Chapter 199: Tribal War

How exactly did it form?

Mu Yi strayed from his original goal and plunged headlong into the process of studying the Ice Disaster Elite Talent.

As the Ice Disaster was developed, the talent unexpectedly began to manifest other abilities: at first it could only forge weapons and armor from ice, but later it could even create animals from ice, and they could move.

The inspiration came from the Asura Warrior's idea, and Mu Yi never expected it to actually succeed.

By the later stages of development, these soldiers could jointly control ice and snow, with effects almost indistinguishable from ice‑magic spells; even individually they could launch ice‑cone‑type attacks with their bare hands.

As the leader of the Winter Claw, Sernida could even wave a hand to command the surrounding wind and snow, and their combat power rose in a straight line.

Mu Yi studied for a long time before finally discovering that this thing originated from the barbarians' bloodline.

The Ice Disaster talent itself shouldn't be this powerful; the reason it became so is mainly that the Elite Talent, combined with their will over ice and snow, cultivated their own bloodline, maximizing their potential.

The most important factor here is not their bloodline but their acceptance of ice and snow; they have been accompanied by ice and snow since birth, so they are most familiar with it.

The more familiar something is, the more steadfast the belief; the Elite Talent itself develops one's essence, spirit, and mind, which is the chief reason the Ice Disaster talent is unbeatable on these barbarians.

According to Mu Yi's plan, after the Ice Disaster achieved the shaping of armor and weapons, the next stage should be to flexibly coat the mounts with frost, which would raise combat power another notch and greatly enhance functionality.

He reached out and tapped, finding the ice armor fragile, lacking the usual heft of conventional ice armor.

He has no special feeling toward ice and snow, so his progress in cultivating the Ice Disaster talent was unusually slow.

"Just a bit short, but now it can achieve full coverage by lowering intensity!" Sernida said with some regret as they jumped off their mount.

Sernida's bloodline is peculiar, essentially the same as the deceased Xinya's, both exuding an icy chill that can be felt straight from the bloodline.

The so‑called Blood Alliance is roughly a role like a regent.

Because the supreme rulers of Winter are usually women, their husbands are called Blood Alliance.

Nonetheless, it is undeniable that this ice‑bloodline is indeed somewhat unique, and Sernida, using the Ice Disaster talent, has taken a rather strange path.

"Have you already completed the talent coverage on the mount?" Mu Yi asked, staring in bewilderment at the armored wild boar before him.

It's like throwing the Ice Disaster talent into a desert—there's essentially no difference—but in this northern realm, the talent's effect is even more formidable than the Ten‑Skill Mastery.

"Yi, become my Blood Alliance!"

"Hiss!" Mu Yi inhaled a gasp of cold air as he pushed the door open and saw Sernida.

Boom—, Sernida roared at Mu Yi's tent.

"Here we go again!" Mu Yi felt a headache; Sernida didn't realize the knot was wrong and wanted to form an alliance with him.

From Mu Yi's perspective, Sernida alone in the northern realm could probably slay two enemies of the Earth Disaster level; after all, Sernida had already tried, single‑handedly killing an ice‑frost wyvern in a one‑on‑one duel.

Many talent effects are weak mainly because their universality is lacking and their applicable domains differ.

At this moment, Sernida gave Mu Yi another surprise: frost‑solidified armor covering Sernida's mount—a wild boar that seemed to have devoured some wilderness treasure.

This also made Mu Yi understand why Bai Qi had told him that the Elite Talent itself has no hierarchy; it is people who create distinctions.

These days Mu Yi has tried various training methods on these barbarians, observing and summarizing a relatively stable training direction.

However, compared with Sernida's rapid progress, Mu Yi looked at the ice armor that barely covered his arm and shook his head.

They call this the Ice‑bloodline; legend says the barbarians are the product of Titans and ice‑elemental spirits, a wild tale so outlandish that Mu Yi thinks it might actually be true.

Not only him, but even the soldiers under his command struggle to cultivate; Mu Yi can only have them act as sparring partners, training the Ice Disaster barbarians in combat techniques, which also serves as a good way to forge the Ten‑Skill Mastery.

