| GB | Follow Me | 111
The residential area of the Fantasy tribe was not large, but the land they could occupy was not small. With the first residential area divided, more housing land could be planned along the outer layer to accommodate more orcs, showing the chief's ambition.
Qing Yun led his clan away, filled with frustration.
Their group, according to Fantasy numerical calculation method, consisted of about seventy people. They walked for nearly an hour before barely stepping out of Fantasy territory.
Jiu Fe held a wooden spear, spinning it in the air, his eagle eyes coldly scanning the surroundings.
The old priest of the Qingtu tribe tapped his bone staff, swallowing a cry of indignation.
When had the Qingtu tribe ever fallen into such a predicament? They were actually being driven out by an external tribe.
Qing Yun was also uncomfortable, but for the newly risen tribe behind them, they had helped them in their time of need. Even if there was resentment, they could only endure it for now.
Qing Yun said, "Try to avoid Fantasy tribe’s hunting range and find a suitable place to rest."
The clan leader's disciple, Jin, anxiously asked, "Aren't we going back?"
Qing Yun replied, "Go back?"
He shook his head. They would need a place to return to first.
The warriors sent out should be able to arrive after dark. If he wasn't mistaken, the tribe was probably already...
As night fell, a few clusters of firelight lit up the Qingtu tribe’s resting place.
They had temporarily cut tree bark to make tents and ate some food they had exchanged while working in the Fatasy tribe. Without spices, the food was bland.
Jin took a bite of roasted taro and said, "Chief, once we find a new place to settle, we can also find those spices and plant them in the ground. Then we won't have to worry about cooking without flavor!"
This was something they learned from the orcs of the fantasy tribe. It was said that the method of cooking with spices was taught by priest Bai long ago.
Jin glanced at the old priest and silently chewed on his meat.
Why didn't their old priest know such a method?
That night, Qing Yun waited for the warriors who had hurried back through the night.
According to the warriors' report, the Qingtu tribe’s territory had indeed been destroyed by Huangyuan. After the conflict, Huangyuan looted what they could from the Qingtu tribe and burned what they couldn't take.
When the warriors first returned, they almost didn't recognize the charred and ruined place as the home they had lived in for over a decade.
Qing Yun remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "You've worked hard. Go eat something and rest."
The old priest emerged from the bark tent, sat cross-legged beside him, his back hunched, and let out a long sigh.
"Choosing to help Huangyuan in their evil deeds has indeed brought the punishment of the Orc God."
Qing Yun rubbed his face and said, "Regretting it now is useless. We can only look for an opportunity to take revenge on Huangyuan. As long as you are here, the Qingtu clan still has hope."
The next morning, Qing Yun stopped moving forward and instead arranged for warriors to scout the nearby terrain. A few days later, they decided to establish a new tribe in a mountain hollow about three days' journey from the Fantasy tribe.
Jiu Fe received the news and flew back to inform Xiu.
Xiu, holding a piece of charcoal, wrote on a board, "It's pretty much as Big Huo guessed."
The Qingtu clan still had some self-awareness and didn't settle near fantasy tribe’s hunting grounds. However, there weren't many settled tribes around their tribe, so there was plenty of space for the Qingtu clan to choose from.
Fantasy tribe needed to recruit foreign orcs and establish neighboring relations. Their territory held a strategic advantage, serving as a key point that could radiate in multiple directions. As more orc tribes migrated, they would also become the outer defense line of Fantasy tribe.
The weaker orc tribes joining Fantasy tribe could strengthen their labor force and accelerate production. Those unwilling to join could be hired, similar to the approach they had used before in the Yuan tribe.
The strategies once implemented by the Yuan tribe were now being continued. The orcs, having gained experience, adapted quickly.
Xiu found A’Xin, who was in charge of animal breeding, and handed him a small rolled-up piece of thin animal hide.
"Find a way to deliver this to Big Huo and Bai."
A’Xin, limping, set down the water bucket, wiped his hands, and carefully took the hide.
"Don't worry, Leader Xiu."
He was both nervous and excited.
Not long after arriving in the south, the orcs discovered a type of white bird in the nearby wilderness. Just as they were about to kill it for food, Yu Bai stopped them.
A’Xin stroked the bird, called a "pigeon." After several months of training, the bird indeed flew to the intended destination, just as Bai had said.
Of course, only he and a few other orcs responsible for breeding knew the hardships of the training process.
But the thought that such a bird could deliver messages to the traveling chief and priest filled A’Xin and the other orcs with excitement, praying they could successfully complete this important task.
