Chapter 2645: Caution First, Two Sides Argue

Elder Clan Chief was still asking if they could track by the lingering aura, but before his words had even settled, Qi Taihang beside him had already knelt on the ground in grief, wailing.

That howl startled everyone present, including Elder Clan Chief, making them all jerk their heads toward Qi Taihang.

All they saw was him looking at the pile of meat on the ground with tears streaming down his face.

The suddenly startled Elder Clan Chief snapped irritably.

"Qi Taihang, what are you howling for?"

"Clan… Clan Chief, my chicken, my Fire Spirit Chicken!"

"Fire Spirit Chicken?"

Upon hearing that, Elder Clan Chief finally turned his gaze to the pile of meat on the ground, his brows furrowing tightly.

Elder Clan Chief was naturally familiar with Fire Spirit Chickens, after all, nearly every household in their tribe raised them.

This was their tribe's main staple, and it greatly aided cultivation and the enhancement of qi and blood.

He hadn't paid much attention before, but now hearing Qi Taihang's wails, Elder Clan Chief saw the meat on the ground and realized it was Fire Spirit Chicken meat.

"Did these outsiders kill your Fire Spirit Chicken?"

"It must be them; I came out looking for the chicken, couldn't find any trace, never expecting it to be killed by this bunch of madmen—my chicken…"

Qi Taihang was overcome with grief; this was their family's chicken king.

Even if they didn't eat it themselves, selling it would fetch a good price; many in the tribe had previously offered high sums for that chicken king.

Qi Taihang had never been willing to sell it, yet who would have thought it would now end up as meat in a pot.

Qi Taihang remained sorrowful, when suddenly a tribe member spoke up.

"Taihang, it's come to this, don't be too upset—by the way, are you still selling that chicken? I'll buy it."

"Huh???"

Upon hearing that, Qi Taihang froze, and the others, seeing his reaction, likewise snapped back to attention.

First they gave the meat on the ground a complex glance—it was dirty, covered in dust—but, well, dirt doesn't matter; you can wash it and eat it, it'd be a shame to waste it.

Moreover, in this state the price would surely plummet—it's a bargain find.

In an instant, many present shifted their gazes and began speaking up.

"Yeah, Taihang, are you still selling that chicken? I'll buy it too."

"And me—I'll offer a high price."

Seeing everyone eager to try, Qi Taihang stared blankly, forgetting to respond.

"His chicken was stewed in a pot, and you lot are still here spouting cold remarks—do you have any sympathy left?"

Just as Qi Taihang was about to shout in anger, Elder Clan Chief could no longer bear it, his face darkening as he spoke.

"Nonsense, what time is this—you're still thinking about buying chickens?"

"But Clan Chief, this is a genuine chicken king—just…"

Someone wanted to say, it's really a waste to throw it away like that, but before they could finish, Elder Clan Chief cut them off directly.

"Shut up, the most important thing now is to find those outsiders—don't you even know this basic principle?"

Faced with Elder Clan Chief's rebuke, everyone still didn't give up, but they obediently closed their mouths.

After all, in the tribe Elder Clan Chief's prestige is high, and all tribe members obey him.

After rebuking everyone, Elder Clan Chief also glanced at the meat on the ground—this chicken king truly must not be wasted.

He gave the order without changing his expression.

"Taihang, first put the chicken meat away; we'll talk about it after the matter is settled."

Once we've dealt with those outsiders, we'll let Taihang send the chicken meat to my home—chicken kings are hard to raise, so it really must not be wasted.

Having settled the Fire Spirit Chicken matter, Elder Clan Chief arranged people to begin tracking the aura, first locking onto the outsiders' position, then waiting for an opportunity to act.

In that moment, Qi Taihang and the other tribe strongmen, under Elder Clan Chief's leadership, followed the aura along the route of Ye Zhangqing's group.

On the other side, after Ye Zhangqing's party stumbled upon this tribe by accident, they first observed from a distance for a while.

It seemed there was no danger, but because their divine sense failed, it was also hard to determine the situation inside the tribe.

"What should we do? Go around?"

"I think we should go in and take a look; the people in this village aren't necessarily hostile toward us, and it's a good chance to learn about this realm."

"You say this village might not be that guy's……"

This was the first humanoid village they'd encountered after being forcibly dragged into this realm.

Unlike the previous giant serpent and Fire Spirit Chicken, the inhabitants of this tribe are clearly sentient beings living like humans.

In that case communication is possible, and we might even obtain useful clues.

But there is danger too—who knows what attitude the people of this village hold toward us?

If these people are extremely xenophobic, conflict is likely to break out.

The group roughly split into two factions: one felt it safer to avoid rash advance to prevent unnecessary danger.

The other faction saw this as an opportunity to learn more about this realm.

After hearing both sides' views, the two leading Heavenly Palace Celestial Officials…

Fell silent for a moment, then finally decided.

"We'll lead people in first to scout; others stay here, and if danger arises we'll support promptly and look for a chance to retreat."

Still unwilling to miss this opportunity, after all we know nothing about this realm, so learning more is never wrong.

The two officials having decided, the others naturally had no objections.

Immediately the two Heavenly Palace officials selected over a hundred of the strongest cultivators, formed a team, and headed toward the village.

As for the rest, they remain hidden here, awaiting the signal.

If danger arises they'll support promptly; if not, they'll later enter the village.

Ye Zhangqing naturally also stayed here; Tianlin and Miao Qianqian accompanied him at the side, and Tianlin casually asked.

"Brother Ye, do you think there is any danger?"

"I suppose there will be; this village/town is most likely related to that person just now."

Ye Zhangqing guessed that this place should be where Qi Taihang lives.

And based on Qitaihang's earlier attitude, the natives of this realm appear unfriendly toward outsiders, or rather, toward strangers.

So, as everyone enters the village/town, they likely won't encounter a friendly reception, and may even erupt into conflict.

However, just as the two Heavenly Officials said, now that they have entered this realm, they naturally need to seek an opportunity to learn more about this realm.

Otherwise, how would they escape later?

It's totally impossible to just bump around like a headless fly in here, and who knows how high the danger of this realm is; maybe then everyone would end up in peril.

Therefore, compared to that, this bit of danger is still worth trying.

Upon hearing Ye Zhangqing's words, Tianlin also nodded in agreement; now we just need to see how strong this village/town is.