Free Web NovelChapter 1422: Chapter 1261: Primeval Beast World 27
The group passed through the long narrow gap, and before them lay a vast expanse! Everyone was somewhat awestruck by the scenery ahead; it was an extremely broad valley. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
To call it a valley was almost incorrect, because the place was so large, it seemed more like an endless grassland, with waves of green rolling like a sea.
Wildflowers blossomed in splendor among them, and in the grass that reached a person’s height, some herbivorous animals were faintly visible.
This was a place akin to the Peach Blossom Spring, without the presence of predators, where all the animals were grazing creatures, and exceedingly unsuspecting.
A red-nosed deer trotted out from the grasses, blinking its moist eyes at the group, chewing grass without any sense of danger or inclination to flee.
"This must be the mortal paradise the Great Witch spoke of," after a long while, those amazed by the scene snapped out of their reverie, and Tingxue praised beside Shuangshuang.
Yan Ming also surveyed the landscape with satisfaction; it was indeed large enough. He looked at Shuangshuang and said, "How do you feel about using this place as the new settlement for our Silver Tiger Tribe?"
Shuangshuang took a few steps, observing the vast space. This place was large enough for living without facing danger; it was an excellent location.
Surrounded by high mountains, Shuangshuang looked around and discovered that the mountains had many caves and numerous suitable sites for excavating cave dwellings. This place could rival a large city, accommodating several hundred thousand people without issue.
If cultivation and self-sufficient farming were done, it could sustain fifty thousand people. This place was enough for the Silver Tiger Clan to develop for a while. Not only could it become a super tribe, but it was even sufficient to develop into a township.
"This place is wonderful. If we move the tribe here, we won’t need to find a place for migration for a long time. However, I’m not skilled in prophecy, have you foreseen if there’s any disaster that might affect this place in the future?"
"I had already prophesied before coming here; this place is a good spot, not affected by disasters for many years, and only a very slight chance of future calamity affecting it.
I think living here should be quite nice. If Shuangshuang is content, we can prepare to move the tribe here."
Shuangshuang indeed found this place satisfactory. Though called a valley, its altitude wasn’t low, and she released her witch power to sense the space.
Although witch power perception wasn’t as clear as sight, giving only a vague sense of mountains, rivers, or animals, it was sufficient.
In Shuangshuang’s perception, the valley had a lake connected to an underground river, which was deep enough to handle excess rain and provide drinking water.
Besides the lake connected to the underground river, Shuangshuang sensed another distant lake. No life was in this lake, leading her to conclude it might be the Salt Lake she sought.
The high salinity of the Salt Lake rendered it unsuitable for fish, hence no fish should be present.
Moving the settlement is not a rush; Shuangshuang was urgently concerned about salt. Upon sensing the possible Salt Lake location, she felt unable to wait.
"Using witch power, I previously sensed a place that very likely is our sought Salt Lake. My concern is on it, so for now, moving can wait; let’s first check the importance of salt."
Shuangshuang’s words ignited a drive within everyone; salt was a precious commodity. Beyond bartering for goods at the market, the ability to preserve much food was cause enough for their excitement.
Along the way, Shuangshuang and Yan Ming headed to their destination directly; Yan Ming knew its exact location from prophecy, while Shuangshuang used witch power exploration, and the others followed behind.
After hastening for some time, the group saw before them the vast lake surface, even before approaching the lakeside, where white salt crusts visibly dotted the scene.
Everyone felt a surge of energy; the fatigue from rapidly reaching the valley vanished, leaving them with exhilarating joy.
Finally arriving at the Salt Lake’s edge, they discovered numerous salt granules had crystallized due to its inability to dissolve, forming large salt blocks.
Dou Yan excitedly picked up a white salt block, eagerly licking it, his facial features contorted from the intense salinity, taking quite a while before recovering, then shouted excitedly to the accompanying beastmen: "It’s salt! From now on, our Silver Tiger Tribe has salt!"
"We have salt, we have salt!"
Instantly, a burst of ecstatic cheers erupted, everyone wore expressions of delight; with salt, they no longer needed to drink animal blood for salt supplementation!
Animal blood was fishy and viscous; its taste unpleasant, and no one liked drinking such pungent fresh blood, but had done so out of necessity. Now, with salt, they wouldn’t need to drink blood anymore.
............
This valley’s location was splendid, extremely safe, and included a Salt Lake. After consulting with Shuangshuang and Yan Ming, Dou Yan decided to move here.
Although they said they’d move immediately, it wouldn’t happen in a day or two. First they needed to identify livable mountain caves and open a few paths to reach them.
Caves suspended below were not suitable for habitation; to avoid danger, these places couldn’t be used, they needed to excavate cave homes suitable for elderly, children, and injured.
In addition, as Yan Ming strongly requested, everyone had to urgently add toilets in the valley-surrounded residential area. Yan Ming didn’t want to endure the odor of excrement after moving here.
Besides moving people, livestock and cultivated herbs needed relocation, including many medicinal plants Shuangshuang carefully cultivated that were difficult to harvest outside.
Ensuring the survival of transplanted herbs, Shuangshuang meticulously wove grass nets to wrap the roots with soil before digging them out.
Shuangshuang’s medicinal field alone took half a month to complete. As for wild vegetables, they were simply uprooted.
Finding an excellent residence and a Salt Lake, and considering the tribe’s prosperity, Dou Yan thought they should worship the Earth Lord God, report the tribe’s transformation, and host a lively feast, a chance for celebration.
With two Great Witches, this ritual differed from previous ones, requiring both Shuangshuang and Yan Ming to lead the ceremony.
Despite being led by two Great Witches, a primary and secondary leader had to be appointed; this determined their status within the tribe.