"How are Awalosa and the Northern Witch's recoveries?" Mu Yi asked, glancing at the somewhat regretful Sernida about his own progress.

"Same as always, they completely ignore your letter; in my opinion we should just charge straight through and let them know what true power is with this thing!"

Sernida casually formed a massive frost‑wheel axe and swung it discontentedly; this was the qualitative change Mu Yi brought to the entire Winter Claw tribe, so Sernida heeds Mu Yi in these matters, after all the Winter Claw tribe aspires to strength.

"Prepare, prepare; it's about time to act!" Mu Yi said casually, glancing at the sky.

"Yes, yes, I got it, I won't bring people... what did you say?"

Sernida, pulling at her face in irritation, didn't understand why Mu Yi kept writing letters urging other tribes to surrender while they held absolute advantage.

If she weren't busy training daily to become stronger, she would indeed lead people straight into battle; after all, Winter Claw used to be the strongest tribe, and other tribes had to band together to resist it, and now it is so powerful it can crush them outright.

"Gather the warriors, prepare to act! It's time to test the results of our training!"

"Weren't you always opposed before?" Sernida asked, her face full of doubt.

"Heavy snow is forecast soon; such weather must not be missed!" Mu Yi said calmly, looking at the heavens.

"How do you know?" Sernida asked, even more puzzled.

"A commander who knows not astronomy, nor geography, nor yin‑yang, nor Qimen, nor formation maps, nor military momentum is a mere fool!" Mu Yi declared proudly.

"Go gather the tribe's warriors; while it snows, we'll take the Awalosa tribe!"

However, seeing Sernida's bewildered expression, Mu Yi sighed helplessly and waved a hand, signaling Sernida to rally the troops.

Watching Sernida's departing back, Mu Yi stroked his chin and glanced at the Zongwang Panel.

"Current Winter Claw tribe reputation: Respectful"

Perhaps in the future one could come here to borrow troops? In some ice‑and‑snow series worlds, it might prove oddly useful.

After all, the average level is above Level 10, and they all wield the Elite Talent; for a Military Strategist, they already constitute a force.

However, the Winter Claw population is too small; even if they unify the entire northern realm, it might only be a few hundred thousand.

Even with universal conscription, they couldn't withstand several attritions, and without common interests, personal ties are hard to maintain.

Mu Yi mentally plotted the future development path.

Sernida excitedly gathered all Winter Claw warriors who had already manifested the Ice Disaster talent, assembled them, and loudly proclaimed Mu Yi's decision.

Without any scheme, after leaving one‑third of the Ice Disaster warriors to guard the tribe, the remaining fighters followed Sernida in a charge toward the Awalosa tribe.

Mu Yi did not intervene; he stayed as an observer beside Sernida, needing to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Ice Disaster in real combat.

Boom—!

Sernia rode a wild boar, charging wildly toward Sernida; this massive boar, a special asset of the Winter Claw tribe, is larger than cattle or horses, bred on the flesh and blood of an ice‑frost wyvern.

"War Mother, the enemy is gathering!" Sernia steadied the massive mount and reported loudly.

She is Sernida's sister, also a special bloodline that has excelled in the Ice Disaster, originally a minor figure in the tribe, but the Elite Talent completely altered her status; now she is almost the strongest warrior under Sernida.

"You lead the way; let us crush those weak guys!"

Sernida said, leapt onto her own mount—a wild boar under her that was almost twice the size of its kind and even more ferocious—and after Mu Yi curiously fed it some White Dragon blood and flesh, it had grasped a bit of magical power.

In Sernida's hand a Frost Flail materialized; even amid the icy snow, cold air formed wisps of frost mist around the flail, a sign of even lower temperature.

Mu Yi recorded this finding: when the will to fight is strong, Elite Talent actually intensifies, a phenomenon not seen in prior training, further proving that war is the best catalyst for a Military Strategist's methods of becoming stronger.

