Chapter 406: The Odd-Faced Tribe’s Grand Scheme.
Jie Jie and Nana had yet to leave the Lava Zone, merely cuddling together as they gazed at the colossal Magma Mountain.
The sun had set, but alas, their vantage point wasn’t ideal; they couldn’t see the sunset lingering atop the mountain’s peak.
Venturing into the poisonous mist zone, Jie Jie led Nana to witness the head of the Magma Mountain Dragon. Upon spotting them, the Foggy Corpse Suit Dragon immediately fled back to its nest, vanishing without a trace. This left the Flame Empress Dragon, who had braced herself for a fierce battle, momentarily stunned before puffing up with pride.
Monsters that scary run away from us? We’re truly amazing!
After leaving the foggy area, the two dragons didn’t linger further. They flapped their wings, cutting through clouds and mists, returning once again to the Golden Land within the Dragon Crystal territory.
As soon as they entered, they stumbled upon an Odd-Faced Tribe party in full swing. Everyone held skewers of meat, shouting excitedly. Spotting Jie Jie, the tribe surrounded him with joyous cries.
Jie Jie glanced towards the center of the camp where a massive iron pot rested. This very pot was one he’d helped the Odd-Faced Tribe craft. Now, the Odd-Faced King stood over it, stirring its contents vigorously with a long wooden stick.
Approaching the pot for a closer look, Jie Jie peered inside. Bubbles bubbled up from some strange liquid. He couldn’t tell if these beastfolk were cooking food or practicing alchemy.
Seeing his interest, the Odd-Faced King quickly stepped aside, gesturing invitingly with both hands.
“Hiss!”
Jie Jie took hold of the wooden stick and stirred the concoction slightly. His brow furrowed involuntarily at what lay within.
Bitter bugs, immortal worms, blue mushrooms, mandrakes—he even spotted power seeds and endurance seeds! Alongside these, there were heaps of boiled plants and flowers, now unrecognizable.
Would eating this really not cause any problems?!?!
“◎◎◎!”
The previous chef, the Odd-Faced King, hopped back onto the platform, holding a large basket which he proceeded to pour into the pot.
Anti-poison herbs tumbled in, showing that the Odd-Faced Tribe did have certain precautions in place.
Though skeptical about the bizarre colors swirling in the pot, this clearly held great importance to the Odd-Faced Tribe. No one dared disturb the cauldron. Perhaps this chaotic stew was how they strengthened their bodies.
Jie Jie soon took over the role of chief cook, creating whirlpools in the broth with steady circles.
Once the flames extinguished, the beastfolk each climbed onto the platform, using wooden bowls to scoop up the potion and drink it down.
The Odd-Faced King, being the first, filled the largest bowl with the most soup and presented it to Jie Jie with both hands.
Jie Jie hesitated, but reasoning that nothing could poison him, he opened his mouth slightly, gripping the edge of the bowl with his fangs and tipping the liquid down his throat.
The immediate reaction? Bitterness—extreme bitterness.
And after the bitterness subsided, an extraordinary sourness surged forth, forcing him to contort his face in pain, feeling his entire expression twist into knots.
But soon, boundless energy surged within him, urging him to do something to release it.
Struggling to open his squinted eyes, Jie Jie observed the reactions of the beastfolk around him. In just a short moment, several who drank the soup first collapsed instantly, flat on their backs, taking effect astonishingly fast.
Thankfully, other beastfolk were on standby administering antidotes. Once revived, those beastfolk returned to life, roaring wildly with renewed vigor.
Turning his gaze to Nana, the Flame Empress Dragon was similarly observing the Odd-Faced Tribe. Sniffing the soup placed before her, she instinctively went to lick it.
“Don’t drink it!”
It was too late. Nana’s innocent expression had already been struck by harsh sensations, twisting into a mask of suffering, tears streaming as she gagged.
Jie Jie approached, gently patting the Flame Empress Dragon’s wings to soothe her emotions, feeling the touch of her head burying into his mane.
An invigorating energy rippled through him, subduing the sourness in his mouth as he softly licked Nana’s ears.
Nana’s elongated pointed ears twitched. Soon, she felt Jie Jie pull away, instead burying his own face into her mane, lightly biting her neck, gently dragging her away from the Odd-Faced Tribe.
The sourness faded, and Nana followed docilely like a small kitten, carried off by the larger cat-like Jie Jie.
Alas, judging by size, Jie Jie looked more like he was dragging prey.
In a secluded corner, blue and red dust danced and intertwined until dawn broke.
“Roar!”
With spirit restored, Jie Jie raised his head, only to see Iron Pot descending from the sky with a Shock Dragon in tow, dropping it before him—a clear request for help in roasting it, preferably seasoned.
Three other Fire Dragons soon landed, each carrying their own prey, looking expectantly at Jie Jie.
Retrieving a silk bag storing food, he pulled out chunks of Měng Niú Lóng meat. These two weren’t particularly lacking in food.
However, seasonings and salt were running low. After processing this batch of meat, they’d be nearly depleted. Perhaps he should check if the Odd-Faced Tribe had similar substitutes.
After preparing the ingredients and placing them in the pot, he carried it toward the Odd-Faced Tribe’s territory.
Nana still slumbered in the corner. Imagining her waking up to find food he placed near her mouth, Jie Jie felt inexplicably cheerful.
Salt was available in the Odd-Faced Tribe’s warehouse, mined from underground salt beds. There were also naturally salty dried fruits suitable for seasoning.
Deciding to stay in the Odd-Faced Tribe’s camp, Jie Jie began boiling soups and roasting meats, sharing his food with the Odd-Faced Tribe.
“○◎◎◎○○!”
While munching on roasted meat, the Odd-Faced King waved his arms animatedly, pointing at a cannon that had exploded into flowers before drawing on a slate.
There was a cannon aimed at a creature covered in spikes, resembling a hedgehog. The ground around it was equally spiky.
The spiky monster was undoubtedly the Extinction Dragon. Of the two Extinction Dragons tied to Dragon Crystals, he remembered one claimed a thorny land as its nest.
That place used to be the Odd-Faced Tribe’s main base.
The Odd-Faced King continued sketching. Cannons were carved onto the slate, all aimed at the spiky creature.
“You mean you want me to build more cannons to help you reclaim your main base?”
Swallowing another bite of meat, Jie Jie murmured, the image on the slate transforming into a more vivid scene in his mind.
The Odd-Faced King wielding weapons on a high platform, Odd-Faced Tribe members firing cannons left and right!
Cannonballs, rocket shells, explosive bombs forming a dense barrage, directly toppling the Extinction Dragon occupying their main base.
How cool is that?!
“I’m in!”
A glance between dragon and man, their gazes locked in perfect understanding.
