Chapter 632 Downstream Travels (1/2)

When the skies cleared, temperatures rose rapidly. It was now the hottest time of the year.

At this time, the two moons had gradually grown into full moons. Fire torches were no longer needed at night for a clear view.

After watching the Thousand Grain Gold passing their second blocks, he finally brought his party on the boats to embark on their expedition.

The Flaming River’s water levels rose a little after the monsoon. Due to mud and silt, the river was a murky yellow now.

Taking a look at the flowing river, Shao Xuan bade his tribesmen farewell and set off with the two hundred people he chose.

There were two boats, one hundred people on each. Shao Xuan’s boat travelled in front.

In fact, the Longboat tribe’s gift boats were gigantic and were definitely enough for two hundred people. Forget about two hundred, even five hundred would be fine. However, they brought with them stocks that took up some space. Plus, if there was some accident to one boat, they could return on the other.

Two boats bearing the Flaming Horn totem left the tribe with billowing sails bringing them downstream.

They definitely weren’t going to bring any fearsome beasts on this trip, though Chacha was an exception. Too bad it could fly, plus it wouldn’t stay at Flaming Horn without Shao Xuan there. That was why he made Chacha follow him on this expedition. Chacha could help with surveillance from afar, since their field of vision was limited on the boat.

Half a day later, Shao Xuan kept monoculars to instruct his crew to approach the banks and plant their signs.

After the Flaming River was named, they only planted signs bearing the name ‘Flaming River’ within a limited radius. The ones in charge of planting signs were operating within a limited distance anyway. They mostly relied on word of mouth by the tribes around Flaming River to spread the word.

Now, since their team was travelling further downstream, they took the opportunity to plant sighs. From here on, Shao Xuan instructed his crew to plant signs at every interval.

When the people in charge of the signs were busy on the bank, there would also be guards to prevent ambushes. This was not a region they were familiar with so they must remain vigilant.

Shao Xuan got Chacha to bring him up in the air and circle the area. After they landed, he took out a scroll, dipped an animal fur brush in colour pigment then drew. He was updating his maps. Since his tribe will be living here for a long time, they must be familiar with both sides of the river.

Shao Xuan mainly focused on studying the other side.

After last year’s disaster, both sides of the river underwent different changes. One side sunk while the other protruded upwards. This caused one side to be elevated than the other. Shao Xuan and the rest could only study the less elevated side when they were on their boats.

The lower regions were coincidentally the site they most needed to observe anyway. Farther away from the Fearsome Beast forest, most of the tribes were located on this side. Their boats also tended to travel this way.

After planting the signs, everyone rested for a while and set off again.

Every day, the routine was similar. Sometimes, they would encounter beasts drinking water on the river banks but they couldn’t swim so all they did was roar irritably at Shao Xuan and the rest.

“In the future, would more fearsome beasts that know how to swim cross over to the other side?” said Duo Li.

“Probably not.” Tuo did not think so. “The forest fearsome beasts know what habitats suit themselves most. They might cross over due to an accident but in the end still return to their original habitat in the forest.” Tuo deduced based on his vast hunting experience and knowledge of animal habits.

“So that’s why I haven’t seen any fearsome beasts cross the river.” Duo Li nodded.

“There are other reasons.” Shao Xuan kept his animal skin scroll and said, “In the memory of many fearsome beasts, this side is dangerous. Plus this side must’ve been hit hard after last year’s disasters. The beasts that lived near the river all ran far away. Just like the nocturnal swallows that used to live around our tribe, they’ve disappeared. They left to escape the disaster and then found a new place to live. That is why, there shouldn’t be too many fearsome beasts crossing this river in the near future.”

After a pause, Shao Xuan continued, “Then again, there are tribes on the other side of the river. Although they are not very closed to each other, their presence will still affect the beasts. It’s because of the fire seeds in the tribes.”

When Shao xuan mentioned the fire seed, Duo Li, Tuo and the rest remembered. The Flaming Horns often forgot to take fire seeds into account because theirs no longer existed in the primitive form. But to most of the tribes here, the primitive fire seed still existed. Even the fire seeds of small tribes had massive effects on forest beasts.

Nothing new happened the next few days, the topography of both sides of the river was similar.