The aftereffects of the storm came from the Xia clan in the forest.

Jiang Yunlan did not see the butterfly beastman by the lake.

Perhaps the Medicine Clan went to a more distant place to find a habitat. Thinking this, she caught 022 as it flew back.

"Lan, the beastmen around us are watching us." 022 climbed onto Lan's shoulder, her tone somewhat confused.

It sensed some gazes as it flew towards the lake. That's normal; it's unlikely there's another flying, transparent slime in this world, so naturally people would be curious. But why did the number of gazes suddenly increase dramatically when it returned to Lan's side?

Jiang Yunlan looked at the orc clans that consisted of only one race, then at the orcs of various forms behind her, and said uncertainly, "Perhaps it's because our clan is special? Many orcs of different races have come."

She guessed part of the reason correctly.

However, the orcs were unconsciously drawn to them not only because of the Xia clan orcs' healthy and strong physiques, but also because of their radiant spirits and clean and tidy attire.

This isn't a state that can be achieved simply by having a full stomach.

Many orcs didn't know why, even though they were used to being disheveled, they suddenly felt a little embarrassed and at a loss.

"So they're a mixed-race orc clan?" A carnivorous orc asked in surprise, observing the interaction between Jiang Yunlan and her group.

Orcs are born with an innate sense of smell that prevents them from consuming other orcs. Furthermore, due to their innate orcish scent, even the weaker, more perceptive orcs can always sense the aura unconsciously emanating from their carnivorous nature. Whether they like it or not, their scent often frightens other orcs.

The pointed-eared carnivorous orc was quite surprised. Herbivorous orcs and omnivorous orcs—weren't they always supposed to dislike carnivorous orcs? How could this clan of orcs get along so peacefully?

Nearby, the beastmen from other clans were also whispering about the newly arrived Xia clan.

“The orcs of this clan have very strong auras; they want to find one of the orcs to conceive their young,” Mu Qiang’s orc said.

"Yes, yes, their aura and gaze are just too powerful, making me hesitant to approach."

The orcs were uneasy, glancing restlessly at the Xia clan. Not a single orc dared to step forward; they were stunned.

Finally, the wolf-beastmen who knew Lup from the previous flowering season stepped forward first, raising their hands to greet Lup and the other beastmen. They had rushed over and hadn't even had time to wash their filthy bodies.

When Lup saw their appearance, she couldn't help but show her disgust and lean back.

"Wash yourselves clean before you come over."

The wolf-beastmen with gray-red hair scratched their heads, sniffed themselves, then remained silent for two seconds before turning and running towards the lake. They too were finding the scent of their prey's blood somewhat overwhelming.

Seeing the gray-haired wolf-beastmen's mistake, the other beastmen who also wanted to find the Xia clan beastmen, as if they had received a test paper full of correct answers, had a look of sudden realization on their faces. They remained silent and collectively rushed to the lake to wash themselves.

Jiang Yunlan couldn't help but take a few more glances at the scene, which resembled a pot of boiling water ready to be used for cooking dumplings.

"Lan, shall I carry you down?" Hui Xiaoxi asked, a blade of grass clenched in her mouth, as she opened her arms to look at Lan, who was still not getting out of the car.

Night was fast approaching, and it was time to set up a temporary resting place.

Bringing her thoughts back, Jiang Yunlan hesitated as she looked at the adult rock squirrel beastman, whose figure was much smaller than the others in her tribe. Another snow season had passed, and she was now eleven years old. The aftereffects of her near-death experience seemed to have healed.

Her skin has returned to a healthy wheat color, and she has gained a lot of weight. It will be very difficult for Gray Creek to pick her up.

“Let me do it,” Lup said, scooping up the smaller Lan.

She carefully placed Lan on the ground, and only let go of her hand after watching Lan stand steadily, saying in surprise, "A whole snow season has passed, and Lan is still so tiny."

"It's because you wolf-beastmen are all so big that you think I'm small," Jiang Yunlan said helplessly. She could only grow to a height of about 1.5 meters in her entire life, which was certainly small compared to the wolf-beastmen who were about two meters tall as adults.

Unable to hold Lan, Gray Creek regretfully put her hands behind her neck and said with a grin, "Lan is still a cub and is very small. I can pick her up with one hand. Lan, we rock squirrel beastmen are very strong, so don't worry about me not being able to carry you."

Rather, in places like the Rocky Zone, weaker orc clans would have long since died out.

Jiang Yunlan was stunned, then smiled sheepishly, "I understand, I won't hesitate next time."

She made the same mistake based on her past beliefs, subconsciously assuming that smaller beastmen weren't strong. She was strong enough to draw a heavy bow, and adult rock squirrel beastmen would be even stronger.

The orcs who came from the grasslands chose a clearing away from the lake, at a considerable distance from other orc clans.

Grey Creek and the other orcs often went out and had gotten used to the unpleasant smells of the other orcs around them, but they didn't want Lan to smell them. Lan preferred a clean and fresh environment.

