In a place thick with forests, it wasn’t easy to find something to hold water or store food. As for something you could set directly over a fire to cook soup, there was nothing but stones.

The priest looked at the clay pot with such envy that he was on the verge of asking to take it with him. Xu Shuangci tried every cooking method—frying, deep-frying, stir-frying, and stewing.

As soon as the fire was placed beneath the pot, it seemed as though the food was cooked in the blink of an eye. The pot not only conducted heat quickly but also had a large capacity.

It was even plump and round, with a paw-shaped indentation on its belly—a design that perfectly suited the cats’ aesthetic. The Priest watched the entire process alongside his two kittens.

He stared at the clay pot for a long time, then suddenly blurted out, “Can we use our paw prints?” Xu Shuangci’s hand trembled.

But when he looked down, he saw that there was not a trace of jest in the Priest’s eyes.

He said calmly, “Sure. But we’ll need you to come over when the time comes.”

The Priest moved his tail forward, and two little kittens fluttered out from it. They curled into balls, then stretched out on their backs with all four paws spread.

“Is it okay for them to stay here?”

Xu Shuangci looked at Qing.

“No,” Qing replied with utter indifference.

The Priest didn’t seem disappointed; instead, he said enthusiastically, “Then we’ll make another trip later.”

Qing helped prepare the food, committing the method of using this item to memory.

After being fired, the clay hardens. The beastfolk use fire and are aware of this property.

But shaping the mud so that it holds its form and doesn’t crack after firing—this was a technique so advanced it seemed only the Beast God could know it. If Qing hadn’t witnessed the process with his own eyes, he would likely have scrutinized every detail just as the Cat Priest had.

The cave finally buzzed with activity during this combined breakfast and lunch.

There were only two rattan chairs: one for Xu Shuangci and the larger one seating three cats.

Qing ate from a bowl; since there wasn’t room on the table, he ate on a piece of animal hide. In any case, Xu Shuangci had already given him a portion of every dish. Beastmen know how to use fire, and their most familiar cooking method is grilling meat.

Unlike rogue beastmen—such as Qing before—beastmen from established tribes generally prefer cooked meat. But after eating so much grilled food, the stir-fried and deep-fried dishes they’d never tasted before seemed especially novel.

Assuming they wouldn’t know how to use chopsticks, Xu Shuangci served only one bowl among them, dividing the dishes and the tender, stewed sweet root. As the stir-fried dish touched their tongues, the aroma released by the oil instantly stunned the three cats.

The kitten’s reaction was the most immediate; it clung tightly to the bowl with both paws, burying its head right inside. Xu Shuangci glanced at Qing.

They were actually quite well-mannered and ate at an incredible speed. A diner’s enjoyment is the highest praise a chef can receive.

Xu Shuangci picked up his chopsticks, finally feeling interested in tasting the food.

After the meal, the kittens’ bellies were round and full. They lay on the animal skins, all four paw pads facing upward, kneading the air. After grooming himself, the Priest tugged the two kittens over to lick them as well.

Once he felt he had tidied up, he got up and circled the clay pots and jars for a long time. He asked about the purpose of each one, then returned with a serious expression.

Seeing his expression, Xu Shuangci realized he was about to speak.

Qing got up and sat beside Xu Shuangci, wrapping his tail around his other side so that it seemed to half-envelop him. With the kittens’ deep purring in the background, the Priest spoke: “We want two pots and two water cisterns.”

He wanted bowls, small jars, large jars, and basins, but their cat tribe was small, and they didn’t have enough to trade for so many items. These two items were the most practical for the cat tribe.

Xu Shuangci nodded. “Agreed.”

The priest’s two pointed ears twitched downward slightly as he pondered for a moment, then stood upright again.

“We have seeds, honey, herbs, and animal hides to trade.”

This meant he was free to choose whatever he wanted. Xu Shuangci turned to look at Qing.

Qing: “Just take whatever you want.”

