A massive black snake’s head peered out from the tree’s crown; the familiar coldness flashing in its black pupils sent a chill down Ji Nuan’s spine.
She was confident in the efficacy of the Sharp Tooth Grass. She didn’t expect the Snake Orc to recover so quickly.
She quickly moved forward to hold the flustered little lion cub in her arms. A sarcastic smile tugged at Ji Nuan’s lips, "I honestly didn’t expect that you could recover so rapidly. It appears that the dose wasn’t sufficient."
The black python slithered down the sturdy tree trunk and transformed into an Orc with a slightly soft visage upon landing.
Ji Nuan was taken aback, "You’re not the Snake Orc?"
Ya Li smirked, his elongated eyes slightly raised as he said, "I never would have guessed that that fellow Ya Gu would lose to such a small, scrawny cub like you. This is a disgrace to our Tumang Tribe.
Furthermore, kiddo...
Don’t compare me to that idiot. I am the successor of the Shaman of the Tumang Tribe, Ya Li.
Ah~ Of course, I’m also the older brother of that guy you knocked out."
Ya Li slowly approached Ji Nuan. His slender fingers stretched towards her as he coaxed, "Alright, little one, come with me.
Your clansmen have been detained by Dori and Muke. That impressive Lightning Mink is quite powerful, but against two Orcs, there’s little hope of a rescue."
Ya Li, the Orc, spoke truly. They couldn’t rely on anyone else and both the cub and herself were at a disadvantage. She thought surrendering would be faster than fighting this massive python.
"Ah! Oof! Aaah!" Suddenly, the chubby cub in her arms started shaking painfully and crying out in distress.
Ji Nuan’s heart clenched. She quickly patted the cub’s plump little head and worriedly asked, "Cub, cub! What’s wrong, where does it hurt?"
As she watched the cub squirm in agony, Ji Nuan couldn’t bear it. Tears welled up in her eyes as she asked the Snake Beast, "You said you are a Shaman, do you know what’s wrong with the cub?"
Ya Li lazily glanced at the little lion cub convulsing in Ji Nuan’s arms, casually flicking a fingernail, "It’s nothing, he’s just transforming."
"So, it’s a transformation!" Ji Nuan breathed a sigh of relief, but her smile barely had time to fade before it broke into shock, "Did you say the cub is transforming?!!!"
Intrigued by Ji Nuan’s shocked expression, Ya Li shrugged nonchalantly, "Yes, it’s pretty obvious."
Hurriedly, Ji Nuan placed the cub onto a pile of hay, pacing nervously, "What do we do! What do we do! There’s no Transformation Grass here!"
Transformation is a pivotal moment in a cub’s life. When they transform, a Shaman is always present to protect them. The most important part of the process is drinking the potion brewed from Transformation Grass to ensure the transformation is successful. Otherwise, the cub might not survive the painful transformation.
The little lion cub rolled and cried in the hay. Ji Nuan paced beside him, wanting to comfort him, but afraid that touching him would only cause more pain. She withdrew her stretched out hand, clenching it tightly. Her fingertips turned white from the pressure.
Watching Ji Nuan’s distressed state, Ya Li laughed maliciously, "There’s no use worrying. This little cub is surely going to fail his transformation.
Transformation Grass only grows on Eneru Mountain. Each year, when the Transformation Grass ripens, the tribes organize strong Orcs to collect it. This valuable herb is usually managed carefully by the Shamans.
It’s just bad luck for the cub. Cubs that fail their transformation usually die from twisted bones throughout their body."
With that, his long legs disappeared. The thick snake tail covered in black scales coiled around Ji Nuan, and the narrow eyes were devoid of any kindness, "Leave him to his fate! Don’t waste my time over a small cub."
Ignoring Ji Nuan’s curses, he quickly swung his tail and slithered off.
The small golden figure rolling in the bushes was soon far off. The cub’s cries were left behind. Ji Nuan’s eyes turned red, and she hit the snake tail restraining her with her small claws, shouting out loud.
"Put me down! You repulsive reptile, I need to stay with the cub! Ah~~ Put~me~down~"
Ji Nuan cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting at the retreating figure of the Orc, kicking her legs randomly in protest.
Ya Li, who always boasted of a good temper, had his head throbbing due to the piercing noise and stopped in his tracks, looking irate.
He suddenly bent forward, and with his muscular arm around Ji Nuan’s neck, lifted her in the air.
Ji Nuan felt as if her airway was being rigidly constricted. She couldn’t breathe due to the pain in her neck. The feeling of suffocation turned her face red. Her nails left white scratches on the Orc’s arm, indicating its toughness.
Everything started to blur before her eyes and darkness descended in waves. Ji Nuan held back a self-mocking smile. It seemed like she was about to die...for real this time.