Chapter 21: The Elder Shaman and Shan Guoer
Chapter 21: The Elder Shaman and Shan Guoer
This giant was very old.
He had a thin body, with skin stretched taut over bones visible where he was uncovered. His dark skin was wrinkled and covered in spots.
The old giant wore a long, rough gray linen robe. He held a long ebony staff in his left hand. His head was completely bald, and his scalp, forehead, and parts of his cheeks were covered in tattoos.
Yet, perhaps because he had eyes filled with the wisdom of countless years and a broad, strong nose, he didn’t feel ugly or scary. His long white eyebrows and beard hung down to his chest.
“Sa Jia, A Su La Ke Si?”
He came to the table, placed his right hand on his chest, and bowed to Gao Jing.
The kindness radiating from this old giant, Gao Jing could feel it clearly even without the powers granted by the snake blood.
“I’m sorry.”
Gao Jing bowed in return. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
He noticed a detail: the other’s speaking voice was deliberately lowered.
It clearly took care of his feelings as this “small person.”
This spontaneous act made Gao Jing feel a flicker of goodwill towards this aged giant.
“Oh.”
The old giant suddenly understood.
He, of course, also couldn’t understand Gao Jing’s words. So, he reached into a pouch on his waist and rummaged around for a moment.
Finally, he pulled out a dark brown wooden plaque.
Crunch!
The plaque crumbled into fragments in the old giant’s hand. A faint shimmer of light briefly flashed across his palm.
He raised his index finger and gently pointed it towards Gao Jing.
Tiny glimmers of silver light came forth from his fingertip and flew silently towards Gao Jing.
Gao Jing was completely unable to dodge. All the silver light flowed into his body and vanished without a trace!
Gao Jing didn’t feel any discomfort in his body. But it seemed like something new had appeared in his mind.
The old giant opened his right hand, letting the fragments of the plaque fall away.
Then he spoke again: “Hello, Ancient Descendant from The Abyss.”
Gao Jing was stunned.
Because the old giant was speaking the same words as before, but this time, Gao Jing understood them completely!
Gao Jing opened his mouth but didn’t know how to respond.
Should he answer in Mandarin?
Before he could speak, the old giant said apologetically, “I am sorry. The Yan Xiao Talisman only allows you to understand the Dahuang Language. I don’t possess a higher-level Yan Ling Talisman, so I cannot make you instantly master it.”
Gao Jing quickly shook his head, indicating it was okay.
Being able to understand was already very good.
It was rather magical.
Just then, the little girl from before brought over a chair made of rosewood.
Even though the chair was taller and larger than her, she carried it quite easily.
Racial trait?
“I believe you have many questions…”
The old giant sat down on the wooden chair. “We can communicate slowly.”
Gao Jing did indeed have so very many questions. He nodded and sat cross-legged on the wooden table.
Actually, from those few sentences exchanged earlier, Gao Jing had already grasped some significant information.
In the Primary World, if someone only ten centimeters tall suddenly appeared, such a discovery would certainly shake the world. Anyone who saw it would find it unbelievable.
Yet towards Gao Jing, this old giant displayed no overt amazement.
He addressed Gao Jing as “Ancient Descendant” and said Gao Jing came from “The Abyss.”
This was quite intriguing.
That sentence revealed two pieces of information.
First, that in this Great World, there existed “small people” like Gao Jing.
The so-called Ancient Descendants from The Abyss.
Secondly, the old giant had met them before!
After waking up earlier, Gao Jing’s biggest worry had been being seen as a monster because of his unlikeness.
That worry couldn’t be said to have disappeared entirely, but at least it had lessened significantly.
Therefore, he could temporarily set aside his worries and talk with the old giant.
“First, let me introduce myself.”
The old giant stroked his long beard. “My name is Shan Yan. I am the Shaman of the Shan Yue Tribe.”
“Grand Shaman.”
The little girl beside him suddenly interrupted loudly, correcting him. “Grandpa is the Grand Shaman!”
She looked very proud.
She snuggled close to the Elder Shaman.
“Haha.”
Shan Yan affectionately rubbed the head of the little one, messing up her already untidy hair.
The Grand Shaman of the Shan Yue Tribe continued, “The warriors of our tribe discovered you while hunting Savage Oxen. You were unconscious, lying on a rotten log.”
“Under the log, our warriors found Deathsleep Mushrooms…”
After listening to the Grand Shaman’s explanation, Gao Jing finally understood.
He had been ambushed by a type of mushroom.
These Deathsleep Mushrooms were highly unusual. They had demanding growing conditions, making them exceedingly rare.
Deathsleep Mushrooms could emit a special scent. Any small animal passing by and smelling it would immediately fall asleep.
Then, the Deathsleep Mushroom would rapidly extend numerous rootlets, piercing the prey’s body to release toxins. These toxins would corrode and dissolve the prey’s muscles and bones into liquid, which the mushroom would absorb and digest to nurture new spores.
Hence the name Deathsleep Mushroom.
Gao Jing was both unlucky and fortunate.
Unlucky to have encountered such a rare mushroom. Fortunate that he was found and brought back by hunters of the Shan Yue Tribe.
He hadn’t ended up as Deathsleep Mushroom fertilizer.
“Thank you!”
Gao Jing bowed deeply to express his gratitude.
Though he couldn’t speak the Dahuang Language, the other would surely understand the sentiment.
“You’re very welcome.”
The Grand Shaman smiled gently. “In my youth, I traveled to the City of Ten Thousand Kings. I saw your Ancient Remnant Clan there. Our clans share the same roots, meant to watch over and aid each other.”
That carried a lot of information.
Gao Jing mentally noted the words “City of Ten Thousand Kings” and “share the same roots.”
The Grand Shaman’s words also proved Gao Jing’s earlier guess.
“Well then.”
The Grand Shaman said, “Guest from The Abyss, may I ask if you plan to continue your journey, or would you like to stay with our tribe for a while?”
Gao Jing hurriedly nodded. “I wish to stay for a while!”
This was the best chance to learn about the Great World. Even if there were certain risks, he didn’t want to miss it.
Hmm, he certainly wasn’t being lured by the limitless, exceptionally high-quality rosewood so easy to get here!
The Grand Shaman understood Gao Jing’s meaning correctly. “I take it you choose to remain. Then, I can teach you the Dahuang Language before the effect of the Yan Xiao Talisman wears off.”
Gao Jing’s eyes instantly lit up – that was truly wonderful!
He could certainly see that this Elder Shaman was no ordinary person; he possessed extraordinary abilities.
If he could learn from him, even if it was just learning a language, he was sure to gain immensely!
Gao Jing stood up and once again bowed respectfully to the Grand Shaman.
The Grand Shaman smiled gently.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
He pointed to the little girl snuggled beside him. “During your stay with our tribe, Shan Guoer here will be your caretaker.”
Huh?
Gao Jing froze for a moment.
This little girl? Taking care of him?
Was there some mistake?!
Just as Gao Jing looked at the little girl, this child named Shan Guoer also turned her head towards him.
Their eyes met.
Large eyes and small eyes locked in an unblinking stare.
Gao Jing had the small pupils.
Shan Guoer had the large ones!
They stared at each other silently.