Chapter 102

Chapter 102

The inside of the tent presented a scene completely different from the outside.

The entire interior was constructed from animal hides and bones, with thick layers of hide draped over the framework, carving out a separate space within the clearing. The ground was paved with irregularly shaped stone slabs, and any gaps were filled with smaller, crushed stones.

Four sturdy wooden pillars supported the corners of the tent, their bases anchored deep in the ground for stability. The animal hides on both sides of the tent were cut with various holes, and even the top had openings. This provided ventilation and let in outside light.

An "opening" in the tent roof—wasn't that basically a "skylight"? The Puffbirds sure knew how to live comfortably.

Many wooden perches of varying lengths hung from the ceiling. As soon as they entered, the chicks fluttered noisily onto the perches, as if to peck at food.

The little arctic fox found his arms suddenly empty; Little Lightfeather had flown away too, heading straight to a Subbeastman to peck at some food...

Wait, the little arctic fox looked closer—wasn't that sugarcane?!

The little bird chick tugged off a small piece of sugarcane, held it in his beak to suck on, letting the sweet juice slide down his throat. Once the flavor was gone, he spat out the fibrous piece. Not satisfied with just one mouthful, he continued pecking, spitting, and swallowing, his fluffy little belly puffing in and out. His tiny wings fluttered lightly, and contented little "chirps" came from his mouth.

Judging by the little chick's practiced technique, he must eat this often, probably treating sugarcane as a snack.

Shao Shao noticed the little arctic fox's gaze and walked over to the Subbeastman to ask for a few sections of sugarcane, which he then distributed to everyone. "This is really sweet! So good!"

"Thank you," Bing Qiu said. Seeing how happily the little bird chicks were eating it, and since it was something Tuanzai had noticed, it must be really tasty, right?

Shao Shao continued leading the group deeper into the tent. The little arctic fox, perched on his grandfather's head, felt as if he were in a jungle, with a natural, fresh forest scent.

The work areas inside the tent were clearly divided, with beastmen working in an orderly manner. Some were sewing fur clothing, others weaving grass mats, and some were sorting food.

Seeing Shao Shao leading guests, the Puffbird Beastmen they passed greeted them warmly.

"Shao Shao, how about offering the guests some 'Jiemao' leaves to brew for tea?"

"Maybe my 'Laximi' fruit would be better."

"Actually, 'Apugulu' might be more suitable, what do you all think?"

The little arctic fox listened for a while, feeling a bit dizzy, with only one thought in mind: What in the world are they going on about?

Shao Shao explained, "These are all foods unique to our area. If you're interested, you can try them."

At the very back of the tent, there was a separate area partitioned off by animal hides, effectively a small room.

Shao Shao led them inside. Within the partition stood a large, low wooden table, surrounded by many round grass cushions.

As soon as he entered, Shao Shao happily announced, "Father, we have guests from the Mountain Water Tribe visiting." After saying this, Shao Shao ran to a corner and hugged a Subbeastman who was working, happily whispering "Dad."

Shao Shao's father was Ling Yu, the leader of the Puffbird Tribe. With a gentle smile, he said to Rong Shan and the others, "Greetings, everyone. Please make yourselves comfortable and take a seat."

Everyone sat cross-legged on the round grass cushions. The little black lion lay down on one to rest, while the little arctic fox was held in Hui Qiong's arms.

Ling Yu's skin was slightly dark. His fur clothing was adorned with vine branches and various blue feathers. The vine belt around his waist also held delicate ornaments made from small animal bones and teeth.

Behind Ling Yu were placed pottery jars and cooking pots. Beside him was a miniature wooden stump with a fire burning inside it.

Above the wooden stump stood a stone tool resembling a "tripod," which could hold pottery jars or cooking pots for boiling water or preparing food.

"Welcome. You must be thirsty?" Ling Yu poured water from the pottery pot into the clay bowls on the table, offering them to the guests.

Hui Qiong said, "Thank you." He took a sip; it tasted surprisingly sour.

"What is this brewed from?" Hui Qiong thus began conversing with Ling Yu, the leader of the Puffbird Tribe.

However, Ling Yu's gaze kept drifting to the bags carried by the arctic fox group.

