Chapter 164

Master, I want it.

"Squeak, I want to eat."

Both the All-Element Sprite and the Little Black Bird expressed their desire to devour the demonic pill to Yu Su simultaneously.

Yu Su: "..."

There's only one demonic pill.

The All-Element Sprite, realizing someone is competing for it, quickly says, "Master, if I eat this demonic pill, I can expand my storage space a bit more."

The Little Black Bird, unaware of the competition, senses Yu Su's hesitation and chirps, "I am a divine bird. According to the usual growth rate, it takes three thousand years to mature. Only by constantly devouring demonic pills and various treasures can I grow quickly."

Yu Su is surprised, "Raising you is so troublesome?"

Little Black Bird: "...It's not that troublesome."

On the side, Lu Yan watches with confusion. Considering Yu Su's affection for the Little Black Bird, there should be no hesitation about the ownership of the demonic pill. He recalls the high-level demonic pill from the Winged Serpent in the Black Flame Valley, and wonders if Yu Su gave it to an unknown entity back then.

It seems it's not just the Little Black Bird; that thing also wants to eat.

Lu Yan's eyes flash, "This monster forest is so vast; there should be more than one fourth-level monster. We haven't found the entity controlling the monster tide yet; perhaps there is another demonic pill."

Yu Su's eyes light up, "You're right."

He quickly decides the fate of the demonic pill in his hand and gives it to the Little Black Bird.

The All-Element Sprite is not happy: "Master, why give it to him?"

Yu Su soothes it, "The next demonic pill is for you. The Little Black Bird hasn't tasted genius treasures since birth. If we don't accelerate its growth, we'll have to wait three thousand years for it to mature."

The All-Element Sprite is Yu Su's bound spiritual treasure, and they share a special relationship. Knowing that the growth of the Little Black Bird benefits Yu Su as well, it reluctantly accepts, "Fine, give it to him for now."

The Little Black Bird, delighted with the demonic pill, promptly swallows it.

Watching it swallow, Yu Su finds it magical, "How did you swallow it without feeling bloated?"

Little Black Bird chirps, "It only transforms into a part of my strength, not really going into my stomach. It won't make me bloated."

Yu Su thinks about it, "How do you feel now?"

Little Black Bird: "It's okay, a fourth-level demonic pill can barely fill a tooth gap."

Yu Su twitches at this, and that's just barely enough to fill a tooth gap?

He can't help but worry about how he'll sustain this divine bird; it eats a lot.

...

The monster forest is even larger than Yu Su and the others initially thought.

Initially, they believed they had entered the inner region, but later realized they were far from the central part of the forest. Near the gorge, there were mostly low-level monsters, but as they ventured deeper, second and third-level monsters appeared.

This suggests that the center of the forest likely has more than one fourth-level monster.

Yu Su solemnly says, "Looking at it now, the human tribe living on the eastern plains is actually living in the midst of monster encirclement. It's just that the Source Shaman Tribe blocks the entrance, and the distance from the central part of the forest allows the human tribe to live peacefully."

Lu Yan adds, "But now, with the monster tide, it means higher-level monsters have discovered that barrier."

He doesn't elaborate, but Yu Su understands his point.

Higher-level monsters have found the barrier or the human tribe living behind it. They manipulate the monster tide to attack the barrier. Once, twice, and soon there will be a third and fourth time. In other words, the peaceful life of the human tribe has been disrupted.

However, despite searching for almost three days, they haven't found the monster behind the scenes.

Yu Su suddenly has an idea, "Why doesn't the fourth-level monster attack the barrier itself? With a fourth-level monster like the rot spider, the Source Shaman Tribe's barrier wouldn't hold."

Lu Yan follows his thought, "Maybe it can't break the barrier and can only achieve its goal by controlling those low-level monsters."

Yu Su adds, "It's strange. Generally, fourth-level monsters have strong attack power. What kind of monster has a level but lacks attack power?"

Lu Yan thinks and says, "No, it's not just about the level; it also has the ability to control those monsters."

Yu Su agrees, "You're right. Perhaps this monster specializes in control, and..."

He communicates with the All-Element Sprite in his mind, "Little All, check for monsters between the third and fifth levels, good at control but with weak attack power, excluding those with a large body."