On the way to set up the temporary rest area, Jiang Yunlan saw many orcs who had already washed themselves run over, trying to lure her people away.

Still a cub, she sat on the animal-skin bed laid out by her tribesmen, her bright eyes watching the orcs from other clans playfully fighting over each other in front of her own people. Orcs had many tricks up their sleeves when it came to courting.

They perform courtship dances in human or beast form, showcasing their strength and using their muscular physiques for allure. It doesn't mean anything else; it simply means the beastmen are displaying their physical prowess.

Regardless of gender, beastmen have only one criterion for choosing a mate: a healthy and strong physique.

The Xia clan's orcs perfectly embodied this. The grassland sheep orcs, fox orcs, and winged orcs who followed Xia were also more popular than usual.

Only the horse-beastmen were not invited. Of the horse-beastmen who came here, only Feng Er and his group were present.

"There aren't any horse-beastmen in Flower Garden this time either." Lup casually sat down next to Lan, rejecting all the wolf-beastmen's advances.

Yan Duoyu and the others didn't come, and Lan had no powerful orcs by her side. Now, the only orc who could protect Lan was me. She thought to herself, completely ignoring the group of orcs around her.

Jiang Yunlan, who was watching with her face propped up, glanced sideways and asked in a puzzled voice, "Wasn't this the same before?"

“Since I came to the grasslands, I haven’t seen any horse-beastmen other than Feng Er and the others. Feng Er, she…” Lupu paused for a few seconds, which was uncommon, before quickly returning to her usual expression.

“They weren’t originally called by these names. It’s because they only react when called by these names that their names became what they are now. They were originally different from us wolf-beastmen and shouldn’t have become a clan of many different horse-beastmen.”

Jiang Yunlan understood. Of the horse-beastmen in and around the plains, only Feng Er and his group remained. The rest of the horse-beastmen had been killed by the bear-beastmen.

“…So that’s how it is.” She said calmly, without revealing any emotion.

Just as Feng Er was about to start a fire, he suddenly heard his own name called. He turned around blankly to look at Lan and Lupu, who were talking. "Are you calling me?"

“We just happened to be talking about your name,” Jiang Yunlan suppressed her emotions, put on a smile, and said in the unique voice of a cub, “I’m hungry, Feng Er.”

The horse-orc holding the tinderbox felt as if something had struck her heart. She immediately put aside her previous confusion, lit the tinderbox, and quickly set up the earthenware pot. "Lan, wait a little longer, the food will be ready soon."

"Clatter".

The flames are burning.

Jiang Yunlan heard the sound of another flame igniting. The anger that had subsided in her heart had not been extinguished.

The familiar force gently patted her forehead, as if to soothe her.

"Lan," 022 called out, bringing the squirrel cub back to its senses, and slowly said, "Will Lan find a mate after she grows up?"

Companion? What companion? The beastmen, who had never encountered this Chinese word before, couldn't understand Lan and 022's encrypted conversation.

"No, I don't need them. I won't take any cubs either. Anyway, the Xia dynasty won't be based on inheritance in the future, so I don't need to have any. Besides, it's better if I don't have any, otherwise..." She glanced at the beastmen around her, who were pure in nature and very dependent on her, and didn't finish her sentence.

Having observed many civilizations, 022 understood and agreed, saying, "A good choice."

It watched as Lupu ran off to help Feng Er cook, then straightened up and whispered in Lan's fluffy ear, "Your body has died once, and its condition is different from other beastmen."

"Perhaps it's your body's protective mechanism, but the energy within you is extremely active. Your strength and your body's self-repairing abilities are constantly increasing. I can see that you will become a very powerful Rock Squirrel Beastman in the future."

As 022 spoke, she raised her hand again and touched Lan's forehead. The observation results were the same as before: Lan's vitality was very strong, and her physical functions were rapidly approaching their optimal state.

"But this growth doesn't come without a price. You can't reproduce. Your body shuts down this ability to protect you."

As it spoke, the corners of its mouth turned down, and its voice became even softer: "You will become healthier and will not experience the so-called aging period. When you do enter the aging period, your bodily functions will be unable to maintain their own operation, and you will die within six months of beginning to age."

"Lan, your lifespan is shorter than that of other rock squirrel beastmen. Because you don't have an aging period."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunlan laughed happily and whispered cheerfully to 022, "Isn't this great? It just so happens that I don't want cubs, and it just so happens that I'm afraid of developing many diseases when I get old. This means that I will be very healthy throughout my life and it will be difficult for me to get sick. Right?"

She smiled, thought for a moment, and couldn't help but feel even happier.

That's wonderful; you can stay healthy and strong forever without having to experience the diseases that come with aging.

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The author notes: Beastmen spend almost their entire lives in their prime, their youth, with their aging period lasting about three to four years. Therefore, Lan actually only had about three years less of her lifespan.