Inside the mountain cave.
As Shen Can raised his hand, the sound of rushing water rang out. Water vapor transformed into a river that fell at his feet, swept Wu Zhiqi from the pool, and surged out of the cave together.
With a lift of his hand, vast waters roiled and a long river shifted course, leaving Cang He and the other man aghast.
"Gentlemen."
Huo Shan called out to the two stunned tribe leaders.
"You have both served the Young Master diligently. The Young Master is very pleased."
As he spoke, he drew a stack of Beast Hide Scrolls, each roughly palm-sized, from his robes.
The beast hides had been cut with great precision. Dimly glowing patterns flickered across their surfaces, instantly drawing Cang He and Yuan Feng's attention.
"Witch runes?"
Their two tribes possessed such things as well, but only barely, and their effects were negligible.
"The Young Master knows that cultivating witchcraft is difficult for mountain tribes like yours. These are Witch-Testing Runes."
"With them, you can test which members of your tribes possess the talent for witchcraft. I imagine this is exactly what you need."
"These runes require the blood of a special auspicious beast as a catalyst. Anyone below a Third-tier Witch would find them difficult to draw."
As Huo Shan spoke, Cang He and Yuan Feng's breathing quickened. Their hands trembled slightly as they accepted the Witch-Testing Runes.
Cang He and Yuan Feng clutched the Witch-Testing Runes. As for why Huo Shan was giving them out instead of Young Master Fu, they found that perfectly normal.
For the young master of a Marquis Tribe to grant them an audience was already giving them plenty of face.
The man was aloof. As long as he was not aloof when bestowing gifts, that was enough.
At