Chapter 344, It’s Not My Decision 

Translator: Silavin

 

Hearing Lan’s words, Li immediately ran over. Human footprints meant people, and people meant a Tribe. They might be saved.

 

She bent down to examine the footprint and frowned. “It has lost most of its structure, but I can at least confirm it’s definitely a footprint.”

 

“That’s great, it means there are people nearby,” Luo’s nearly closed eyes suddenly widened.

 

Li reached out to touch the soil around the footprint and carefully inspected it, “Hmm? This footprint was left not long ago.”

 

“The broken branches around here are fresh too.” Kai also noticed the broken branches nearby.

 

The broken ends of the branches were still leaking sap and had not completely dried, indicating they were recently broken.

 

“What are we waiting for? Let’s hurry and catch up to them. There might be a Tribe nearby!” Lan urgently said.

 

She could not wait any longer. She wanted proper rest as both her body and mind were completely exhausted.

 

“Yes, let’s quickly find them. But, we still need to stay alert of our surroundings. Even though there are people nearby, we cannot let our guard down.” Li cautioned.

 

After all, no one knew if the people they would meet would be friendly, or if they were from an actual Tribe. If they were Wanderers, meeting them would be pointless, so they could not get too excited yet.

 

The four advanced following the direction of the footprints and the trail of broken branches.

 

“Sister Li, what kind of people do you think we’ll meet?” Lan curiously asked.

 

Though she desperately wanted to find a Tribe so that they could properly rest, she was also worried about encountering hostile men.

 

“We’ll know when we meet them. Don’t worry. If something is off, we’ll run.” Li calmly said.

 

“With me here, you can relax.” Kai solemnly said.

 

Lan rolled her eyes at him, “You’re not even as strong as the two of us. Take care of yourself first.”

 

“I…” Kai was suddenly speechless. Lan had always been like this, always hitting the mark with her words, leaving no room for argument.

 

“Hahaha… that’s what you get for being so presumptuous.” Luo burst out laughing.

 

This was one of the few smiles they had had in recent days.

 

“Shut up!” Kai punched him in the arm.

 

“Ouch!” Luo shrugged, wearing an innocent expression.

 

They continued following the tracks for over an hour, then noticed wisps of smoke rising in the distance.

 

Li looked up at the sky, then at the smoke, “Oh right, it’s lunchtime.”

 

*Gurgle gurgle…* At the mention of lunch, everyone’s stomachs started rumbling, and the four looked at each other.

 

“Should we go check it out?” Kai suggested, though his voice lacked confidence.

 

Luo gulped hard, imagining succulent meat being roasted where the smoke was rising.

 

He wiped away his nearly drooling mouth and repeatedly nodded, “Let’s go look.”

 

“En, let’s take a look.” Li nodded and took the lead.

 

Li led the other three through a dense Hollow Tree forest, approaching the clearing.

 

Through the cover of trees, they observed the people around the fire pit and counted six individuals.

 

“Sister Li, there are only six people, and they all look like Totem Warriors.” Lan whispered.

 

“Could they be Wanderers? Why are there only six of them?” Luo doubtfully asked.

 

Lan rolled her eyes dramatically and said, “Don’t you see all those bags of dried meat beside them? Would Wanderers have that much dried meat?”

 

The six people they saw were Qing Yan and his group, who had already left the Spotted Deer Tribe for some time.

 

When they left, they had traded for dozens of bags of dried meat, much more than any previous visit.

 

“Right, they have so much dried meat. If only they could share some with me…” Luo was almost drooling.

 

“What should we do now? Should we go ask?” Kai asked with furrowed brows, having no ideas at this point.

 

Li tucked her long hair behind her ears, blinking her red eyes as she said, “What else can we do? They don’t look like vicious people, they probably won’t do anything to us.”

 

“Yeah, let’s try talking to them.” Lan repeatedly nodded.

 

The four immediately set out, pushing through the dense branches and walking toward Qing Yan’s group.

 

Qing Yan and his people had known for a while that someone was watching them from nearby.

 

They were not concerned though. Anyone who came this close without knowing how to hide themselves could only be Warrior Trainees.

 

A Totem Warrior would not make such foolish mistakes. They also would not come this close, let alone be discovered.

 

“We’re Warrior Trainees from the Giant Bear Tribe, out for training!” Li straightforwardly said.

 

People in Primitive Times did not exchange pleasantries like ‘hello’ or ‘hi’ – they just spoke directly upon meeting.

 

“Oh? So why are you looking for us?” Qing Yan directly asked.

 

Seeing how disheveled the four looked, and considering the timing, they must have some purpose.

 

“We’ve been out for many days but haven’t found any Tribes. Which Tribe are you from, and could we rest for a while?” Li politely asked.

 

Although they were from a Large Tribe, right now, they were truly at the others’ mercy.

 

They had to put aside their ‘Large Tribe pride for now, or they might offend these people and have to continue searching the forest.

 

With the rainy season approaching in just a few days, missing this opportunity would be dangerous for them.

 

“Giant Bear Tribe? You came out for training without a destination?” Qing Yan found it somewhat amusing.

 

“We had one, but…” Li’s face reddened at the question. [How embarrassing! I don’t want to say we got lost!]

 

“Hahaha… how young and naive.” Qing Yan laughed at their situation. They were indeed too naive, setting out for training without proper preparation.

 

“So, can we go to your Tribe?” Li looked up and asked.

 

“The rainy season is coming soon. If we can’t go to your Tribe, we might…” Lan suddenly thought of their other two deceased companions.

 

Qing Yan certainly knew this kind of training was not easy, especially not when it was obviously their first time. Furthermore, seeing their dark expressions, they must have lost team members already.

 

He thought seriously for a moment, then solemnly said, “Whether I can let you stay at our Tribe isn’t my decision to make.”

 

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