The Survival of the Wild Tribe

167

Although he was hiding in a spot not easily discovered by the Tiger and Lion tribe, Luo Zhen didn't waste time sitting and waiting for Lu Zhan and A Qing to return.

Protected by flame ants, he didn’t need to fear snakes, insects, rats, or ants in the grass. Shan Qi wouldn't stop Luo Zhen from searching for edible plants nearby, as long as he didn't stray too far.

It was the season for ripe wild fruits, but the ripening patterns were different from what Luo Zhen was familiar with. In this world, wild fruits ripened at various times throughout the year, regardless of the season. Tropical and temperate fruits could appear on the same mountain, challenging his previous understanding.

Nevertheless, Luo Zhen welcomed this phenomenon. If humans could become beasts, then ripe fruits out of season were no problem. He happily picked ripe raspberries, a newly discovered fruit with a sour-sweet taste, suitable for making wine and improving eyesight, which was beneficial for many in the tribe.

After collecting raspberries, Luo Zhen indulged in eating fresh weeds, savoring their taste. Unlike in the tribe, he didn't worry about getting fat, as he no longer controlled his food intake. He let the chasing wind graze freely, devouring grass as if it were the food of life.

Once he picked enough raspberries, Luo Zhen dug up a few seedlings and placed them on top of the luggage to dry. This prevented them from rotting. Despite their appearance, these weed seedlings were resilient, containing a small amount of life energy in their rhizomes. When needed, activating this energy would rejuvenate them, allowing them to take root and grow again.

In addition to raspberries, what surprised Luo Zhen most was finding a mulberry tree. The tree was tall, interspersed with a few cedar trees. Luo Zhen didn't notice it at first; it looked like any other white tree. A caterpillar fell onto Luo Zhen's collar, and he reacted only after Lu Yiyan bit it to death.

By then, it was too late for Luo Zhen to stop Lu Yi. The caterpillar was already split in two. Lu Yi looked up proudly, expecting praise from Luo Zhen. They were accustomed to being fed by Luo Zhen, and flame ants wouldn't eat raw meat from the wild unless necessary.

A Si seemed annoyed that he wasn't as quick as Lu Yi, his tentacles drooping.

Luo Zhen didn't have time to praise Lu Yi. He twisted the dismembered caterpillar and looked up at the tall trees above. He'd seen mulberry trees before, but they were only two or three meters tall, making them easy to pick from. This was the first time Luo Zhen had seen such a tall mulberry tree, and the caterpillars falling from it...

Luo Zhen silently examined the white caterpillar, now lifeless in his hand. Was this a silkworm baby? It must be, right? The thought of the soft silk and satin made him feel as if millions were lost in vain. It distressed him deeply.

"A Yi, A Si, next time you see these white silkworms, don't harm them," Luo Zhen instructed, fearing Lu Yi would cruelly divide another silkworm.

Not receiving the expected praise, Lu Yi's head drooped, responding with a sorrowful voice. A Si, however, became more energetic, a little pleased he had been slower earlier.

Knowing Luo Zhen wanted these plump silkworm babies, Lu Yi and A Si offered to help catch them.

Though the mulberry tree was tall, its branches couldn't bear a man's weight. Luo Zhen summoned the other flame ants and instructed them and Lu Yi to help catch the silkworm babies.

Despite being larger than the flame ants, silkworm babies were harmless. Plus, flame ants could easily carry loads heavier than themselves, so Lu Yi quickly retrieved the babies from the tree and brought them to Luo Zhen.

"Awesome," Luo Zhen praised, carefully placing the baby silkworms into the wooden box that had been empty in the morning.

There was already a layer of freshly picked mulberry leaves in the wooden box. If it weren’t for worrying that the silkworm babies wouldn’t adapt to human temperature, Luo Zhen would have liked to pick them up and take a closer look.

Despite the tall mulberry tree, there weren't many silkworms living on it. The flame ants rummaged through every mulberry leaf, finding only around twenty or so silkworms, some of which were already chrysalises. Unfortunately, many were dry or moldy, useless for harvesting.

In addition to silkworms, the mulberry fruits on the tree were also collected by the flame ants. However, they weren't fully ripe yet, and the quantity was limited.

Before leaving, Luo Zhen also took two large mulberry branches with lush leaves, wrapping them in mud and securing them with animal skins. With a little water and life energy each day, they would grow. Though it was a bit cumbersome to carry, Luo Zhen was willing to do it for the silk.

Upon returning to their foothold, Shan Qi was surprised to see Luo Zhen, especially with the burden of carrying the branches. "Great Witch, are you taking these trees with us?" Shan Qi asked, noticing the unusual load.

Luo Zhen smiled, pleased with the discovery of the silkworm babies. He showed Shan Qi the wooden box in his arms. "I found something good. Now we won't need to wear these hot, thick beast skins in the summer anymore."

Shan Qi glanced over and saw the white silkworms wriggling in the wooden box. Despite the hot day, he felt goosebumps on his arms and quickly stepped back. Nobody would guess that a one-meter-tall, strong man who could tear a hog deer bison with his hands would be most afraid of such soft little creatures.

His expression somewhat blunt, Shan Qi asked, "Da Wu, what use is it for you to catch these little bugs?"

Luo Zhen didn't notice Shan Qi's discomfort. Excitedly, he explained the role of silkworm babies in making silk.

It was the first time Shan Qi had heard that the cocoons formed by such small bugs could be used to make clothes. If Luo Zhen hadn't explained it, he might have thought it was a lie. Despite his surprise, Shan Qi avoided looking at the wooden box and discreetly moved a few steps away.

Luo Zhen didn't mind. He also noticed that Shan Qi didn't seem to like these soft silkworm babies very much.

After packing up the newly picked wild fruits, Luo Zhen noticed Lu Zhan and A Qing returning. Lu Zhan led the way, carrying two heavy animal skin backpacks, while A Qing followed closely behind, carrying something on his back, obscured by A Qing's body shape, preventing Luo Zhen from seeing it clearly.

Lu Zhan returned proudly, showing off, "Zhenzhen, I found some red salt. See if you can eat this stuff."

"Red salt?" Luo Zhen leaned forward curiously.

Lu Zhan opened the animal skin backpack, revealing red and bright sand-like particles. He took a handful, sniffed it, and confirmed it was salty.

"I've tasted it, and it's salty," Lu Zhan assured, noticing Luo Zhen's hesitation to try it.

Luo Zhen gave him a skeptical glance. He didn't agree with Lu Zhan's habit of putting everything in his mouth when found in the wild. After all, better safe than sorry. He preferred to catch a few hares to test things first, even if it took time. However, perhaps Lu Zhan's instincts for danger were very sensitive, as nothing had happened despite his random taste tests.

"Chief, Leader, can we set aside Shiyan's matters for now? Saving people is more important." A Qing squeezed between them, his pace not as fast as Lu Zhan's, and he was still carrying a person on his back, making him slightly out of breath.

Luo Zhen noticed the person on A Qing's back, a thin ordinary woman.

"Who is this?" Luo Zhen asked suspiciously. Hadn't they gone to the stone mountain? Why were they returning with someone? Only the Tiger and Lion tribe should be in this area, but how could they be carried away so easily?

A Qing quickly explained, "This is Achun, Axue's younger sister."

"Axue's sister? Isn't she the Black Witch's daughter?" Luo Zhen was puzzled. Why was she here? And judging by her breath, she seemed exhausted, as if she could collapse at any moment.

"She's still Luca's partner," Lu Zhan added.