The Lion Witch sighed deeply as well. "If we can’t get any stronger, how will we survive the next Fierce Beast Tide?"

The Black Wolf Witch’s expression was grim. "We never should have agreed when they demanded more offerings last year. What are we going to do if they ask for another increase this year?"

The atmosphere inside the cave was tense as the leaders of several tribes wracked their brains, worrying about their people’s survival. Outside, however, the air was filled with the cheerful laughter of the Snow Tiger Tribe.

The common tribe members were oblivious to the impending difficulties. All they knew was that this year, they had houses that wouldn’t collapse at the first sign of rain and plenty of food to eat. To them, that was the good life.

That evening, the Beastman Warriors who had gone down the mountain for food returned with some bad news.

The witch sent word via a Half-beastman Warrior: it was going to rain again the day after tomorrow. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Wu Yue, who had been enjoying a delicious meal with her fellow tribe members, instantly lost her appetite.

Many of the taros in the field had already begun to rot. To avoid waste, Wu Yue had been gathering the edible ones, planning to make them into dried taro chips.

She shoved the rest of the food in her hands into her mouth, chewed quickly, and swallowed.

Wu Yue clapped her hands and stood. "Everyone," she called out, "while we were digging up taros today, we found many that had already gone bad. If it rains the day after tomorrow and we leave the rest in the ground, even more of them will rot."

She pointed to the fragrant, roasted taro in their hands. "You all know how delicious this food is when it’s roasted. Are we really going to just stand by and watch so much of it rot in the ground?"

The males looked from the food in their hands to Wu Yue, then stood up decisively. "Absolutely not."

"This food is too delicious, and Yue said it can be stored for a long time in a cellar. We can’t just let it rot."

"Yue, we won’t rest tonight! Let’s all work together and harvest every last taro."

"That’s right! No rest for us. Let’s harvest all the taro together."

The Pure Human males were all fired up, but Wu Yue’s attention was drawn to the much larger group of slaves nearby.

They were silent, completely lifeless.

Wu Yue got to her feet, glanced at the Pure Human males, and then walked toward the slaves.

Teng Kun saw this and hurried after her. The other males exchanged uncertain glances for a moment before following as well.

Wu Yue watched the slaves numbly gnawing on the clumps of grass in their hands, then clapped.

The sharp sound drew the slaves’ attention. They lifted their filthy heads and looked at Wu Yue in unison.

Stared at by so many pairs of numb eyes, Wu Yue felt a tremor run through her. ’It makes me think of my own situation.’

’If it weren’t for the Fierce Beast Crystal Core that this body’s original owner’s Father left behind,’ she thought, ’I’d probably be one of these slaves right now. Or maybe I’d just be nutrients for the Polar Forest.’

Her expression hardening with resolve, she looked at the slaves. "If we can get all of this taro dug up before the rain starts, I will personally ask the Clan Leader and the witch to give every single one of you a taro."

The moment Wu Yue finished speaking, a clamor erupted among the slaves. They weren’t the only ones who were shocked; so were the Pure Human males standing nearby.

Slaves were meant for labor. No matter how much effort they put in, it was expected of them. A tribe only had to provide enough food to keep them from starving to death.

"Yue, no tribe has ever shared its food with slaves."

one of the males called out.

His words were like a torrential downpour, extinguishing the tiny spark of hope that had just been kindled in the slaves’ eyes.