Chapter 41: The Volcanic Cluster

Qiyue had not expected to find metal goods here. She bought a kitchen knife, a sickle, and selected the smallest iron hoe. Once finished, she asked Feng Yu to take out some scraps of cowhide.

"By the way, Qijue, how does your tribe have things like this? I remember when I came last time, your tribe didn't have them," Feng Yu asked, noticing the material was similar to what Lu Li had shown him previously.

"Half a year ago, two beastmen in our tribe suddenly awakened Metal-attribute abilities. Some of these were found, and others were condensed and drawn in by them, then forged and hammered into shape. However, beastmen have claws, so these are only useful for the females. Alas! This Metal-attribute bloodline is growing weaker. According to the tribe’s heritage, the Metal-attribute beastmen of the past could spit out blades," Qijue explained with a sigh of regret.

Metal-attribute abilities—Metal-attribute. Feng Yu recalled the tribal history his father had told him, which seemed to suggest that the Golden Phoenix’s ability was to condense sharp objects, capable of slicing through gold and silver. The Fengyan tribe had not seen a beastman with such abilities for many years. However, the Fengyan tribe did have two beastmen who could condense heavy, black beads. This differed too greatly from the descriptions of the Golden Phoenix in the tribal records, so everyone assumed they were useless and paid them no mind. Could it be that everyone had misunderstood? Just as Qiyue had said, perhaps their thinking was too narrow, causing them to overlook the true meaning of "metal."

Feng Yu silently contacted his father in his heart, relaying what he had seen in the Moqi tribe and his suspicion that those two beastmen might be Golden Phoenixes who had awakened their Metal-attribute abilities.

While the two spoke, Qiyue used the cowhide to fashion a sheath for the two knives. Only after securing them did she allow Feng Yu to put them away.

"What is the point of making that cover?" Qijue asked curiously.

"It’s a sheath. That way, when Feng Yu takes it out, he won't cut his hands on the blade," Qiyue explained before continuing their stroll.

The two beastmen left behind felt quite differently. Feng Yu was deeply moved, not expecting Qiyue to care about him even in such small matters; Qijue, meanwhile, was filled with envy and jealousy, playfully punching Feng Yu on the shoulder in frustration.

"How are you so lucky to find such a thoughtful and beautiful female? By the way, she has the surname Qi—is she from our tribe? Why haven't I seen her before? If she were from our tribe, there’s no way I wouldn't recognize someone this beautiful," Qijue persisted.

"Her father’s surname is Qi, but he left the Moqi tribe due to a marriage outside the clan. I married her in the Luyu tribe," Feng Yu replied briefly, choosing not to elaborate.

Afterward, Qiyue purchased a large quantity of rice and wheat before she and Feng Yu prepared to leave.

"Aren't you going to buy some soft animal skins to make more clothes? And the rainy season is only a month away; don't you need to prepare some waterproof skins?" Qijue wondered, thinking it strange, as he believed all females loved beauty and enjoyed buying fancy skins.

"The weather is getting hotter, so wearing animal skins is uncomfortable. As for waterproof skins, we have hunted enough ourselves; there is no need for more," Qiyue replied honestly, seeing no necessity for it.

"Then what about the fruits and vegetables that you females love to eat?" Qijue continued to ask.

"We can find those in the jungle ourselves; it’s not cost-effective to buy them here." Qiyue found it strange now—why was this beastman acting like a salesman?

"Alright, Qijue, you don't need to keep us. We have urgent business at the Fire Vein. If we have time after we finish, we will come back," Feng Yu said, knowing his friend didn't want them to leave.

In truth, Qijue felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to Qiyue. Being with her felt comfortable, and he subconsciously wanted to keep them around a little longer.

Feng Yu transformed and carried Qiyue and their son as they continued their journey. Qijue shook his head and headed home.

Two months later, when the Luyu tribe members—having resolved their own crisis—came to the Moqi tribe to participate in the Luojia Festival, they were enraged to see the local females wearing spider-silk garments and learning that Qiyue had taught them how to make them. When the Luyu tribe's females tried to trade for the garments or ask for instructions, they were refused, with the excuse that they could not be shared without Qiyue’s permission. It was ridiculous—Qiyue was a female from their own tribe! (Sister, have you forgotten that you already drove her away?)

Once they returned to their tribe and spread the news, Qiyue's reputation in the Luyu tribe plummeted even further. Bao Xue'er and the others didn't bother arguing with them anymore, feeling it was unnecessary to make life difficult for themselves. They simply felt increasingly out of place, finding it hard to make new friends, and even their formerly close female friends grew more and more distant.

After Feng Yu’s family of three left the Moqi tribe, they flew for another twenty days before reaching the foot of the mountains where the Fire Vein was located. It was a large cluster of volcanoes with over a dozen high peaks. They were currently at the foot of the tallest one, its summit wreathed in smoke. Volcanic ash drifted down like thin snowflakes.

"Uh, this volcano isn't going to erupt, is it?" Qiyue asked uncertainly.

[Mother, don't worry, it hasn't gathered enough power to erupt yet,] Feng Chi blurted out instinctively.

"Chi'er, how do you know that?" Qiyue asked, looking at her son with surprise.

[I don't know why I know; the information just suddenly appeared in my head,] Feng Chi also found it quite baffling.

Feng Yu thought it might be due to the incomplete bloodline inheritance of his son, so he said nonchalantly, "Yue, we have arrived. Let's eat something first, then fly into that crater to see the molten lava beneath."

[Mother, it’s so comfortable here. Chi'er likes it. Chi'er wants to go deeper inside,] Feng Chi flapped his little wings and pointed toward the highest peak.

"Haha, it seems we came to the right place, right, Feng Yu?" Qiyue said, delighted by Chi'er's words.

"Can you stop calling me by my full name?" Feng Yu complained, finding it grating.

Qiyue was stunned for a moment; they were talking about Chi'er, so why the sudden change in subject? Feng Yu, seeing the dazed expression on her face, felt a surge of joy, amused that a single sentence could entertain him so.

The family of three found a sheltered spot to eat and drink some bamboo sap.

"The temperature here is much higher than before. Chi'er, move the items from your space to your father's; the temperature inside is too high, and things might spoil. Also, keep two jars of the food you like. If your space doesn't change, you can use them to tide yourself over when you're hungry. If you notice anything wrong, come out immediately or summon your father," Qiyue instructed after finishing her meal.

[Alright, Mother.] With that, a large pile of items appeared on the ground.