Following Sernida's steps, they arrived at the battlefield; clearly, the Awa Luosa Tribe appeared more civilized, as could be inferred from Xin Ya's status, indicating they had more contact with the outside world.

Seeing the opponent's gleaming armor, Mu Yi knew the opposing leader was no ordinary foe; even back when he accepted Xin Ya's mission, it probably wasn't much easier than now.

"Whoosh!"

An arrow shot out from the enemy ranks and lodged in front of Sernida.

"Sernida! If you leave now, I can pretend nothing happened!" The Awa Luosa Tribe's leader Ai Xida said coldly.

She didn't want war with Winter Claw, nor accept Winter Claw's cruel system; she intended to unite the North with a better method, giving the North a more prosperous life.

Ignoring Ai Xida's warning, Sernida raised her weapon and shouted loudly toward the opposite side.

"I am Sernida! War Mother of Winter Claw! I will also be the new War Mother of all your tribes!"

"No, Sernida, you will not become the new War Mother; you are not the Prophecy Child!" an ancient voice rang from the other side, where several witch‑clad figures appeared with a horde of barbarians.

"I hate these god‑damned guys!" Sernida spat at the ground.

If it weren't for the repeated obstruction by the Northern Witch Tribe, the Awa Luosa Tribe and those small tribes could never have been opponents of Winter Claw.

"The sons of Awa Luosa will inherit Awa Luosa's will, the contract Dragon—Winter Claw, and lead the North to glory!" the ancient witch continued in that mysterious tone, reciting the so‑called prophecy.

"Hahaha, here's good news: Winter Claw is already dead, the witch's prophecy is ruined!"

Usually, Sernida might have been angered by such a so‑called prophecy, but now her face showed only arrogance.

"Old thing, open your eyes and see what this is!" Sernida said, tossing the White Dragon's head out.

Mu Yi raised an eyebrow in surprise, not expecting Sernida to resort to psychological warfare.

"Winter Claw! How could this be!" The previously mysterious witch panicked instantly; Mu Yi could hear disbelief in her voice.

"From now on, the North has only one Winter Claw, and that is our Winter Claw tribe!" Sernida's voice was extremely fervent, and the barbarians under her command cheered.

Before, the witches were like a dark cloud hanging over their heads, but now everything has changed; they are the strongest tribe in the North.

"No matter what, I will not let you succeed, Sernida!"

Ai Xida, though also astonished, did not waver at all; she raised her bow and arrow to strike back at Sernida.

"This guy can't really be the Destiny Child, can he?" Mu Yi muttered, honestly, the way Winter Claw acts always seems villainous.

"Kill them!" Sernida didn't waste any more words; she wasn't one for speech, but excelled at something else—violence.

"It's you! You twisted fate!" The old witch suddenly teleported before Mu Yi, staring at him with an inexplicable gaze.

"Kill you, and fate can be corrected!" The old witch's eyes were icy; without hesitation she brandished her staff, ready to use magic on Mu Yi.

But before the spell could be cast, a chill ran down her neck as Mu Yi's figure receded farther away, followed by endless darkness.

"Too close!" Mu Yi, expressionless, burned the blood on his formation blade with ember, watching the headless corpse lying before him.

The old witch's strength was decent, apparently far stronger than the Ice Disaster, but Mu Yi perfectly countered her, and bewildered by fate she couldn't unleash any power before Mu Yi beheaded her.

For Mu Yi, any mage whose physical condition was insufficient could be killed with a single strike as long as they weren't far away.

The old witch's death sparked a riot among the Northern Witch Tribe, but the unrest was quelled before it could spread—not by them, but by the Ice Disaster.

The witches' frost spells seemed to buff the Ice Disaster; originally their tribe's warriors were weaker than Winter Claw's, and now, without their greatest support, they were instantly crushed by the Ice Disaster.

In contrast, the Awa Luosa Tribe held out for a while, but the gap was simply too great; stubborn resistance could no longer turn the tide.

When Sernida lifted Ai Xida from the ground, the war was declared over on the spot.