Chapter 22: The Flood

Chapter 22: Flood

Soon after, everyone in the tribe gathered on the open ground before the altar. Not only the people, but also the sea eagles, bay crocodiles, and the wolf cubs that had just been released were brought out.

Li Hongshen once again ascended the altar, holding an iron megaphone in his hand.

“Today, I want to solemnly announce to you all that our tribe has been officially established. Please remember, our tribe’s name is Flood.”

The crowd erupted instantly. In their memories, tribes with names and tribes without names represented two entirely different lives.

In tribes with names, there were warriors and spellcasters capable of moving mountains and overturning seas. Tribes without names were like mere mortals scattered across the world, living precarious, uncertain lives.

The people shouted loudly, “Flood, Flood, Flood!” Their voices carried for miles, startling flocks of birds into flight.

When the crowd finally quieted, Li Hongshen continued, “In the coming years, we will survive and temper ourselves in this endless wilderness. Some of you may fall here; some may suffer fatal wounds. I ask you: are you afraid?”

“No! No! No!” came the resounding reply.

“Very good,” Li Hongshen declared. “I hereby proclaim the official founding of the Flood Tribe.”

With that, he raised both hands and pressed them forcefully onto the altar’s surface. A violet light surged forth, instantly enveloping all the people, including the war pets.

Then, a red and green light rose up, washing over the people once more.

These were two gifts Li Hongshen had obtained upon arriving in the endless wilderness.

“Name: Tenacity”
“Type: Tribal Talent”
“Info: Increases vitality, endurance, and recovery speed slightly.”

—

“Name: Strength”
“Type: Tribal Talent”
“Info: Slightly increases strength, physical robustness, and resistance to attacks.”

When the light faded, everyone underwent a tremendous transformation—their figures grew taller, muscles bulged beneath their previously loose hemp clothing, now stretched to fullness.

The war pets in their arms also grew stronger, for war pets counted as tribe members and were thus included in the basic talent template.

Li Hongshen nodded with satisfaction and checked Li Li’s information panel:

“Name: Li Li”
“Rank: Zero”
“Talents: Tenacity, Strength”

At last, Li Hongshen could unleash his full strength in this endless wilderness. As for why they had not yet advanced in rank, it was because they had not used blood crystals.

In this land, blood crystals represented the qualification for advancement. Whether it was a first-rank blood crystal from a ferocious beast or a third-rank blood crystal from a rare species, both could be offered at the altar to obtain advancement and open the bridge between the tribe member and the world’s energy.

This was to prevent wealthy heirs from simply buying their way through trials, thus robbing the wilderness of its tempering effect.

Therefore, the Ministry of Education had imposed restrictions within the altar, so even privileged children had to hunt for themselves at the start.

This was why Li Hongshen had come to the outermost edge of the wilderness; deeper within lay packs of first-ranked ferocious beasts.

Even solitary tigers, forced by the struggle for survival, banded together in clans to resist hostile species.

For newcomers to the wilderness, this was extremely dangerous—complete annihilation could happen at any moment.

By staying at the outermost edge and hunting a few scattered first-rank beasts, some people could advance to the first rank, and those who grew stronger could help others, gradually achieving collective strength.

With this policy in mind, Li Hongshen began preparing his tribe for their first hunt.

On the third day at the camp, Li Hongshen had arranged most affairs. Some were left in the lord’s space to make salt and smelt iron ore.

Others trained in the camp, guarding Phoenix Rest Valley.

The original hunting team was reassembled. Li Hongshen led ten warriors, including Li Li, to attempt their first hunt for ferocious beasts.

“Is everyone here? Let’s set out,” Li Hongshen said, glancing at his companions at the mouth of Phoenix Rest Valley. He took the lead, stepping out, followed closely by the others.

Li Hongshen donned the tribal attire once more, fully armed: three homemade grenades and three water pouches at his waist, three short spears for throwing strapped to his back, along with a pack containing three days’ rations.

In his hands was a long spear; a round shield was strapped to his arm; leather armor covered his body and boots were on his feet.

The machete he once used had become a short blade at his waist. During the lord’s trial, he realized that while the machete was good for clearing paths in the forest, against fierce beasts, the long spear and short spear proved more effective.

The other warriors' gear was much the same, though some carried bows instead of spears—these were the tribe’s chosen sharpshooters.

The tribe watched their backs as they departed, knowing they were headed into the wilderness to hunt. They wished them victorious and safe return.

The originally small plain had been taken over by Phoenix Rest Valley by a third; the rest remained barren.

Under the blazing sun, the ground shimmered with heat, and vapor visibly rose from the grassland.

The uncultivated plain was wild with grass, so tall that their calves disappeared beneath it.

But this plain was not where Li Hongshen intended to hunt. It was too open, and the animals here were alert and swift—his group could not yet outrun them.

A single mistake could mean they became prey, rather than hunters.

They passed through the plain, then a patch of scrubland—not ideal either. The beasts here were small and scattered, like wild fowl and spore creatures, very agile; ferocious beasts would not dwell here.

After leaving Phoenix Rest Valley, they headed northeast for nearly twenty miles, finally arriving at a dense forest marked on the map as the Beast Forest. Eighty miles further north lay the Hundred-Thousand-Mile Mountains.

The beasts in this forest were typically cast-offs from the great mountains—lone wolves expelled from packs, lost lynxes, or stray bears.

The energy here was stronger than near Phoenix Rest Valley, yet not as abundant as in the mountains—insufficient for first-rank beasts, but enough to sustain the hierarchy.

A river extending from the great mountains flowed through the forest, ensuring the animals had plenty of fresh water, but also causing many conflicts.

“We should be close now,” Li Hongshen said, standing on a giant tree branch, pouring salty water from his pouch into his mouth. The merciless sun evaporated moisture quickly, requiring frequent replenishment.

They had set out in the morning and walked until afternoon. As it was their first venture into the wilderness, every step was cautious.

They marked the path for those to follow, moved slowly and circled several times to select the best route for future expeditions.

Additionally, they needed to find a place to store their prey, so that they could hunt more beasts and make things easier.

“Be careful. We’re entering the edge of the forest,” Li Hongshen warned.

(End of chapter)