Chapter 117: End of the Main Story

Chapter 117: End of the Main Story

To track the snowy season's length, Wen Ran marked the wall on the first day snow fell. Now, eight "zhèng" characters—each representing five days—adorned the wall. Forty days had passed in the blink of an eye.

Wen Ran declared this day the Spring Festival, thus birthing the calendar.

The Spring Festival demanded a festive air. Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he purchased vibrant red and gleaming gold couplets from the mall. He pasted them on the doors of the cave dwellings, the food storage cave, and beside the grand characters proclaiming "Beast City."

Gazing at the joyous couplets inscribed with phrases like "Bountiful harvests, granaries overflowing," "Blessings fill the world; spring returns to the earth," and "Live and work in peace; the nation thrives and the people prosper," Wen Ran felt they were perfectly apt. These sentiments mirrored his deepest hopes: that their Beast City tribe would flourish and prosper with each passing day.

Since it was the New Year, festive treats were indispensable.

Wen Ran retrieved the baobab seeds he'd collected, roasted them as snacks, and spent gold coins on ample candies and fruits. After all, he now possessed more than enough currency to indulge for a while.

He distributed the fruits and candies among the tribespeople and shared many vegetables he'd grown in his spatial pasture. Every beastman brimmed with joy as they celebrated warmly, enjoying a cozy and comfortable New Year.

Wen Ran also bought several feather-tipped cat toys, swinging them back and forth to amuse the felines.

He watched as the white cat was instantly captivated by the toy—its head swaying involuntarily with the fluttering feather. As it swayed, the cat looked panicked, begging Wen Ran to save it, insisting it couldn't control its head. Its eyes were locked onto the toy, nearly crossing in the process.

Wen Ran burst into hearty laughter at Mao Fei's pitiful state, clutching his stomach until it ached and tears streamed down his face. This white cat was simply too amusing and utterly adorable.

Seeing that Mao Fei truly couldn't stop, and that Wen Ran was laughing uproariously, Mao Zhi shook her head with a smile and tossed an animal hide over Mao Fei, completely blocking his view of the toy. The white cat clung tightly to the hide, refusing to look at it again.

But when Wen Ran used the toy to play with the three Round Cat cubs, Mao Fei couldn't resist peeking through a tiny gap in the hide. His eyes tracked the toy through the crack, and once again, he was mesmerized, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on its motion. Wen Ran erupted into laughter anew, and even Mao Zhi couldn't help but smile helplessly…

To celebrate the Spring Festival and ensure the entire tribe enjoyed a lively, festive New Year, Wen Ran arranged for the tribespeople, after breakfast, to check the traps first thing in the morning, then begin slaughtering pigs, sheep, and chickens. Dressed in animal hides and wearing a fur hat, he joined Lang Zhi, Lang Qing, Mao Shi, and several other male orcs to go ice fishing at the river.

Eating fish during the New Year promised abundance year after year.

The river surface was now likely solidly frozen—perfect for ice fishing.

***

The once-verdant grassland lay entirely blanketed in snow and ice, forming a vast frozen plain. Cold winds whipped up powdered snow, sending swirling plumes skittering across the flat ice. As they swept past the beastmen’s ankles, they even obscured their footprints.

The male orcs crouched on the ice in their animal forms, sharp claws aimed at the frozen surface. Their fur, coated in ice and snow, shed in showers with every shake—especially around their mouths, where exhaled breath frosted instantly into white puffs.

As Lang Zhi bent his knees and lowered his stance, he shouted, “Start digging!” Dozens of male orcs circled a spot on the ice and began digging. Claws and battle axes struck simultaneously, and with a series of heavy thuds, ice chips flew like starbursts.

Soon, a hairline crack appeared on the ice surface, spreading rapidly into a spiderweb pattern. Icy air seeped through the fissures, frosting the beastmen’s eyebrows with delicate icicles—but no one paused. They adjusted positions to avoid falling into the river once the ice broke, redoubling their efforts.

“Crunch—”

“Boom!”

The entire circular section of ice suddenly shattered open, revealing a round hole in the river. A plume of frosty mist surged upward. The fish—trapped underwater for too long and starved of oxygen—were startled by the clamor and leapt frantically. Freed from the ice’s grip, they surged to the surface wildly, bursting out of the water and landing heavily on the shore. Some flailed several feet away, flopping and flapping across the icy plain; others crashed straight into the arms of waiting beastmen, who caught them firmly. Still others poured out in dense clusters, tracing silver arcs through the air like a meteor shower raining down upon the ice.