If it's large, it would be hard to hide from their search. Yu Su suspects this monster has a small size.

"Add one more condition, skilled in stealth."

The All-Element Sprite searches its database and says, "There are several types of monsters that match this description, but five fall between the third and fifth levels. Among them, the ones with only control abilities are the Green-Eyed Phantom Butterfly and the Phantom Beast."

Phantom Beasts are rare and timid, unlikely to venture into human territories. So, the Green-Eyed Phantom Butterfly is more likely. Though it's not a definite conclusion, after searching for days without results, it's worth a try.

Yu Su describes the appearance and features of the Green-Eyed Phantom Butterfly to Lu Yan.

Lu Yan's eyes flash, "Green-Eyed Phantom Butterfly?"

Yu Su continues, "Its wings, when spread, are about the size of two palms. There are large green eyes on its wings, and anyone who sees those eyes is easily confused. So, be careful."

Lu Yan adds, "Butterflies generally like to perch on plant branches, some prefer cliffs, and others like places with water or salt springs. They might be attracted to the environment of the gorge."

Yu Su instructs the All-Element Sprite to search for more detailed information. "Green-Eyed Phantom Butterflies like to perch on trees on cliffs..."

At this point, Yu Su and Lu Yan exchange glances, both thinking the same thing.

"Perhaps that butterfly was attracted to the gorge's environment and wanted to take it over, thus controlling low-level monsters to attack the Source Shaman Tribe?"

After all, the gorge in which the Source Shaman Tribe lives is like a paradise.

"Or maybe, the Green-Eyed Phantom Butterfly is already within the Source Shaman Tribe's territory."

Yu Su immediately says, "Let's go back."

...

Source Shaman Tribe.

Yu Su and Lu Yan have been away for three or four days. Yu Mang and the others are idle, so they take the initiative to help the Source Shaman Tribe rebuild their homes.

Led by Yu Mang, strong and efficient workers, they quickly become familiar with the people of the Source Shaman Tribe. In just a few days, they've become like brothers.

"You guys really know a lot," said Gu Feng, the small leader who confronted Yu Mang outside the gorge, two years older than Yu Mang and already married with a child.

Gu Feng is impressed because Yu Mang and the others not only know how

to build houses but also understand many sophisticated structures and the weaving of delicate objects. To the Source Shaman Tribe, who view them as more intelligent than the average village, Yu Mang and his group appear to be a cut above the rest.

"In the end, it's all taught by Big Brother Yu Su. Now, our village's houses are also built like this. There are many novel things too. If you come to our Yu Village, you'll see," Yu Mang says.

Gu Feng and his group are curious after hearing Yu Mang's words, developing an interest in the distant Yu Village.

"If the Great Shaman allows, we'll visit your Yu Village."

"But isn't it far?"

Yu Mang smiles, "It's fast on horseback."

"Is it the wild horses you tamed? I've been wanting to ask, what's the thing you put on them when riding?" Gu Feng inquires.

"That's the horse gear. If you want, we can sell some to you."

"Even this, you guys sell?" Gu Feng and his group are surprised.

Yu Mang nods, "Not just this; there are many other things. Next time, when our village's trading caravan comes this way, I'll bring the caravan for a visit and show you the things we sell."

Yu Mang's words quickly spread throughout the Source Shaman Tribe, reaching the ears of the tribe's Great Shaman.

"Great Shaman, the horse gear from Yu Village is indeed very practical. I tried it, and if you want, we can buy some?" Gu Feng and his group look at the Great Shaman expectantly.

The Source Shaman Tribe's Great Shaman, after contemplating for a moment, discusses with some people in the tribe and eventually decides to place an order, primarily for horse gear.

As for the wild horses, they can tame them themselves; they're not lacking in horses.

The Source Shaman Tribe's Great Shaman also asks Yu Mang about what other goods Yu Village's trading caravan sells.

Yu Mang, who followed the caravan eastward last time, learned many things and speaks eloquently when introducing their products. The Source Shaman Tribe's people become especially enthusiastic.

Even the Source Shaman Tribe's Great Shaman shows a keen interest.

Seeing their reaction, Yu Mang knows that the next time the caravan comes, they will make a good profit again.

These friends from the Source Shaman Tribe are easy to get along with.