Chapter 1026, An Outright Refusal

Translator: Silavin

 

*Pitter-patter pitter-patter…*

 

The rain outside the window continued to fall without pause. The countdown to the end of the rainy season stood at three days.

 

The people of the Flame Dragon Tribe were in high spirits, though the nature of their high spirits was rather different from what it had once been.

 

In previous rainy seasons, the rain had kept them housebound entirely. But things were quite different now.

 

Their lives were rich these days. Even with rain falling day after day, it did nothing to prevent them from stepping outside. They went out to buy things, eat, drink, and take a stroll. Not one of those pleasures was foregone.

 

The fat drops of rain tumbling from the sky might as well not have existed at all, since everyone had an umbrella to hand.

 

So, whether the rainy season ended or not made very little practical difference to them now, though catching sight of the sun again would naturally be most welcome.

 

No one had any particular dislike of the Sun. The warmth of it on one’s skin was a luxury beyond description, and more importantly, it meant clothes could finally be dried properly.

 

At this moment, Yini and Ci were making their way to the Yong’an Building. It was the fifth day since their arrival at the Flame Dragon Tribe, and they were finally to be received.

 

The days before had been spent confined to the Restful Night Building, with brief excursions to the Central Market when they could manage it.

 

“We’re finally being received. I was starting to think we’d have to wait until the rainy season ended,” Yini said with a breath of relief.

 

They had been notified by Yan Jiao the previous day that the Shaman would see them today, and that they should prepare themselves accordingly.

 

“That’s right. Otherwise, there would have been little point in arriving early. Word is that the Green Vine Tribe is also being received today,” Ci said in a low voice.

 

During her days at the Flame Dragon Tribe, she had spent her time between Restful Night Building and the Central Market, but had also found moments to visit Lu Zi.

 

The two of them had enjoyed each other’s company, originally being from the same Tribe after all.

 

Both of them understood how to conduct themselves, however, and had kept any discussion of their respective Tribes firmly out of their conversations.

 

It was something of an unspoken prohibition. Two people from different Tribes meeting frequently was not looked upon favourably, as it tended to set tongues wagging.

 

All the more so given the vast gulf between the Flame Dragon Tribe and the Earth Tiger Tribe. Their meetings alone would be enough to prompt speculation that the Earth Tiger Tribe had sent someone to gather intelligence, or that a member of the Flame Dragon Tribe was selling information.

 

As it happened, both of them had been kept under observation throughout. Lu Zi simply had no idea.

 

Ye Jiu had already arranged for someone to watch them discreetly, precisely out of concern that one or both of those suspicions might prove well founded.

 

There was also the question of whether Lu Zi might betray the Flame Dragon Tribe. After all, Ci too was from the Mountain Elephant Tribe, and both women came from the same place.

 

Fortunately, Lu Zi had a good head on her shoulders and was loyal to the Flame Dragon Tribe. She had done nothing to wrong them.

 

“I expected it,” Yini said calmly. “They arrived very early themselves, only a day behind us. They’ll definitely be received too.”

 

So long as they were seen first, there was nothing to worry about. The tiger eared girl was confident the Earth Tiger Tribe would come away with more favourable terms than the Green Vine Tribe.

 

In situations like this, whoever came first held the advantage. The Earth Tiger Tribe was that party. Beyond that, Yini had a card she was holding in reserve, so she had no particular cause for anxiety.

 

“You look rather confident. Have you brought something valuable?” Ci asked curiously.

 

She understood that, having come from another Tribe to join the Earth Tiger Tribe, certain things would naturally be kept from her, and she accepted that readily enough.

 

“Of course I have. You’ll see for yourself in a moment. It’s an Earth Tiger Tribe secret, so there’s no harm in knowing.”

 

Yini tossed her long hair back and continued, “Father would not permit it before, but I don’t see what the difficulty is…”

 

The tiger eared girl kept up a stream of murmured words as she walked, her chatter entirely unlike the contained, measured bearing she had once carried.

 

Ci could see the change in her plainly, and walked alongside in quiet composure, listening to the steady flow of her companion’s musings.

 

*Step step step…*

 

Half an hour later, the two of them arrived outside the second floor of the Yong’an Building, straightening their clothing before stepping inside.

 

“Esteemed Shaman of the noble Flame Dragon Tribe, I bring greetings on behalf of the Earth Tiger Tribe.” Yini was impeccably courteous, bowing in salutation the moment she entered, following the etiquette Yan Jiao had arranged for someone to instruct them in beforehand.

 

“Please sit. How have you found your time at the Flame Dragon Tribe these past few days?” Su Bai asked, coming directly to the point.

 

“The Flame Dragon Tribe has been full of surprises at every turn. We’ve had a wonderful few days,” Yini answered at once.

 

“Glad to hear it. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like,” Su Bai replied, making no inquiry as to the purpose of their visit.

 

There was no need for him to be in any hurry. The Earth Tiger Tribe were the ones with urgency on their side. They would not have made the journey during the rainy season otherwise.

 

“Shaman, the Earth Tiger Tribe eager to enter into a cooperative arrangement with you. Would that be possible?” Yini asked just as directly. The tiger eared girl’s posture, however, was stiff and deferential.

 

There was a compelling reason for that. The sense of pressure Su Bai projected had grown considerably stronger than in their last encounter, stronger than anything she had felt from him before. And the impression he gave was markedly different in other ways too. His bearing and spirit were entirely changed.

 

His features were the same, as handsome as ever, but his Physique had improved considerably, and the most significant change of all was his strength.

 

It was an increase perceptible to the naked eye. He now carried himself with the unmistakable presence of a High Grade Totem Warrior.

 

Added to that was his standing as a Shaman, and the Shaman Power radiating from him was truly formidable. Ordinary people would instinctively give him a wide berth.

 

“Cooperate with our Tribe? You should know our Tribe needs nothing else, least of all food.” Su Bai said, folding his hands together on the table before him.

 

“I’m aware that the Flame Dragon Tribe has no shortage of food. We understand that clearly, which is why we’ve brought something quite different this time.” Yini said with great seriousness.

 

“Oh? Something quite different? Such as Shaman Bone Tablets?” Su Bai asked with an easy smile.

 

“Shaman Bone Tablets are impossible to bring out, I’m afraid. They are among our Tribe’s most prized possessions. But we have something better, something your Tribe is certain to welcome.” Yini’s confidence was evident. She seemed to sit a little straighter as she said it.

 

“Continue. Maybe our Tribe does have a need for it.” Su Bai said, his interest piqued.

 

“Our Tribe has the means to Tame Ferocious Beasts. We can provide the Flame Dragon Tribe with live Ferocious Beasts,” Yini said, enunciating each word with deliberate precision.

 

The moment the tiger eared girl finished speaking, her confidence visibly swelled. Her back straightened further still, and a faint smile settled across her face.

 

“Ah, I see. Our Tribe has no need for that.” Su Bai said, declining without a moment’s consideration.

 

He had found it genuinely interesting when he first heard it, but the Flame Dragon Tribe simply had no use for it whatsoever.

 

Su Bai had heard long ago that certain Tribes possessed methods for taming Ferocious Beasts, and had once thought it would be a tremendous advantage if the Flame Dragon Tribe could acquire that capability.

 

For the Tribe’s development, it would have been a fine card to hold in reserve.

 

But Su Bai had the System. Through the System he had obtained the Taming Skill, and he had absolutely no need of the Earth Tiger Tribe.

 

That was precisely why he refused without hesitation. It held not the faintest trace of appeal.