Grom Gusa was the Witch Clan of the Rat People Tribe.
Her granddaughter, Ashley Gusa, also participated in the coming-of-age ceremony. Several other prestigious families had sent their adult females as well.
Auro was the last to send someone, so when Sally Millet's name was called, it took everyone by surprise.
Except for Lin Lang, who stood at the very front.
His gaze had been fixed on Sally at the very back.
"Lin Lang, Ashley is looking at me with such passion, I must become her Beast Husband," Lin Lang's good friend Cain Shezadlin said, nudging him with his shoulder.
"Weren't you supposed to marry Rona Resh? Why the change of heart?" Lin Lang chuckled.
"Who would have known the Witch Clan would be so generous as to present their own granddaughter."
"If your grandfather knew, he probably wouldn't agree, would he? He's counting on you to run for the next Clan Leader."
The Clan Leader of the Rat People Tribe wasn't determined by bloodline, but rather elected by the members of the entire tribe.
The previous Clan Leader was Satya Shezadlin, Cain's grandfather, who had always hoped to regain the prestige of the Clan Leader's family.
And Rona Resh, the only daughter of the current Clan Leader, marrying her would be like uniting the power of two families. It would be very likely that Cain would become the next Clan Leader.
Therefore, at this coming-of-age ceremony, Rona Resh was the most popular candidate, and Ashley Gusa was the biggest dark horse.
Although Sally Millet was a surprise, her skinny frame was not promising in terms of Fertility Strength; one could tell even without a Female Stone—but her appearance was quite pleasing. If she were in the Female Cave, her face could definitely barter some extra resources.
After Grom Gusa finished praying to the statue of the Beast God, the formal test began.
"There are sixteen adult females participating in the Fertility Test. Ten less than last time. I hope that after today's competition, the females will strive hard to bring more people into the Rat People Tribe. The first female, Shava Brollick, come forward for testing."
Sally, being last in line, observed the other females ahead of her.
Shava was quite short and plump. Although she had a protruding mouth and small eyes, her chubby figure was a significant advantage in the food-scarce primitive era. The fervent gazes of the males below the platform made it evident.
Shava's sharp side teeth bit into her finger, and a few drops of blood fell onto the crystal-clear Female Stone.
Soon, the Female Stone burst into bright light.
Shava breathed a sigh of relief, smiling with at least Superior Fertility.
"Shava Brollick, Fertility Strength grade—Superior, congratulations," Grom said with a smile on her face.
Shava nodded, "Thank you, Witch Clan."
Then she stepped aside, accepting the eager gazes of many young males. She was shy, but her otherwise unremarkable features now glowed with a hint of charm.
"The second female, Jamiela Leo," called Grom.
Immediately, a female with a long face came forward.
She pricked her finger with a bone needle, and the blood dropped onto the Female Stone, producing a comparatively bright light.
"Jamiela Leo, Fertility Strength—average," Grom nodded, indicating approval.
"Thank you, Witch Clan," Jamiela said, then walked over to stand beside Shava.
"Next, Galian Walto," Grom eyed the thin, small female, with a slight frown.
As expected, the result was not very promising, the Female Stone emitted only a faint light.
"Fertility Strength grade, inferior!" Grom said, somewhat regretfully.
The thin, small female burst into tears with a "waah," because she had only one place to go—the Female Cave!
...
The following females showed three with inferior Fertility Strength, two with below-average, two with average, and two with Superior.
"Ashley Gusa," Grom called out her beloved granddaughter's name.
Ashley walked over, her honey-colored skin and tall, beautifully toned figure stood out, and even though her face was average, she was the most delicate among all the females present, aside from Sally.
Sally looked at Ashley's face and then at the other females, wondering if her sense of beauty was off, as none seemed particularly elegant or beautiful.
However, this was the Beast World, where a female's fertility strength was valued more highly; as long as she could bear children, even if she looked like a ghastly demon, she was considered a precious beast.
Ashley confidently walked up to the Female Stone. With a bone needle, she pricked her finger and squeezed out a drop of blood.
The moment the blood droplet touched the Female Stone, it emitted a violently bright light that took quite a while to dim.
The young males immediately became frenzied, shouting Ashley's name and competing to be her beast husband.
"Superior fertility!" Grom's expression was exceptionally gentle and kind, "Good child."
"Thank you, Grandmother," Ashley walked over to the other females who had been tested and immediately felt enveloped in their envy, jealousy, and hostility.
She didn't care at all, her gaze sweeping over the males below until it finally landed on Lin Lang.
Yet Lin Lang's gaze was fixed on another female the whole time.
She followed his gaze... it was a female from the Millet Family.
With her thin and frail appearance, she didn't look like she possessed fertility strength; despite her face, which couldn't compare to Ashley's... After comparing all aspects, Ashley concluded she had won hands down, so she paid it no more mind.
"Nicole Girard," Grom called another female forward.
Nicole seemed like a lively female, chatting casually with others even while waiting for her test, until a string of lower fertility strengths silenced her a bit.
Now with Ashley's superior fertility, Nicole became excited again, "This is great, I'll just bask in sister Ashley's good fortune, I'm sure to be lucky too."
Hearing this, Ashley smiled and made an encouraging gesture.
Nicole let a drop of blood fall onto the Female Stone, which quickly shone bright, not blinding, but enduring.
Grom laughed, "Superior."
After thanking Grom, Nicole ran over to Ashley and threw herself into her arms, "It's wonderful, I don't have to go to the Female Cave."
Several females with lower fertility strength suddenly looked even more upset.
The only females not yet tested were Rona Resh and Sally Millet.
Grom called Rona Resh in order.
Sally instinctively felt an increasingly eager gaze upon her; without needing to look, she knew who it was from.
This Lin Lang seemed to be a popular choice among the males as well, since she had heard females speaking of him.
For instance, Rona Resh right in front of her, she was quite interested in Lin Lang.
Rona Resh looked back at Sally, "Why don't you go first?"
Out of habit, Sally bowed slightly and with a gesture of her hand said, "The Witch Clan called your name, you go first."
This gesture surprised Rona Resh, as no one had ever done such a thing before, but it was pleasing, "Alright then."
Down below, some had taken note of Sally's polite demeanor.
"Didn't expect this young female to not only have a pretty face but also to be so sensible."
"Her fertility doesn't look too good, though."
"She hasn't been tested yet, who knows?"
"Just by looking at her thin and gaunt frame, we don't even need a test, straight to the Female Cave. Shall we go together? Hehehe~"
"Shut up!" Lin Lang suddenly spoke up sharply, "Even if it's lower fertility strength, as long as there is someone willing to care for her, there's no need to go to the Female Cave."
His voice was loud, and Sally on the stage heard him clearly.
The other females with lower fertility strength, who had eyes filled with despair, also lit up with hope at his words.