This Is My Primitive Tribe-Chapter 79 - 73 The Secret of the Divine Mushroom

"Why not take the Divine Mushroom to ask the Old Witch?"

Although the Strength Mushroom has proven to be good, Jiang Xuan still feels uneasy and doesn’t want Chi Shao to directly try the Divine Mushroom.

"Alright, let’s go ask then."

Chi Shao nodded; being cautious with unfamiliar mushrooms is never too much.

The two took three Divine Mushrooms to the bamboo house where the Old Witch resided and told him the whole story.

"Divine Mushroom?"

The Old Witch opened the small Beast Hide Bag, looked at the three red mushrooms inside, feeling quite curious.

"I’ve never seen or heard of this thing in the Eastern Wilderness."

"However, since the people from the Mountain Turtle Tribe say the Divine Mushroom can let witches see the Guardian God, it must have some magical properties."

"I’ll first test if it’s poisonous."

The Old Witch took out a delicate Gemstone-level small Stone Knife and sliced a tiny piece, about half the size of a fingernail, from one of the Divine Mushrooms.

Then, he placed it in his mouth without swallowing.

Jiang Xuan watched the Old Witch’s bold action, and couldn’t help but feel his eyelid twitch.

If the mushroom were truly toxic, would tasting it like this lead the Old Witch to his doom?

Yet, looking at the Old Witch’s demeanor, he seemed quite composed, or perhaps, having lived to his age, he feared nothing.

After a long time, the Old Witch said to Jiang Xuan and Chi Shao, "This kind of Divine Mushroom doesn’t enhance or activate Witch Power."

Chi Shao felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this.

She thought since the Strength Mushroom could increase a Warrior’s strength, a Divine Mushroom meant for witches would boost Witch Power within them.

"But, it can elevate one’s spirits; now I’m sensing numerous thoughts flitting through my mind, more than usual."

"Additionally, this Divine Mushroom isn’t highly toxic, eating one shouldn’t be harmful, but its effects on witches need more consumption to ascertain."

The Old Witch calmly said, "If you don’t mind, I can eat one to test it for you."

According to the Mountain Turtle Tribe, this Divine Mushroom is very precious; otherwise, they wouldn’t have brought only three."

Because of this, the Old Witch didn’t eat one directly but first sought Chi Shao and Jiang Xuan’s opinions.

After all, they didn’t know if they could acquire more in the future, and once consumed, there would be one less.

Jiang Xuan thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, but best to cook it before eating; even if it’s poisonous, cooking may reduce the toxicity somewhat."

The Old Witch chuckled, "You’re right, cooking can indeed lower the toxicity."

The fire in the hearth burned continually around the clock, and the Old Witch had two Pottery Jars that Jiang Xuan gave him for cooking.

The Old Witch sliced a Divine Mushroom into thin pieces, tossed it into the Pottery Jar used for soup, added some water, and placed it in the hearth to boil.

"Gurgle...gurgle..."

As the Pottery Jar heated up continuously, the water inside gradually began to boil, and the Divine Mushroom in the hot water slowly changed from red to light cyan.

Meanwhile, a rich aroma of fresh mushroom wafted throughout the bamboo house, whetting everyone’s appetite.

After ten-odd minutes, the Old Witch deemed the Divine Mushroom thoroughly cooked, so he found a Pottery Bowl and, using chopsticks, fished the Divine Mushroom out of the Pottery Jar.

Chopsticks were one of the tools the Old Witch learned to use upon arriving at the Vine Tribe; he fancied such items that keep hands from directly contacting food.

The Old Witch had only a few teeth left, but the Divine Mushroom was tender and smooth; cut into slices, he could easily swallow it.

After finishing the Divine Mushroom, he set down the bowl and chopsticks, sat quietly cross-legged on a piece of Beast Hide, closing his eyes, and thoroughly felt the mushroom’s effects.

Gradually, Jiang Xuan noticed the Old Witch’s eyelids twitching, followed by his body.

His expression transformed from calm to shock, then delight, fear, anger, and various other emotions.

He even reached out his hand and muttered something indistinctly before tears streamed down his face.

"This...could he be poisoned? Should we rescue him?"

Seeing the Old Witch’s bizarre behavior, Jiang Xuan was startled, fearing the sudden risk of poison-induced death.

Chi Shao went forward to observe the Old Witch’s condition and said, "No bleeding, no foaming at the mouth, breathing is relatively normal, probably nothing serious; better not touch him yet."

Chi Shao had been learning Witch Doctor techniques from the Old Witch for some time; if she deemed it safe, probably no serious issues would arise.

Jiang Xuan could only anxiously wait for the Old Witch to awaken.

About an hour later, the Old Witch gradually settled down.

Another half hour passed before he slowly opened his eyes and wiped the still-moist tears from the corners.

Jiang Xuan anxiously asked, "Old man, how do you feel? Is there any discomfort?"

The Old Witch shook his head and said, "I’m fine; I just saw the former Eagle Tribe, met the Eagle God, and encountered many old friends; I was a bit too emotional."

"Besides, I also beheld a magical world, where many animals and plants soared through the skies."

Gazing at the other two intact Divine Mushrooms, the Old Witch said, "I think I know why this thing is popular among witches."

"Why?" Jiang Xuan curiously asked.

The Old Witch slowly explained, "Because many tribes have lost their original Guardian Gods, causing many witches to struggle to communicate with them, yet they yearn to see the gods and hear their guidance."

"Eating the Divine Mushroom lets them ’see’ gods, a magical world, and brings glimpses of cherished people and stories, making them believe the gods haven’t vanished but are simply elsewhere."

"For a witch serving gods lifelong, it’s profoundly encouraging."

"Even I can’t discern whether the magical world truly exists or is a mere hallucination induced by the Divine Mushroom."

The Old Witch’s mood suddenly dipped, "I wish that world were real; perhaps then, when I die, my soul could reach it."

After hearing the Old Witch’s words, Jiang Xuan finally figured out what this so-called "Divine Mushroom" truly was.

It should be a type of hallucinogenic mushroom.

After consumption, it creates hallucinations, revealing a fantastical world and reminiscent scenes.

Yet Jiang Xuan couldn’t be completely sure, as the world defied conventional explanation.

Like the Spiritual Divine Vine on Stone Mountain, common reasoning scarcely explained it.

Thus, Jiang Xuan dare not definitively state that the world seen post-mushroom consumption is fabricated, merely suspecting it’s likely an illusion.

Realizing this, Jiang Xuan lost interest in the so-called precious Divine Mushroom.

It merely affords a novel mental experience without substantive aid like the Strength Mushroom.

Yet, since people from the Mountain Turtle Tribe claimed it was popular among other tribes’ witches, it could be preserved for possible tribal exchanges of resources.

Jiang Xuan expressed gratitude to the Old Witch before leaving with Chi Shao, carrying the remaining two Divine Mushrooms.

The Old Witch sat quietly in the empty bamboo house, recalling the wonders seen after eating the Divine Mushroom, unable to find peace within...

Returning to their abode, Jiang Xuan and Chi Shao discussed and decided to dry the two Divine Mushrooms, making long-term preservation easier.

As for when they might be used, or if they ever will, it wasn’t crucial; after all, the Mountain Turtle Tribe had gifted them, with little effort from the Vine Tribe.