman to study under them. Once such words were spoken, it meant that beastman was almost certain to inherit the position and become the next shaman.
But Yun Jiao was troubled. According to the original host’s memories, witch doctors possessed a kind of supernatural ability—they could communicate with the Beast God. She only knew medicine. She had no supernatural ability to commune with the Beast God!
Just as she hesitated, that woman’s voice sounded again in her mind: [Agree to her!]
[Lord Beast God, you’ve woken up? Could you please leave my mind?]
[Awake for now. Quickly agree to her.]
[But I can’t communicate with the Beast God!]
[…Are you stupid? I am right here in your sea of consciousness. If you want to communicate with me, just ask directly!]
The foolish Yun Jiao: […]
Well, that wasn’t wrong. But still: [You won’t stay in my sea of consciousness forever.]
[I will slowly teach you.]
[Ahem, but I don’t want to be a shaman!]
Being a doctor was exhausting. And in this world, doctors weren’t just doctors—they also had the extra duty of communicating with the Beast God.
In her previous life, she had nearly destroyed herself preparing for her medical licensing exams, sleeping only three hours a day and almost losing her hair from stress. This time around, she really just wanted to be a salted fish—living lazily without ambition.
That voice paused for a moment, then quickly continued: [When many shamans sense their end is near, they will choose a suitable beastman to inherit their position. At first, this beastman is no different from the others—without special powers, unable to communicate with me.]
[But while serving as a shaman’s apprentice, they help treat and heal many beastmen.]
[During this time, they accumulate a certain amount of faith power.]
[As the faith power grows, they gain the ability to communicate with me. Naturally, they then become a shaman.]
[So, witch doctor—the most important part is not the “witch” but the “doctor.” Witchcraft comes once faith power reaches a certain level, but medicine requires true systematic study. There are no shortcuts. Do you understand?]
Yun Jiao finally understood—so this was the essence of being a shaman!
But her focus quickly shifted: “The shaman is going to die?”
The Beast God was speechless. After all that explanation, and that’s the only thing she remembered? Fine!
So the Beast God followed her train of thought: [Yes! Your tribe’s witch doctor has at most one year left. That’s why she’s so eager to find a successor.]
[Look at her—so old, so frail. If you don’t agree, her lineage will be cut off.]
[Think of modern times—those fading operas, those intangible cultural heritages. The sorrow of elders with treasures no one inherits. Can you really bear that?]