While thinking it over, Xu Shuangci unconsciously grabbed the tiger’s tail at his side and pulled it up to rest on his lap.

“May I ask what kind of seeds they are?”

Priest: “The seeds were collected by our ancestors during their migrations, but let me be clear: we’ve never managed to grow them ourselves.”

“According to the lore passed down by every generation of Priests, this plant grows mostly in water, like a weed. Harvest it when it turns golden, remove the husk, and eat the white flesh inside.”

“It’s only slightly sweet, and the harvest isn’t very good.”

The Priest had offered this option merely as a novelty, not expecting him to choose it. But when Xu Shuangci genuinely expressed interest in it, the Priest hesitated.

“Are you sure you want to trade for this?”

Xu Shuangci clutched the tiger’s tail tightly.

Qing’s spine tingled; his fur stood on end, and his body trembled slightly.

But Xu Shuangci remained oblivious; he was so nervous he hadn’t let go.

He swallowed, his throat feeling slightly dry, and asked softly, “Is it a cluster? Like, does it grow in clusters?” The Priest nodded.

Xu Shuangci’s grip tightened.

Qing dug his claws straight into the ground.

Xu Shuangci: “Can I go take a look?” That description fits rice perfectly.

After eating sweet roots for nearly half a year, Xu Shuangci had thought he’d never taste a single grain of rice again. And here it was!

It must be, it definitely is! The Priest nodded.

Judging by Qing’s reaction, he might even know about these seeds.

Not long after they finished eating, the two kittens woke up from their nap, and the Priest was ready to take them away. Since Qing had invited the Priest this time, Qing was responsible for seeing them back.

Xu Shuangci wanted to go along, but since the Priest advised against his traveling such a long distance, they eventually agreed that Qing would bring a few grains back for him to see.

Qing’s territory was vast, and reaching the cat tribe required crossing it directly. Even walking quickly, the round trip would take a day and a night.

But before leaving, Xu Shuangci pulled him aside and urged, “Don’t rush; don’t wear yourself out.” Qing nodded, then set off into the woods, carrying the bag of animal skins filled with kittens and adult cats.

Having unexpectedly struck a deal, Xu Shuangci took the second batch of pottery even more seriously. Since it was still early, he first cleaned out the kiln and placed the second batch of clay forms inside.

He didn’t rush to fire them, but instead dug up more clay, determined to finish the pottery for the cat tribe before Qing went out hunting again.

While he was busy with this, the Priest, cradling the kittens in the animal-skin pouch, asked Qing, “You said you found your mate in your own territory?”

“Ask him if he’d be willing to join our Cat Tribe.”

“If he’s willing, I’ll train him to become a Priest of our Cat Tribe.”

Qing: “He doesn’t want to.”

“You didn’t even ask him!” The Priest’s claws tore through the animal-skin pouch. His heart ached terribly.

Their tribe was right next to this tiger—couldn’t Frost have just lain a little further west so they could have picked him up? 

Qing: “But if you’re willing to teach him, I’m willing to trade you something else.”

The priest looked up, peering through the slit in his leather pouch at the white-furred head.

“What do you have?”

“Is it your mutant white fur or food? We’re not short on either.”

Qing: “There must be something you don’t have.”

“I won’t teach him.” The Priest refused without a moment’s hesitation. “A Priest’s skills can only be passed down within the tribe. That is the rule.”

Qing: “But you taught him before.”

The priest stood on the animal-skin pouch, his front paws resting on the edge, and said menacingly, “That was only because you helped our tribe’s kitten! The ancestors will understand.”

Seeing that he’d made up his mind, Qing said no more.

After escorting the cat beastman back to the cat tribe, Qing set off that very night, carrying the seeds wrapped layer upon layer in animal hides. By the time he reached the cave, morning had already broken.

Qing hadn’t slept for two days and two nights. After entering the cave, he gave himself a quick grooming and lay down right next to Xu Shuangci, who was still fast asleep. Daylight crept in through a crack above the cave entrance.

