38: They are all voluntary

“Let’s choose that spot for the ambush; there’s a cluster of cacti for cover,” Xiao Xi suggested.

“Alright, that works.” The two tribes had already cooperated in hunting twice before, so Jin Yu didn’t refuse his suggestion.

For this hunt, both tribes left more than half of their Warriors guarding the Green Oasis to prevent other tribes from attacking it in their absence.

There were quite a few animals near the Green Oasis. The Warriors who had just been sent out found several wild camels, which appeared to be a family group. If they could catch those prey, they wouldn’t have to worry about food for the next few days.

“So, who’s setting the ambush this time?” Jin Yu asked.

The people from the two tribes weren’t familiar with each other, making coordinated pursuit difficult. Therefore, one side was always responsible for the ambush, and the other for surrounding and intercepting.

Xiao Xi casually said, “My skill makes it easier to chase prey, so you take your people and go hide.”

Jin Yu nodded and left with her people. After she turned to leave, she didn’t see Xiao Xi inexplicably curl the corners of his mouth.

Camels have a very keen sense of smell, able to detect food, water, and other scents from several kilometers away. So, the tribal Warriors responsible for the ambush smeared some grass juice on themselves to mask their human scent.

They squatted behind cover, shrinking their bodies and waiting for the signal, not daring to make any large movements that might disturb other animals.

Time passed minute by minute, and the scorching sun made everyone feel a bit anxious.

Jin Yu tugged at her sun-protective clothing and muttered in confusion, “Why does it feel like this time is much slower than before?”

She looked down at her wristband, wondering if her ally had encountered some trouble.

The long wait made everyone extremely uncomfortable under the sun, until a Pencil-tailed Tree Mouse seemed to hear something, sniffing alertly.

Puffs of dust rose from the sand dune on the other side, as if something was running past.

Seeing this, the long-waiting crowd’s spirits lifted.

Hunting was a common occurrence for the natives, so they were naturally skilled. After that wild camel entered the ambush site, they quickly captured the prey using bows, arrows, and spears.

Although they got off to a good start, they were not satisfied. This single camel was nowhere near enough for two tribes to share.

“Sorry, there was a bit of an accident.”

Xiao Xi and a few Warriors arrived, chasing the camel, and apologized to Jin Yu and the others: “We originally intended to drive all of them over, but they got startled and ran in different directions.”

“I’ve already arranged for others to chase the remaining ones, please wait a bit longer.”

“It’s alright, everyone makes mistakes.”

Although the other party’s mistake could potentially leave both groups hungry, Jin Yu still comforted her ally, then continued to wait patiently with the other Warriors.

After another long wait, so long that Jin Yu suspected she had been baked, the Pencil-tailed Tree Mouse became active again.

Puffs of dust appeared once more, and this time they finally had a bountiful harvest.

“This should be enough to eat for two or three days,” Jin Yu exclaimed contentedly, and suggested they return. She was worried that if she stayed down any longer, she would become ‘well-done.’

Xiao Xi paused almost imperceptibly. He looked at the several prey again, thought for a moment, and nodded in agreement: “Alright, let’s go.”

As they started their journey back, everyone looked noticeably more relaxed.

The prey they acquired this time was enough to eat for three days. Jin Yu almost drooled at the thought of not having to chew bitter and astringent grass today.

“Le-Leader!”

Unexpectedly, their leisurely mood was interrupted by a blood-stained Warrior.

“Two tribes have attacked the Green Oasis!”

The Warrior said in a panicked tone, “The enemy leader’s Heaven-Bestowed Ability is terrifying, we don’t know what to do!”

Hearing this, everyone present’s expressions changed drastically.

“Damn it, how did they know we were out? Do they also have reconnaissance skills?”

Xiao Xi gritted his teeth, then turned to Jin Yu and said, “Leave a few people to carry the prey, the rest must move quickly and go back to support!”

After speaking, he called out to his tribal Warriors, picked up speed, and rushed towards the Green Oasis.

The sudden turn of events made Jin Yu a little flustered, and she subconsciously followed his command, leading her people to quickly follow.

Moving fast on the sand consumed a lot of energy, and soon, everyone became breathless.

Xiao Xi urged, “We need to go faster! If the Green Oasis is taken, we’re finished!”

Jin Yu could only grit her teeth and keep up.

They hurried for quite a while, finally seeing the silhouette of the Green Oasis.

Xiao Xi’s spirits lifted: “We’re almost there, we’ll go back and support them right away!”

He ran a bit further with his people before realizing something was wrong.

Turning his head, Jin Yu and her tribe had inexplicably stopped, quietly watching Xiao Xi and the others.

“Now is not the time to rest!” Xiao Xi frowned, “Any more delay and it will be terrible!”

Jin Yu took a deep breath, trying her best to calm her tired body.

Then, she asked Xiao Xi, “How did that injured Warrior find us?”

Xiao Xi was stunned: “We’ve always been hunting in that direction, is there a problem?”

“Then let’s just say he was lucky, to be injured and still run so far to find us,” Jin Yu said expressionlessly.

Xiao Xi felt she was being unreasonable: “What exactly are you trying to say? Are you going to keep wasting time here?”

Jin Yu pointed at the distant Green Oasis: “Perhaps you can take a closer look, there doesn’t seem to be any activity over there.”

“Huh? How could an NPC lie to us?” Xiao Xi said, disbelievingly, “I don’t know what you mean, but I don’t want to waste any more time. If you want to stay here, then stay!”

“Sigh…”

Jin Yu sighed: “I admit my brain isn’t top-tier, but for you to try to fool me like this, it’s a bit disrespectful.”

Xiao Xi seemed about to say something, but Jin Yu stopped him: “I told you my skill controls rodents, but that’s not actually it.”

Hearing this, Xiao Xi’s expression changed.

Skill: Pet Communicator

Effect Description: Can communicate with one’s own pets.

The introduction was concise and to the point.

Although Jin Yu couldn’t forcibly control those animals to do anything, when it came to gathering information, there were no oversights.

Most animals’ ways of thinking are relatively simple, and their communication with each other is as direct as it gets. Jin Yu could easily obtain various information from her pets.

As for how these wild creatures became pets…

Found a rat, fam, it wants to come home with me!

In short, with the help of these ‘voluntarily’ petrified helpers, Jin Yu could obtain a lot of information.

Including… the fact that no other humans had come nearby just now.

Facing Jin Yu’s cold gaze, Xiao Xi stopped pretending and sneered, “I didn’t expect you to have a trick up your sleeve.”

“However, it’s too late for you to realize it now.”

Jin Yu thought of the Warriors left behind in the tribe, and her expression suddenly changed.