Wen Ran watched, exhilarated, throwing his arms wide and shouting, “So many fish! Enough to last the entire snowy season! We’ve struck it rich!”

The male orcs were both stunned and delighted—their booming voices ringing with amazement at how the fish had leapt out on their own. Yet they wasted no time, bending down swiftly to gather them, loading them into baskets without delay.

The fish were plump—some as long as his arm. They flapped and writhed on the ground, their silver scales glittering fiercely under sun and snow. Their slippery bodies twisted powerfully in his hands, and Wen Ran nearly dropped one. After placing it in the basket, he rubbed his tired eyes and continued catching them with a broad grin.

The male orcs worked efficiently: any fish landing on the ground were promptly slapped unconscious to prevent them from slipping back into the river.

***

Given the bountiful catch, Wen Ran decided to make fish dumplings for the New Year feast!

He prepared sixteen dishes—the centerpiece being a whole roasted Grunting Beast, skewered on a spit and roasted until glossy with oil. Dripping fat sizzled over the fire, and the rising aroma—mingling with the clean, crisp scent of pine needles—drifted into every corner of the tribe.

In the center of the tribal square, a sacrificial ceremony was prepared.

Shaman Hu Xiu, draped in an animal-hide coat adorned with vibrant feathers and wearing a wreath of multicolored stones and feathers, bore traditional black-and-red stripes painted on her aged face and exposed skin. Holding a scepter carved from an animal skull, she raised her head to the sky and chanted the sacrificial prayers in a steady, resonant voice:

“Thank you, Beast God, for granting us sharp claws and fangs to tear through fierce beasts and prey;

Thank you, Beast God, for granting us strong bones and muscles to traverse deserts and plains;

Thank you, Beast God, for granting us fertile lands to nourish our beastmen;

Thank you, Beast God, for granting us Sage Wen Ran, who leads our tribe to be well-fed, clothed, and safe from harm;

On this New Year, we offer this roasted Grunting Beast as sacrifice. May the Beast God have mercy and continue to protect our tribe from disaster and illness, keep our young safe and healthy, and grant our beastmen success in hunting!”

The surrounding beastmen fell silent, placing their hands over their hearts and bowing deeply. Their pupils reflected the dancing flames; their faces glowed with reverence. As Hu Xiu finished speaking, they raised their fists and shouted in unison:

“May the Beast God have mercy!”

“May the Beast God have mercy!”

“May the Beast God have mercy!”

Awooo—Ooo!

***

Their voices shook the earth—powerful, resonant—causing snow to tumble from tree branches.

Wen Ran, swept up in the fervor, shouted a few times—only to get a mouthful of snow and wind. He lowered his head and coughed violently. Lang Zhi pulled him close, shielding him from the biting wind and snow.

Wen Ran buried his face in Lang Zhi’s chest, instantly warmer. After a moment, when his coughing subsided, he smiled faintly and silently prayed: “May the Beast God have mercy. May the new year bring abundant prey, safety for the young, prosperity for the tribe—and peace and smoothness for me, Lang Zhi, and our three little ones… our family of five…”

After the sacrificial ceremony, the roasted Grunting Beast was not wasted. Wen Ran took the lead, cutting a piece and encouraging the others to eat. At first, they hesitated—feeling it disrespectful to consume what had been offered to the Beast God—but Wen Ran eventually persuaded them after much effort. Superstition was unnecessary, and he resolved to educate these beastmen properly in the future, guiding them toward integrity and virtue, steering them clear of wrong paths.

The beastmen divided the Grunting Beast into large portions, eating the roasted meat with their hands, dipping them into savory sauce. Satisfied grunts and murmurs filled the air.

The females and Lesser Females brought out plates of plump dumplings. Each bite warmed them from within. After eating and drinking their fill, they sipped dumpling soup to make room, chatting by the fire while cracking roasted seeds. Everyone felt utterly content—this was the most comfortable snowy season they’d ever experienced.

The young ones gathered around an iron pot, standing on tiptoe to grab round, red candied hawthorns. Occasionally, one would burn their tongue on the hot sugar, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Wen Ran patted the little one who’d scalded their tongue, chuckling helplessly. “Why the rush? Burned your tongue, didn’t you? I promised you could eat your fill—and I meant it. Would your chief lie to you?”

The little one stuck out their tongue playfully and dashed off with their candied hawthorn.