Xu Shuangci was still in the throes of a dream.

When he felt a weight on his waist, his consciousness snapped out of the dream. His long eyelashes fluttered a few times before he slowly opened his eyes.

The big cat’s head was nestled against his pillow, its nose pressed against his.

No wonder his forehead felt as if it were being blown on by the wind.

Seeing that the cat had just returned, Xu Shuangci, afraid of startling it, closed his eyes again and lay there for a while. Once fully awake, Xu Shuangci quietly shifted the rather heavy tail off his waist.

He slipped out from under the tail and got out of bed.

He glanced at the egg, then noticed the bundle of animal skins on the rattan chair. Xu Shuangci didn’t rush to look at it.

Instead, he prepared breakfast, ate, and then washed his hands and face. He then sat cross-legged with the utmost reverence and slowly unwrapped the animal hide layer by layer.

The result was a small, square leather pouch, revealed after peeling back layer after layer of the hide, which was as big as Qing’s head. Xu Shuangci opened a small slit, but fearing it might fall to the ground and be lost,

He looked around, then walked over and sat down in front of Qing.

He cupped his hands beneath it, the backs of his hands resting against Qing’s large white paw pads. Three seeds fell into his palm, and Xu Shuangci held his breath. No mistake!

He picked one up and placed it directly on Qing’s paw to examine it closely.

The white fur provided the perfect backdrop; the grains were so clear that even the fine hairs were visible. The grains weren’t very plump and were slightly longer and thinner than the rice grains he’d seen before.

But they were definitely rice grains.

“Satisfied?”

Xu Shuangci startled, his buttocks jerking backward. So that’s why sub-beastmen aren’t vigilant enough.

Qing had opened his eyes the moment Xu approached, but the sub-beastman who was using his paw as a cushion hadn’t noticed he was awake.

Qing’s gaze swept over the tiny seed.

Is that all it takes to make him happy?

Besides, the sub-beastman must have seen it before.

The Cat Tribe found this seed in the south, so does that mean the sub-beastman is from a southern tribe as well? It was all just Qing’s speculation; he didn’t want to bring it up just yet.

Seeing that the sub-beastman was still sitting on the ground without getting up, Qing extended his tail forward.

Xu Shuangci wrapped his arms around the large tail and used it to pull himself up.

His eyes lit up, and his face—which had been so dull for so long—suddenly seemed much brighter.

“I like that. I’ll speed up the work. While the weather is still cold, I’ll try to swap out the seeds before planting time.” 

“Don’t rush.” Qing gathered him under his paws. “Get some rest. Sleep.”

Xu Shuangci: “I’ve had enough sleep.”

Qing watched him for a moment, then released his claws, though his tail still held him in place.

Xu Shuangci climbed to his feet, holding the three seeds protectively in his hands. The Priest was so stingy with seeds; there couldn’t be many of them. He wouldn’t waste a single one if he could help it.

“Loosen your tail. I still have things to do.”

Qing closed his eyes and asked, “Where are we going?”

Xu Shuangci replied, “We should go check on the salt drying on the mountain.” 

“It’s about to rain,” Qing said.

Xu Shuangci immediately grew anxious.

“Then you have to let go of it. It’s been out for days—it’s definitely set by now.”

Qing: “I’ll go with you.”

Xu Shuangci pushed him down onto the animal hide and said, “Your Majesty, just lie there. I’ll be back soon.”

Qing, taking offense at this unfamiliar title, let go of his tail.

“Go and come back soon.”

Xu Shuangci beamed, “Yes, Your Majesty.” 

Qing: “Don’t go calling me that.”

Xu Shuangci looked into his weary eyes, and his heart ached.

He crouched down, wrapped his arms around the big cat’s neck, and buried his face in the fur at his nape, rubbing it gently.

“Don’t push yourself so hard on the road anymore. Staying up late is bad for your health.”

Qing’s tail tip brushed against the sub-beastman’s face.

“I can’t rest easy.”