Meanwhile, as soon as the little arctic fox entered, he was captivated by what the Subbeastman in the corner was holding.

No way, it was cotton! The Puffbird Tribe actually had cotton!

Judging by the Subbeastman's technique, he was clearly unpracticed, probably still in the research phase of figuring out how to spin cotton into thread. His movements were hesitant and slow.

The little arctic fox couldn't contain himself. He hopped down from his grandfather's arm in a few steps and scurried into Rong Shan's embrace, his paws eagerly tugging at his father's fur clothing.

"Dad, Dad, look over there," the little arctic fox whispered to Rong Shan.

"It's cotton, it's cotton!"

Cotton? Rong Shan was startled. Wasn't that the first thing on the little fox's list to find, the one they'd never managed to locate?

So it grew here in the Puffbird Tribe's territory?

Rong Shan also felt a surge of excitement. He clearly remembered his little one saying that clothing made from cotton would be even more comfortable and soft than that made from hemp fiber!

Not only that, during the cold season, cotton was absolutely crucial. Clothing and blankets made from cotton had significant uses in providing warmth!

Although silk was also good, according to Tuanzai, its production was limited and couldn't be made available to all beastmen in a short time. Growing cotton was better.

Moreover, this time at the trading grounds, they had also obtained sorghum. He remembered the little one saying that sorghum and cotton could be rotated in the fields. He couldn't recall the specific benefits or those hard-to-understand terms, but it was definitely useful.

Holding the little arctic fox, Rong Shan began strategizing, taking advantage of the moment his father was chatting with Ling Yu.

Just as Rong Shan was pondering how to politely broach the subject with the Puffbird Tribe leader, he heard Ling Yu speak first:

"Forgive me if this sounds presumptuous, but I heard from Shao Shao that the bags you carry are quite unique. I wonder if I might take a look at them."

Rong Shan was momentarily taken aback but quickly replied with a smile, "Of course." This might be an opportunity!

Hearing his father Ling Yu say this, Shao Shao's face flushed slightly. He had been coveting the bag Bing Qiu carried for days; now he finally had a chance to examine it properly.

Rong Shan and his group hadn't planned to stay long at the Puffbird Tribe this time, so they hadn't brought much.

The adults mainly carried the food supplies, while the youngsters carried less. So their linen bags were quickly taken off and handed to Ling Yu.

As soon as the linen bags were placed on the table, Ling Yu, Shao Shao, and Shao Shao's father, Luo Ran, all gathered around, carefully feeling and examining them.

"What is this woven from? How is it so fine and dense? If only 'Jibei' could be made like this."

"Indeed, though this already feels much better than animal hide."

"If 'Jibei' could be made into clothing using this method, could the little ones wear it then?"

The three of them discussed the matter enthusiastically. Hearing unfamiliar terms, Rong Shan asked:

"May I ask, what is 'Jibei'...?"

Shao Shao's father, Luo Ran, looked up and responded, "Ah, it's these." Luo Ran pushed forward the basket of cotton behind him.

"Jibei is very soft. Our tribe's little ones don't experience pain or itching all over after touching it."

"Previously, the leader of the Sun Moon Tribe saw Jibei and also wanted us to make something usable from it."

"But we haven't figured out how to make it yet..."

Rong Shan nodded. Although the name was different from what his cub had mentioned, it wasn't strange for different tribes to have different names for the same thing.

The little arctic fox, however, knew that "jibei" was just another ancient term for cotton—they referred to the same thing.

"A painful itch?" The little arctic fox caught the unfamiliar phrase and asked curiously.

Shao Shao took over the conversation. "Yes. In recent years, the young ones in our tribe have developed some strange illness. They get uncomfortable whenever they wear fur clothing, and their skin breaks out in red patches."

Saying this, Shao Shao felt a bit sad. A few days ago, he had boiled the "Divine Herb" given by the little arctic fox and fed it to the chicks, but it still didn't help.

The chicks resisted fiercely whenever they came into contact with fur clothing, chirping in discomfort, much less trying to wear it in their human form. Even when perching on the shoulders of beastmen, they would only choose spots covered with feathers.

