Chapter 26 I Became a Beast God in the Beast World (16)
The flickering campfire illuminated Zhou Jue's calm face and Shi Zhan's solemn expression.
"My first condition..."
Zhou Jue spoke slowly, his voice clear and firm: "I hope that the Rabbit Beast Tribe can become allies with the Giant Lion Tribe."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Zhan's brows furrowed immediately.
“Lord Wu, I’m afraid that won’t work.” He shook his head decisively, his tone carrying a hint of difficulty and an undeniable pride: “Our Giant Lion Tribe never forms alliances with other tribes.”
This is a tradition and pride ingrained in their bones. They are powerful enough that they need no allies and disdain forming cliques.
Zhou Jue seemed to have anticipated his reaction. She smiled slightly and continued, "Chief Shi Zhan, you misunderstand. The alliance I'm referring to is not a traditional, equal alliance. The Rabbit Beast Tribe is weak, and we know our limitations. We don't expect the Giant Lion Tribe to fight for us."
She paused, then stated her core demand: "What we need is simply shelter. A place within the territory of your Giant Lion tribe where we can live and thrive in peace. We don't need you to provide us with food, nor do we need you to defend us against enemies. We can be self-sufficient. We just want to stop being bullied and exploited at will by tribes like the Ironclaw Wolves."
Seeing Shi Zhan's thoughtful expression, she increased her stakes: "In return, our Rabbit Beast Tribe will become the Giant Lion Tribe's strongest support. You have already witnessed my medical skills. I can guarantee that as long as our tribe is here, your warriors will receive the best treatment for injuries sustained during hunting; and we will do our best to cure the illnesses of your people. This is our value."
Shi Zhan remained silent.
Zhou Jue's words struck him squarely at his weak spot.
Although the Lion Tribe is powerful, injuries are commonplace for its warriors. Many valiant warriors die from infected wounds or lack of timely medical care. Possessing the medical capabilities of the Rabbit Beast Tribe would be a tremendous boost to the entire tribe's strength.
Their tribe also has shamans, but their shamans' medical skills are about the same as those of the Iron Wall Ape tribe. Their shamans excel at foresight, so they can avoid many misfortunes.
This is not an alliance at all; it's more like a mutually beneficial relationship of tribute. The Giant Lion Tribe only offered "protection," but received tangible medical care in return.
This deal is a guaranteed steal!
"Alright!" Shi Zhan nodded heavily without further hesitation: "I promise you! From today onwards, the Rabbit Beast Tribe is a friend of our Giant Lion Tribe. Anyone who dares to touch you is our enemy!"
With the first condition met, Zhou Jue felt somewhat relieved.
"My second condition is that I hope the Giant Lion Tribe will allow me and my people to freely gather herbs, fruits, and some... special stones and minerals in your territory, and even further afield."
This request made Shi Zhan wary once again. Gathering herbs and fruits was understandable, but "special stones and minerals"? What would a shaman need these things for?
Seeing Shi Zhan's suspicious gaze, Zhou Jue knew he had to reveal his true trump card.
She lowered her voice mysteriously, saying, "Chief Shi Zhan, some things are secrets of heaven and cannot be revealed. But since we are now allies, I will no longer hide them from you."
She stood up, her expression becoming solemn and dignified: "I am not a beastman of this world. I am the messenger of the Beast God."
"The Beast God's Messenger?" Shi Zhan's pupils shrank sharply, his face filled with shock and disbelief.
“That’s right.” Zhou Jue nodded slowly.
“I have come here to inspect the people protected by the Beast God and to bring back information about this world to the Beast God. My time is very tight; I must return to the Divine Realm in two days to report my observations to the Beast God. Therefore, I hope to bring back as many unique things about this world as possible to offer to the great Beast God.”
These words were a mix of truth and falsehood, making it difficult for Shi Zhan to discern the truth for a moment.
"How...how can you prove it?" he asked in a deep voice.
"Come with me."
Zhou Jue, with a heart full of doubts, went to a small grove of trees far from the camp, making sure that no one was around.
She first took out a black pistol. In the dim moonlight, this "thunderous weapon" gleamed with a cold metallic luster, exuding a precision that was ahead of its time.
Just looking at it, Shi Zhan could feel an inexplicable pressure.
Zhou Jue fired a shot at the tree, but it went unnoticed. She sent Shi Zhan to check, and found a hole in the trunk, with gunpowder smoke still rising from it.
That's not enough.
Ignoring Shi Zhan's shock and confusion, Zhou Jue put away his pistol and took out the Boundary-Breaking Shovel from the Starry Secret Box.
It was an ordinary-looking entrenching tool, but the blade shimmered with a faint halo under the moonlight.
"Chief Shi Zhan, use all your strength to swing at that tree." Zhou Jue handed over the Boundary-Breaking Shovel.
Shi Zhan took it with some skepticism. It felt very light in his hand, and the material was neither gold nor stone. He walked to a large tree as thick as his waist, took a deep breath, and his arm muscles instantly bulged. With all his might, he swung the shovel down!
"Whoosh!"
Without the expected loud noise or obstruction, the blade of the boundary-breaking shovel silently pierced the tree trunk, as easily as cutting tofu.
"Crack—Boom!"
The tree snapped in two and crashed heavily to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Shi Zhan froze on the spot. He looked down at the intact entrenching tool in his hand, then at the smooth, mirror-like cut in the tree. The shock in his eyes was beyond words.
This... this is an incredibly sharp divine weapon!
"This is a divine artifact bestowed upon me by the Beast God," Zhou Jue's voice rang out at the opportune moment, carrying a hint of holiness.
"I can create such a divine weapon, and I can even teach the Giant Lion Tribe how to make it." Zhou Jue boasted without any qualms. He couldn't make the Boundary-Breaking Shovel, but he could make some weapons that were better than the stone weapons that the orcs were currently using.
Shi Zhan turned around abruptly, looking at her with rapid breathing.
Zhou Jue then offered the final, and most irresistible, temptation: "However, crafting divine artifacts requires a large amount of ore. That's why I need those 'special stones.' As long as you can provide enough ore, I can equip every warrior in the Giant Lion Tribe with this indestructible weapon."
Bronze ware? Iron ware?
A brand new era, as depicted by Zhou Jue, slowly unfolds towards Shizhan.
At this moment, the last trace of doubt in Shi Zhan's heart vanished.
Miraculous medical skills, an unheard-of "thunderous weapon," a "divine weapon" that can cut through iron like mud, plus that irresistible grand blueprint for the future.
The "rabbit witch" before us is undoubtedly an envoy sent by the Beast God!
"My Lord, Divine Envoy!"
Shi Zhan knelt down on one knee with a thud, lowering his proud head, his tone fervent and devout: "Your will is the will of the Beast God! Let alone two conditions, even if there were a hundred, our Giant Lion Tribe would certainly fulfill them for you!"
At that moment, he no longer had any doubts!
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