So, with a salt crystal mine like this and a Salt Crystal Beast that could purify its ore, would the Snow Tiger Tribe ever have to worry about running out of salt?

What a joke!

Just as Wu Yue was spacing out, the Snow Tiger Witch, who had been studying her for some time, finally spoke. "How is your witch power training coming along?"

Wu Yue’s scalp prickled. It felt exactly like a teacher ambushing you to check your homework.

She could only brace herself and say, "I can already enter a meditative state for long periods."

’It’s just that I’ve been so tired these past few days that I haven’t really meditated properly; I’ve just been passing out asleep.’

’But of course, there was no way she was going to say that last part out loud.’

The witch nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Your aptitude is impressive. Continue to meditate often to accumulate more witch power."

Wu Yue answered obediently, "I understand, Witch."

"Dearest Host, do you believe all those slaves are pitiable, kind, and grateful souls?"

Just as she was about to take her leave, the System’s voice rang out in her mind.

Wu Yue’s expression soured. ’You aren’t about to drop another one of your ridiculous missions on me, are you?’

The System gave a hollow laugh. ’How’s that possible? The Host has to trust her System! This mission is definitely simple.’

Wu Yue scoffed inwardly, a particular thought coming to mind.

’The last time the System said "simple" was the day I nearly lost my life.’

The System was exasperated. ’Other hosts are dying to take on more missions for points, but what kind of pain-in-the-ass host did I get saddled with?’

’The moment I mention a mission, she acts like it’s dog crap. Turning down points that are gift-wrapped and handed to her, ain’t that just sad?’

"Mission Issued: Ensure all slaves of the Snow Tiger Tribe successfully survive the rainy season.

Mission Reward: 200 points

Yunnan Baiyao ×1 bottle

Pure cotton underwear ×1 set

Host, for such a generous reward, don’t hold back!"

After issuing the mission, the System added a passionate, encouraging cheer.

Wu Yue was silent for a long moment, then was decisively sold.

This mission was right up her alley. God knew how uncomfortable she was in these cheap, gaudy floral boxers.

’For something from the Points Mall, you’d think they could at least bother to make a proper crotch for these things.’

’God only knows, if you pulled them up too high, the chafing was unreal.’

After being subjected to another torrent of words from the witch, Wu Yue was finally free to go.

Meanwhile, Aya had been taken home by the Snow Tiger Tribe Leader.

Walking along a path in the tribe, a cool breeze sobered Wu Yue’s somewhat dazed mind.

She immediately fished the Blue Fatty out of the basket on her back. "System, the rewards for this mission are pretty generous. Are there some other requirements you’re not telling me about?"

The System’s beady little eyes darted about, its soft, sweet voice laced with a hint of sheepishness. "Well, um, there are a few... teensy-weensy, negligible little requirements."

Wu Yue sneered. "I knew it. Let’s hear them. What are the requirements?"

’She didn’t believe for a second the System would let her get points so easily.’

"It’s just that the mission is a bit long... it lasts until the end of the rainy season. And... AHEM! AHEM!"

Wu Yue could feel the System’s guilt radiating off it.

She reached out and squeezed its little paw pads. "Spill it, or when the food runs out during the rainy season, I’m using that body of yours as emergency rations."

The System’s chubby little body shuddered, and it hastily confessed. "It’s just, um, during the mission, for every slave who dies, you—the Host—will have 10 points deducted."

Wu Yue’s arm, which was holding the Blue Fatty, tightened. She grabbed the scruff of its neck and was about to hurl it away.

Sensing its host’s rage, the System immediately started whimpering, clinging to her arm with all four paws. "Host! Host! Have mercy!"

Looking at the chubby, fluffy little furball dangling from her arm, staring at her with big, watery eyes...

Wu Yue, who was a cat owner in her past life, simply couldn’t bring herself to do it.

She could only feign fierceness. "Get the hell off me."

The System shamelessly tilted its head and nuzzled her arm, letting out little "Awoo, awoo, awoo" sounds as it did.

Wu Yue felt her defenses instantly crumble. "Where did you learn such shameless tactics?"

Seeing her subconsciously supporting its chubby bottom, the System hummed smugly to itself. ’From the other fluffy little fatties in the tribe, of course.’

’It’s the perfect weapon against an angry Host.’

Returning to her den listlessly, Wu Yue felt that her future looked bleak.

Like other Great Tribes, the Snow Tiger Tribe allocated food to its slaves, but on a normal day, it was just enough to keep them alive.

During times when food was scarce, like the rainy season and winter, the slaves were completely neglected.

After all, to these Great Tribes, their own members were the foundation; the slaves, who had been traded for food, were merely property.

Even if they died this year, smaller tribes would bring more next year. There was never a shortage. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"System, how much more experience do I need to level up?"

Lying obediently on Wu Yue’s lap, the System glanced at the experience panel. "Host, you need over thirty more experience points to reach Yellow Rank, Second tier."

Wu Yue heaved a long sigh. "My life is so hard."

The System sighed along with her. "Whose life is easy?"

After lunch and a short rest, Wu Yue rallied her spirits and headed toward the Clan Leader’s home again.

This time she was in luck. The Clan Leader was sitting in the clearing in front of his cave, sharpening a Stone Spear.

Seeing her approach, he greeted her happily, "Yue, what brings you here? Are you looking for Aya?"

Wu Yue waved her hand. "I came to see you."

The Clan Leader paused, then set down his Stone Spear and stood up. "Come and sit."

He walked over to several large stones on the edge of the clearing and sat down with a broad, unrestrained movement.

Wu Yue sat on another stone before speaking. "Clan Leader, I want to train the tribe’s slaves and take them out to forage for food.

So, for the time being, could you let all the slaves come out with me to gather?"

The Clan Leader frowned. "Yue, while the slaves all live in the thatched huts, they belong to individual Beastman families."

"I can give you permission to use the slaves from my household, but for the others, you’ll have to ask their owners."

It was only then that Wu Yue realized the slaves in the tribe were all private property!

After learning about the various Beastman families from the Clan Leader, she left.

On the way, she kneaded the Blue Fatty in her arms. "What do we do now? The slaves aren’t public property of the tribe; they belong to individual families.

And if any of them belong to Ye Duo’s family, that girl definitely won’t give them up easily!"