Now, if the chicks absolutely had to take human form, they could only wear "clothes" woven from leaves or feathers, but these couldn't compare to the seamless, full-body coverage of proper fur garments.

And they couldn't go on like this forever. Often, the human form was more convenient for daily life. They couldn't just remain in Beast Form all the time—how would they be any different from ordinary wild beasts?

The Puffbird tribe had been troubled by this for a long time until they recently stumbled upon this soft "jibei," which the young ones all loved.

The little arctic fox murmured, "So that's how it is..." He guessed that perhaps the Puffbird young ones were allergic?

No wonder Shao Shao and the others were so interested in the linen bag—they probably got the idea to weave clothes from it!

Luo Ran took out a one-piece "jibei top" he had made to show everyone.

"..."

As soon as the top was displayed, Rong Shan and the others fell silent.

No wonder Luo Ran had been clumsily trying to spin thread earlier—he hadn't gotten the hang of it at all.

Seeing such a good material being wasted by the Puffbirds, Rong Shan couldn't help but wish he could take all this cotton back to the Mountain Water Tribe and start spinning thread with their latest spinning wheel.

After collecting himself for a moment, Rong Shan spoke up. "Do you have any extra jibei here?"

What did he mean by that? Ling Yu and Luo Ran exchanged glances.

Then Ling Yu tentatively asked, "Could it be... you have a way to make this jibei into something like this bag?"

Rong Shan lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, and decided to be honest. He nodded.

Since their superior tribe, the Sun Moon Tribe, had already seen jibei and set terms, the Puffbirds must also know it was a good thing.

And knowing jibei was a good thing, the Puffbird Tribe naturally wouldn't easily trade it with other tribes.

But looking at the Puffbird chief before him, Rong Shan could tell from his obvious expression that they absolutely wanted to know how the Mountain Water Tribe made such linen bags!

In other words, the Mountain Water Tribe could only trade their technique with the Puffbird Tribe.

Sure enough, Ling Yu's next words were: "Are you willing to trade with us?"

Ling Yu was quick on the uptake as well. After noticing Rong Shan's prolonged silence, many ideas had already sprung to his mind.

If they could really use the Mountain Water Tribe's method to turn jibei into various finely woven, one-piece garments, it would be nothing but beneficial for them!

Not only could their young ones wear soft clothes, but they could also satisfy the Sun Moon Tribe chief and even propose their own conditions.

If they only provided jibei to the Mountain Water Tribe, would they be willing to share the production method? Ling Yu felt it might be difficult...

When smart people converse, there's no need for unnecessary words. Ling Yu decided to boldly propose another condition to Rong Shan:

"If we not only provide jibei to you but also help you process it, would you be willing to tell us the method?"

The little arctic fox's eyes widened slightly: Oh? The Puffbird chief could think this far—they were willing to do the processing work?

Ling Yu saying they could provide jibei to the Mountain Water Tribe meant they must have found and stored a considerable amount to be so confident.

However, according to the natural laws of the beast world, their cotton supply might last for years, but it was definitely limited.

So in the future, it would inevitably lead to the Mountain Water Tribe providing the jibei they grew, and the Puffbird Tribe handling the processing.

But that was something to discuss in detail later. For now, just the processing aspect alone was very attractive to the little arctic fox. After all, manpower was still the key to development.

Rong Shan looked at the little arctic fox. Seeing him nod, he understood his cub approved of this trade.

So Rong Shan took a deep breath and said, "It's possible, but..."

"We absolutely will not leak the production method!" Ling Yu immediately said excitedly. This method was definitely something comparable to "pottery-making techniques"! They were already grateful just to be taught!

From these people's attire to their calm and composed attitude even when discussing such important matters, Ling Yu could tell this Mountain Water Tribe was absolutely extraordinary and worth befriending!

But the little arctic fox wondered: how could promises between two tribes be enforced? There were no laws here, no tradition of "signing contracts," and no authoritative third party present.

How could they ensure both sides kept their promises?

But clearly, in the beast world, beastmen had their own rules.

The Beast God was the one to step in at such times.

Author's note: Thank you for the nutrient solution, dear readers.

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