***

As night deepened, the bonfire blazed on, illuminating every smiling face.

Mao Shi and Mao Fei nestled close, whispering secrets with their tails gently entwined—occasionally bursting into laughter. Mao Dundun and Mao An’an alternated between nestling in Mao Fei’s arms and hanging from Mao Shi’s neck—the two little ones grew more mischievous by the day.

Mao De and Hu Ying sat hand in hand by the fire. Hu Ying’s free hand gently stroked the furry head of the young one in her lap, a content smile on her face as she watched Mao De use his free hand to demonstrate arrowhead-making. The young one listened intently, cheeks flushed and eyes shining with admiration, softly declaring their hope to become as skilled as Mao De one day. Mao De laughed heartily, ruffling the young one’s fur until it stuck out in all directions like a deranged concubine from the cold palace—making Wen Ran chuckle while the young one looked utterly disheveled…

Meanwhile, Cat Tooth trailed behind the pouting, red-furred little fox Hu Lai, endlessly pleading and calling her “madam.” Wen Ran shook his head, wondering what Cat Tooth had done to upset her this time…

Wen Ran turned his gaze away—and caught sight of Lang Qing, the Big Black Wolf, sitting with Langjia on a small slope. Both wagged their tails contentedly beneath the moonlight, looking utterly pleased.

Wen Ran clicked his tongue. When had those two gotten together? He hadn’t even noticed. Lang Qing—the husky—had kept it surprisingly well hidden.

After sitting a while longer, Wen Ran decided to return to his cave dwelling. Though he enjoyed celebrating with the tribe in the square, the bitter cold was hard to endure—especially for the females and Lesser Females, who were shivering and had already begun returning to their caves.

***

Back in the cave, warmth enveloped him, and every pore felt comforted. Wen Ran stretched his arms wide and flopped onto the fur bedding, lounging lazily for a moment. Lang Zhi brought him a cup of wine and asked if he wanted a drink.

“Drink? Of course! What’s the New Year without wine?”

Wen Ran accepted it with a grin. The two sat by the window, cozy in their warm cave amid the heavy snow, with ample food and firewood stored away—feeling utterly secure.

Wen Ran sipped his wine in a contented daze, admiring the snowy scenery outside the window and chatting idly with Big Black Wolf. With his beloved by his side, wanting for nothing, and able to do as he pleased—this life was truly comfortable and delightful.

He was growing increasingly fond of this slow-paced lifestyle. He believed that the bond between him and Big Black Wolf wasn’t built on love at first sight or mere attraction, but rather on a deep connection forged through long days and years of mutual support. They were lovers, but even more so, family. He never had to worry about Big Black Wolf betraying him; he could always trust him with his back.

And Big Black Wolf always prioritized his feelings and thoughts above all else—everything else came second. For Wen Ran, who had survived several years in the apocalypse and often lacked a sense of security, this gave him a profound sense of steadiness and peace.

The long-absent sound of a system prompt echoed in his mind:

"Ding—"

"Congratulations to Student No. 78999, Wen Ran. Having spent one year in the Beast World, you have taught the females and Lesser Females independent survival skills, enabling them to thrive in tribal society without relying on Beastmen. You have altered the fate of the females and Lesser Females who were once fragile and difficult to sustain, further maintaining and resolving the challenges of Beastman reproduction. Reward—spatial capacity expanded tenfold, Magical Spring output increased tenfold, trading scope in the system mall expanded tenfold! Account available balance multiplied by ten!"

[Congratulations to Student No. 78999, Wen Ran. You have taught Beastmen to reclaim wasteland for farming, set traps for hunting, make weapons to protect and expand the tribe, and achieved harmonious coexistence among multiple Beastman races. This aligns with the long-standing goal of the Beast God Office: "Use farming to transform Beast World living conditions, ensuring its inhabitants are well-fed, clothed, and able to survive, setting out on an upward path of 'building high walls, storing ample grain, and delaying death.' Reward—lifespan restrictions removed. Keep up the excellent work, and we look forward to your future achievements!]

***

Wen Ran smiled. If there had been any lingering worry in his heart before, it was undoubtedly the issue of lifespan. Now, recognizing his performance, the system had maxed it out—he no longer had to fear not growing old together with Big Black Wolf.

He leaned in and kissed the corner of Big Black Wolf’s mouth, drawing a puzzled look. Wen Ran grinned, wrapping his arms around Big Black Wolf’s neck. "It’s so good to have you!"

"Me too."

"End of Main Story"