Xu Yi's slightly surprised tone drew Ji Buwang's agreement, "Very much alike."
When the fruit had still been on the tree, both Xu Yi and Ji Buwang had thought it was black. However, upon bringing it closer, they discovered its true color was a dark red, almost indistinguishable from black.
Coupled with its shape, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, resembling an inverted pear, and its eerie color, it was difficult not to associate it with internal organs.
Before Xu Yi could examine it, the fruit suddenly melted at an extremely rapid pace in Guan Li's hand, transforming into a pool of dark red pulp in the blink of an eye.
Guan Li's expression contorted, his eyes filled with a mixture of strangeness and disgust.
If he were alone, he would have long since flung the pulp away. However, with the attention of the two celestial masters focused on his hand, he could only endure the nausea and remain still.
"There's a bloody scent."
Xu Yi's nose detected a familiar腥味 (xīnwèi -腥味, the smell of raw meat or blood).
If not for the scene before her, she would have mistaken this scent for the smell of human blood.
This was because the two were so similar.
What kind of ancient tree was this, to bear fruit that resembled a heart and also emit the scent of human blood?
Xu Yi extended her finger, intending to touch the pulp with her fingertip.
However, a sound from a distance made her instantly retract her hand.
Simultaneously, Ji Buwang said in a cold voice, "Someone is coming."
"It must be people from the Li Tribe."
Guan Li quickly turned and stood behind Xu Yi and Ji Buwang, his hands still holding the fruit pulp.
Rustle rustle—
The rustling sound was not loud, but it was very clear to Xu Yi and Ji Buwang.
More than ten breaths later, dozens of figures appeared before them one after another.
The first glance Xu Yi got of the Li Tribe people made her understand why there were rumors of them being descendants of Beast Kings.
They ran swiftly through the forest, like dragons in flight, every muscle seemingly containing boundless strength.
Especially the leading few members of the Li Tribe, who gave the impression of being ferocious and powerful, like human beasts.
Amidst such an elite and formidable force, the elderly woman with white hair stood out even more.
"Why would the Li Tribe bring their own shaman on a hunt?" Guan Li was utterly astonished.
Everyone knew the importance of the shaman in the tribes of the Beast King Continent.
Only those like them, who had abandoned their lineage, did not have shamans to care for. Other tribes would hide their shamans in places no one could find.
Who would, like the Li Tribe, bring their shaman around everywhere, especially in a dangerous place like the Green Sea?
Guan Li thought the Li Tribe people might have more than just muscles; their brains might be filled with them as well.
As for Xu Yi and Ji Buwang, they were overjoyed by the appearance of the Li Tribe.
If the Li Tribe hadn't appeared, their next step would have been to search for them.
Xu Yi and Ji Buwang had been communicating their intentions with their eyes just moments ago.
Senior Four Symbols had disappeared in this Green Sea, and the Li Tribe, who lived in the Green Sea, might know something about Senior Four Symbols.
Xu Yi and Ji Buwang had planned to visit the Li Tribe if they couldn't find any new clues.
Unexpectedly, the Li Tribe people had appeared on their own, which saved them the trouble of searching.
Xu Yi and Ji Buwang did not object to the appearance of the Li Tribe, but the way the Li Tribe people looked at them was not very friendly; in fact, it carried hostility.
"Chief! Shaman! Look at that person's hand quickly!"
On their way, the Li Tribe shaman had warned the Li Tribe people not to reveal the existence of the Beast King Fruit.
Therefore, upon seeing the pulp in Guan Li's hand, a man shouted angrily but did not mention the name of the Beast King Fruit.
Swish swish swish—
Guan Li felt as if his hands were being stared at until they were on fire.
He sneered disdainfully at the corners of his mouth, unmoved.
The shaman and Chief Dadu looked at the pulp in Guan Li's hand, and their hearts couldn't help but clench.
Dadu couldn't control his actions and immediately looked up to search the fruit tree for other Beast King Fruits. Seeing that the remaining two were still hanging safely on the tree, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The shaman was more composed than Dadu. After a brief glance at the pulp, her gaze quickly shifted to Xu Yi and Ji Buwang.
Upon seeing their unusual attire, the wrinkles on the shaman's aged face deepened.
She recalled several ancient diagrams in her tribe's records, her pupils trembled uncontrollably, and her body even shook slightly.
Dadu was brought back to his senses by the shaman's unusual reaction. He worriedly placed the shaman steadily on the ground and turned to examine her expression.
The shaman squeezed Dadu's hand forcefully and then shook her head at him, regaining her composure before looking at Xu Yi and Ji Buwang, "Esteemed guests, our Li Tribe has lived in seclusion here for generations and does not wish to engage in conflict with you. We kindly request that you leave this place."
The shaman's tone was relatively polite, but the meaning conveyed was quite assertive.
She was indirectly expelling the three of them.
Guan Li's disdain intensified.
If it weren't for the method of leaving the Beast King Continent hidden here, he wouldn't have been willing to come to this uncivilized place. It was as if the Li Tribe people considered this place a treasure, guarding it like a greedy dragon guarding its hoard.
Xu Yi carefully considered her words and said slowly, "We also have no intention of causing conflict with you. However, we are here to seek something. If you are willing to help us resolve our doubts, we will leave immediately and will not pester you further."
In reality, with the combat prowess of Xu Yi and Ji Buwang, they had no reason to fear the Li Tribe people.
Even if the entire Li Tribe attacked, they would not be a match for them.
However, Xu Yi, adopting an attitude of friendly exchange, did not wish to escalate the situation too much, so she planned to negotiate first. If negotiations failed, then resorting to force would not be too late.
But her words were too vague, not specifying what she was looking for. The Li Tribe people subconsciously assumed that Xu Yi and the others were after the Beast King Fruit. Upon hearing Xu Yi's words, they all glared at her angrily.
The shaman's influence became evident at this moment.
She waved her hand, signaling everyone to restrain their emotions, and calmly asked, "What is it you wish to seek?"
"Seven hundred years ago, did any outsiders come to this land and leave any traces?"
The shaman's expression was calm, "We do not know what happened seven hundred years ago."
"Oh, why are you so sure? To my knowledge, the ancestors of the tribes always had the habit of leaving behind records. Don't you even need to search? Even if you could memorize all the records, wouldn't you need to recall them?"
Xu Yi's lips curved into a slight smile, a half-smile.
The Li Tribe shaman's answer was too quick, thus revealing a flaw.
The shaman did not become flustered by Xu Yi's questioning, "I can recite the ancestral records from the past thousand years by heart. This question does not require much thought for me."
"Hmm, but I don't think your answer is convincing," Xu Yi clapped her hands. "Why don't we accompany you back to the Li Tribe? Let us also see the precious ancestral records. Don't worry, we will only look at the content from seven hundred years ago."
Xu Yi's gaze was intense, her demeanor sharp.