Translator: CinderTL
Earth Vein Stone...
Xu Sanyan lowered his head slightly. It seemed this was the key.
"How do we obtain Earth Vein Stones?"
"There are Earth Vein Stones beneath Heroic Soul Mountain, but they're becoming scarce. That's why we raid other tribes for theirs."
"I see."
As they walked and talked, they quickly reached the mountains.
Suddenly, a figure darted from the forest to their side, blocking their path. "Xun Ancai, why are you back so soon? Who is he?"
Xun Ancai shielded Xu Sanyan behind her, her expression wary. "He's mine. Move aside."
Xu Sanyan gazed at the woman ahead, a faint smile curving his lips.
Another woman...
This is getting more interesting.
The woman's gaze slid past Xun Ancai's shoulder, meeting Xu Sanyan's eyes. Her eyes slowly lit up. What a handsome man! If I married him, every day...
Heh heh...
Xu Sanyan returned her gaze without hesitation, even winking slightly and flicking his tongue across his lips, a hint of seduction in his gesture.
What a flirtatious man!
The woman's heart fluttered, a sudden heat rising within her. Her gaze shifted to Xun Ancai. "He's not one of the Dog Clan. According to our rules, he can't enter the village."
Xun Ancai grew frantic. "That's bullshit! He's my man! Why can't he come in?"
"Because I said so! Who knows if he's a spy from another tribe?"
"I'm taking him to see the clan chief!" Xun Ancai declared, grabbing Xu Sanyan and trying to force her way through.
"Try it and see what happens!" the woman snarled, glaring at Xun Ancai with narrowed eyes.
"Xun Hua, you're just trying to make trouble for me!"
"So what?" Xun Hua retorted, unfazed. Both women had undergone the Blessing of Three Prayers, and neither feared the other.
"Then I'll kill you!" Xun Ancai roared, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.
"Hmph!"
Xun Hua scoffed, her figure blurring as she lunged into battle.
Xu Sanyan watched as the two figures twisted and turned, the dull thuds of their blows echoing in his ears. Their movements were lightning-fast, their strikes merciless.
The brutal, bone-jarring combat sent his blood surging, his heart pounding with excitement.
Xu Sanyan's eyes widened in admiration. What fierce women!
"Stop!"
A thunderous shout echoed from the distance. Xu Sanyan turned to see a middle-aged woman swiftly enter the fray. With a casual flick of her wrists, she separated Xun Ancai and Xun Hua as easily as plucking up chicks.
Xun Ancai didn't dare resist, but she glared venomously at Xun Hua.
Another woman?
Xu Sanyan stared at the middle-aged woman, puzzled. Why are all the members of the Dog Clan women?
"Who are you?" The woman set Xun Ancai and Xun Hua down and turned her gaze sharply on Xu Sanyan.
"He's my man!" Xun Ancai declared loudly, staking her claim.
"Shut up and let him speak for himself," the woman snapped, slapping the back of Xun Ancai's head.
"My name is Xu Sanyan."
"Where are you from?"
"From the outside world." Xu Sanyan didn't know how else to explain. He knew nothing about this world, so even if he wanted to lie, he wouldn't know where to begin.
"The outside world?" The woman seemed to recall something. "Come with me. We're going to see the clan chief."
Xun Ancai's lips moved, muttering, "He's mine..."
The woman glared at her impatiently. "You're coming too!"
"Oh..."
Xun Hua watched Xu Sanyan's retreating figure, silently wiping the sweat from her palms.
Xun Ancai leaned close to Xu Sanyan, warning him, "Be careful around those women. They're all bad news. Stay away from them."
"Don't worry," Xu Sanyan said firmly. "You're the only one in my heart."
"Ugh... Why are you suddenly saying that?"
Xun Ancai's heart fluttered with sweetness, though a hint of shyness colored her cheeks. She secretly reached out and took Xu Sanyan's hand.
Xu Sanyan didn't resist, letting her hold his hand. He knew he needed to give her occasional glimpses of hope, but never let her truly attain it—a delicate balance he had to maintain.
The middle-aged woman led them silently up the mountain path.
Xu Sanyan observed the trees lining the trail and the simple wooden huts scattered through the forest. Occasionally, people passed by, their curious gazes scrutinizing him.
Overall, the so-called Dog Clan seemed to be living in a primitive era, relying primarily on hunting and gathering wild fruits for survival. Their productivity was extremely backward; they even still wore animal skins.
The tribe also included men, some of whom were remarkably strong and held higher social status. This suggested it wasn't a purely matriarchal society, but rather one that revered strength above all else.
As long as one possessed power, gender didn't matter. Men could marry women, and women could naturally marry men.
Most importantly, men here could become pregnant!
According to Xun Ancai, pregnancy didn't rely on sperm. Instead, one had to visit the so-called Heroic Soul Mountain and conceive through some special method.
This society's structure is quite intriguing...
Xu Sanyan gazed at the increasingly dense wooden huts on either side, realizing he had fully entered the heart of the Dog Clan's territory.
The population here was noticeably denser, and nearly every household kept dogs. Most were two-headed dogs, with a smaller number of three-headed dogs, and an even smaller fraction with more than three heads.
Xu Sanyan couldn't help but wonder: with so many heads, which one truly dominated? Did the three heads ever quarrel among themselves?
"We're here. Come inside," the middle-aged woman said, standing before a low-slung cave entrance.
"What about me?" Xun Ancai asked.
"Wait outside."
"Oh..."
Xu Sanyan hesitated briefly before following the woman into the cave.
At this point, he had nothing to fear. If they harbored ill intentions, he had no means to defend himself anyway.
The cave sloped slightly downward. After about a dozen steps, a faint light appeared ahead, accompanied by the acrid smell of burning oil—likely the source of the illumination.
The woman stopped, and Xu Sanyan halted beside her, peering into the depths of the cave. The cavern was filled with earthenware bowls, unidentified medicinal herbs, and the organs of wild beasts.
A slightly hunched figure was busy with their back to him, occasionally letting out a soft cough. Judging by the sound, it was likely an elderly woman.
At the old woman's feet lay a massive dog with seven heads piled atop one another.
"Clan Chief, this man claims to be from the outside world. Please decide what to do," a middle-aged woman said softly, as if afraid to disturb the elder.
"Very well, you may return to your duties," the old woman replied in a gentle voice that instinctively drew people closer.
"Yes, Clan Chief."
The middle-aged woman turned and left, unconcerned that Xu Sanyan might pose a threat to the clan chief. The seven-headed giant dog alone was more than enough to deter any ordinary person.
Xu Sanyan remained silent, watching the old woman work. It seemed she was refining medicine.
Legend had it that medicinal refinement was the precursor to alchemy, using various combinations to create miraculous effects.
Xu Sanyan knew nothing of this art and had no interest in it.
One of the seven heads of the giant dog lifted to glance at him before closing its eyes again, reassured.
Xu Sanyan's lips twitched. He seemed to understand the meaning in its eyes:
Too weak to worry about.
(End of the Chapter)
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