Collecting Tree Sap (continued)

A Hu added excitedly, "We've already found the trees, several large trees that are growing perfectly. We're sure we'll be able to collect the best sap this year."

Jian Mo surprised. "What tree sap? I've never heard of it before?"

Ban Ming said, "Jian Mo, you haven't been in the tribe for long, so it's normal that you haven't heard of it. The tree sap is the sap of the Purple Heart Tree, a kind of drink that's delicious."

The orcish language was quite clear, and based on their words, Jian Mo guessed, "Is it tree sap?"

Ban Ming nodded. "Yes, that's it. We make a cut in the bark to collect the sap. The sap is sweetest and most refreshing at night; it loses its flavor after being exposed to the sun during the day. That's why we collect sap during the longest nights of the year."

A Hu said, "Actually, it's not really good to collect tree sap at night in the summer. In the summer, the sap tastes like it's gone bad; it doesn't taste right at all."

Jian Mo listened to their introductions, her curiosity grew, and she couldn't help but ask, "It sounds really good, can I go and pick some too?"

Ban Ming immediately nodded. "Of course, Jian Mo, if you'd like, we'll call you when we're ready to leave."

Jian Mo smiled and said, "Then remember, I'll be waiting for you at home."

Jian Mo she was going, and Ran Wu wanted to go with her.

When the other members of the tribe heard this, they all said they hadn't collected tree sap in a long time and could give it a try.

As a result, the small-scale operation that night turned into a collective activity involving most of the tribe.

Jian Mo sat on the back of the giant wolf, carrying a shoulder bag woven from grass stems, feeling an excitement of a nighttime adventure.

Not every tree's sap can be harvested. Only the sap of the purple heart tree has a sweet and refreshing taste. The sap of other trees is either bitter or poisonous and cannot be drunk.

The Purpleheart Forest they were heading to was some distance from the tribe. The orcs transformed back into their animal forms and ran there, with Ran Wu, who had transformed into a fox, also mingling among them.

He was smaller than a typical fox, and thanks to recent good care, fur had started to grow back in the bald spots.

However, most of his hair hadn't grown in yet, so the hair on his body was of varying lengths and mottled, which didn't look very good.

Nevertheless, his excited posture and occasional uncontrollable whimpers indicated that he was in a very good mood.

The young beastmen beside him were also excited, and would turn around to interact with him from time to time.

Jian Mo reached out and hugged the giant wolf's neck, a smile spreading across her face.

Riverside Tribe is really nice.

The orcs were very fast; they arrived at their destination just as the moon rose over the mountains.

The sub-beastmen dismounted from the beastmen, who then transformed back into human form, donned animal skin robes, and took wooden pegs and sap collection tubes. They then gathered their companions and divided up the forest territory.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong went to the woods to the east, and Ye Luo went with them.

Walking up to a large tree, Ye Luo pulled out a metal knife, scraped the bark slightly to smooth it out, and then removed a large strip of bark in a "Y" shape. He nailed a wooden tube to the bottom of the removed bark and waited for the sap to flow down.

His movements were so swift and precise that Jian Mo stared intently, her eyes filled with admiration.

Ye Luo turned around and saw Jian Mo staring at her from behind. She couldn't help but laugh, "What's with that expression?"

Jian Mo: "You're so efficient."

Ye Luo tossed the knife in the air and caught it again. "This knife is much easier to use. If I had used a shell knife before, peeling bark wouldn't have been so easy."

Jian Mo: "Is this all you need?"

Ye Luo: "We need to pick up two leaves and cover the top of the wooden tube to prevent dust and small insects from falling in."

There's not much in the woods except fallen leaves. Just pick up a couple of flat, large leaves, wipe them clean, and cover the area.

Ye Luo: "See, this works."

Jian Mo felt she had learned it, and pulled Wu Jiong to the other side to install the wooden tubes.

He had quite a few wooden tubes in his bag, but in order to avoid causing irreversible damage to the purple heart trees, they would only install one tube on each tree at most.

In this way, once the wooden tube is removed, the damaged parts of the purple heart tree will heal quickly, and the sap can be collected again next year.

The two divided the work: first, Jian Mo peeled the bark from the tree, Wu Jiong nailed the wooden tubes together.

After a while, Jian Mo got tired, and the task of peeling the bark was handed over to Wu Jiong.

Wu Jiong's movements were even more swift; he could finish dealing with a tree in just a few breaths.

Jian Mo estimated that even without the metal knife, his speed wouldn't be much slower.

The sounds of laughter and merriment from the woods carried far.

After a while, everyone finished installing the wooden cylinders, and the beastmen transformed back into their beast forms. The sub-beastmen climbed onto the beastmen's backs, and everyone prepared to go back.

We'll come back to collect these wooden tubes tomorrow morning, before sunrise.

Jian Mo rarely ventured out at night. When he returned, he nestled on the giant wolf's warm back, hugging its neck, and fell asleep without realizing it.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already dawn the next day.

When he opened his eyes, the giant wolf also opened its eyes.

Jian Mo remembered, "Shouldn't we go and collect the tree sap?"

Giant Wolf: "Hmm."

Jian Mo pulled the animal skin robe from beside her feet and came over. "Quick, quick, get dressed, we're getting ready to go. Hey, did I fall asleep on your back last night?"

Giant Wolf: "Yes, but you weren't the only one asleep. I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I didn't wake you."

Jian Mo reached out and hugged the giant wolf's furry neck. "Ah, it's so good to have you."

The giant wolf turned its head and nuzzled the top of his head with its chin, without saying a word.

The two are very

Quick Transmigration

All dressed, ready to go.

Many people from the tribe were waiting in the open space, including Ran Wu. Seeing them come out, Ran Wu waved excitedly. "Jian Mo, Brother Wu Jiong."

This kid looks no different from any other teenager.

Jian Mo patted him on the shoulder. "You're up so early."