"Shaman, can you tell me exactly what a shaman is?"
Su Bai finally asked the question he had been holding back.
"Don't rush. I'll tell you everything."
The shaman stood up and walked deeper into the tent, then dragged out a large wooden chest from the corner. Its length, width, and height were each about one meter.
He placed the chest in front of Su Bai and slowly sat down.
"This chest is for you now. What's inside counts as part of the shaman's inheritance."
"May I open it?" Su Bai asked politely.
"Go ahead. I'll explain what a shaman is while you look," the shaman waved his hand.
Su Bai placed his hand on the chest and immediately felt how smooth it was. A faint fragrance of wood drifted into his nose, instantly clearing his head.
Just the chest alone was already a treasure.
His heart tensed slightly—
it felt like checking exam results.
Clack.
Su Bai lifted the lid with both hands. Inside were several items, the majority of which were rolled beast-skin scrolls.
"The beast skins record shamanic script—something only shamans can use," the shaman said with reluctance.
"There are also secret formulas written in shamanic script, as well as sayings left behind by our Flame Dragon Tribe's ancestors."
"Shamanic script?"
Su Bai picked up a scroll in confusion and carefully unrolled it. What greeted him were strange, wondrous patterns.
Upon closer inspection, the patterns seemed to move.
He frowned, forcing himself to discern what the symbols depicted. After a short while, his mind grew heavy, exhaustion surging as his eyelids drooped.
"That's enough. Shamanic script isn't something you can read right now," the shaman quickly stopped him.
"Hah…"
Su Bai exhaled deeply and hurriedly rolled the scroll back up. Only then did his head feel clearer.
"Only after inheriting a shaman's power will you be able to understand shamanic script."
The shaman shook his head and took out three palm-sized beast bones from the chest.
"These are shaman bone tokens. By channeling qi, blood, and shamanic power, you can activate the shamanic spells stored within them."
"The creation of shaman bone tokens requires shamanic patterns," he continued.
"And shamanic patterns are derived from shamanic script. Each pattern represents a different spell."
Setting the bone tokens aside, the shaman said proudly,
"Our Flame Dragon Tribe possesses three shamanic patterns, all passed down from our ancestors."
"What exactly are shamanic spells?"
Su Bai's eyes widened. He was finally touching the realm of the supernatural.
"Shamanic spells are strange and mysterious."
The shaman's expression turned solemn.
"There are many kinds of shamans. Poison shamans who wield toxins; divination shamans who foresee fortune and calamity; healing shamans who cure wounds and illness; and blessing shamans who enhance strength and speed."
"Then what kind of shaman are you?" Su Bai asked curiously.
"There's no fixed classification," the shaman shook his head, careful not to mislead him.
"It depends on what spells a shaman excels at."
"I'm better at healing spells, and I can also use some blessing spells."
"I understand," Su Bai said thoughtfully.
"So when dealing with other shamans, I should always keep some cards hidden—to avoid being ambushed."
"Child, you really are clever," the shaman praised him, though regret flickered in his eyes.
Only—Su Bai had appeared too late.
The shaman immediately followed with a warning:
"The materials and methods for crafting shaman bone tokens are recorded on the beast skins. Their origins and acquisition methods must be kept secret—this is the tribe's foundation."
There was no time to teach everything step by step. He could only emphasize the essentials, fearing that even a moment of carelessness would doom the entire Flame Dragon Tribe.
"I'll remember it well," Su Bai replied solemnly.
"Now that we've talked about shamans, let me tell you about the tribe."
The shaman spoke without pause.
"Our Flame Dragon Tribe now has only seventy-two people. In the future, you must encourage everyone to have more children—there are simply too few of us."
As he spoke, his eyes reddened. Thinking of the children who had died, his voice grew hoarse.
"Our ancestral land has been taken by the Black Serpent Tribe. They are very powerful. If they ever track us here, you must immediately order the tribe to relocate."
"I won't confront them head-on," Su Bai nodded firmly.
"But if there's a chance, I will definitely reclaim our ancestral land."
"That's good."
The shaman grinned happily, revealing only three remaining teeth.
"You're a smart child—not like Yan Jiao and Cang Shi, always impulsive and slow."
"Cough, cough, cough…"
Coughing sounds suddenly came from outside the tent—clearly Yan Jiao and Cang Shi had overheard them.
Cang Shi teased,
"Yan Jiao, the shaman says you're too impulsive."
"Shut up!" Yan Jiao shouted angrily.
"..."
"Ignore them," the shaman said helplessly, shaking his head.
He continued,
"Yan Jiao is the tribe's chieftain. If anything happens, you can consult him."
"Cang Shi is the head of the hunting team. Some materials needed for shaman bone tokens—you can order him to find."
"The hunting team are all totem warriors. They are the pillars of the Flame Dragon Tribe. If you can't decide something, ask for their opinions."
"And… you're not young anymore. Find a wife early and have children—only then will the shaman's inheritance be secure."
The shaman was drifting further and further off-topic.
"I think Yan Hua is quite good. She's the most beautiful in the tribe, and the strongest of the younger generation. You could make her your shaman maiden—she can take care of your daily life."
"..."
Su Bai's mouth twitched slightly, yet he felt no irritation at all. Instead, it felt warm.
The shaman reminded him of the old headmaster from the orphanage—always urging him to settle down and start a family.
"When people get old, they tend to talk too much,"
the shaman said, stroking his long beard.
Then, seemingly casually, he asked,
"Child, are you afraid of the Black Serpent Tribe?"
"Why should I be?" Su Bai asked instinctively.
"Hahaha!"
The shaman burst into hearty laughter, his eyes filled with kindness.
"Then it seems I truly chose the right person."
From Su Bai's words, he heard the answer he wanted.
From his attitude, he saw the resolve he hoped for.
"Shaman, I'll do my best to be a good shaman—lead the Flame Dragon Tribe to prosperity… cough—
and definitely reclaim our ancestral land," Su Bai said, nearly blurting out a poverty-alleviation slogan.
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