Chapter 225: Falling Behind Means Getting Beat

Tonight, while they were drinking, they had already made plans; now the rice‑field experiment succeeded, the Tribe Demonstration Village has taken shape, and the wolf tribe can fully replicate their success and develop together.

Thus, in the future the two tribes will grow ever stronger; looking across the entire Ancient Tribe, no tribe will be their opponent.

Hearing this, Na Yao naturally expressed gratitude, "Of course, Spirit Woman, thank you. I'll take this back and see to it that it's handled, I won't disappoint you."

Na Yao's gaze at her held a sharp light, and of course there were other feelings inside.

Nan Qinghuan was very pleased, "That's good. I believe within a year, after rest and the primitive accumulation of food, our tribe will become the strongest clan here; no one will dare bully us again."

"Fall behind and you'll be beaten"; she has always remembered that golden maxim and never dared forget it.

Of course, the people she meant were the Rongdi; since Rongdi's father died, they have unexpectedly restrained themselves, haven't shown up at all these months, and no one knows what they're doing, seeming completely quiet.

But she thinks this youngster won't be so content; he will definitely cause trouble again.

Youchao Xuan, hearing this, felt his heart surge with excitement; his gaze at her grew even more reverent. Yes, those blue eyes had once been his faith. He not only believed the prophecy, he also believed Nan Qinghuan would bring miracles and change the history of tribal wars and slaughter.

She can usher in a new era.

He saw this in the Heavenly Book, and now it seems to be gradually coming true.

This makes his resolve to follow her even stronger.

"Goddess is right; from now on we will live in unimaginable good days. Goddess, thank you for coming and making me believe the Heavenly Book's words; they are true and will inevitably be true."

"Heavenly Book?"

Na Yao frowned, as if recalling that ancient Heavenly Book; his High Priest had mentioned it before, but at that time he didn't believe it at all.

So it really was her.

The Goddess descends upon the tribe, changing everything.

"Goddess, so you really are that person."

Nan Qinghuan was a little stunned, "What are you talking about, which person?"

She didn't like their mystical chatter; whether her fog‑filled crossing here was fate or coincidence, she couldn't return now, so she would lead her people to prosperity, live good days, and reach the pinnacle of life.

She intends to sow the seeds of civilization on this Ancient Land, so that later they may blossom and bear fruit.

Benefiting the people of this region.

Na Yao's gaze at her grew even more infatuated, yet he also knew she didn't belong to him.

Thinking of this, he suddenly downed a mouthful of wine, feeling the Fruit Wine for the first time.

Very bitter.

Astringent.

"My wolf tribe is willing to follow the Spirit Woman's steps; I'll do whatever you say, but …"

Na Yao, having drunk too much, kept talking; hearing his hesitant words, Nan Qinghuan bit into a fruit and asked, "What's wrong?"

Why did Na Yao suddenly speak haltingly, oddly? He glanced at Youchao Xuan, then at Nan Qinghuan, unsure whether to bring up the matter.

He had learned this from outsiders; the night was so joyous he hadn't had a chance to mention it to Ying.

"Na Yao, just say whatever you have."

"Yes, Na Yao, what's up?"

Nan Qinghuan and Youchao Xuan were both curious about Na Yao's state. A breeze brought a chill, and the air was filled with the fragrant scent of the forest, especially pleasant.

Na Yao gently set down his wine bowl and said, "Today is a day of great joy for the tribe. I shouldn't be bringing up unhappy matters, but I feel I must warn you, because this concerns the tribe's dignity."

Hearing this, Nan Qinghuan frowned and stopped eating the wild fruit.

"What matter?"

What does it mean to involve the tribe's dignity? They have been peaceful these months, focusing on agriculture—what else is there? Na Yao paused, thought, then tentatively said, "Spirit Woman, have you heard Ying mention the incident when the Dog‑Rong seized the hill belonging to the Ying Tribe back then?"

"Dog‑Rong?"

Who is that? Nan Qinghuan looked at Youchao Xuan, and upon hearing it he seemed to understand something. No wonder Na Yao was so cautious; this matter truly is a trouble.

