Chapter 289: A Meaningless Record

He found that the tunnel’s inner walls were very smooth, unlike ordinary tunnels that would appear rough and uneven.

Su Bai reached out to touch the walls. In the weak setting sunlight, he could see many patterns on them.

Though they were called patterns, they were mainly just strokes, hard to be described as pictures. They were similar to the number 1 being written on the wall. Furthermore, there were many of them, an entire wall covered with these marks – number 1s everywhere.

“Cang Shi, what’s written on the walls?” Su Bai asked.

The group had already started lighting bonfires in the tunnel, and firelight started to illuminate the interior.

The patterns on the walls became clearer, and they were not just on the wall Su Bai was looking at. The wall behind him had them too.

“Shaman, these mark how many times we’ve come to the Hunting Ground. We make one mark each time we come.” Cang Shi explained, and also walked towards the wall.

“So, where the marks are densely clustered, does that show how many people came?” Su Bai asked.

“Yes, we make one mark for each visit, and then as many marks as people who came, that’s all.” Cang Shi explained.

“Then how do you know who came and who didn’t?” Su Bai curiously asked.

Cang Shi was stumped, this question caught him off guard. He awkwardly said, “We actually wouldn’t know.”

Indeed, they could only know how many times and how many people came, but not who specifically had come.

Previously, they thought making these marks on the wall would confirm they had visited the Hunting Ground. It was considered an honour to have been marked down. They had not  considered that they would need to know who had been there.

“After you learn to write, you’ll be able to write your own names on the walls when you come here.” Su Bai calmly stated.

Seeing their expressions, he knew they were surprised. They had thought of this as something honourable. Unfortunately, they could not even identify themselves with these basic markings. This had actually greatly demonstrated the importance of reading and writing. Only by learning how to read and write, could one carve their honourable deeds on the walls.

“Yes, I understand.” Cang Shi nodded.

*Crackle crackle…* By the fire, Sha Lan and Yan Hua were roasting meat. Today’s events were still fresh in their minds.

“That was a close call. We almost got discovered by the Three Tailed Wolves.” Yan Hua remarked, squinting.

“Yeah, if we hadn’t rubbed grass on ourselves before leaving this morning, we definitely would have been discovered.” Sha Lan nodded.

Wolves have an excellent sense of smell. They would definitely detect scents when someone approached their cubs.

Rubbing grass on their bodies was one of the Hunting Team’s survival methods. It was useful to mask their scent.

“It’s such a shame though, we couldn’t catch any Wolf Cubs,” Yan Hua said regretfully.

“Yeah, if we did, those cubs should be playing in our cave by now.” Sha Lan nodded.

“If they had been taken, that pack would definitely have found us.” Ye Jiu suddenly spoke up.

“Why? Didn’t we cover ourselves with the scent of grass? They wouldn’t be able to smell us.” Yan Hua asked.

Ye Jiu wiped her combat knife and said, “You’re underestimating the Three Tailed Wolves. They’re very protective of their cubs. If they found one of their cubs missing, they would definitely hunt us down.”

The wolf eared girl knew their habits. Someone from her Tribe had once captured a Three Tailed Wolf Cub. That person roasted and ate their cub, and on the very same night, the wolf pack found him and tore him to pieces.

“If that’s the case, why did you agree when the Shaman wanted to catch their cubs?” Sha Lan frowned.

“Because I trust the Shaman. The Shaman must have his methods.” Ye Jiu solemnly said.

Ever since she saw how the Tribe had developed, she had complete faith in every decision the Shaman made.

As night fell, those in the tunnel began to sleep, They needed good rest for another full day of hunting tomorrow.

*Chirp chirp…*

*Woo woo…*

After a good night’s sleep, everyone was awakened early the next morning by beast calls.

Cang Shi had the Hunting Team pack up their things, as they needed to prepare to start travelling through the mountain passage.

Su Bai had slept well last night, probably because of the day’s travel. He had gone to bed early and had not even noticed any discomfort from the stone pillow.

“Everyone must stay close, especially you, Cheng Shi. Don’t be too overly curious. If you wander off and you can’t find your way out, don’t come crying to us.” Cang Shi sternly warned.

This was not him trying to be intimidating, It was merely a fact. Their first few generations of Tribal Ancestors, who pioneered this hunting route, only found the correct path after paying a heavy price. This whole place was a huge great maze, and countless people had entered never to emerge again.

They had tried many times in the past, and had to sacrifice who knows how many people before finally finding their way through.

This tunnel did not have just one exit, but seven or eight. They were all connected but also all led to different places. Though, not every exit was safe.

If someone unfamiliar with this place came in and exited at an unfamiliar location, they would panic, not knowing how to get back.

The Hunting Ground was full of dangers. If they emerged somewhere unfamiliar, they could easily become a Ferocious Beast’s next meal.

“Don’t worry, Team Leader, I’ll stick close to you.” Cheng Shi nodded.

Though the boy was young, he was not afraid. Rather, he was more curious, his slender black eyes constantly surveying the surroundings.

The only one who was scared was Ai’er. She withdrew into her purple butterfly wings, her purple eyes constantly scanning around. She felt like something might jump out at any moment, so she tightly gripped onto the cow horned girl’s hand.

In contrast, Yan Hua appeared much calmer. Her face showed not nervousness but curiosity.

Already wanting to become a Totem Warrior, coming to such an exciting place only increased her enthusiasm.

Sha Lan looked somewhat worried too, though not as much as Ai’er, She too tightly held Sha Hong’s hand.

*Thump thump thump…* The tunnel environment was not very dry. Rather, it was somewhat damp, and their footsteps made squelching sounds in the mud.

Still, the tunnel did not feel suffocating. It was at least  well-ventilated.

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