—
Under the bright sky, Yu Bai lay on Huo Duo'er's back, wearing a bamboo hat, drowsy.
Huo Duo'er and A’Sen had been exploring the surroundings of the Salt Mist Forest since dawn, but unfortunately, they hadn't found a way through the woods.
A’Di, who had followed them, exclaimed, pointing at the approaching white bird: "Priest Bai, what is that... oh, is it here for Priest Bai?"
The mountain pigeon landed directly on Yu Bai's shoulder, tilting its head and cooing.
Yu Bai perked up: "It's the pigeon raised by A’Xin."
He hadn't expected that the casual suggestion to train pigeons would actually be accomplished by A’Xin and the others.
He carefully removed the animal hide from the pigeon's leg, unfolded it, and read the words written by Xiu.
The young man's clear and gentle voice reached every orc's ears.
"There's another conflict in the tribe. Man isn't here, but thankfully, Xiu is becoming more capable."
Huo Duo'er carried him: "This is a good opportunity to train them."
Each leader had remarkable skills, but relying solely on individual abilities wasn't enough. They needed to learn to cooperate to support the entire tribe.
This was also a chance to unite the members from various orc tribes even more.
Only then could he and Bai gain more freedom, and with freedom, they could venture out like today to search for resources.
Yu Bai nodded in agreement.
Since the other had become the chief and he the priest, they often had to work separately.
Yu Bai tightened his arms around Huo Duo'er's neck. As noon approached, through the brim of his straw hat, he noticed that Huo Duo'er had brought him to the mountaintop.
Under the sunlight, the salt mist was dense, showing no signs of evaporating.
Watching the mountain birds skimming over the misty forest from above, Yu Bai murmured: "Could we create wings to fly over like the birds?"
A’Sen's spirits lifted, and Huo Duo'er pondered, deep in thought because of the suggestion.
But after spending half a day on the mountain, they realized that this area rarely had wind. Without wind, the idea of flying over such a vast misty forest with wings was simply wishful thinking.
As they descended the mountain, the elder of the Gray Mouse tribe came out to search for the two brothers, Chang Sheng and A'Di. On the way, he was caught by A’Sen, who carried the short Gray Mouse orc and placed him in front of Huo Duo'er.
The two Gray Mouse brothers exclaimed in unison, "Elder?!"
The elder let out a cry of surprise, looking up at the towering orc with a face full of terror.
A’Di ran over to help the trembling elder to his feet, comforting him, "Don't be afraid, this is the chief of Fantasy tribe, and that is their priest. They won't treat orcs as food!"
Huo Duo'er remained expressionless, while Yu Bai, nestled in his arms, waved his hand amiably at the little old Gray Mouse man.
A’Di shouted, "Elder, Priest Bai and Chief Huo have agreed to take us in!"
He added eagerly, "Priest Bai wants to cross the salt fog to reach the Realm of the Water God's domain. Elder, you've lived here for so many years, do you have any way to help him?"
The elder remained silent, not showing any joy at the news of being accepted by a tribe, maintaining a cautious demeanor.
But by evening, when the elder tasted the roasted meat prepared by priest Bai with spices, his eyes lit up, and he carefully hid the meat given to him.
The elder wasn't hiding the meat for himself but intended to take it back to share with the hungry young and female orcs.
Wiping his tears, he dared not look at the legendary giant race. With the support of the two Gray Mouse brothers, he shakily approached Yu Bai, looking up at him.
"Priest Bai, I... I don't know how to cross the foggy forest, but there is a method. Perhaps you can find a clue after knowing it."
"I can tell you, but you must promise not to go back on your word to accept our tribe's orcs, is that okay?"
A’Di had already told Yu Bai that the Gray Mouse tribe still had over eighty orcs. Lacking combat strength, they usually only ate wild vegetables and scavenged the remains left by beasts, and rarely ate meat.
He said, "Fantasy tribe is short of hands. As long as you are willing to work as diligently as our tribe members, you can earn your food, clothing, and shelter with your own hands."
The elder pondered, "Follow me."
Before they had walked far, he nearly tripped over the knee-high grass.
The two Gray Mouse brothers quickly steadied him, "Elder!"
They added, "It's so dark already, where are we going..."
The elder: ...
He had forgotten in his excitement!
Glancing back, he saw the handsome priest smiling at him warmly, without any hint of mockery.
He felt reassured, thinking that although the giant race was fearsome, having such a unique priest, the new tribe probably wouldn't be too bad...
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