Chapter 9

“Shaman, can you tell me what exactly a Shaman is?” Su Bai asked the question he had long wanted to know.

“Don’t be impatient, I will tell you everything.” The Shaman got up and walked inside the Teepee, taking out a large chest from the corner. It was about one meter in length, width and height.

He placed the chest in front of Su Bai and slowly sat down, explaining, “This chest is now yours. Inside is part of the Shaman Inheritance.”

“May I open it?” Su Bai politely asked.

“Open it. It’s a good opportunity to explain to you what a Shaman is.” The Shaman waved his hand.

Su Bai touched the chest and found it to be very smooth. Immediately after, he smelled the fragrance of wood, instantly feeling much more clear-headed. Just this chest alone was a treasure. It made him feel nervous, like when he checked for his college entrance exam scores.

*Click!* Su Bai opened the chest lid with both hands, revealing a few items inside, with Animal Hide Scrolls being the most numerous.

“These animal hides are written in Shaman Scripture, which only Shamans can read. They contain Secret Techniques and more. These are all written by our Flame Dragon Tribe’s Ancestors.” The Shaman said a bit reluctantly.

“Shaman Scripture?” Su Bai doubtfully picked up a scroll and carefully unrolled it. He saw many marvellous patterns. Upon careful observation, he found the patterns to be moving.

He furrowed his brows, trying hard to see clearly what these patterns depicted. After a good while, his mind felt very fatigued and his eyelids were about to close.

“It’s fine, you can’t read the Shaman Scripture now.” The Shaman quickly stopped him.

“Phew…” Su Bai took a deep breath and hurriedly rolled up the animal hide. Only then did his mind feel a bit clearer.

“Only after inheriting a Shaman’s power will you be able to understand the Shaman Scripture.”

The Shaman shook his head and took out three palm-sized animal bone tiles from the chest. He introduced, “These are Shaman Bone Tablets. Using your Qi, Blood and Shaman Power you can activate the Shaman Technique stored in these Bone Tablets.”

“The production of these Shaman Bone Tablets requires the use of Shaman Runes. Shaman Runes are derived from variations of Shaman Scripture. Each type of Shaman Rune represents a kind of Shaman Technique.”

The Shaman put down the Shaman Bone Tablet and proudly said, “Our Flame Dragon Tribe has three kinds of Shaman Runes, all passed down from our Ancestors.”

“What are Shaman Techniques?” Su Bai widened his eyes, finally about to come into contact with this unknown power.

“Shaman Techniques are weird and mysterious.” The Shaman explained with a solemn expression, “There are many types of Shamans. Poison Shamans who specialise in using poison; Divination Shamans who can divine one’s fortune; Healing Shamans who can treat injuries and illnesses; and Blessing Shamans who can increase the strength and speed of others.”

“Then what kind of Shaman are you?” Su Bai asked curiously.

“There are too many different types of Shamans and they are not fixed. It depends on what Shaman Techniques the Shaman specialises in.” The Shaman shook his head, trying to explain clearly so Su Bai would not be misled, “I am more adept at Healing Shaman Techniques and can also use some Blessing Shaman Techniques.”

“I understand. I need to be wary of other Shamans to avoid being schemed against.” Su Bai said so thoughtfully.

“Child, you are truly intelligent.” The Shaman admired but also felt a tinge of regret that Su Bai had appeared so late.

The next second he continued to explain, “The materials and production methods for making Shaman Bone Tablets are all recorded on the animal hides. The origin of the materials and how to obtain them must be kept secret. This is the foundation of the Tribe.”

With no time to teach him step by step. He could only share the key points, afraid that if Su Bai was misinformed and slightest careless, it would spell the doom of the entire Flame Dragon Tribe.

“I will remember it well.” Su Bai responded earnestly.

“Now that we’ve talked about Shaman matters, let me share with you the Tribe’s situation.”

The Shaman spoke without pause, “Our Flame Dragon Tribe only has seventy-two people now. In the future, you need to have the Tribe’s people give birth to more babies. There are too few people in the Tribe.”

As he spoke, his eyes reddened. Thinking of the Tribe’s children who had died, his voice became hoarse, “Our Flame Dragon Tribe Ancestral Land has been taken by the Black Snake Tribe. They are very powerful. If they track us here, immediately order the Tribe to migrate.”

“I won’t rashly confront them head-on. If there’s a chance, I will definitely take back the Tribe Ancestral Land.” Su Bai nodded his head, making a vow to the kind old man before him.

“That’s good. You are a smart child, not impulsive and slow-witted like Yan Jiao and Cang Shi.” The Shaman happily grinned, revealing only three teeth left in his mouth.

*Cough cough cough…*

At this time, coughing fits came from outside the Teepee. Clearly Yan Jiao and Cang Shi had heard the conversation inside.

Cang Shi joked, “Hey Yan Jiao, the Shaman said you are too impulsive.”

“Shut up!” Yan Jiao angrily shouted.

“Ignore them.” The Shaman shook his head helplessly and continued, “Yan Jiao is the Tribe’s Chieftain. If anything comes up, you can ask him.”

“As for Cang Shi, he is the Hunting Team’s leader. You would need to seek him out if you need to obtain some of the materials for the Shaman Bone Tablets.”

“Those of the Hunting Team are all Totem Warriors. They are the pillars of the Flame Dragon Tribe. If you have any matters you can’t decide on, you can consult them. Also, you’re not young anymore. Find a Wife and have a baby soon so the Shaman Inheritance has a Successor.”

The Shaman went more and more off-topic as he spoke, “I think Yan Hua is quite good. She is the prettiest in our Tribe and the strongest of the younger generation. You can have her be your Shaman Priestess to take care of your daily life.”

“…” The corner of Su Bai’s mouth twitched but he didn’t have the slightest bit of impatience. Instead, he felt it was very heartwarming. The Shaman gave him the same feeling as the old director of the orphanage, always nagging him to hurry up and get married.

“When people get old, they tend to talk a bit more, don’t we?” The Shaman stroked his long beard and suddenly asked offhandedly, “Child, are you afraid of the people from the Black Snake Tribe?”

“Why should I be afraid?” Su Bai asked reflexively.

“Hahaha…” The Shaman let out a hearty laugh and kindly said, “It seems I didn’t choose the wrong person.”

He got the answer he wanted from Su Bai’s words and the response he desired from his attitude.

“Shaman, I will work hard to be a good Shaman and lead the Flame Dragon Tribe to prosperity… ahem… I will definitely take back the Tribe Ancestral Land.” Su Bai almost shouted out a poverty alleviation slogan.