"I know that tribe; it's a Beastman Tribe, its leader is called Dog‑Rong, a Giant, rumored to be as tall as a great tree."

"What, there are people here as tall as a great tree?"

She had only heard of Dog‑Rong as a Giant in the Classic of Mountains and Seas; could such a being exist in this ancient age? Na Yao glanced around and continued in a low voice, "The Dog‑Rong tribe is powerful, but it's far from here, so there's little conflict with the Ying Tribe. However, I heard that Dog‑Rong is using slaves to build a Sacrificial Altar on that land. Back then they captured many Ying people, intending to use their blood to sacrifice to the soil. I had planned to tell Ying tomorrow; he's happy tonight, and I don't want to trouble him."

Nan Qinghuan seemed to understand, "I get what you mean: the land that belonged to Ying before he became leader was seized, and now these people are building a Sacrificial Altar, killing the Ying folk they previously captured— is that it?"

"Exactly. Goddess, you're clever; this matter actually isn't related to Ying—it's a matter of the previous generation's clan leader, but …"

"Who says it's the previous clan leader's affair? Not an inch of Ying's land can be taken!"

When those words were spoken, the three were startled and looked behind them, and saw… a flash of golden light on the horizon, the forest bathed in sunlight.

Among the towering mountains, the tribe displayed a different pastoral scenery.

Rongdi Tribe members were busy planting; admittedly, though they are rough, they actually managed to grow corn seedlings. Seeing those tiny corn shoots, the Rongdi were happier than anything.

"Ha ha, who said my Rongdi Tribe can't grow corn? Look, see?"

Duo Luo, standing behind him, was quite surprised; she couldn't grow it herself, yet the Rongdi did. "Leader, how did you …"

"How could I not? I must master whatever Nan Qinghuan knows. So, I'm pretty great, right?"

What the Rongdi didn't dare admit was that he had secretly slipped into the Ying Tribe to spy on Nan Qinghuan's people planting. He only watched from afar, never approaching, and saw Nan Qinghuan teaching her clan how to sow and water. He recorded all of that on leaves and brought them back to experiment himself.

But he didn't let anyone notice, otherwise he couldn't leave.

Since his father died, he felt more and more that his own strength was inferior to Ying's, so he wanted to prove to his father in the heavens that his Rongdi were not lacking. He also wanted to prove to Nan Qinghuan that her unwillingness to come back was foolish; even without her, he could still grow that corn.

Anything the Rongdi set out to do will surely be accomplished.

For the first time he felt he could handle some tasks without Nan Qinghuan; then why did he need her? "Leader, you're amazing; we all admire you."

Duo Luo knew he liked flattering words, so she went along.

The Rongdi laughed heartily, and urgent footsteps sounded nearby.

"Leader."

It was the lone wolf returning.

He hurried forward. "Chief, the latest news—the Ying Tribe has grown rice, and Yao has also arrived. They're celebrating the harvest."

"Rice?"

Rongdi narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking about that thing they had once regarded as grass. So that thing was rice. He'd heard it was fragrant. Since it could be eaten, his tribe would have it too.

"Find a way to steal some back. I want to see for myself just what this fragrant rice tastes like."

Hearing that they were to steal the rice, the Lone Wolf grew very anxious. "Chief, I'm afraid it can't be done this time."

Rongdi's face darkened, his ferocious features even more chilling.

"Why?"

"Ying has sent people to guard the rice paddies, and there are some terrifying Grass Men in the fields. It's very frightening."

"Grass Men?"

Those Grass Men were actually made by Nan Qinghuan to scare away birds. She had racked her brains to keep the rice from being eaten.

The Ancient People were superstitious, and Duo Luo was especially terrified. "It's a Grass Curse. You can't steal it—those who steal will be cursed."

Hearing this, Rongdi grew somewhat irritated but quickly calmed down.

He lifted his head and looked toward the direction of the Ying Tribe. "Ying really does know me well. As for the rice, we'll find another way to steal it. A tribe-wide celebration? Hmph. Does he know that his people are about to be killed as a sacrifice by the Quanrong?"