After a busy day finding Crunchy Sweet Fruits, Ji Nuan didn’t bother going to other tribes to trade. Instead, she chose to stay in her tent and organize her things. Snuggling up to her chubby Little Silver Wolf, she soon drifted into dreamland early.
While Ji Nuan was luxuriating in her sweet dreams, some beasts were conducting unsavory deals under the cloak of the night.
"What’s your decision, Chief Sarkar? As long as we team up, the Tumang Tribe would agree to any demand you make," Ya Li’s voice was even more sinister in the darkness.
Sarkar stood under a tall tree with two trusted Orcs by his side, their figures shrouded in the shadows and their face expressions invisible.
His slightly hoarse voice echoed from beneath the tree: "I’ve said it before, after you integrate the Watson Tribe, their current territory should be allocated to us, the Green Mountain Tribe. If you agree, we will assist you."
A flicker of slyness flashed in Ya Li’s eyes, his smile grew darker: "No problem. We anticipated your demands when Shaman Benny came here this time. I can agree to these terms."
"Fine, after the tribal gathering, I will personally visit the Tumang Tribe. Then, our two tribes will jointly swear to Lord Beast God."
"Good!"
···
"Whine~ Am, when will we arrive at the assembly site? Yaoyao is so hungry~" A timid Orc Tribe was cautiously making its way through the forest in the dark while a soft female voice echoed in the air. Alarmed, Am, the female orc, immediately covered the youngster’s mouth.
A gentle voice whispered in the youngster’s ear: "Be good, Yaoyao~ We are almost there. Once we arrive, mom will get you some delicious fruits to eat. Remember, terrifying beasts come out at night, so we must not speak loudly!"
The young Orc called Yaoyao stared with tear-filled, frightened eyes, her small hands covering her mouth.
It’s too scary. Terrifying beasts that eat other beasts are out there. Yaoyao is scared. Yaoyao wants to go home···
"Clan Leader, we must find a powerful and wealthy Beast Tribe for these cubs this time. We can’t let them live in fear by staying with us," said an elderly Orc from the Rabbit Tribe, his voice full of hope.
Tu Ben sighed: "Hopefully, the Beast tribes would be willing to exchange for these little ones. Last time an Orc from the Beast Tribe said that the shamans have received a revelation from Lord Beast God, stating that the upcoming winter will be harsher. We don’t want our cubs to starve to death."
The Orcs from the Rabbit Tribe all lowered their heads to wipe away their tears.
Looking at the silent cubs by their side, the orc parents were reluctant to have their cubs live in other tribes. But compared to the possibility of them dying at any time, living in Beast Tribe would offer them more security.
In the forest, there were many other weak Orc Tribes gathering at the assembly site with the same objective.
···
Early in the morning, perhaps due to the lessons learned from yesterday, the forest’s creatures were cautiously sharing yesterday’s events and gossip. There was no longer the annoying chirping that irritated peoples’ ears.
Ji Nuan had a good sleep and woke up naturally. The chubby cub in her arms was spread-eagled and snoring sweetly.
She put on her Beast Skin clothes, lifted the curtain of her tent, and stepped outside. Comparatively, the basin area was much more crowded than yesterday. Many new tribes that she hadn’t seen before had popped up like mushrooms after the rain.